August 2017 Golf World 69him. He was very supportive and heard everyone’s
opinion before making his decision. I’m very thankful
I met Bob Lang and had the opportunity to build
Erin Hills for him, but I’m also glad Andy Ziegler is in
cha rge now.”
Of course, Whitten was similarly relieved Erin Hills
could now revert to something like the first rendering.
In June 2010, just seven months after Ziegler had
taken over, Erin Hills won the ultimate prize when the
USGA announced it had been chosen to host the 2017
championship. Hurdzan/Fry designs had been used for
PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour events before, but
never a major. “We were ecstatic,” says Hurdzan. “We
celebrated at nearby Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
One just couldn’t ask for more.”
Level-headed, sober and composed, Ziegler
immediately began thinking of what still needed to be
done. “While the news was very exciting, the setting
wasn’t,” he says. “I was in my office when Mike called.
I then called my team and told them, ‘We got what we
wanted, now let’s make it great! ’”
Lang, who was a spectator at the 2011 US Open at
Pebble Beach on the day of the announcement,
understandably had mixed emotions. Hurdzan saw him
following the afternoon play, and offered his
congratulations. “I could tell he was both pleased and
melancholy,” he says.
The non-disclosure agreement prevents Lang from
saying too much, but you can almost hear him shrug
his shoulders down the phone line. “I’m not really into
legacies,” he offers. “They’re not important. And it’s no
use patting myself on the back for building the course
about to host the US Open.”
Probably not, but others are happy to do it for him.
“I think it’s a shame Bob won’t be there,” says Davis.
“I can’t say enough about the guy. He really is a
visionary.” Tom Manthy echoes Davis’ words adding
Lang’s absence isn’t right. “It’s a pity,” he says. “Because
Bob is obviously a huge part of Erin Hills.”
Hurdzan, who believes the course will prove popular
with the pros, likewise feels for Lang saying ‘it must be
difficult for him’. But he also recognizes how important
it was Lang stepped aside for Andy Ziegler. “The fact
of the matter is, if Andy hadn’t purchased the course
and been willing to invest in it as much as he has, there
would be no US Open at Erin Hills.”.‘I’m not into legacies. And it’s no use
patting myself on the back for building
the course about to host the US Open’The par-4 2nd
hole features
the smallest
green on the
course.
US OPEN