The Milwaukee Post

April 21, 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 SPORTS By NICHOLAS DETTMANN Conley News Service TOWN OF ERIN — A puzzle with seem- ingly a million pieces two years ago is com- ing together with only a few stray pieces left on the table. There are fewer than two months until the first day of practice rounds for the 117th U.S. Open men's golf championship at Erin Hills. The practice days are June 12-14 and the championship rounds are June 15-18. Organizers can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. "It's definitely getting exciting," said Eric Steimer, 2017 U.S. Open championship manager. "We always talk about milestones with this championship, whether its sign- ing the agreement, being two years out, one year out, once the prior year's U.S. Open ends and even as we kind of look ahead, March 13 was a big date for us because that was the day we started construction." The latest step in the journey to the first day of the U.S. Open was reached Sunday. At The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, Sergio Garcia defeated Justin Rose on the first playoff hole to win his first major in 72 major championship starts. Coming off the heels of a first-time major winner with an exciting finish helps pump up the excitement for the U.S. Open. 'This is huge' "I'm ecstatic. I can't wait," said Jeremy Kirst, head pro at West Bend Lakes Golf Course. "I need to go somehow some way. I'm going to find a way to get there. This is huge; this is bigger than Whistling Straits, because it's not an hour, 10-minute drive, it's a half-hour from my house." Steimer said he was watching his Twitter feed April 9 as The Masters neared the end and he saw Erin Hills quickly trend. "There was a stream of constant, 'can't wait for Erin Hills,'" he said. "Or, 'I just bought my tickets.'" Erin Hills has been closed since the end of last season to help preserve the course. Steimer happily reported the course came out of the winter season in good shape. "(The course) came out looking spectac- ular this fall," Steimer said. "The rain and now that it's starting to warm up a little bit, grass is going to start sprouting up pretty quickly." Construction of tents and grandstands was supposed to start March 13, but sever- al inches of snow forced a two-day delay. Since then, there have been several other weather-related delays, but nothing too concerning. Everything is on track to be ready for the first U.S. Open to be played in Wisconsin. The first tournament was in 1895. "Sixty days out is definitely exciting," Steimer said. "There's still work to go, but we're in a great spot right now, particular- ly on the construction side, which is where our focus is right now." Zach Reineking, the course superin- tendent at Erin Hills, and his staff have worked diligently to maintain the beauty of the course, such as the fescue grass. "I haven't seen him stop smiling," Steimer said. Email: ndettmann@conleynet.com Fewer than 2 months until practice rounds begin for US Open championship at Erin Hills Nicholas Dettmann/Conley News Service Eric Steimer, 2017 U.S. Open championship manager, points toward the golf course where tents will be set up for this year's U.S. Open at Erin Hills Golf Course in the Town of Erin. Golf course continues with construction phase as major tourney nears

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