Just days before the highly anticipated Rocket Mortgage Classic, the Detroit Golf Club faced the wrath of a severe thunderstorm that resulted in the loss of numerous trees. The storm struck on Sunday night, less than a week before the PGA Tour event was scheduled to take place.
The Donald Ross course bore the brunt of the storm, with several trees uprooted and a significant amount of debris scattered across the property. The diligent grounds crew at the Detroit Golf Club had no choice but to close down the course on Monday morning to initiate the cleanup process, as reported by the Detroit News. However, by noon local time on Monday, PGA Tour players were allowed back onto the course to resume their practice rounds in preparation for the tournament’s opening on Thursday.
Despite the tree loss, the golf course managed to weather the storm relatively unscathed. No structures were damaged, and essential features of the course remained intact. It was a stroke of luck for the PGA Tour, as the Rocket Mortgage Classic narrowly escaped any major disruption.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic made its debut at the Detroit Golf Club’s North Course in 2019, marking the club’s entry into the professional golf scene. The inaugural event saw Nate Lashley emerge victorious, securing his first PGA Tour title.
In the subsequent years, the tournament witnessed notable triumphs by Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Davis, and Tony Finau.
The 2023 edition of the Rocket Mortgage Classic boasts a substantial purse of $8.8 million, with the winner set to claim nearly $1.6 million. This represents the largest prize money in the history of the tournament.
As the tournament progresses, Michigan can expect temperatures to rise to the mid-80s throughout the week. There is a possibility of thunderstorms that may pose a threat to Saturday’s third round.
In contrast to the wet conditions experienced at the Travelers Championship, the players participating in this year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic will enjoy a dry course.
Despite the challenges posed by the recent storm, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Rocket Mortgage Classic remain undiminished. The golfing community eagerly awaits the remarkable feats and fierce competition that will unfold at the Detroit Golf Club.
