US Senior Open at Indianwood is Rounding into Shape

The US Senior Open will be played at Indianwood Country Club July 12 -15th and will bring professional golf to the area for the first time since Warwick Hills hosted the Buick Open. Keith Aldridge, Tournament Director spent some time in a blog interview to speak about how things are shaping up.

JA: ndianwood Country Club has experience hosting big tournaments. What got Indianwood started hosting Women’s events nearly 20 years ago? 

KA:My dad Stan really wanted to bring a major championship to Indianwood and we were a perfect fit for the women.

 JA: So how did the idea come about to host the Men’s Senior Open?

KA: When the USGA had to move the 1994 women open at the last minute to Indianwood, my dad ask for a Sr. Open, the USGA gave him verbal commitment and finally made good the pledge

 JA: What is different from hosting a tournament today from one in the 1990’s?

KA: A lot more paper work!!

 JA: How are your tournament preparations going so far?

KA: Great, Vendors, Operations and Volunteers are right on track.

JA: What would you consider the key to making this a successful tournament this summer?

KA:Having the big names show up. Couples, Watson, Kite, Norman. And People just enjoying having Professional golf back in southeast Michigan. Detroit needs and can handle a yearly event.

 JA: How does your membership feel about hosting a tournament and are they happy about giving up some playing time to the professionals?

KA: The membership has been fantastic. It is great to see how many members have a big role in making the championship a success

 JA: What is it like working with the USGA?

KA:They are very detailed and It has been a good relationship

 JA:The Detroit area is without a PGA Tour stop. Does Indianwood have any aspirations to host an event somewhere down the road?

KA:Yes we do. Indianwood would love to host a PGA or Sr. PGA yearly event.

 JA: How can people get involved with the US Senior Open as a volunteer?

KA:To Volunteer go to our web site www.2012ussenioropen.com  We are almost full

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Aldridge did tell me that there are plans to sit in front of corporations that can bank roll an event and bring golf to the club. Whether it is Indianwood or another club that aspires to this, The Detroit Area without a PGA Tour stop is like the NFL not being in Los Angeles. It needs to happen soon.