By George B. Eichorn
Professional golf is back in town. The annual Rocket Mortgage Classic descends upon the Palmer Park and University District June 25 through July 2. Huge crowds are expected at Detroit Golf Club, 17911 Hamilton Street, as the golf world visits this sports-crazed city!
Everyone knows Detroit is home to major league baseball, football, hockey and basketball but this annual PGA Tour event at the historic city championship golf course is a “keeper” and destined to remain a fixture – we hope – from the recent PGA Tour and LIV golf merger, as it takes shape in 2024 and beyond.
Men’s golf stars who committed to this year’s event are RMC defending champion Tony Finua, two-time major champion Collin Morikawa, 2021 RMC champion Cam Davis, 2019 champ Nate Lashley, Keegan Bradley, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Tom Kim, Kevin Kisner, Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas. Almost daily more PGA Tour stars are added to those confirmed to participate.
The course opens with free admission and free parking Sunday, June 25, at 9:00 a.m. for the final round of the John Shippen National Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage.
The popular AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble – awarded The Tour’s “best special event” continues its own tradition Tuesday, June 27 at 5 p.m. and features Lions Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, Red Wings captain Dylan Larking, MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo, former U-M star and NBA Hall of Famer Chris Webber and two-time WWE champion wrestler “The Miz” who makes his course debut.
“We’re looking forward to introducing a new twist to the AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble by adding Chris Webber and The Miz to our field,” said Jason Langwell, executive director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “It’s always fun to see Detroit sports legends up close and personal testing their golf games alongside PGA Tour pros, and having a professional wrestler in the mix this year will make it even more entertaining.”
The First Tee Greater Detroit Youth Clinic is June 27 at 2:00 p.m. showcasing PGA pros and celebrity guests working with children of elementary and middle school age on golf fundamentals and skills challenges.
Detroit Community Days will conclude on June 28 with the Delta Dental Pro-Am where attendees can watch PGA golfers in an up-close setting all day. All Detroit Community Days events are provided with complimentary parking and admission.
Four rounds of championship golf tees off Thursday through Sunday at Detroit Golf Club. Gates open at 6:45 a.m. Thursday-Friday and 7:15 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. The Golf Channel has Thursday/Friday coverage 3:00-6:00 p.m. and CBS-TV Saturday/Sunday the same times. SiriusXM provides live radio coverage all four days.
Call 313-251-2790 for ticket and parking information or visit rocketmortgageclassic.com.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on Twitter.
