June 2021 Ohio Golf Journal

The view from the teeing area out over the group of bunkers that split the two fairways is always awe inspiring but add to that the massive crowd and the excitement of the Solheim Cup, the atmosphere inside will be electric! Inverness Head Professional A.J. Sikula told us, “The excitement is building among the club’s membership, our visitors, and even non- golfers about the upcoming Solheim Cup. I can’t wait to see the players descend the steps, enter the first tee and hear the roars and chants from the fans.” Watch Sikula’s full interview here: In yet another change, the iconic, short par-4 18th hole, with the ‘Bob Tway Bunker’ will become the ninth hole. In 1986, Tway had erased a four- shot deficit and was tied with Greg Norman as they stood on the 72nd hole of the PGA Championship. Laying up, Tway hit his approach short and right leaving a difficult bunker shot. Norman had also missed the green. Tway miraculously holed his bunker shot to defeat opening ceremony will be held Friday, September 3rd, at Promenade Park. A concert, sponsored by ProMedica, featuring Grammy-Winning artist, Gwen Stefani is expected to draw large crowds to downtown Toledo. Another first for the Solheim Cup will be the stadium feel for the opening tee shots. At Inverness, the first and tenth tee boxes are separated by a small practice putting green. For the Solheim Cup both the first and tenth tees will be combined into a single teeing area. Fans will be able to view the players hitting their opening tee shots on No. 1, as well as, their drives as they make the turn for number 10. A stairway and bridge will be constructed for the players to walk from the practice putting green, in front of the massive Inverness Clubhouse, up and over the stands, which will allow the players to descend into this energy charged arena. Norman for the title. It has become one of the most famous shots in golf and every visitor to Inverness has to drop a ball in that bunker to try to emulate Tway’s winning shot. With only 40% of matches demanding a full 18 holes, the tournament committee wanted every competitor to experience the iconic ninth. Reversing the two holes, ninth and 18th, assures every match will pass through that historic stretch of Inverness. Since Governor DeWine’s announcement that COVID restrictions will be eased beginning June 2, the LPGA is expecting to sell the maximum number of tickets, so fans can get the full Solheim Cup experience at Inverness. John Zimmers, Head Supe- rintendent at Inverness, is tasked with preparing the course and assure it is in peak condition. He has considerable experience preparing for big events. He was Head Superintendent at Oakmont, when it hosted two U.S. Opens, a Women’s U.S. Open, as well as, a U.S. Amateur, during his 18-year tenure. He told us, “Weather is always a factor and setting up the course to assure good shots are rewarded, while the penalties for poor shots are Ohio Golf Journal