The 63rd U.S. Women’s Open coming to Interlachen Country Club in Edina from June 23-29 is expected to sell-out the final two days for the first time in the event’s history, according to Dave Mona. He and wife Linda are volunteer co-chairs for the USGA national championship tournament along with Bob and Virginia Carlson.
Ticket sales are ahead of any past opens and it’s expected that capacity crowds of 22,500 will attend each day of the Saturday and Sunday finals at Interlachen, Mona said. The tournament will have about 15 hours of national TV coverage provided by ESPN and NBC.
Mona said that among the players who will be here competing for the approximately $3 million in prize money are Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster, Paula Creamer, Suzann Pettersen and Edina’s Hilary Lunke. Mona said teenage sensation Michelle Wie is the player event organizers “receive the most questions about” but it’s not certain at this time whether she will qualify for the tournament.
Changes will be made to the course including reversal of the front and back nines. Interlachen’s signature hole is No. 9 and as No. 18 “will photograph beautifully” for TV, Mona said. Other course changes will include faster greens, longer roughs and some narrower fairways.
Mona said the USGA wants to stage its opens at historic venues like Interlachen, the site of the 1930 men’s U.S. Open where Bobby Jones won a championship. USGA officials have been impressed with ticket sales, corporate sales and volunteer enthusiasm. Over 3,000 volunteers have registered and they pay $100 in return for some privileges including meals.
Marketing for the event will be timed to coincide with next month’s Masters. Event information is available at www.2008uswomensopen.com.