The PGA’s Big Guns are Coming To Town – The 3M Open 2019

Super Bowls, Final Fours, Ryder Cups, WNBA Titles… what’s going on here? This is supposed to be flyover land, the Middle West or as we’ve all heard, “I’ve never been there but I hear it’s nice.” Not anymore baby! On June 18^th Hollis Cavner stepped up to the podium at the 3M Championship Media Day and announced the PGA’s premier players will be coming to Minnesota to compete at the 3M Open during the 2019 FEDEX Cup season. Clearly these types of events don’t just happen, that being a gross understatement with the PGA. We were told the 3M Open proposal has been in the works for eight years with lots of discussion and years of building trusting relationships. Pro Links Sports and 3M have seen it come to fruition and will be bringing the best players in the game to our front door. Hollis and his team have the key’s to that door and have swung it wide-open for all of us in this golf savvy, hard playing state to appreciate.

In what feels like a natural and well-earned transition the event will be hosted by TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. Behind the scenes with 22 years of experience is Pro Links Sports Tournament Director, Jennifer Hines. The amount of work and preparation for a typical stop on the PGA is staggering but what is even more impressive is the amount of positive output and charitable windfall that happens as a result and the 3M Open will be no different.

From the beginning Jennifer has been pulling levers, flipping switches, updating planograms and keeping a small army of event volunteers pointed in the right direction. All of this has added up to one of the best run events on the PGA TOUR Champions’ schedule. Off the course, her efforts have contributed to raising an astounding $26 million over the past 25 years for Minnesotans and their families. This has led to a number of health improvement initiatives including resources for better care, new operating rooms, advanced cancer and heart research and improved emergency room conditions across the greater Twin Cities. An extremely important bi-product of the transition into a 3M Open in 2019 is the newly created 3M Open Fund which will donate all the proceeds from the tournament to local organizations continuing 3M’s legacy of giving and improving lives.

The 3M Open would not have happened without a successful run of 26 years with the PGA TOUR Champions. This was further bolstered by the unwavering support from the local golfing community, strong corporate sponsorship and the tireless efforts of people behind the scenes. From its inception in 1993 at Bunker Hills as the Burnett Senior Classic through its move to TPC in 2001 under the 3M Championship name, the tournament and course has been in constant evolution. The late, great Arnold Palmer, who passed away in September of 2016, co-designed the TPC course with Minnesota golfing great Tom Lehman as his wingman. Arnold and Tom have made their presence known at the 3M Championship over the years bringing credibility and class to this prominent Twin Cities event.

As we move forward and the current crop of PGA players arrive at TPC to challenge what will inevitably be a longer, tighter course we should not forget the long list of big names that have played both The Burnett Classic and 3M Championship in the past. A short list of winners is highlighted by some well-known players. Kicking off the inaugural event in 1993 was non-other than Chi-Chi Rodriguez who would go on to entertain and amaze the Minnesota galleries for years to come. Other cornerstone PGA players at the top of the leader board included Hale Irwin (3 wins), Raymond Floyd, Bernhard Langer (2 wins), Tom Kite and Kenny Perry (2 wins).

Timing will be key to who attends the 3M Open going forward. The PGA’s schedule is packed with outstanding, historically significant stops. Player preferences on resting, tune-ups and sponsor relationships will dictate who flies in and who stays home. Early indications from Hollis and the Pro Links Sports Team suggest some big names want to play in Minnesota. Preparing for the Majors and resting after Majors week is typically a first priority for the players. At the time this publication went to press it was looking like two leading date options were being talked about, either the week after the U.S. Open in June or the week before the British Open in July. Either of those timeframes will create some interesting decisions. On or around July 10^th, the official announcement will be made when the PGA releases the 2019 schedule. Tee Times promises relevant updates in each issue as the event pulls together and more facts are laid on the table.

The sentiment within the industry is summed up perfectly by 2017 PGA Professional of Year, Tom Abts (Deer Run Golf Club), “What distinguishes Minnesota from most of the country is its huge middle-class. Thus golf in Minnesota is a middle-glass game and hugely popular. The crowds at the 2016 Ryder Cup were representative of the strength of golf in Minnesota. Look for the new 3M PGA TOUR event to become one of the popular stops on TOUR.”

Sitting down with Jennifer Hines, Tee Times was fortunate enough to meet during her busy week following the announcement at TPC. Jennifer shared her thoughts and some great insights into the project ahead. Although there is lots of works to be done it is in very capable hands. Here is Jennifer’s interview:

1. What do you see has the biggest challenge in your role as you transition from the PGA TOUR Champions to the PGA TOUR? It’s trying to wrap my mind around the significant increase in the scope and size of the new event. It’s a chance to really rethink how we do things with parking and crowd flow. We know we will have a lot more sponsors and how we can make it the best experience possible for them.
2. How would you describe the shift in scale going from the PGA TOUR Champions to the PGA TOUR? We expect the event to basically triple in size in terms of hospitality and attendance. With players, you go from a field of 78 to a field of 156. There is a lot more in terms of what is expected on the PGA TOUR for the players. We will need a daycare and expanded locker room amenities. We want the players tp feel great about their time in Minnesota.
3. Is there a current PGA TOUR event that you see as a good benchmark for the 3M Open? As a company, four years ago we took over what is now the Valspar Championship in Tampa, FL. What we’ve created down there with increased sponsorship, extra special events for fans including a concert and food truck rally and changing the look and feel of the course for the players is a great place for us to pattern ourselves after.
4. What physical changes relative to the 3M Championship can attendee’s expect to see on the TPC grounds as you launch the 3M Open? Hollis Cavner, our Executive Director, had an amazing relationship with Arnold Palmer. On one of his last visits to the tournament, Hollis and Mr. Palmer drove the course and discussed some of the possible layout changes as we were moving forward to the PGA TOUR event. Hollis has enlisted co-course designer Tom Lehman on input for course changes. Players and fans can expect to see a lengthened 18. Several other tee boxes will move, possibly some greens as well. There will be 4-5 bunkers enlarged and several fairways will be narrowed. All of the changes will be completed with the TOUR’s architects input as well. They have been here several times with their team.
5. Were there ever any other courses being considered for the 3M Open given the extensive changes to the course that will be required? We’ve had tremendous support from Anoka County and the City of Blaine. We are proud to bring the PGA TOUR here. If so, which ones? Hollis Cavner recently redeveloped what was formerly known as Tartan Park to the Royal Golf Club. Of course moving the tournament is never out of the question, but it is our intention to have it played at the TPC Twin Cities.
6. What do you see as the largest win-win for 3M in jumping to the PGA TOUR? Having an event on the PGA TOUR aligns with 3M’s corporate goals. The additional branding and recognition that comes with a four-day network coverage and the international reach is what they were looking for. The PGA TOUR also aligns more closely with millennials; which is part of their corporate focus as well.
7. Which PGA related tournaments does Pro Links Sports currently manage?

On the PGA TOUR, we have the Valspar Championship in Tampa, Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, World Golf Championship Mexico City and we are now working on the Houston Open.

8. Are there any changes within the Pro Links Sports organization planned as a result of adding the 3M Open to your roster? As a company we are growing so much, we are going to be looking at doing a lot more bids as a company. This includes everything from volunteer uniforms, hospitality tents and scaffolding to start with.

Tee Times will continue to monitor progress and provide updates on the 3M Open as they happen. Like everyone involved in the Minnesota golf industry, we are thrilled to have the PGA TOUR rolling into town. It’s another example of the growing awareness for Minnesota as a world-class golfing destination.