2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic features new viewing areas, youth golf zone at Detroit Golf Club
Fans attending the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic will have numerous options for watching Will Zalatoris, Tony Finau and others with a cold drink in hand.
Ticketholders will have access to five unique viewing areas during the fourth annual event from July 28-31 at the Detroit Golf Club. RMC executive director Jason Langwell described the new amenities as "pockets of energy" at Monday's tournament media day.
"The Turn" includes stadium-style seating and views of the first tee plus an adjoining lounge overlooking the ninth hole. The Treehouse, located behind the fifth green, is an elevated fan deck that gives 360-degree views of the first hole and Holes 5-8.
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"The front nine is an area we wanted to activate more," Langwell told the Free Press last week. "(The Treehouse is) another kind of fan experience area away from what is already an amazing back nine experience. We wanted to get some energy out on the front nine as well, and a place for fans to be able to post up with great elevated views of golf."
Meanwhile, the Area 313 Grove is a tree-lined, shaded stretch between Holes 10, 11 and 14 that boasts an exclusive menu. And the Area 313 Village between the 16th and 17th holes has the largest concession stand on the course, and a giant LED video board.
If defending RMC champion Cam Davis wasn't playing the course, he'd probably be hanging out somewhere in Area 313.
"I had the playoff on this little circuit here going round and round with the grandstands kind of boxing it in and to make it really easily accessible for all the fans and stuff," Davis said of the section where he won a decisive five-hole playoff last year. "I felt like this is a really cool corner."
For those who brought their sunscreen, the High Noon Sun Deck overlooks the 17th hole and is touted as a picture-perfect photo location.
The CDW Youth Golf Zone near the second hole is another one of the tournament's additions. Converted from what used to be the fan zone inside the Detroit Golf Club members driving range, it's a space for children to learn about golf and practice their swings.
"That's going to be an area where, all week, young men and women will be able to stroll into that area and get free instruction, get a club in their hands in a really fun engaging way," Langwell said. "And so one of the things we've been wanting to do since year one, two, is how do we find a way to take the energy that's happening inside of the ropes — and everyone, they're watching like, 'Wow, how do I do that someday?' — and provide a real time opportunity for them to do that.
"And they'll be able to jump right across the fairway into the CDW Golf Zone and be able to do that, and learn about great programs and initiatives inside, whether it be Midnight Golf or First Tee or Detroit PAL, and learn about them. Because we'll have representatives there kind of sharing the other opportunities that youth can do when they leave the Rocket Mortgage Classic to stay engaged and keep that energy alive."
The RMC won't be waiting until the PGA tournament's first day to drum up that energy, though.
Admission is complimentary for the final round of The John Shippen National Golf Invitational on July 24. Focused on creating more opportunities for Black golfers, the event will host defending champion Tim O'Neal and others who will compete for a Rocket Mortgage Classic exemption.
From July 26-27, Detroit Community Days will feature free admission and parking for local fans. Tuesday includes the Area 313 Celebrity Scramble and a youth golf clinic followed by the Delta Dental Pro-Am on Wednesday.
"You look across the entire PGA Tour and you don't see that type of access," Langwell said. "And that's us wanting to open our doors and provide the most accessible, enjoyable experience for Detroiters at our event."
Contact Mason Young: MEYoung@freepress.com Follow him on Twitter: @Mason_Young_0.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic features five new viewing areas
