McIlroy, Fowler Set For Exhibition Match In Detroit

Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler apparently will play an exhibition match at the Detroit Golf Club under the lights on June 7.

According to the Associated Press, the first two hours would be broadcast live by Golf Channel. CBS would then pick up the feed for a live broadcast for the final two hours from 9 – 11 pm.

Sunset on June 7 in Detroit is 9:06.  That means the entirety of the CBS broadcast will be under the lights.

An interesting aspect to the match is that it may be a team event involving celebrities. One source said that it would be “Team Rory” against “Team Rickie.” How about Kid Rock on Team Rickie? Rock is a golf fan.

If it were just Rickie and Rory, I should think that they could get the first nine in on Golf Channel, then CBS would pick it up at the turn. If you add in some celebrity nonsense, however, the groups may need to tee off before the Golf Channel coverage begins.

I’m looking forward to this. It is nice to see PGA TOUR players returning to Michigan.

The Detroit Golf Club was founded in 1899, opening with just six holes. In 1900, six became nine. In 1902, as membership increased, a hundred thirty five acres were purchased a 6 Mile Road and Hamilton. On this property, an 18-hole, 6,212 yard course was built.

Following the purchase of additional property in 1913, Donald Ross was commissioned to build 36 holes. The South Course is a par 68, and measures 5, 967 yards. The North is a par 72 at 6, 936 yards.

In 1916, renowned architect Albert Kahn was hired to design a new clubhouse. Kahn, known as the Architect of Detroit, is responsible for many of the city’s iconic structures, including the Fisher Building.

The club’s golf professionals have included Alex Ross, brother of Donald Ross, and Horton Smith from 1946 – 1962. Smith was the winner of the first and third Masters tournaments, and is a 1990 inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. All told, he had 32 professional wins.

Michigan has not hosted a PGA TOUR event since the last player holed out in the Buick Open in 2009. I hope that support for this event in the form of substantial crowds could help pave the way for the return of the PGA TOUR.