Rocket Mortgage Classic Fan Guide

Rocket Mortgage Classic Fan Guide

The Rocket Mortgage Classic Fan Guide

The Rocket Mortgage Classic is first PGA TOUR event with Detroit City limits, and the first PGA TOUR event in Michigan since the demise of the Buick Open in 2009. It a weeklong celebration of golf in the state that Gary Player called “The Home of Golf In America.”

WHERE DO I GET TICKETS FOR THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC

Tickets currently are sold out for Sunday and Saturday, as well as weekly grounds tickets, ULTRA Club tickets and all private hospitality tickets.

Limited grounds tickets are still available for June 25-28 (Tuesday-Friday) and can be purchased at www.RocketMortgageClassic.com.  

Other Ticket Notes:

• Weekly grounds tickets and Good Any One Day tickets will be honored on Saturday and Sunday. Note that both of these categories have sold out, and no additional Weekly Grounds or Good Any One Day tickets will be made available for purchase.
• Tickets to the ULTRA Club, which are good Thursday-Sunday, will be honored on Saturday and Sunday.
• Complimentary junior tickets will still be available for Saturday and Sunday. Kids 15 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult (limit four kids per adult). Ticketed adults should visit the event box office Tuesday, June 25-Sunday, June 30 to receive complimentary junior tickets.
• No further military appreciation tickets will be available for Saturday or Sunday, although those active duty and retired military members who have previously registered for their complimentary tickets will be admitted.

WHERE DO I PARK FOR THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC?

General spectator parking for the Rocket Mortgage Classic will be located at the Michigan State Fairgrounds, and fans will be shuttled to the main tournament entrance – making for a convenient and easy entrance to the event. Fans will enter the Fairgrounds on West State Fair Avenue between Woodward Avenue and John R Street and can then board a free shuttle to take them less than two miles to and from Detroit Golf Club.

Parking prices at the Michigan State Fairgrounds will be $15 for Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26, and $25 per day Thursday, June 27-Sunday, June 30. Attendees are encouraged to purchase parking online to simplify their entry into the event while also saving $5 on Tuesday-Sunday fees. Parking can be purchased online only as part of a ticket purchase.

Handicapped parking is located at the University of Detroit Mercy, with ADA accessible shuttles to and from Detroit Golf Club. Fans must have a handicap placard and ID that matches the placard to park in this lot.

There is no public parking available on-site at Detroit Golf Club.

RIDESHARE

For those intending to use rideshare to get to and from the Rocket Mortgage Classic, the Palmer Park Community Building (1121 Merrill Plaisance Street, Detroit, MI 48203) is the tournament’s designated drop-off and pick-up location. Rideshare drivers will need to approach from the south via Woodward Ave., as Pontchartrain Blvd. is one-way only heading south.

PROHIBITED ITEMS, BAG POLICY & MOBILE DEVICE POLICY AT THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC

The PGA TOUR requires that all guests be subject to inspection prior to entering the tournament. No bags larger than 6” x 6” x 6” will be allowed into the tournament. To avoid delays entering the tournament, guests are advised to familiarize themselves with the prohibited items list and leave any items not permitted in their vehicles or at home.

For a detailed list of what is permitted, as well as the tournament bag and mobile device policies, please visit PGATOUR.com/tournaments/rocket-mortgage-classic/general-information.html.

CAN I BRING FOOD TO THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC?

Actually, yes. Food in a clear plastic bag one gallon or smaller is permitted.

CAN I BUY FOOD AT THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC?

Of course. Concessions are in the Fan Zone behind the second hole, as well as near the ninth, 14th and 17th hole.

CAN I BRING A CHAIR TO THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC?

Yes. And you might want to. There some nifty, folding stools available at area sporting goods store like Dunham’s. Seat cushions also are allowed.

HOW SHOULD I WATCH THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC?

There are two schools of thought on watching a golf event.

The first is to pick a group or two with players you like and follow them as they play through the round. This way, you get to see the entire course, and get a sense of how each of the holes play.

The second is to park in a likely spot and watch all of the groups come through. With this method, you get to see every player hit at least one shot.

Public grandstands are located on the first, ninth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth holes.

Area 313 — the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth holes (see below for the story behind Area 313) have been designated as a center of activity for the tournament. Depending upon where you sit, the grandstands in area likely will offer a view of a couple of holes. It’s worth checking out.

Finally, if you want to see a particular player, you may want to skip ahead a couple of holes to get a good view. To do this, use the tee sheet. Note which group is on the hole you’re currently observing. Then see how many groups ahead or behind the player is that you want to see.

For example, if you’re standing on the second, and the group you want to see is two groups ahead, you may want to go to the fourth or fifth to establish your position.

CAN I USE MY CELL PHONE AT THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC?

PGA TOUR policy on mobile devices is as follows:

• Devices must be on silent at all times; flash may not be used.
• Devices may be used to capture video, audio and photos (content) in all areas throughout tournament week.
• Content may be used for personal purposes (e.g., personal social media); no commercial use.
• No live streaming or real-time coverage (e.g., no shot-by-shot coverage).
• Data use (e.g., texting) is permitted in all areas throughout tournament week. 
• Please be respectful of play and do not interfere with players, caddies or media.
• All posted signage and instructions from tournament staff must be observed.
• Failure to comply with this policy may result in the revocation of a patron’s ticket

IS THERE WIFI?

Yes. Wifi is available at four locations along the course, including the Fan Zone near the second hole

AN IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER AT THE ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC

While the players are indeed at the Rocket Mortgage Classic to entertain the fans, they are also working. Golf is how they make their living and out of their earnings, they pay their own expenses (travel, food, lodging, mortgages, car payments, insurance, etc) as well as provide for their caddie. It’s not like a team sport where they would draw a salary from the franchise, travel on the team plane, etc.

So be considerate. Fan interference at the wrong time can cost them thousands of dollars. You don’t want someone shouting at you, or talking loudly on a phone while you are trying to concentrate at work. Neither do they.

DAILY ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 25

10 a.m.                        Gates Open

All Day            Rocket Mortgage Classic Practice Rounds

3 – 5 p.m.           AREA 313 Celebrity Challenge (See below for details)

6 p.m.                 Delta Dental Pro-Am Pairings Party (invitation only)

Wednesday, June 26

7 a.m.             

• Gates Open
• Delta Dental Pro-Am at the Rocket Mortgage Classic – morning wave

12:30 p.m.      

• Delta Dental Pro-Am at the Rocket Mortgage Classic – afternoon wave
• The Delta Dental Pro-Am will be played featuring a nine-and-nine format, where each group of four amateurs will play with a different pro on the front nine and back nine. All amateurs will play a shamble – the group chooses its best drive and then individuals play their own ball from that point on.

1:30 p.m.        

• Shot for Heroes Opening Ceremony with Rickie Fowler
• The Rocket Mortgage Classic’s Shot for Heroes activation is open to all in attendance during spectator hours from June 27-30, within the tournament’s Fan Zone at Detroit Golf Club.
• Not only are PGA TOUR pros invited to participate, but spectators can take a “Shot for Heroes” to raise charitable donations on behalf of the tournament’s Shot for Heroes program.
• Shot for Heroes raises money for Community Solutions and its “Built for Zero” national initiative to end veteran homelessness.
• Shot for Heroes has raised $1,000,000 for U.S. military-affiliated charities since the program was launched at the 2015 Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, Md.

Thursday, June 27

Rocket Mortgage Classic First Round

• 6:45 – 8:45 a.m.:            First Round morning wave tee times
• 7 a.m.:                          Admission gates open
• 12:15 – 2:15 p.m.:          First Round afternoon wave tee times
• 3 – 6 p.m.:                     Live tournament coverage on GOLF Channel

Celebrate a hole-in-one with Michelob ULTRA inside The ULTRA Club throughout tournament play, Thursday – Sunday. When a hole-in-one is made at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, spectators aged 21-and-older within The ULTRA Club will receive one (1) complimentary Michelob ULTRA. The promotion will run for 30 minutes following confirmation of the hole-in-one.

Friday, June 28

Rocket Mortgage Classic Second Round

• 6:45 – 8:45 a.m.:            Second Round morning wave tee times
• 7 a.m.:                          Admission gates open
• 12:15 – 2:15 p.m.:          Second Round afternoon wave tee times
• 3 – 6 p.m.:                     Live tournament coverage on GOLF Channel

Celebrate a hole-in-one with Michelob ULTRA inside The ULTRA Club throughout tournament play, Thursday – Sunday. When a hole-in-one is made at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, spectators aged 21-and-older within The ULTRA Club will receive one (1) complimentary Michelob ULTRA. The promotion will run for 30 minutes following confirmation of the hole-in-one.

Saturday, June 29

Rocket Mortgage Classic Third Round & Military Appreciation Day

• 8 a.m.:                          Admission gates open
• 8:15 a.m. (approx..):      Third Round tee times
• 1 – 2:45 p.m.:               Live tournament coverage on GOLF Channel
• 3 – 6 p.m.                      Live tournament coverage on CBS

Celebrate a hole-in-one with Michelob ULTRA inside The ULTRA Club throughout tournament play, Thursday – Sunday. When a hole-in-one is made at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, spectators aged 21-and-older within The ULTRA Club will receive one (1) complimentary Michelob ULTRA. The promotion will run for 30 minutes following confirmation of the hole-in-one.

Sunday, June 30

Rocket Mortgage Classic Championship Round

• 8 a.m.:                          Admission gates open
• 8:15 a.m. (approx..):      Championship Round tee times
• 1 – 2:45 p.m.:               Live tournament coverage on GOLF Channel
• 3 – 6 p.m.                      Live tournament coverage on CBS
• Approximately 6 p.m.:The Rocket Mortgage Classic’s championship ceremony will award its inaugural winner with the Rocket Mortgage Classic Trophy on the 18^th green immediately following the end of play.

Celebrate a hole-in-one with Michelob ULTRA inside The ULTRA Club throughout tournament play, Thursday – Sunday. When a hole-in-one is made at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, spectators aged 21-and-older within The ULTRA Club will receive one (1) complimentary Michelob ULTRA. The promotion will run for 30 minutes following confirmation of the hole-in-one.

Area 313 Celebrity Challenge

The AREA 313 Celebrity Challenge (Tuesday, June 25 from 3:30-5 p.m.) will officially open the most unique and exciting three-hole stretch on the PGA TOUR with a fun and spirited competition featuring PGA TOUR stars and celebrities, including several prominent Detroit athletes and native Michiganders.

Three teams will take on holes 14-16 in a scramble format to see if any of them can be the first to register scores of 3 (eagle), 1 (ace) and 3 (birdie) on the three-hole stretch.         

During tournament play Thursday-Sunday, the first PGA TOUR player to score 3-1-3 on holes 14-16, cumulatively, over the four days of tournament play will win $313,000. Half of the prize will be donated to several Detroit-based local non-profit tournament partners and half to a charitable organization of the player’s choice.

Appropriately named for Detroit’s famed area code, this three-hole stretch will be the epicenter of activity both inside and outside the ropes at the first PGA TOUR event ever to be held in the city of Detroit. AREA 313 is comprised of the 555-yard par-5 14th, the 160-yard par-3 15th and the 446-yard par-4 16th holes. This area of the course will be home to the tournament’s liveliest fan atmosphere, offering premier sightlines with general admission stadium seating options and upgraded hospitality venues.

The AREA 313 Celebrity Challenge is supported by the Children’s Foundation. The Children’s Foundation will have their mascot, CHAMP, walk inside the ropes during the event with two members of the Little Champions program, which honors children who have overcome major obstacles in their young lives.

PGA TOUR stars Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson will each captain a team of three national, regional and local celebrities.

Team Rickie

• Rickie Fowler – Five-time PGA TOUR winner, World No. 14 and Rocket Mortgage ambassador
• Kid Rock -Musician and Detroit native
• Justin Abdelkader – Veteran Red Wings left wing and alternate captain
• Blair O’Neal – Professional golfer and model, Golf Channel host

Team DJ

• Dustin Johnson – World No. 2, 2016 U.S. Open champion and 20-time PGA TOUR winner
• Jerome Bettis – Pro Football Hall of Famer, Detroit native
• Dylan Larkin -Red Wings center and NHL All Star
• Paige Spiranac –Social media personality and professional golfer

Team Bubba

• Bubba Watson – 2012 and 2014 Masters champ, 12-time PGA TOUR winner and World No. 22
• Tom Izzo – Michigan State men’s basketball coach
• Jimmy Howard – Veteran Red Wings goalie
• Troy Mullins –Female World Long Drive competitor