Random photo #9-Fall color

And a Hazeltine history lesson

October 13, 2020

The random date generator kicked out a perfect time for fall color. This American elm is one of four, at the time (one was lost in a 2022 storm), two on the outside of the 10th hole and two on the outside of the 18th hole. It is easy to see why so many of these trees were planted and why it was so sad when most were lost to the Dutch elm epidemic. The canopy is beautiful–high, broad and vase-shaped it might be the perfect tree for golf courses. And, that’s not even having mentioned the wonderful yellow color they produce in the autumn.   

This summer, while looking through some photos from Hazeltine’s heritage collection, I got an indication of how old these elms may be. 

This photo was taken during the 1970 US Open. The four elms are easily identified. Two on the left at the outside corner of what was then the 9th fairway and two on the right at the intersection at the outside corners of 10 and what was the 18th fairway. Given the size of the elms in this photo and the fact Hazeltine was eight years old in 1970, I suspect the American elms to be just about the same age as the golf course. 

Shortly after this US Open, the orientation of Hazeltine’s 9th and 18th holes changed such that the elms on the left now stand right of the 18th fairway. The map below shows these changes.