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BLAINE — One of my most joyous childhood memories was attending the Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open in Connecticut with my grandfather.
My grandfather, Nicholas Viccaro, and I would attempt to predict the winner of the tournament each year.
In 1984, as an 11-year-old, this sports editor successfully forecasted that Peter Jacobsen would win — and he did so by two strokes over Mark O’Meara at Wethersfield Country Club (where the event was before moving to the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.). Jacobsen also claimed the 2003 championship.
PGA Tour golfer Zach Johnson tees off on the par-5, 596-yard 18th Hole at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine during the first round of the 3M Open on Thursday, July 24. The 3M Open replaced the 3M Championship as a Minnesota tour stop in 2019. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Last Thursday, as a member of the working press, I covered the PGA Tour’s 3M Open.
This was a first-class experience from beginning to end, and I snapped most photos on either Holes Nos. 17 and 18.
Both have terrifying water features, with the 17th measuring 229 yards as a par-3 and the signature 18th a whopping 596-yard par-5. Most of the golfers’ shots veered left on the closing hole, and “Fore!” was mentioned a time or two.
Here’s the view of the closing hole at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, surrounded by galleries sponsored by state and national corporations. The 18th measures 596 yards. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The course measures 7,513 yards for professionals.
Hang on a moment while I pick up my mouth from the floor while gazing at that statistic.
Pro golf and Minnesota have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship dating back generations.
The 3M Championship, which was a Champions Tour (seniors) stop, began in 1993 and ran through 2018.
Here’s the view from the Kwik Trip bleachers as golfers tee off on Hole No. 18. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The tournament was moved to the main PGA Tour as the 3M Open in 2019, with Matthew Wolff winning by one stroke over two seasoned players (Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa).
In the years since, Michael Thompson, the aptly named Cameron Champ, Tony Finau, Lee Hodges and Jhonattan Vegas claimed 3M Open titles.
This year’s tournament didn’t disappoint as golfers moved up and down the leaderboard as if riding on a mall escalator.
When all was said and done, Kurt Kitayama captured a one-stroke victory with a 23-under par 265.
Kitayama barely made the cut on Friday (which was at 5-under par 139); however, he sizzled Saturday and Sunday with 20 birdies combined for two rounds to best Sam Stevens.
The entire tournament purse is $8.4 million, and Kitayama’s winner’s share is $1,512,000.
That victory was made sweeter by the fact Kurt’s brother, Daniel, served as caddy.
Volunteers help make the 3M Open run smoothly. Here, a volunteer carries a portable scoreboard. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“This tournament’s amazing,” Kurt said in a statement emailed to the Pipestone County Star. “I thought the fans were awesome. The course is in great shape. It’s just a great venue, great atmosphere and great set-up.”
Kitayama said the 3M Open is now a required tour stop for him. The tournament’s trophy is called “The Elemental Swing,” with its helix-like spires indicating the potential of science coupled with the circular artistry of a golfer’s drive. Kurt held that on high for all to see.
This marked Kitayama’s second PGA Tour title, having also taken garland at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida. Moreover, the win gave Kurt 500 FedExCup points, which moved him from 110th to 53rd on the ladder, and bumped him up to 39th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
In a Dire Straits-like refrain. That ain’t workin’. That’s the way you do it. You play your five-iron or hybrid club on the PGA (Tour, that is).
(I digress. These golfers spend countless hours perfecting their craft on driving ranges, putting greens and bunkers, and that’s why they’re the tops.)
The 3M Open drives the economic engine in Anoka County.
In a story written by producers at NorthMetroTV, Blaine economic development coordinator Erik Thorvig said: “We’ve seen numbers which anticipate more than 150,000 people coming to the tournament.”
The media center comes equipped with a scoreboard and press conference area on the main stage. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Thorvig said attendance numbers are four times larger these days from the previous 3M Tournament.
Visitors bring money in the form of cold, hard cash, credit or debit cards or Google or Apple Pay.
3M Open officials forecasted an economic impact of more than $50 million.
“The great part is the money stays here (in the state),” said Hollis Cavner in the same report. Cavner is the chief executive offier at Prolinks Sports.
Another component of the 3M Open is the charity aspect. Officials explained 100 percent of the event’s proceeds — including ticket sales — are donated to Twin Cities-based charities.
Who has received this money? Several entities. Among them are the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Children’s Hospital, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the National Park Foundation.
Media parked in Lot No. 1, located at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. From there, I boarded a shuttle for a one-mile ride to the TPC.
The drop-off point was a short walk from the media tent, complete with electronic scoreboard, massive television and food and drink.
For the record, I only took two bottled waters and a single can of Pepsi.
This sports editor would like to thank media director Caitlyn Moyer for allowing me a press pass to cover this fine event, which is a staple among the professional offerings afforded to Minnesotans.
I whole-heartedly recommend a trip to watch the 3M Open.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Heaven, my grandfather smiled down like the sun-splashed day it was. The dream of covering a pro golf tournament has come true — at last.
A volunteer holds up “quiet” markers on the 18th hole. The volunteers are trained to tell everyone which direction tee shots are heading. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Editor’s Note: This column does not necessarily reflect the views of Pipestone Publishing Co., Inc., or the Pipestone County Star, and are solely that of the author.