Fans flocked to the tournament in late July as crowds were eager to see top pros in action.
The 3M Open has clearly put Blaine on the golfing map.
“Absolutely,” said St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters. “You watch the Golf Channel and here it is, Blaine is getting all kinds of attention. Well deserved. Hollis Cavner did a great job developing this place. All these great players here. Best players in the world.”
Sports mecca
Blaine is now a sports mecca with global appeal, thanks to the Target USA Cup and the 3M Open.
“Blaine is really starting to get that recognition and notoriety of really being a sports-recreation destination of being able to host world class events,” said Blaine Mayor Tim Sanders. “Bring people from all over the world to Blaine, Minnesota. You’re starting to hear it now. They’ve got some connection to Blaine whether it’s soccer, hockey or golf.”
Walters has been with the Pioneer Press for 49 years and has gushing praise for the 3M Open.
“How lucky are we?” Walters said. “Hope it stays here forever.”
Walters believes it’s huge for this region to be an annual stop on the PGA Tour.
“It’s a big deal for Blaine, obviously,” Walters said. “They do a great job. Look how nice it is. Everything about it is a plus.”
Positive spin off
Most people give the 3M Open high marks and know there is a positive spin off from the event.
“Does such great things for local charities,” said Minnesota golf legend Tom Lehman, who has five PGA Tour wins in his career. “It’s a big event. What it does for the community is sensational. I’m proud of this state for the way it supports it.”
Blaine and Anoka County clearly benefit from the 3M Open.
“It’s the TPC, so it has that PGA Tour touch to it,” Lehman said. “Has that PGA Tour feel to it.”
“This is really a tournament stop that a lot of the players enjoy,” Sanders said. “It’s very family friendly. They love the area, the atmosphere, the environment.”
“This is a great place,” said 3M Open winner Lee Hodges. “Great golf city. The fans out there were great.”
Hodges had a dominant tournament – finishing at minus 24 to become the first wire-to-wire winner in 3M history.
“This golf course is super special,” Hodges said. “I feel like it’s a golf course that suits me obviously. I thought it last year. Super excited to come back next year now.”
Hodges – who played at Alabama – received $1.4 million for winning the 3M Open.
