ERIN, Wis. — The 80th U.S. Women's Open Championship at Erin Hills in Washington County kicked off with tons of excitement from local fans.
Margaret Ruscetta of Brookfield recently became an avid golfer. She said she couldn’t pass up to watch some of the best in the world play so close to home.
“It’s just a different experience from watching on TV,” said Ruscetta. “I enjoy watching their good technique and how they face different playing situation that they are in.”
While Al Paul drove down from West Bend to watch intense moments like making a clutch putt for a birdie at the 18th hole.
He believes there is nothing quite like the experience of watching major championship golf in person.
“I like to watch the best in the world golf and they make it look easy,” said Paul.
Erin Hills had been closed to the public since Oct. 2024 in order to create the most favorable conditions for the women in the U.S. Open.
The course’s co-General Manager, Kris Schoonover, believes the fan experience is just as important.
“With the USGA wanting it to be firm and fast, this afternoon, we will probably get some wind and Friday, again, some high clouds and Saturday and Sunday, those finishing days, it will be perfect,” said Schoonover. “We need the state of Wisconsin and those avid fans and those who are just getting into the game see the best females.”
Paul is one of the Wisconsinites planning to be here all four days. He said this course makes the game more interesting.
“This course is going to be pretty challenging for them. I think it already is. There are not a lot of them that are under par.”
For Ruscetta, watching this tournament has given her new motivation.
“I started when I was older and progressing,” said Ruscetta. “Just learning to be more patient and know that I am not a professional and am going to make mistakes, so I need to take lessons and practice.”
She hopes by watching these professionals, some of their skills will rub off on her the next time she tees off and now the rest of the state can experience the same thing through the final round on Sunday.
This is the third time the tournament has been held in Wisconsin. It was previously played at Blackwolf Run in Kohler in both 2012 and 1998.
Erin Hills also hosted the Men’s U.S. Open back in 2017. The course becomes just the 16th venue in the country to host both the men’s and women’s opens.
It will be awhile before the tournament could return to Wisconsin again. Future sites for the women’s open are already set through 2036, with some being booked as far out as 2048.
