The PGA Tour’s Rocket Classic is set to bring its unique brand of challenge to the historic Detroit Golf Club starting Thursday. For director of agronomy Sam Moynihan and his team, it’s a busy stretch of events that will test their skills in extreme weather conditions.
Monday and Tuesday will see scorching temperatures, with highs in the mid-90s, but Wednesday brings rain to the forecast. The grounds crew is no stranger to harsh conditions, having dealt with heavy rains at previous Rockets. With their storm drainage system and new irrigation main lines installed, they’re confident in their ability to keep the course playable.
Moynihan wants to push the course as far as it can be played before the renovation project begins, which includes all-new greens. A dry spell would allow them to achieve a level of firmness and speed that’s rarely seen at the Rocket, making scoring even tougher for competitors.
The Rocket Classic will play on more than 7,300 yards of DGC’s North Course, with four par 5s and a challenging layout. The winning score has been under 23 for six previous events, with the sloping greens providing a major defense. As usual, the PGA Tour is watching to avoid courses that become too firm, limiting hole locations.
With their new infrastructure in place, Moynihan’s team is ready to tackle whatever the weather throws their way. They’re hoping for four or five days of dry weather to achieve their goal of playing as dry and fast as possible before renovation begins in two weeks.
Source: https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/sports/golf/2025/06/22/detroit-golf-club-braces-for-extreme-weather-as-rocket-classic-nears/84307282007