Erin Hills is a golf course located in Erin, Wisconsin. Construction began in 2004 and the course officially opened in 2006. It has been selected for the 2017 U.S. Open, which was announced on June 10, 2010. It also makes it the first USGA event ever awarded to a course owned by one person. The 2011 U.S. Amateur was also held at Erin Hills.
Erin Hills was built by Wisconsin developer Robert “Bob” Lang who used his own money to fund the course. Designers included Dr. Michael John Hurdzan, his partner Dana Fry and Ron Whitten. Determined to bring the U.S. Open to Erin Hills and at the suggestion of USGA officials, Lang made many changes to the layout of the course, dramatically changing several holes. Lang’s ultimate goal of bringing the U.S. Open forced him to sell the course, due to financial difficulties, in 2009. Andrew Ziegler purchased the course.
As part of Ziegler’s commitment to upgrading the conditioning of the golf course, Ziegler said that Erin Hills would be operated on a “walking-only” basis starting in 2010. Unlike most modern courses, Erin Hills was not outfitted with paved cart paths.
The course included a manor home specifically built as a hotel which includes a pub, and a refurbished barn available for private events. The grounds have been upgraded to included cottages for overnight stay.