Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Wind gusts rule Monday at Ryder Cup

The official anemometer at Hazeltine National danced in gusty winds under a sunny sky today.

ryder-cup-anemometer
Gusty winds at Ryder Cup weather station at Hazeltine National. Paul Huttner/MPR News

Wind gusts to near 40 mph battered the canvas at the Media Center Monday. They weren't even on the golf course, but Ryder Cup Captains Darren Clarke and Davis Love III still battled Minnesota's gusty winds to be heard. As the tent flaps thundered in the gusts, the Captains remained unflappable.

ryder-cup-captains
Ryder Cup Captains Darren Clarke and Davis Love III address the media Monday. Paul Huttner/MPR News

The Media Center floor shook with each gust. The death of golf legend Arnold Palmer Sunday took center stage.

Team Europe Captain Darren Clarke simply called Palmer "the king." Team USA Captain Davis Love III reflected on an emotional weekend, and relyed the Palmer family wishes to hold Arnold's servces until after the Ryder Cup. "That's what Arnie wanted," Love III said with emotion in his voice.

Talk of weather

The captains continues to fight the noisy wind gusts as talk turned to Minnesota's recent storms, and course conditions at Hazeltine National.

"Everytime it drys out, it gets wet again." Said Love III. Love also commented on some of the changes the grounds crew at Hazeltine has made to keep the course extremely playable despite the wettest year on record in the Twin Cities. "The course is in great shape."

Watching the weather

I had the chance to meet with the local Twin Cities meteorologists from Schneider Electric who are working the Ryder Cup this afternoon.

ryder-cup-weather-station
PGA of America Ryder Cup Meteorologists Brad Nelson and Wade Stettner on each side of ytours truly. Paul Huttner/MPR News.

Look for more on their role in providing weather support in this space soon.