Big winner at Ryder Cup? Minnesota

Minnesota's own Tom Lehman choked up at Team USA's press conference after Ryder Cup Sunday.

"To have that Cup here in Minnesota means the world to me. So to be a part of this team in this state, my home state, two hours from where I grew up, it's a dream come true"

Team USA burst into applause.

The USA dominated singles matches Sunday to win the Ryder Cup by a convincing 17 to 11 score.

But the real winner of this week's Ryder Cup may have been Minnesota.

There was the spectacular weather. There were the record crowds. And, there was this guy.

And with true Minnesota style and efficiency, the entire Ryder Cup organization showed just how well Minnesota pulls off a world class event.

I spent parts of 5 days working on site at the Ryder Cup this week. I have covered several other PGA events. I am amazed at how well Hazeltine National, the City of Chaska and the PGA of America teamed up to pull off the world's most important international golf event. I spoke with journalists from all over the world this week, and many of them they told me this is the best organized Ryder Cup event they have ever covered. The Media Center ran like clockwork.

And the fans were all in.

Crowds moved freely around the golf course. Parking and transportation flowed smoothly. Food and beverages (and bathrooms) were plentiful. The infrastructure was impressive. The economic impacts significant. And in spite of some not so Minnesota nice smack talk from a few over-served spectators Saturday, both Captains from Team Europe and team USA commented on how great the crowds were overall.

In the end, this was an historic week for Minnesota as team USA celebrated victory at Hazeltine, and brought the Ryder Cup back to the USA on Minnesota soil.

After a summer of flash floods and severe storms, this meteorologist is breathing a huge sigh of relief that perfect Minnesota weather has shined the best possible light to the world on this beautiful place we call home.