ND's Warren Golf Course making final preparations for US Senior Open

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - In one week, the first round of the US Senior Open will be underway at Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course, meaning the final preparations are now being made before the staff turns things over to the USGA.

“It’s very satisfying," said Warren GM John Foster. "We’re really proud of what’s been done so far. The feedback we’ve gotten both from visitors and the players that have come through has all been positive.”

Next week will mark the first time the championship tournament has been held at a college venue, giving fans here in South Bend a rare opportunity to see some of the best senior players in the world.

“All over the golf course, the views are going to be totally unobstructed and you’ll be able to see two or three holes from anywhere on the course,” Foster said of the audience structure layout.

Beyond the experience he expects for the fans and staff, Foster added that every review he's gotten from players visiting in the past few weeks have been positive as well.

“[That's] because of the way the course was designed the age group is used to traditional golf courses. No tricks. It’s fair. They feel this is a course that can identify the best player in the world on a given week. The run-up has been great, the community’s been fantastic and the university’s been fantastic.”

Foster also mentioned that there will be some changes that fans familiar with Warren GC will need to know.

Those include the closure of Douglas Road, meaning the main entrance to the course will also be closed to the public. Fans will instead be parking in the White Lot just West of the course, which is often used for football parking. However, there will be free parking all week long.