USGA and Notre Dame's Warren GC launch 2019 U.S. Senior Open

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The quality of golf will continue to rise in our area with yet another major championship coming to Michiana.

Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course will host the U.S. Senior Open next June, and together with the USGA, officially launched the tournament to the public on Tuesday.

342 days remain until the U.S. Senior Open comes to Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course.

With this year’s open now complete, the USGA’s focus lies firmly on 2019 in South Bend.

“This turns the page for us looking forward to coming here next June,” said tournament director Robbie Zalzneck. “It’s really exciting for us to partner with notre dame and come to the warren golf course. It’s a great golf course."

The process of bringing the championship tournament to Warren GC was lengthy.

Tuesday’s launching came a couple years after the announcement, but several years after Notre Dame began building its relationship with the USGA by hosting smaller tournaments and Open qualifiers.

Now, they’re reaping the benefits.

“The USGA feels about Notre Dame the way we feel about them,” Warren GM John Foster said about the relationship. “They have an iconic brand. We’d like to marry those two brands and that’s what we’re doing with the U.S. Senior Open.”

Several area leaders attended the launch – including South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg – who said this will be the latest event to showcase all the area has to offer.

“The whole South Bend–Elkhart region, I’d like to believe we’re already known for our hospitality,” he said. “But we can’t wait for a chance to prove to a whole new audience just how enthusiastic we’re going to be about welcoming the many people who will see our community for the first time because of this event.”

As for the course itself, recent renovations have received praise from the USGA. And some of the pros who will play in next year’s us senior open have already made their approval known.

"Just rave reviews,” Zalzneck said of the reaction USGA has received from players. “They loved the golf course. It was difficult, but right in front of you and a great layout. From a playability standpoint, they were really excited and know we can put on a good test.”

During the launch, both the USGA and Warren Golf Course announced together that the 2019 U.S. Senior Open will honor the storied history of Notre Dame.

One of the first examples is selecting Irish football legends Tim Brown and Jerome Bettis as honorary chairmen of the tournament.

In a USGA release, both former players showed their excitement in the following statement.

“It is a great privilege to work alongside fellow Notre Dame alumnus Jerome Bettis as honorary chairmen of the 2019 U.S. Senior Open,” said Brown. “I have been returning to South Bend and The Warren Course in recent years to host a golf tournament that assists middle school students and the surrounding community has been very supportive. I am sure the Michiana area, Chicago and alumni and fans of the Blue and Gold will support this national championship.”

Bettis continued:

“Tim Brown and I have many things in common, Notre Dame football and being part of the same Pro Football Hall of Fame Class to name two, so it is only natural that we work together to help promote next year’s U.S. Senior Open at The Warren Course,” said Bettis. “It is an honor to help support this prestigious championship. I know my hometown of Detroit and golf fans from across the Midwest will join me in welcoming the game’s greatest senior players to South Bend.”

Visit the official site for the 2019 U.S. Senior Open for more information on tickets and volunteer opportunities.