we had two of the fi nest women right in it on the last day, when this unknown came and won, which took the luster off it from a fan standpoint. Of course there wasn't any television in those days. But we actually made money on it-not a tremendous amount, $20,000, but it really helped us from that standpoint. It was the fi rst time Hazeltine's name got out there in front of anybody. " The success of the 1966 Women's Open led the USGA one year later to award the 1970 U.S. Open to Hazeltine, a premature decision, perhaps, but one that opened the door to all the media attention that has followed golf to Minnesota since then. MG Sandra Spuzich Rick Shefchik is a freelance writer and author of four novels. He is retired from the St. Paul Pioneer Press after a 26-year career as a reporter and columnist. He lives in Stillwater. NEW " Purely Classic " Stay & Play Golf Package starting at just $151! www.mngolf.org Summer 2012 MINNESOTAGOLFER 23http://www.mngolf.org