AV News: Ryder Cup Aerial Recap

The 2016 Ryder Cup recently wrapped up, with the United States winning for the first time in eight years. Here at AirVuz, we showed you the host golf course from a drone perspective leading up to the big event. Our Tyler Mason gives you a recap of everything we captured at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

AirVuz first flew drones at Hazeltine in late October of last year. At that point, there were barely any signs that the course would soon host an international golf tournament. From there, AirVuz gave an aerial look at Hazeltine once a month for several months. That included the winter time, which made it hard to imagine a golf tournament played there with frigid temperatures and the course covered in snow. Throughout the process, we did interviews with Hazeltine Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh about the preparations of the course. We talked with Ryder Cup Director Jeff Hintz about the excitement of the event. We also interviewed Mike Quirk about the 49,000-square foot facility that housed all of the Ryder Cup merchandise. Before it was filled with golf fans, AirVuz flew a drone inside to show off the space. As the Ryder Cup drew nearer, AirVuz’s flights became more frequent. In the month leading up to the event, our pilots were out there once a week to capture all the progress that was being made. The Monday of Ryder Cup week was the final day drones were allowed at the course, as the city of Chaska, Minnesota, banned drones from Tuesday through Sunday. We spent the final day gathering hole-by-hole flyovers to showcase all 18 holes. We even had time to ask Ryder Cup captains Davis Love III and Darren Clarke what they thought about the drone footage AirVuz had taken of the course. This year’s Ryder Cup provided plenty of excitement for golf fans. The atmosphere was festive as the home team took the trophy. And of course, Hazeltine looked beautiful during the televised broadcast. But we think it looked even better from up above. Follow AirVūz News for the latest updates in the drone community.