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5 things to know about the 3M Championship

By Brian Stensaas

August 1, 2016 at 2:54AM

Practice rounds for the 24th annual 3M Championship begin Monday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. On Friday, 81 of the best pro golfers 50 and older will tee off for a 54-hole tournament.

Here is a bit more about the event.

1. It's free

(Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

That's right: No admission fee required. You simply park at the Anoka County Airport (that's free, too), hop on a shuttle (also free) and get dropped off at the course to watch some of golf's best players from the 1980s and 1990s.

2. It's a birdie-fest

(Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The winning score has been at least 15-under-par each year since 2009. In 2014, Bernhard Langer finished at 22-under-par ... and lost by a stroke to Kenny Perry. There were 1,104 birdies made that year, the second-most ever in a PGA Tour Champions event. Last year there were *only* 965 birdies (and 12 eagles).

3. It has staying power

(Brian Stensaas — STAR TRIBUNE/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The 3M Championship is among the longest-running events on the senior tour to stay in one metropolitan area. First held at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids as the Burnet Senior Classic, the tournament has been played each summer in the north metro since 1993. Only the Ace Group Classic in Naples (1988) and the Regions Tradition in Birmingham (1993) have been around longer.

4. Looking for an ace?

(Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There have been seven holes-in-one since the tournament moved to TPC Twin Cities in 2001. History suggests your best odds to see one are on No. 4. Five of those seven aces have been made at the 180-yard fourth.

5. Follow the leader

(Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Looking to see the champion? Follow the final group. Players leading or co-leading after Saturday's round have won 14 times, including 12 of the last 19 years. That's fortunate, because the closing hole is a sprawling 580-yard par-5. A small hill tracks behind the large green and down the fairway, providing excellent views.

about the writer

Brian Stensaas

Multiplatform Editing Team Leader

Brian Stensaas has been with the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2004. He is a Multiplatform Editing Team Leader, with reporting experience covering high school sports, the NHL, NBA and professional golf.