The U.S. Open starts Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, and in N.Y., Bill Pennington notes the USGA reached an agreement with the Shinnecock Indian Nation that will "allow the tribe to reap some parking revenue and will also establish a permanent golf facility on the Shinnecock tribal grounds." The Shinnecock will "offer parking for spectators on their territory adjacent to the golf course." The golf training facility, constructed by the USGA, will "include driving bays, a short game area and putting greens for adults and children" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/12).
DID YOU SAY UTES? Univ. of Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham on the renewed talk of Rice-Eccles Stadium expansion said, "We’re excited to see it happen. That’s something that I think would really be a nice touch to that stadium." He added that "redoing the south end zone would be a good recruiting tool." Whittingham said that the expansion would also "help address the demand for tickets" at the 45,807-seat venue. The school has 51 "consecutive sellouts" dating back to '10, including 48 "standing-room-only crowds" (DESERET NEWS, 6/12).
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: The Univ. of Illinois said that it will spend $30M on "renovations to its 20-year-old basketball practice facility." UI said that the project will "more than double the building's square footage and benefit both the men's and women's teams." The school said that money for the project will "come through a fundraising campaign" (AP, 6/11).
