Golfers are used to silence on the course. But not when they’ve just won a PGA TOUR event.
Michael Thompson remembers the scene at the 2020 3M Open on the 18th fairway just moments before he would claim victory. Fans were at home due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“There was nobody,” said Michael. “It definitely takes away from the experience.”
But with restrictions lifted, fans are invited back for the 2021 3M Open. And 3M is helping to make sure the experience is memorable – and safe.
“I’m excited the fans are back,” said Michael. “You want to be able to share those moments with people.”
3M Science helping us return
As a world-leading science company, 3M has played a unique role in the fight against COVID-19 by supplying life-saving PPE and critical products across the globe. Now, we’re using 3M Science to help people and businesses return from the pandemic.
At this year’s 3M Open, fans can experience many of the same innovations with a host of on-course activations and demonstrations.
“This might be one of the largest displays of science ever to take place on a golf course,” said Denise Rutherford, 3M’s senior vice president and chief corporate affairs officer. “Our intention is to engage with fans in a fun way and show them how 3M Science is helping to bring people back to the places and moments they love, and also afford them special moments to share and reconnect.”
3M Science at the tournament
The spectacle begins as visitors walk through the entryway of TPC Twin Cities and are greeted by the ultimate selfie moment – a backdrop of 3M™ Dichroic Glass Finishes called the “Butterfly Garden.” This display signifies rebirth and renewal as hundreds of vibrant, color-shifting butterflies welcome back fans.
Another selfie opportunity is in front of the 20-by-40-foot mural of Minnesota folklore heroes Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The duo recently re-emerged from the north woods and are protecting themselves with 3M™ Advanced Filtering Face Masks.
Next, attendees will see a pandemic-inspired collaboration between 3M and myBackyardStudios™, a company that offers modular home living spaces for your backyard. The office and craft options will be onsite, with both offering dozens of 3M consumer solutions, like Post-it® Notes and Command® Brand products, to enhance the spaces. Both studios also include sustainable solutions like 3M™ Sun Control Window Film Prestige Series and Malarkey® Shingles with 3M™ Smog-reducing Granules.
Once visitors make their way to the fan village, a profound moment of hope and community will capture their attention at the “Wrapped in Happiness” installation.
This display, co-created by 3M and M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, features a field of more than 90 oversized golf balls wrapped with 3M Printable Wrap Films. The golf balls are decorated by children showcasing the moments that make them happy – shared experiences we are all excited to bring back.
In the fan village, attendees can enter the 3M Science Hub, a golf-ball shaped dome that houses several engaging hands-on exhibits. The hub also features a two-tiered viewing deck that overlooks the 18th fairway.
If you’re looking for a souvenir in the hub, visit the partner activation with FANUC, a world-leading industrial robotics company. By starting with a piece of raw metal, a FANUC robot will use 3M Scotch-Brite ™ Light Deburring Wheel and a Scotch-Brite ™ Radial Bristle Brush to produce a 3M Open ball marker. These are two of many 3M innovations helping to rebuild for the future.
With hygiene top of mind, many of the high-touch surfaces and activations in the hub will be coated with 3M™ Durable Protective Film for an added layer of protection.
Near hole #12, 3M has partnered with Elkay to offer filtered drinking water to fans during the tournament. A 59-foot horizontal wall graphic will communicate the sustainable benefits of 3M’s water filtration technology, as one unit is equivalent to 45,000 plastic bottles.
A special moment
All of this science has the defending champ thrilled to return to the 3M Open, and share a moment with one particular fan in mind.
“I’m excited to bring my four-year-old son this year,” said Michael. “He’s really interested in science right now and it will be great to show him the cool activations.”
This special father-son moment is just one of many shared experiences now possible with the help of 3M Science.
