The 97th PGA Championship Preview

MAJOR COUNTDOWNWHISTLING STRAITS AWAITS WORLD’S BEST

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PUTS THE FOCUS ON

Hospitality– BY DENNIS McCANN –

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There are lots of reasons why the golf worldkeeps bringing its most prestigious competitions toWisconsin, from the world-class courses that serveas major tournament hosts to eager armies of vol-unteers to a ticket-buying fan base with a voraciousappetite for big-time golf.

And, of course, there is the hospitality, not onlythe warm welcome shown by Wisconsin golf fans totheir famous guests – and to their less famous entourages – but also that served up, and consumed,in outsize proportions by corporate forces at majortournaments.

So it goes at Whistling Straits, which will for thethird time host the PGA Championship in 2015,soon to be followed by the U.S. Open at Erin Hills in

2017 and, a few years later, the Ryder Cup atWhistling Straits in 2020. More than a year beforethe first shot would be fired on the course thathugs rugged Lake Michigan shoreline, PGA officialsand host Kohler Co. were delighted to announcethat official corporate hospitality sales had ex-ceeded expectations, prompting an expansion toadditional hospitality chalets for the Aug. 10-16,

2015 event.Add that to strong ticket sales, including the

second highest one-month sales total in the tournament’s history, and no wonder 2015 PGATournament Director Jason Mengel is grinning fromtee to green.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said this fall while describing the forced expansion of hospitality offerings. “We had two very successful PGA tourna-ments in the past (at Whistling Straits). It’s not like Iwas blind-sided (by the strong response) but wewere very pleasantly surprised.

“We’re all very pleased with where we’re at.”One major change in the hospitality program for

2015 is that corporate chalets will be located onthe golf course instead of in an adjacent locationas in the past. Mengel credited Kohler officials formaking changes to the course that would allowchalets on Nos. 9, 17 and 18. When those sitessold out – by mid-summer more than 70 local, regional and national companies had made hospitality commitments for next year’s tournament

Corporate chalets moving closer to the action

Fans take in the action at the 2010 PGA Championship.

PGA Championship corporate chalets.

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– plans were made to place hospitality chaletsalong hole 15 as well.

The effect, he said, is to “bring those venuescloser to the action. The end result is going to besome locations that are going to be absolutelyamazing.”

Mengel said it was PGA of America policy not toidentify the corporate groups but said they includebusinesses in the golf industry as well as somefrom Wisconsin and the Chicago area.

One reason for the robust response was themove closer to the links-style golf course, which offers corporate groups not only the rugged beautyof Whistling Straits but also the rolling blue of LakeMichigan as backdrop for its entertainment offerings.Tournament officials touted the chalets, designedfor from 50 to 100 guests, as offering a private environment with the ability to provide customizedfood, beverage and interior furnishings that allowsfor corporate branding and entertainment.

Other small hospitality packages included Gene

Sarazen Suites along hole 16 and Champions Clubtables for 10 along the first hole.

Mengel said corporate groups are becoming verycreative at how they use both chalets and other entertainment options. Some stick with traditionalentertaining of customers and offering sales rewardsand incentives to employees. Some companies usethe opportunity to roll out new products for cus-tomers and other guests – for example, one spon-sor in the past has had a new car model on displayin its chalet – while others feature customized fur-

The PGA of America – which has grown into theworld’s largest sports organization with more than 27,000members – will celebrate its centennial in 2016.

On Jan. 17, 1916, a group of New York area golf pro-fessionals, plus some prominent amateur players, gatheredat a luncheon at the Taplow Club, located in the formerWanamaker Store in New York City. Making Americansporting history was on the menu.

Rodman Wanamaker, who owned the store, was amongthose who wanted to create a professional golf associationas a means to promote the still-fledgling sport in Amer-ica. Also in attendance at that meeting were legendaryplayers Walter Hagen and Francis Ouimet and golfcourse designer A.W. Tillinghast.

A second meeting was held on April 10, 1916, at which

HOSPITALITY

Get ready to party like it ’s 1916

The stoneclubhouse atWhistlingStraits over-looks the ninthand 18th holeson the TheStraits Course.

Jim Barnes wonthe first two PGA

Championships,held in 1916

and 1919.

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Unlikely as it seems for a golf facility that openedas recently as 1998, Whistling Straits is on the vergeof becoming one of the most often-visited PGAChampionship venues in history.

After Whistling Straits’ first PGA Championship in2004, Kohler Co. CEO Herbert V. Kohler signed anagreement with the PGA of America to host twomore PGA Championships (2010 and ’15), plus the2020 Ryder Cup, ensuring Wisconsin’s place on themajor championship rota for years to come.

Thus, the 2015 PGA Championship will mark theevent’s third visit to Whistling Straits and its fourth toWisconsin. After the final putt drops at The Straitsnext August, only Southern Hills CC in Tulsa, Okla.,will have hosted more PGA Championships (four)than Whistling Straits.

The other three-time hosts are Atlanta AthleticClub in Georgia, Oakland Hills CC in Michigan, OakmontCC in Pennsylvania, Firestone CC in Ohio, Oak HillCC in New York and Valhalla CC in Kentucky. ValhallaCC hosted its third PGA Championship in August.

The PGA of America has announced the sites forits marquee championship through 2020. They are:

2015 Whistling Straits (Straits Course), Sheboygan, Wis.

2016 Baltusrol GC (Lower Course), Springfield,N.J.

2017 Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.2018 Bellerive CC, St. Louis, Mo.2019 Bethpage State Park (Black Course),

Farmingdale, N.Y.2020 TPC Harding Park, San Francisco.

The PGA of America – which has grown into theworld’s largest sports organization with more than 27,000members – will celebrate its centennial in 2016.

On Jan. 17, 1916, a group of New York area golf pro-fessionals, plus some prominent amateur players, gatheredat a luncheon at the Taplow Club, located in the formerWanamaker Store in New York City. Making Americansporting history was on the menu.

Rodman Wanamaker, who owned the store, was amongthose who wanted to create a professional golf associationas a means to promote the still-fledgling sport in Amer-ica. Also in attendance at that meeting were legendaryplayers Walter Hagen and Francis Ouimet and golfcourse designer A.W. Tillinghast.

A second meeting was held on April 10, 1916, at which

time a constitution and bylaws were accepted for theProfessional Golfers’ Association of America in New York City, which would become the PGA of America. Theassociation had 78 members to start, including 35 whowere considered charter members because they attended the first meeting in January.

The PGA’s two-pronged emphasis hasn’t changed in almost 100 years. The association still exists to promoteinterest in the game and to elevate the standards of thegolf professional’s vocation.

The first PGA Championship, won by Englishman JimBarnes, was held in October 1916 with a trophy andpurse donated by Wanamaker. Barnes also won the second PGA Championship, which wasn’t held until 1919due to World War I.

Get ready to party like it ’s 1916

Straits joins exclusive club

niture, carpets and décor. Companies are limitedonly by imagination and budget, Mengel said.

Such major tournament entertaining comes withmajor price tags. A 100-person chalet for the four-day tournament, including tournament tickets and a host of other perks, was priced at $270,000, exclusive of food and beverage and other enter-tainment offerings. A 50-person chalet was pricedat $165,000, 30-person Sarazen Suites at $99,000and 10-person Champions Club tables at $35,000.

One incentive for corporate customers was that

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HOSPITALITY

As the 2014 Wisconsin golf season winds to aclose, the folks at Destination Kohler are beginningto focus on wintertime events and gastronomic delights.

Following are a few tasty events on the upcoming Destination Kohler calendar:

Fall Adventure GetawayNOV. 14-16

This weekend-long event at River Wildlife,Kohler’s wilderness preserve, teaches outdoor skillssuch as trap and skeet shooting, bird hunting andfishing. However, accommodations – at either theAmerican Club or Inn on Woodlake – are anythingbut rustic.

Wisconsin Holiday MarketNOV. 21-23

Kohler’s 34th annual Holiday Market attracts artisans from across the Midwest. Vendors offeritems such as holiday decorations, handmade toys,clothing, sweets and other food items.

Admission is free with an overnight stay at theAmerican Club or Inn on Woodlake.

In Celebration of ChocolateFEB. 6-8, 2015

Participants are promised three days packed with“cocoa-themed events” at this third annual eventheld the week before Valentine’s Day. Includes live music and other entertainment, unique diningexperiences and, of course, lots of chocolate.

purchasing hospitality packages for the PGA in2015 included first-right-of-refusal for on-coursehospitality at the 2020 Ryder Cup. The same incentive was offered to PGA volunteers and certain

ticket buyers. Ultimate Foursome packages, for example, offered buyers the opportunity for directaccess to tickets for the Ryder Cup instead ofgoing through the usual lottery.

In addition to the strong hospitality response,Mengel said selling out season grounds tickets morethan a year before the tournament is consistentwith the experience of previous PGA Championshipsand likely what organizers of the U.S. Open andRyder Cup can reliably expect.

“I think it’s part of the passion (for golf), not justfor the state of Wisconsin but also the Midwest.”

When play begins Aug. 10, 2015, defendingchampion Rory McIlroy and fellow competitors willfind themselves surrounded by throngs of ferventfans. In Wisconsin, where golf is concerned, that’show we roll.

For more information about the 2015 PGA Cham-pionship, visit www.pgachampionship.com, becomea fan of the PGA Championship on Facebook orfollow @PGAChampionship on Twitter.

Visit Kohler year-round

Corporate chalets will move closer to the action in 2015.

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Golf enthusiasts and history buffs can get aunique look at the PGA Championship through Dis-covery World’s "Innovations in Golf: The PGA Cham-pionship Exhibit."

On display in downtown Milwaukee are some ofthe rarest artifacts and memorabiliathat trace the tradition and evolu-tion of the PGA Championship andits champions.

The exhibit features historic itemsand authentic replicas spanningfrom Jim Barnes' hickory driver usedto capture the inaugural PGA Cham-pionship in 1916, to John Daly's"Grip It 'N Rip It" driver, used in winning the 1991PGA Championship, to Tiger Woods' iconic ScottyCameron putter from 1999.

It also pays homage to Gene Sarazen, who wonthe PGA Championship at Blue Mound CC in Milwaukee in 1933. The display features Sarazen's

jacket (which commemorates him becoming thefirst professional career grand slam winner), as wellas his bucket hat, shirt, pants, tie and shoes.

Visitors even have the chance to test their owngolf skills through the use of a golf simulator.

Discovery World is located at 500N. Harbor Drive in Milwaukee. Theexhibit is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. andSaturdays and Sundays from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closedon Mondays. Discovery World admis-sion is: $16.95 for adults, $14.95 forseniors 60 and over, $12.95 for

children 3-17, $10 for active duty military and $9.95for college students. Admission is free for childrenunder the age of 3.

The PGA exhibit is scheduled to remain open untilApril 2015. For more information, click here or call(414) 765-9966.

PGA Championship exhibit visits Milwaukee

Cutting the ribbon forthe opening of thePGA ChampionshipExhibit at DiscoveryWorld this past summer were, fromleft: Joel Brennan, Discovery WorldCEO/president; DavidKohler, president ofKohler Co. and generalchairman of the 2015PGA Championship;and Jason Mengel,championship directorfor PGA of America. At left is the GeneSarazen display.

CHAMPIONSHIP EXHIBITP

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THE EXHIBIT PAYS HOMAGE TO Gene

Sarazen, WHO WONTHE PGA CHAMPIONSHIPAT BLUE MOUND CC IN

MILWAUKEE IN 1933

The focus of the sports world returns to the Wisconsin shores of Lake Michigan at Whistling Straits in August of 2015 for the 97th PGA Championship.

Remaining tickets are now on sale! Visit pgachampionship.com for more details on available tickets and volunteer opportunities.

Whistling Straits is also the proud host of the 2020 Ryder Cup.

AUGUST 10 - 16, 2015 • WHISTLING STRAITS • KOHLER, WISCONSIN

THIS IS MAJORTHIS IS THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

© 2014 The PGA, PGA Championship and Ryder Cup names, logos and marks are a trademark of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America.

The PGA of America and Kohler Co. have announced that only daily tickets remain availablefor the championship, including limited quantities ofthe popular championship-round daily tickets. BothWanamaker Club and season grounds tickets arenow sold out for the PGA Championship’s third visitto Whistling Straits, Aug. 10-16, 2015, in Kohler.

Golf fans considering purchasing daily champi-onship-round tickets are encouraged to act fast.Those tickets sold out in advance of the 2014 PGA

Championship at Valhalla GC and are expected toagain for the 2015 event. Tickets can be purchasedby clicking here.

“Tickets for the 2015 PGA Championship at

Whistling Straits have sold very quickly across allcategories, so for any fans who have been waitingto purchase tickets, now is the time,” said 2015PGA Championship Director Jason Mengel. “In addi-tion to the limited number of daily tickets available,we also have only a handful of volunteer positionsremaining, which give golf enthusiasts the opportunityto have one of the most unique experiences inmajor championship golf.”

During the championship, complimentary groundsaccess will also be available on a daily basis forjuniors (up to four children, age 17 or younger, accompanied by a ticketed adult) and select militarypersonnel (active, military retirees, Reservists andcivilians with Department of Defense ID).

Daily Grounds TicketsIndividual daily grounds tickets are available for practice rounds on Monday ($30), Tuesday($30) and Wednesday ($40), and for Championship rounds on Thursday ($90), Friday ($95), Saturday ($95) and Sunday ($95).

T ICKETS

Limited tickets remain for‘15 PGA Championship

Remaining ticket options

The Wanamaker Club.

DURING THE CHAMPIONSHIP, complimentary GROUNDS ACCESS

WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR juniors

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Remaining volunteer opportunities going fastin new 'Championship Shops'

VOULUNTEER

A great way to get a first-hand look at the 2015PGA Championship is to become a volunteer. AsWhistling Straits gears up for the championship onAug. 10-16, 2015, a limited number of volunteer positions are still available for the MerchandiseCommittee where volunteers will be assisting in the“Championship Shops.”

Volunteers on the Merchandise Committee willhave the opportunity to participate in a variety ofroles, including cashiers, inventory managers andgreeters in the climate-controlled, 36,000-square-foot merchandise facility. The shopping facility willoffer exclusive items, apparel and limited-editiongifts throughout championship week.

Volunteer assignments are filled on a first-come,first-served basis.

Adult volunteers, age 22 and up, are asked towork three to four four-hour shifts and are required

to pay a $204.75 volunteer fee. In exchange for thisfee, volunteers receive:4Volunteer uniform (golf shirt, headwear

and outerwear)�.4Preferred parking.4Meal and water vouchers.�4The official 97th PGA Championship program.4Personalized volunteer credential, which will

provide access to the grounds all seven daysof the championship.

Volunteers who complete all assigned shifts earnthe opportunity to register as a volunteer for the2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits prior to thegeneral public. Click here to submit your volunteerapplication.

Several positions for junior volunteers at thechampionship – as standard bearers and score-board operators – have already been filled.

2014 Rory McIlroy Valhalla GC2013 Jason Dufner Oak Hill CC2012 Rory McIlroy The Ocean Course2011 Keegan Bradley Atlanta Athletic Club2010 Martin Kaymer Whistling Straits2009 Y.E. Yang Hazeltine National GC2008 Padraig Harrington Oakland Hills CC2007 Tiger Woods Southern Hills CC2006 Tiger Woods Medinah CC2005 Phil Mickelson Baltusrol GC2004 Vijay Singh Whistling Straits2003 Shaun Micheel Oak Hill CC2002 Rich Beem Hazeltine Nat'l GC2001 David Toms Atlanta Athletic Club2000 Tiger Woods Valhalla GC1999 Tiger Woods Medinah CC1998 Vijay Singh Sahalee GC1997 Davis Love III Winged Foot GC1996 Mark Brooks Valhalla GC1995 Steve Elkington Riviera CC1994 Nick Price Southern Hills CC1993 Paul Azinger Inverness Club1992 Nick Price Bellerive CC1991 John Daly Crooked Stick GC1990 Wayne Grady Shoal Creek CC1989 Payne Stewart Kemper Lakes GC1988 Jeff Sluman Oak Tree GC1987 Larry Nelson PGA National1986 Bob Tway Inverness Club1985 Hubert Green Cherry Hills CC1984 Lee Trevino Shoal Creek CC1983 Hal Sutton Riviera CC1982 Raymond Floyd Southern Hills CC1981 Larry Nelson Atlanta Athl. Club1980 Jack Nicklaus Oak Hill CC1979 David Graham Oakland Hills GC1978 John Mahaffey Oakmont CC1977 Lanny Wadkins Pebble Beach GL1976 Dave Stockton Congressional CC1975 Jack Nicklaus Firestone CC1974 Lee Trevino Tanglewood GC1973 Jack Nicklaus Canterbury GC1972 Gary Player Oakland Hills CC1971 Jack Nicklaus PGA National GC1970 Dave Stockton Southern Hills CC1969 Raymond Floyd NCR CC1968 Julius Boros Pecan Valley CC1967 Don January Columbine CC1966 Al Geiberger Firestone CC1965 Dave Marr Laurel Valley CC

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

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2004Vijay Singh of Fijiwon his secondPGA Championshiptitle in 2004 atWhistling Straits,following his 1998win at Sahalee CC.

1940 Byron Nelson Hershey CC1939 Henry Picard Pomonok CC1938 Paul Runyan Shawnee CC1937 Denny Shute Pittsburgh Field Club1936 Denny Shute Pinehurst CC1935 Johnny Revolta Twin Hills CC1934 Paul Runyan Park CC1933 Gene Sarazen Blue Mound CC1932 Olin Dutra Keller GC1931 Tom Creavy Wannamoisett CC1930 Tommy Armour Fresh Meadows CC1929 Leo Diegel Hillcrest CC1928 Leo Diegel Five Farms CC1927 Walter Hagen Cedar Crest CC1926 Walter Hagen Salisbury Golf Links1925 Walter Hagen Olympia Fields CC1924 Walter Hagen French Lick Springs1923 Gene Sarazen Pelham CC1922 Gene Sarazen Oakmont CC1921 Walter Hagen Inwood CC1920 Jock Hutchison Flossmoor CC1919 James M. Barnes Engineers CC1917-18 No Championships played due to WWI1916 James M. Barnes Siwanoy CC

1964 Bobby Nichols Columbus CC1963 Jack Nicklaus Dallas Athletic Club1962 Gary Player Aronimink GC1961 Jerry Barber Olympia Fields CC1960 Jay Hebert Firestone CC1959 Bob Rosburg Minneapolis GC1958 Dow Finsterwald Llanerch CC1957 Lionel Hebert Miami Valley CC1956 Jack Burke Jr. Blue Hill CC1955 Doug Ford Meadowbrook CC1954 Chick Harbert Keller GC1953 Walter Burkemo Birmingham CC1952 Jim Turnesa Big Spring CC1951 Sam Snead Oakmont CC1950 Chandler Harper Scioto CC1949 Sam Snead Hermitage CC1948 Ben Hogan Norwood Hills CC1947 Jim Ferrier Plum Hollow GC1946 Ben Hogan Portland GC1945 Byron Nelson Moraine CC1944 Bob Hamilton Manito G&CC1943 No Championship played due to WWII1942 Sam Snead Seaview CC1941 Vic Ghezzi Cherry Hills CC

2010Germany’s MartinKaymer lept onto themajor championshipstage with his win atWhistling Straits in 2010.

Halftime at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison isusually reserved for the University of Wisconsin March-ing Band, but the 2015 PGA Championship recentlygot “top” billing thanks to the UW Athletic Department,the PGA of America and PGA Tour pro Steve Stricker.

During the Oct. 11 football game between theWisconsin and Illinois, Stricker – a Wisconsin na-tive and 1990 Illini grad – swung his golf club fromhigh atop the stadium’s video board, with a goal oflanding a ball on the midfield Motion W logo.

Stricker attempted the 135-yard trick shot threetimes with 80,000 enthusiastic fans watching. The1998 PGA Championship runner-up came VERY close

(within 30 feet on one shot!), but ultimately theamazing view was the winner. Golf fan Bob Beggs, ofFitchburg, was selected at random from thousandsof fans who registered to win two VIP Wanamakertickets to the 2015 PGA Championship if Stricker hitthe target, but happily accepted a pair of Sundaytickets to the championship as his consolation prizeafter getting to watch the attempts in person nextto Stricker.

Stricker went on Twitter afterward and tweetedhis reaction: “Never hit in front of 80,000 peoplebefore! @UWBadgers @IlliniAthletics #nervous.” Youcan watch the attempts by clicking here.

EDITORIAL OFFICE:

1435 E. Main St.

Madison, Wisconsin 53703

(608) 280-8800

Toll-free (800) 685-0036

www.wisgolfer.com

ON THE COVER: Martin Kaymer goesfor the green en route to his victoryat the 2010 PGA Championship.(Photo courtesy of the PGA.)

Published by Killarney Golf Media, Inc.in conjuction with the Wisconsin StateGolf Association and the Kohler Co.

PUBLISHERJohn Hughes | [email protected]

GENERAL MANAGERJim Kelsh | [email protected]

EDITORRick Pledl | [email protected]

EXECUTIVE EDITORErin Eagan | [email protected]

SENIOR DESIGNERAli Head | [email protected]

SALES EXECUTIVEEd Eckhardt | (608) 661-7646 | [email protected]

Stricker takes aim for 2015 PGA Championship

The videoboard captures Steve Stricker’s attempt to land a golf ball on the midfield “W” at Camp Randall Stadium.Stricker attempted the 135-yard shots on the platform just to the left of the videoboard. Jason Mengel, 2015 PGAChampionship director, wears the blue vest at Stricker’s right on videoboard image.

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The 97th PGA Championship Preview

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