Next year, the PGA Championship will return to Valhalla Golf Club for the first decade.
Two of the Valhalla tournaments have had thrilling finishes. In 2000, Tiger Woods beat Bob May to win his third consecutive major title in a playoff. Fourteen years later, Rory McIlroy survived a leaderboard that included many stars, and he defeated Phil Mickelson with one shot.
The championship director, Ryan Ogle is blessed and cursed by those memorable majors.
“We are always looking for ways to improve it. How can we make it better? “” Ogle said at Valhalla on Tuesday. Why do you want come to this Championship? “Oh, you were at the 2014 championship?”
Why should you come to 2024? We have to make sure that we tell a compelling story of the fan experience and the spectator experience.”
Valhalla has a “Kentucky Feel” at every turn
The property will be transformed by the time the first golf ball is hit next year.
The clubhouse will be renovated. Near the 15th-hole, a 36,000-square foot agronomy centre is being constructed. The waterfall at the 13th, also known as “The Island,” is more visible. On 18, a new tee will be used.
Kirchdorfer wants to make sure that Valhalla is a place where players and fans are reminded of the Bluegrass State.
Kirchdorfer stated that “you’ll notice themes in the book, including what limestone means to this state and how it is used.” “That’s the reason we have horse industry. It’s because of bourbon. You can see the white picket fencing. The clubhouse will have a Kentucky-style feel. “We want to show that our heritage is important.”
The 2024 PGA Championship will be played longer and faster
Valhalla was played at 7,458 yards back in 2014. The 2024 event’s length has not yet been announced but it is likely to be longer due to the increasing distances of the players.
Ogle stated that the calendar is more important than length. Ten years ago the PGA tournament was held in August. It’s now played in May.
He said, “You will see a more challenging and faster golf course.” “Some of these runs offs will be more difficult to play because the surfaces are fast and firm.”
Ogle and general chairman Jimmy Kirchdorfer, who heads the investment group which now owns Valhalla, said that they didn’t have any winning scores in mind.
Ogle said that Kerry Haigh, the chief championship officer of the PGA of America, sets up a tough but fair golf course. “He leaves it up to the players and then gets out of their way.”
Tickets include food and drinks; alcohol is not yet included
Tickets to the major include bottomless non-alcoholic drinks and unlimited food. This practice will begin in 2021. The decision on alcoholic beverages prices, which caused controversy during the PGA Championship in Tulsa last year for all the wrong reasons, will be made at a later time.
Ogle stated, “We will do what we believe is in the best interests of our fans, the spectators, and the championship.” “And, you know, sometimes it won’t be right.” Every time we have an event, we’ll review it. “We’ll make sure to try and improve that.”
