PGA Championship

PGA Championship @ Hazeltine

The last Major of the 2009 golfing season approaches us. The PGA is considered to be the event that is reserved for only the elite… the best of the best golfers in the world. This years event promises to be no different. Hazeltine National Golf Club will do the honors as this year’s host. Much like all the major golfing events today, Hazeltine will play very, very long. If you can’t resist a smile as you watch the professionals struggle, then you might want to tune in this weekend. Here are some quick notes.

• PGA Championship Started in 1916 (Siwanoy Country Club)
• The only golfing Major which does not invite amateurs to compete
• Only a maximum of 156 golfers are invited to the PGA Championship (the qualifications for entry are lengthy)
• The 91st PGA Championship will be held Aug 10th – 16th, 2009
• 2009 event to be played at Hazeltine National Golf Club (Chaska, Minnesota)
• Hazeltine opened in 1962 and is a Robert Trent Jones designed course
• Hosted the 1970 and 1991 U.S. Open
• Hosted it’s first PGA Championship in 2002
• Hazeltine National Golf Club will host the 2016 Ryder Cup
• Rich Beem edged out Tiger Woods in the 2002 PGA Championship
• The 16th (signature hole) requires a long tee shot and great second shot to navigate the peninsula green
• Hazeltine will play 7,674 yards long for this championship as Par is 72
• The Pros will have to negotiate three 600+ yard par 5’s
• Course has a 78.0 rating and 155 slope
• Known as a hilly course with narrow fairways and small greens
• 9 holes at Halzeltine Feature a water Hazard
• For those who are lucky enough to be attending here is a Spectator Guide

Posted in Golf