PGA Championship Archives

2015 PGA Championship Media Day Jersey Presentation — (from left to right) Todd Dekker, father of former University of Wisconsin men’s basketball star and highly rated 2015 NBA Draft prospect Sam Dekker; Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach; Rory McIlroy, the world’s top-ranked golfer and defending PGA Champion; and Bill Schroeder, retired Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver, are all smiles after McIlroy was presented with honorary team jerseys during a June 12 visit to Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. Whistling Straits is preparing to the host the highly anticipated 2015 PGA Championship this August 10-16. Limited daily tickets remaining available at www.PGAChampionship.com (Photo Credit: Jeff Kernen for Kohler Co.).

KOHLER, Wis. (June 12, 2015) – The PGA of America and Kohler Co. today welcomed Rory McIlroy, the world’s top-ranked golfer and defending PGA Champion, to Whistling Straits, which is preparing to host the highly anticipated 2015 PGA Championship this August 10-16 along the shores of Lake Michigan near Kohler, Wis.

McIlroy met with media at Whistling Straits to discuss his excitement regarding the upcoming Championship at the links-style Straits Course, which previously hosted the PGA Championship in 2004 and 2010. Both Championships produced dramatic golf and required playoffs to determine a winner (Vijay Singh in 2004, Martin Kaymer in 2010).

“Whistling Straits is as close to a links-style course as you’re going to find in America,” McIlroy said. “I’m tremendously excited for the 2015 PGA Championship to be back at Whistling Straits. I enjoy the set-up of PGA Championship courses; I find them very fair. I have no doubt it will be a terrific event here in August.”

McIlroy, who won the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course in addition to last year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, will join an elite group if he succeeds in defending his Champion’s title in 2015. Only six golfers have won consecutive PGA Championships: Jim Barnes, Leo Diegel, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Denny Shute and Tiger Woods (twice).

A #ThisIsMajor Day
After touching down in Wisconsin this morning, McIlroy began his visit to Whistling Straits by participating in a #ThisIsMajor conversation panel to discuss the 2015 PGA Championship.

He was joined in the conversation by Derek Sprague, President of the PGA of America; Herb Kohler, Executive Chairman of Kohler Co.; David Kohler, President & CEO of Kohler Co. and General Chair of the 2015 PGA Championship; Rob Correa, Executive Vice President, Programming for CBS Sports; and Matt Hong, Executive Vice Present and General Manager at Turner Sports.

Following the discussion, McIlroy received a surprise welcome from some well-known Wisconsin sports luminaries. Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach; Bill Schroeder, retired Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver; and Todd Dekker, father of former University of Wisconsin men’s basketball star and highly rated 2015 NBA Draft prospect Sam Dekker, were on hand to present McIlroy with honorary team jerseys.

Notably, Schroeder and Todd Dekker are both natives of Sheboygan, Wis., near Whistling Straits. Dekker was standing in for his son, who was busy with NBA Draft-related obligations this morning. The elder Dekker has been the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Sheboygan Lutheran High School for more than 20 years, where he coached his son to a WIAA State Championship in 2012.

And McIlroy had a few surprises up his sleeve as well, later dropping in on a group of young Junior League golfers who were practicing as scheduled on the Straits Course today. McIlroy is an official ambassador for PGA Junior League Golf, which introduces kids ages 13 and under to the game in a team setting.

Limited Ticket Availability
With less than two months remaining until the 2015 PGA Championship tees off, only a limited number of daily tickets remain available for purchase at www.PGAChampionship.com. All weekly ticket options sold out last year, with ticket purchasers from all 50 states and 28 countries.

Daily ticket options are priced under $100, with Championship-round daily tickets (Thursday-Sunday) expected to sell out soon.

“Ticket demand has been very strong for the 2015 PGA Championship, and we’re getting down to the wire in terms of remaining ticket availability, especially for the Championship rounds,” said 2015 PGA Championship Director Jason Mengel. “For fans who may have put off purchasing tickets, now is the time to act. We’re excited to welcome great crowds to Whistling Straits, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on what is bound to be a truly major and memorable week.”

Fans should note that free grounds access will also be available on a daily basis for juniors (up to four children, age 17 or younger, accompanied by a ticketed adult) and select military personnel (Active, Military Retirees, Reservists and Civilians with Department of Defense ID).

For more information, visit www.PGAChampionship.com, and be sure to follow @PGAChampionship on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook to keep up with the latest news and highlights from the PGA Championship.

###

About the PGA Championship
The PGA Championship features one of the deepest international fields in golf, the fairest setup, the only all-professional field among golf’s majors, and where golf enthusiasts also are embraced as part of the event. Since 1916, golf’s best professionals have won the PGA Championship; from Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson; to Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy. For more information, visit www.PGAChampionship.com.

About the PGA of America
For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter and find us on Facebook.

About Destination Kohler
For more information about Destination Kohler, five-star host-site of the 2015 PGA Championship and 2020 Ryder Cup, visit DestinationKohler.com, follow @TheAmericanClub on Twitter and find us on Facebook.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ (May 19, 2015) – Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, will host the 98th PGA Championship, July 25-31, 2016. Planning is in high gear already, with Ryan Cannon serving as Championship Director.

As the 2016 PGA Championship Director, Cannon, whose assignment at Baltusrol began in 2013, is responsible for managing the regional business of the Championship, including marketing, advertising, community and government relations, security, volunteer recruitment and the PGA’s relationship with Baltusrol Golf Club.

Cannon is an experienced executive who has managed several other PGA of America championships. He was Championship Director of the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y.; the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlantic Athletic Club; and the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills outside of Detroit. Cannon began working with the PGA of America as the Operations Coordinator of the 2001 PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club. He was also the Operations Manager for the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.

“I am excited to be a part of the second PGA Championship to take place at historic Baltusrol Golf Club in this tremendous golf market,” said Cannon. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Club and the community to present a world class sporting event and the best in championship golf.”

Joining Cannon on the 2016 PGA Championship executive team is Rick Jenkins, who was previously announced as General Chairman by Baltusrol Golf Club. Jenkins served six years on the Board of Governors at Baltusrol, including tenures as Green Chair and Communications Chair, and is a third generation member. He has extensive experience in the golf business, having worked at the New Jersey State Golf Association as director of marketing, communications and sponsorships, and managing his own digital media golf business.

As General Chairman of the 2016 PGA Championship, Jenkins oversees the Championship on behalf of Baltusrol Golf Club and its members, working closely with Cannon and his staff and acting as the liaison to the Club’s Board of Governors.

“The PGA Championship is a truly prestigious event with a tremendous legacy, and we are thrilled once again to host it at Baltusrol,” said Jenkins. “I am honored to have this role that allows me to collaborate with Ryan and his outstanding team to create a great Championship.”

About the PGA of America
For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter and find us on Facebook.

About Baltusrol Golf Club
Baltusrol Golf Club, synonymous with championship golf, sits at the base of Baltusrol Mountain in Springfield, New Jersey, only a stone’s throw from New York City. With a rich heritage that dates back to 1895, Baltusrol is considered one of the country’s premier golf clubs. Its two championship courses, the Lower and Upper, have played distinguished roles on the national golf stage since their creation by Golden Age architect A.W. Tillinghast. Over its 120-year history, Baltusrol has hosted 16 major championships, with the PGA Championship returning for the second time in July 2016. Recognizing its historical significance and place in the world of golf, the National Park Service recently designated Baltusrol a National Historic Landmark.