PGA Museum Opens at Tulsa Historical Society
PERFECT CUT: Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor cuts the ribbon to open the PGA Championship Exhibit “A History of the Season’s Final Major??? at the Tulsa Historical Society. Mayor Taylor was joined by Al Bush, 89th PGA Championship General Chairman, to her right and members of Southern Hills Country Club and the Historical Society for the special opening night. The exhibit will be on display through the week of the PGA Championship, August 6-12, at historic Southern Hills Country Club.
GTR Newspapers photo
Mayor Kathy Taylor will join Al Bush, 89th PGA Championship General Chairman, and the membership of Southern Hills Country Club this evening for a special opening night unveiling of the PGA Championship Exhibit- “A History of the Season’s Final Major”, a collection of golf artifacts and memorabilia revealing the history and tradition of the PGA Championship and its eighty-eight past champions. The exhibit will be on display at the Tulsa Historical Society in Tulsa from April 3 through the week of the 89th PGA Championship, August 6-12, at historic Southern Hills Country Club.
“We are pleased to have been selected as the host site for the PGA’s Championship Exhibit. Having previewed the collection, we are certain it will capture the interest of golfers and non-golfers alike.” said Edward C. Lawson, Jr., President Emeritus of the Tulsa Historical Society.
Featuring acclaimed memorabilia such as Jack Nicklaus’ putter after capturing the 1980 PGA Championship, Phil Mickelson’s wedge that clinched his victory on the 18th hole in 2005, a straw hat worn by Sam Snead and the legendary Walter Hagan’s walking stick, the PGA Championship Exhibit traces the history of the event, from the very first Championship in 1916, won by Jim Barnes, to last year’s triumph by Tiger Woods.
“Tulsa is ready to welcome the PGA Championship back to the Southern Hills,” says Bush. “Professional golf’s Major Championship Season tees off next Thursday in Augusta and ends 129 days later, right here in Tulsa. On August 12, the winner of the 89th PGA Championship at Southern Hills will donate a ball, club, article of clothing or item of significance related to his victory that will be forever enshrined in this display for years to come.”
The PGA Championship Exhibit – “A History of the Season’s Final Major”- debuted in Louisville in 2000, and continues to travel to locations in advance of future PGA Championship sites. The exhibit will be on display at the Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 South Peoria Avenue in Tulsa, from April 3 – Aug. 1. Regular museum hours have been extended for this special exhibit: Tuesdays 10:00am – 7:00pm, Wednesday – Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is free to the public.
In addition to the PGA exhibit, the Tulsa Historical Society will also feature a photo collection from Historian and Tulsa native Beryl Ford and an exhibit titled “Divided Territory: The Campaign for Sequoyah,” a look back at the drive to bring both the state of Oklahoma and the state of Sequoyah into the United States of America.
The PGA Championship is one of four premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America. Others include the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which brings together the winners of golf’s four major championships. Since 1916, golf’s best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship’s coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span both the legendary and recent stars of the game: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization comprised of 28,000 men and women golf professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
Updated 04-24-2007
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