Tiger Woods Addresses Media at Southern Hills
TIGER IN TULSA: This photo was taken of Tiger Woods when he visited Southern Hills for the U.S. Open in 2001. That tournament was won in a playoff by Retief Goosen. Woods addressed the media at Southern Hills by telephone on June 4. He is planning to play in this year’s PGA, which will be held Aug. 6-12.
D. FORREST CAMERON for GTR Newspapers
More than 100 local and national media representatives met at Southern Hills Country Club June 4 for the 89th PGA Championship Media Day, as the renowned course makes final plans for hosting the season’s final major, Aug. 6-12.
Media also received an exclusive first-hand look at the extensive changes made to the Championship Course, the expanded clubhouse and the grounds, enhanced to accommodate more than 300,000 visitors this summer.
Three-time and defending PGA Champion Tiger Woods joined the press conference via telephone and reviewed his preparations leading up to the season’s final major championship in Tulsa.
Since the initial ticket launch, exactly one year ago, more than 70 percent of the projected ticket allocation has been placed through the Championship’s Web site and call center. Corporate Hospitality is 90 percent sold and newly-added inventory, including Snug Harbor’s all-inclusive ticket, is selling well ahead of its projected pace.
“Currently, we are taking final orders up through July 1 on corporate hospitality,” said Ryan Jordan, Tournament Director of the 2007 PGA Championship. “After the July 4 holiday weekend, construction of the chalets and support facilities will begin and the pace of progress will significantly increase through August 1.”
Tickets to the 89th PGA Championship are still available by calling 1-800-PGA-GOLF (732-4653) or by visiting the Championship’s official Web site, www.PGA2007.com.
“The Web site, www.PGA2007.com, is the best place to find updates and information related to this year’s PGA Championship, said Jordan. “Many of the questions we receive each day may be answered by visiting the site.”
Among the preparations at Southern Hills, the media learned, was that holes 2, 3 and 8 have added new tee boxes. The 16th hole will be converted from a par-5 for the membership into a 507-yard par-4 for the world’s best golfers. In 1994, the Championship played to a par-70 at 6,824 yards. Today, the course has been lengthened to 7,131 yards, while maintaining a par of 70.
“We really did not have to make any dramatic changes or modifications to the course leading up to the Championship,” said Kerry Haigh, Managing Director of Tournaments for The PGA of America. “Southern Hills is a classic championship layout that has stood the test of time, one which the membership proudly maintains in top competitive condition every day throughout the year. Course Superintendent Russ Myers and his staff have the course prepared for what we expect will be another exciting and memorable Championship this summer at Southern Hills.”
Players and clubhouse guests will enjoy a newly-refurbished locker room, gathering places and expanded meeting space inside the clubhouse for member and corporate hospitality. It also will accommodate this year’s Champions’ Dinner, hosted by Woods.
“The Champions’ Dinner is a tradition that dates back decades,” said Jordan. “Last year, more than a dozen past PGA Champions were on hand to toast Phil Mickelson, who captured the 87th Championship at Baltusrol. This year, Tiger will set the menu and host the event inside the club’s new ballroom.”
Tickets are still available for the 89th PGA Championship. Practice round tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are available for $30 each day. Championship Round tickets for Thursday through Sunday are available and range in price from $85 to $115. Week-long Season Tickets, Wanamaker Club Tickets and Snug Harbor Tickets are available at $325, $415 and $890, respectively.
“The biggest difference in the Wanamaker Club Tickets and our weekly and daily tickets is the upgrade to air-conditioning,” said Jordan. “The Wanamaker Club Ticket is by far our most popular option right now. We expect those packages to sell out in the next few weeks as the temperatures continue to climb leading into the late spring and summer months.”
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 06-26-2007
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