The PGA Championship’s tradition of attracting the world’s most talented field of any major championship, combined with The Ocean Course’s title of America’s Toughest Golf Course, will leave spectators guessing who will take home the Wanamaker trophy in August.
There is no other golf course in the world, outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland that is affected by as much wind as The Ocean Course. The course was designed by Pete Dye, legendary golf course architect, with easterly and westerly wind challenges in mind.
Located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than any other course in North America. The entire course allows players unobstructed views of the Atlantic coastline from every hole. This view, however, makes the course substantially more demanding as it exposes the course to the area’s brisk and unpredictable sea breezes.
In addition to the toughest course title, the 2012 PGA Championship is anticipated to be the longest major in history with its current yardage setup on The Ocean Course.
Opened in 1991, The Ocean Course has hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, 1997 and 2003 World Cup, 2005 PGA Club Professional Championship and the 2007 Senior PGA Championship.
“For the fourth time since 1991, Pete Dye has come in to tweak his masterpiece,” said Roger Warren, president, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and a past president of The PGA of America. “He continually works to make it as spectacular as it can be.”
Want to watch history in the making? The 2012 PGA Championship will be contested August 6-12, 2012 on The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. This will be the first time that South Carolina has ever hosted a major championship. Tickets are still available to the 2012 PGA Championship; visit the ticketing page for more details.
Golf Digest Panelist Quotes on The Ocean Course:
“I think the 17th hole is the toughest par 3 in the world. If the wind blows, watch out.”
“The course is really, really challenging for all levels of player. When the wind is blowing, par on many of the holes is an excellent score.”
“If your idea of a good time is a fistfight, this is the place for you.”
About the PGA Championship:
Since 1916, golf’s premier professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship’s Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span the greatest names of golf over 90 years, including Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love III, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.
The PGA Championship is one of the premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America, a list that includes the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which brings together winners of golf’s four major championships.
Since 1994, the PGA Championship averages 97 of the top 100 golfers in the world, the most of any of the four majors, and continually boasts the strongest field in golf.
Kiawah Island
Located just south of Charleston, South Carolina, along 10 miles of pristine beach, Kiawah Island Golf Resort was recently named the No. 1 golf resort on the U.S. Mainland by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The publication also named Kiawah as the No. 3 overall resort on the U.S. Mainland. Tennis magazine named it the No. 3 tennis resort in the U.S. Kiawah Island is also known as one of the top eco-friendly resorts in the U.S., and its beach was named one of the 10 best beaches in America by famed “beachologist,” Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach. In addition to The Sanctuary, the resort manages over 500 private villas and luxury homes, nine restaurants, two tennis centers, a renowned recreation and nature program and has five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and this year’s PGA Championship. Lots priced from $300,000; Villas/Cottages priced from $300,000; Homes from $700,000.
Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
