PGA Golf

2006-05-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

The PGA Golf Club Marks 10Th Anniversary At PGA Village

The PGA Golf Club at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., celebrated its 10th anniversary today by embarking on a multi-million dollar renovation to begin on May 8, 2006, that will position The PGA Golf Club as one of the premier daily-fee golf facilities in the world.document.write(');
At a media conference held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebration, PGA Vice President Brian Whitcomb and PGA Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka announced that The PGA of America is working closely with renowned architects Tom Fazio, who designed The PGA Golf Club's North and South Courses; and Pete Dye, whose vision led to the creation of the Dye Course, on renovations that will modernize the golf experience at the award-winning 54-hole facility.
"This is a rebirth of what is already a fantastic facility," said Whitcomb. "It is an exciting opportunity, and The PGA of America looks forward to working with Pete Dye's group and Tom Fazio's group to enhance the experience for the next generation of golf enthusiasts."
The North Course renovation will begin May 8, while the South Course renovations will begin in July. Both courses are scheduled to reopen in October, in time for the 2006 Callaway Golf PGA Senior Club Professional Championship and the TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship. The Dye Course, which will undergo course work in the summer of 2007, will remain open throughout the duration of the North and South Course renovations. Additionally, the clubhouse will be expanded during summer 2007.
"This is another evolution of the vision and dream started at PGA Village nine years ago," said Steranka. "When you look at Pete Dye; Tom Fazio; a 35-acre golf park at the PGA Learning Center; the PGA Historical Center with the replicas of the four major Championship trophies; and one of the premier golf libraries in the Probst Library, there is nothing like it in the world."
The exciting renovations will feature: Newly renovated greens on the North Course and South Course and the conversion of all greens to Champion Ultra Dwarf, a high-tech strain of turf grass intended to ensure world-class putting surfaces year-round; newly renovated and constructed bunkers to frame each hole; additional drainage to improve playing conditions and shorten downtime for all courses; major landscaping enhancements to improve the playing experience and aesthetic beauty of The PGA Golf Club; and a major clubhouse expansion that will incorporate a prototype PGA Tournament Center, expanded golf shop and dining facilities, all designed to make The PGA Golf Club the premier golf outing and tournament facility in the world. In addition, the improvements will help make The PGA Golf Club even more enjoyable for everyday players, yet remain challenging for the 1,300 PGA Professionals who visit and play in tournaments each year. For example, several of the holes on the North Course will be even more dramatic in appearance once the renovations are complete.
"We have one-of-a-kind properties at PGA Village that embody the PGA Experience," says Whitcomb. "Our facilities are unique in that they are home to PGA Professionals from across the country and open to the public and residents of PGA Village. I'm excited about reintroducing the 'new' PGA Golf Club in the fall."
Dye, a legendary golf course architect and recipient of the 2004 PGA Distinguished Service Award, was on-hand for the celebration and announcement of the renovations.
"The new hybrid glass has a better adaptability for the climatic conditions in this area," explained Dye. "The landscaping will help the ambience of the course. I am thrilled that they are going to do the renovations down here."
"We are delighted with the support we have had from both Pete Dye and Tom Fazio on these special courses," added Steranka. "We expect PGA members and residents of PGA Village to be even more proud of this special place that they call home."
At closer glance, the PGA Golf Club improvement program features: North Course (Renovations scheduled for May 8, 2006-October 2006)Renovation of all 18 greensRenovation of all 63 bunkersEnhancement of existing drainage systemRepair of all golf cart pathsAdditional landscaping South Course (Renovations scheduled for July 2006-October 2006)Resurfacing all 18 greens with Champion Ultra-Dwarf grass, with the complete renovation of the No. 2 and No. 5 greensRenovation of all 55 bunkersEnhancement of existing drainage systemRepair of all golf cart pathsAdditional landscaping Dye Course (Renovations to commence summer 2007)Resurfacing of all 18 greensDrainage and landscaping of first tee areaAdditional golf course plans pending Clubhouse (Renovations to commence summer 2007)Major clubhouse expansion to incorporate a PGA Tournament Center, expanded golf shop and dining facilities. The project is being guided by a PGA Golf Club Task Force chaired by PGA Vice President Brian Whitcomb and several members of The PGA of America's national Board of Directors. Corey Aurand, PGA director of golf at The Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur, Colo., has been named as project consultant and will oversee construction.
The announcement was made as part of PGA Village's 10th anniversary celebration, held at The PGA Golf Club, on Wednesday, May 3, 2006.
The event was also highlighted by rounds of golf and visits by dignitaries, including a proclamation honoring the 10th anniversary from Port St. Lucie Mayor Bob Minsky, as well as PGA Free Lesson Month golf instruction clinics and a live afternoon drive time radio broadcast from PGA Village on the local all-sports talk station, ESPN 760 AM. In addition, the 20th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship will be conducted at The PGA Golf Club, from May 5-7, 2006.
"For me, this celebration is really a major milestone for the city of Port St. Lucie," said Mayor Minsky. "It is an exciting day for Port St. Lucie, and we are very grateful to The PGA of America that PGA Village is a part of our community."
The PGA Golf Club, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is the only PGA-owned and operated public golf facility. The PGA Golf Club's South Course debuted in 1996 as Golf Digest's "Best New Affordable Course in North America," and the North Course debuted as number seven in the same ranking. All three courses - The North, South and Dye Courses carry Audubon International Signature status for their compliance with environmental requirements. The North and South Courses opened for play in 1996, and the Dye Course in 1999.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

2005-10-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

PGA Plan To Rate Golf With NFL And Major League Baseball Playoffs

Finchem to unveil details at Tour Championship
ESPN.com news services
Amid increasing talk that the PGA Tour is considering the implementation of a points chase for its 2007 schedule that it hopes will grab more attention, commissioner Tim Finchem is about to shed light on it.
According to a report in USA Today on Friday, Finchem plans to unveil "some details" Wednesday at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
A late-summer, high-stakes, playoff run also is being bandied as negotiations for a new television contract heat up in November. The schedule and TV proposal will not be approved until the PGA's policy board meets Nov. 7 at PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., the newspaper reported.
"There will be just as many rounds of golf in '07 as in '06," Davis Love III, one of four players on the policy board privy to negotiations, told USA Today. "A lot of players think tournaments are going to get canceled. We'll have just as many tournaments, just a different order."
At the heart of a schedule restructuring is the PGA Tour's hope that it can attract viewers who are otherwise absorbed by the NFL and late-season baseball, while bringing together top players such as Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson. The stars seldom play the same late-season events.
Citing players and two Tour officials with knowledge of the proposed plan who asked not to be identified because of the upcoming announcement, USA Today reported that some of the changes include:
• A points chase and playoff system. Players would accumulate points during the season and earn their way into series of four tournaments with significantly higher purses in August and September.
• The series will culminate with the Tour Championship, which would move from November to September. Participation in those four events will be based on year-long performance.
• The Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston, the Barclays Classic near New York, and the Cialis Western Open outside Chicago have been lined up as the three events leading up to the Tour Championship.
• Six or seven tournaments would follow the Tour Championship. Although those events would not be part of the "Chase," they would count toward official money rankings. In other words, players would still have opportunity to improve their money status and earn spots in majors and top invitationals.
"It's going to reward guys that are playing well," Singh was quoted as saying. "The tournaments after the schedule that they've planned out, they're still going to be there. They want some sort of finale."
Even so, player Robert Gamez fears purses and playing opportunities will be lessened.
"I don't think we need to go and do this point system and change the schedule for 1 percent ... of our Tour," Gamez said. "I think that's kind of where we're heading. You've got 1 percent of the Tour that wants to play fewer events, and they don't care about the Disneys and the tournaments at the end of the year that made the Tour what it is."

2005-10-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

2006 Masters Golf Ticket Situation, Accommodations and Considerations

Tournament Schedule
All times Eastern Daylight Savings Time
Monday, April 3 - Tuesday, April 4
Gates open 8:00 amClose approximately 6:30 pm
Practice Round
Gates open 8:00 amClose approximately 6:30 pmPar 3 course 1:00 P.M.
Wednesday, April 5
Gates open 8:00 amClose 30 minutes after play
Practice RoundPar 3 Contest
Gates open 8:00 amClose 30 minutes after play
Thursday, April 6
Gates open 8:00 amClose 30 minutes after play
Competitive Round
Gates open 8:00 amClose 30 minutes after Presentation Ceremony
Friday, April 7
Competitive Round
Saturday, April 8
Competitive Round
Sunday, April 9
Final Competitive Round
Tickets for the 2006 Masters are sold out.Practice Rounds tickets are limited and sold in advance by application only. Applicants are allocated tickets on a random selection basis. 2007 Practice Rounds applications will be mailed in June to those people who applied in 2005 and/or 2006 or who have subsequently requested Practice Rounds information. Successful applicants will be notified in September. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. The deadline for 2007 applicants is July 15, 2006. If you are not on the Practice Rounds mailing list, and would like to be added for 2007, please send your name, address, daytime telephone number and Social Security Number to:Masters TournamentPractice RoundsPO Box 2047Augusta, GA 30903-2047
Tournament TicketsTournament or "Series" Badges (Thursday through Sunday) have been sold to those on our patron list, which was closed due to demand in 1972. A waiting list began in 1972, and was closed in 1978. It reopened in 2000, and it too is now closed. No applications for "Series" Badges are currently being accepted.TV Schedule
All times Eastern Daylight Savings Time
Thursday, April 6
Live CoverageReplay of the first day telecastHighlights Show
USA NetworkUSA NetworkCBS-TV
Live CoverageReplay of the second day telecastHighlights Show
USA NetworkUSA NetworkCBS-TV
4:00 - 7:00 pm8:00 - 11:00 pm11:30 - 11:45 pm
Live Coverage
CBS-TV
Friday, April 7
4:00 - 7:00 pm8:00 - 11:00 pm11:30 - 11:45 pm
Live Coverage
CBS-TV
Saturday, April 8
3:30 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 9
2:30 - 7:00 pm

Accommodations Many local residents rent their homes during Masters week through Masters Housing which is coordinated by the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce. A Hotel/Motel reservation service is administered by the Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hotels and motels may also be contacted directly for reservations. Private Home Reservations:800-244-4709 or706-821-1315 Hotel/Motel Reservations:800-365-7273 Weather Average April temperatures range from highs of 80 degrees to lows of 50 degrees. Hats, cool clothing, and sunscreen should be worn on bright, sunny days.
Services/Spectator Conveniences
Airline information
Automated teller machines
Checkstands – space available basis, free of charge
Concessions – a light fare of sandwiches and beverages
Exhibit Area
Facsimile
First aid
Golf shops
Information boards
Leader boards and standards
Lost and found
Message center
Natural vantage points
Observation stands at key locations
On-site information boards with maps
Pairing sheets with course map and tee times
Parking
Picnic areas
Record board – list of previous champions and scores
Restrooms
Scoring information
Shipping
Spectator guides
Telephones
Water Fountains

2005-10-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

PGA TOUR Qualifying Golfers Information

Tournament
Information
January 10 - 16
Paul Sugimoto, Executive Director
SONY OPEN IN HAWAII
Don Hirata, Tournament Director
Waialae Country Club
ALOHA PGA
4997 Kahala Avenue,
770 Kapoplani Boulevard, Suite 706
Honolulu, HI 96816
Honolulu, HI 96813
808/734-2151
808/593-2230 Fax: 808/593-2234

January 17 - 23
Gerald Wong, Tournament Director
BUICK INVITATIONAL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
Torrey Pines Golf Course (South)
36201 Champions Drive
11480 Torrey Pines Road,
Beaumont, CA 92223
La Jolla, CA 92037
951/845-4653
858/452-3226
Fax:951/769-6733

January 31 - February 6
Kathy Wilkes, Executive Director
FBR OPEN *3 Spots
Jim Franko, Tournament Director
TPC of Scottsdale
SOUTHWEST PGA
17020 North Hayden Road
10685 N. 69th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480/585-4334
480/443-9002 Fax: 480/443-9006

February 7 - 13
Chris Thomas, Executive Director
AT&T PEBBLE BEACH NATIONAL PRO-AM
Nancy Maul, Tournament Director
Pebble Beach Golf Links
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
17 Mile Drive,
411 Davis Street, Suite 103
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
Vacaville, CA 95688
831/624-3811
707/449-4742 Fax: 707/449-4755

February 14 - 20
Gerald Wong, Tournament Director
NISSAN OPEN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
Riviera Country Club
36201 Champions Drive
1250 Capri Drive,
Beaumont, CA 92223
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
951/845-4653
310/454-6591
Fax:951/769-6733

February 21 - 27
Kathy Wilkes, Executive Director
CHRYSLER CLASSIC OF TUCSON
Jim Franko, Tournament Director
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa
SOUTHWEST PGA
2727 West Club Drive
10685 N. 69th Street
Tucson, AZ 85742
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
520/297-2271
480/443-9002 Fax: 480/443-9006

February 28 - March 6
Kevin Marrone, Executive Director
FORD CHAMPIONSHIP AT DORAL
SOUTH FLORIDA PGA
Doral Golf Resort & Spa (Blue Course)
10804 West Sample Rd.
4400 Northwest 87th Avenue,
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Miami, FL 33178
954/752-9299
305/592-2000
Fax: 954/752-9659

March 7 - 13
Kevin Marrone, Executive Director
THE HONDA CLASSIC
Westley Weidenmiller, Tournament Director
The Country Club at Mirasol
SOUTH FLORIDA PGA
11624 Mirasol Way,
10804 West Sample Rd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Coral Springs, FL 33065
561/776-4949
954/752-9299 Fax: 954/752-9659

March 28 - April 3
Pat Day, Tournament Director
BELLSOUTH CLASSIC
GEORGIA PGA
TPC at Sugarloaf
590 West Crossville Road
2595 Sugarloaf Club Drive,
Suite 204
Duluth, GA 30097
Roswell, GA 30075
770/418-1113
678/461-8600 Fax 678/461-0500

April 18 - 24
Mike Ray, Executive Director
SHELL HOUSTON OPEN
Bob Kirkpatrick, Tournament Director
Redstone Golf Club
SOUTHERN TEXAS PGA
5860 Wilson Road,
1830 South Millbend Drive, Suite A
Humble, TX 77396
The Woodslands, TX 77380
281/454-7000
281/419-7421 Fax 281/419-1842

April 25 - May 1
Robert Brown, Executive Director
ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS
Todd Wright, Tournament Director
TPC of Louisiana at Fairfield
GULF STATES PGA
11001 LaPalco Blvd.,
P.O. Box 1266
Avondale, LA 70094
Destrehan, LA 70047
504/436-8721
985/725-1655 Fax: 985/725-1176

May 2 - 8
Ron Schmid, Executive Director
WACHOVIA CHAMPIONSHIP
Chris Mezenski, Tournament Director-
Quail Hollow Club
CAROLINAS SECTION
3700 Gleneagles Lane,
PO Box 4567
Charlotte, NC 28210
N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29597
704/552-1800
843/399-2742 Fax: 843/399-1504

May 9 - 15
Darrell Crall, Executive Director
EDS BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
NORTHERN TEXAS PGA
TPC Four Season Resort - Las Colinas
PO Box 1286
4150 North MacArthur Blvd.,
Wylie, TX 75098
Irving, TX 75038
972/429-1111
972/717-2500
Fax: 972/429-5555

May 23 - 29
Todd Havron, Tournament Director
FEDEX ST. JUDE CLASSIC
TENNESSEE PGA
TPC at Southwind
400 Franklin Rd.
3325 Club at Southwind,
Franklin, TN 37069
Memphis, TN 38125
615/790-7600
901/748-0330
Fax: 615/790-8600

June 6 - 12
Jeremy Greiner, Tournament Director
BOOZ ALLEN CLASSIC
MIDDLE ATLANTIC PGA
Congressional Country Club
2680 Jefferson Davis Highway
8500 River Road,
Stafford, VA 22554
Bethesda, MD 20817
540/720-7420
Phone: (301)496-2032
Fax 540/720-7076

June 20 - 26
John Farley, Tournament Director
BARCLAYS CLASSIC
METROPOLITAN PGA
Westchester Country Club
49 Knollwood Road, Suite 200
99 Biltmore Avenue,
Elmsford, NY 10523
Rye, NY 10580
914/347-2325
919/967-6000
Fax: 914/347-2014

June 27 - July 3
Mike Miller, Executive Director
CIALIS WESTERN OPEN
Randy Heinrich, Tournament Director
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
ILLINOIS PGA
12294 Archer Avenue,
2901 W. Lake Ave. Suite 8
Lemont, IL 60439
Glenview, IL 60025
630/257-5872
847/729-5700 Fax: 847/729-5599

July 4- 10
Kirk Stanzel, Executive Director
JOHN DEERE CLASSIC
Troy Christensen, Tournament Director
TPC at Deere Run
IOWA PGA
3100 Heather Knoll,
1930 St. Andrews NE
Silvis, IL 61282
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
309/796-6000
319/378-9142 Fax: 319/378-9203

July 11 - 17
Nathan Robbins, Executive Director
B.C. OPEN
Chuck Harty, Tournament Director
En-Joie Golf Club
CENTRAL NEW YORK PGA
722 West Main Street,
800 Nottingham Road
Endicott, NY 13760
Syracuse, NY 13224
607/785-1661
315/446-5610 Fax: 315/446-5870

July 18 - 24
Joe Stadler, Executive Director
US BANK CHAMPIONSHIP IN MILWAUKEE
Bart Rottier, Tournament Director
Brown Deer Park Golf Course
WISCONSIN PGA
7835 North Green Bay Avenue,
8989 North Port Washington Road, Suite 203
Milwaukee, WI 53209
Milwaukee, WI 53217
414/352-8080
414/540-3820 Fax: 414/540-3821

July 25 - 31
Tim Czelada, Tournament Supervisor
BUICK OPEN
MICHIGAN PGA
Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club
32744 Five Mile Road*
G-9057 South Saginaw Street,
Livonia, MI 48154
Grand Blanc, MI 48439
734/522-2323 Fax: 734/522-5626
810/694-4103
*Subject to change - early March

August 22 - 28
Tom Hantke, Executive Director
BUICK CHAMPIONSHIP
Mike Packard, Tournament Director
TPC at River Highlands
CONNECTICUT PGA
1Golf Club Road,
35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 212
Cromwell, CT 06416
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
860/635-5000
860/257-4653 Fax: 860/257-8355

August 29 - September 5
Ron Green, Tournament Director
DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
NEW ENGLAND PGA
TPC of Boston
PO Box 743
405 Arnold Palmer Blvd.,
Boylston, MA 01505
Norton, MA 02766
508/869-0000
508/285-3200
Fax: 508/869-0009

September 5 - 11
Bill Paul, Tournament Director
BELL CANADIAN OPEN
Andrew Stuart, Tournament Coordinator
Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club
ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
4300 SW Marine Drive,
Suite 1 Dorvall Drive
Vancouver, British Columbia
Oakville, Ontario
Canada V6N 4A6
CANADA L6M 4X7

September 12 - 18
Dennis Darak, Executive Director
84 LUMBER CLASSIC *2 Spots
TRI-STATES SECTION
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa
221 Sherwood Drive
1001 LaFayette Drive,
Monaca, PA 15061
Farmington, PA 15437
724/774-2224
724/329-8555
Fax: 724/774-5535

September 19 - 25
Mike Ray, Executive Director
VALERO TEXAS OPEN *2 Spots
Bob Kirkpatrick, Tournament Director
LaCantera Golf Club - The Resort Course
SOUTHERN TEXAS PGA
16641 LaCantera Parkway,
1830 South Millbend Drive, Suite A
San Antonio, TX 78256
The Woodlands, TX 77380
210/558-4653
281/419-7421 Fax: 281/419-1842

Tournament Development
To inquire about your community hosting a Champions Tour or Nationwide Tour event contact:
Hal SewardDirector, Tournament Development(904) 273-3323HalSeward@pgatourhq.com