There are a myriad of reasons why golf governing bodies close in on their major championship venues years in advance. Good planning is needed to organize one of the four biggest tournaments of the year, among which ensures that the course is at the highest level of play.
Other factors are also involved, such as securing hotel rooms, volunteers, selling hotels and tickets. It is a multimillion-dollar effort.
That’s why PGA of America’s decision on Sunday night to cut ties with Trump National Bedminster and move the 2022 PGA Championship to another location might have been the right one for the “brand,” but it raises numerous questions.
Where to go?
Several possibilities have already been raised. Here are a few to keep in mind.
Valhalla
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Headquartered in the PGA Championship in 1996, 2000 and 2014, as well as the 2008 Ryder Cup, this would be the easiest call for the PGA of America, owner of the venue. This reduces the financial burden on the organization, which played a PGA Championship in 2020 without spectators and had to postpone the Ryder Cup, which generated revenue a year.
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course is already scheduled to host the 2024 PGA Championship, so a mix may be needed. But apparently Valhalla would be able to make an impact on what is soon to come. It also offers better weather possibilities than other places in the New York area that could replace New Jersey’s Trump National Bedminster.
Southern Hills
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tiger Woods ’13th major title place at the 2007 PGA Championship, Southern Hills also won the 2001 US Open won by Retief Goosen and the 1994 PGA Championship won by Nick Price. Tommy Bolt (1958) and Hubert Green (1977) also won US Opens in Southern Hills.
The course has already been awarded the 2030 PGA Championship and this year’s Senior PGA Championship will be held. Thus, the PGA of America maintains a strong working relationship with the club, which will facilitate a quick change. What could be problematic is having the Senior PGA and PGA Championship in such close proximity. Time, again, could be in his favor.
Bethpage Black
Farmingdale, New York
The venue for the 2019 PGA Championship victory at Brooks Koepka, the brutal public venue, is tested by the battle, as it has also hosted the 2002 and 2009 US Open. It is scheduled to host the Ryder Cup in 2025. , so this could be a problem for the PGA. But if you want to keep the tournament in the New York area, Bethpage makes sense.
Baltusrol
Location: Springfield, New Jersey
For the same reasons as Bethpage, this could be an option for the PGA due to its proximity to New York. Staff had already met in the area planning for the 2002 PGA in Bedminster. For logistical reasons, these sites could be considered. The place where Jimmy Walker won PGA in 2016, Baltusrol has also been awarded the 2029 Championship.
Bellerive
Location: St. Louis
The fact that Bellerive has not been labeled for a future PGA is already interesting given the monumental success of the 2018 PGA won by Brooks Koepka. Golf enthusiasts of St. Louis came in with full force and would gladly return.
Shoal Creek
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
The place that caused all golf to demand racial diversity from clubs that organize tournaments (the PGA was played there in 1990) has once again been favorable. It was the site of the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open. And it could pave the way for the rotation of the PGA Championship, if not in 2022, if there is some sort of mix of other venues.
TPC Harding Park
Location: San Francisco
This would be a make-up for the people of Northern California, who were denied the opportunity to attend the 2020 championship due to the pandemic. It seems unlikely, but Harding Park no longer has a Presidents Cup in its future, nor a PGA Tour event. It may also be worth mixing in rotation if other courses are rescheduled.