IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2011
Contact: Bob Denney
561/624-8582
[email protected]
RETURNING TO SCENE OF CAREER-DEFINING MOMENTS-72ND SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
PRESENTED BY KITCHENAID OPENS THURSDAY AT VALHALLA GOLF CLUB
LOUISVILLE – Major champions were crowned here, a United States Ryder Cup Team reclaimed a
piece of cherished hardware and cascaded champagne over the clubhouse balcony.
Those career-defining moments in golf history are part of the fabric of Valhalla Golf Club since it opened
its gates in 1986 and hosted its first major, the 1996 PGA Championship, won by Mark Brooks in a one-hole
playoff over Kentuckian Kenny Perry.
Brooks, who turned 50 on March 25, is one of 21 major champions entered this week as Valhalla hosts
the 72nd Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, May 26-29. The most historic and prestigious event
in senior golf marks its second visit at Valhalla, and first since 2004.
It will be a Senior PGA Championship debut for Brooks and for Perry, who are among the 156-player
field that has representatives from 15 countries.
“It’s always nice to return to wherever you have had success, and certainly the PGA Championship was
great,” said Brooks, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and whose last Tour victory came at Valhalla. “I was back at
Valhalla in 2000 for the PGA Championship, and I will be very interested in the changes that have made since
then to the course.”
Brooks said that he has battled “back issues” for a few months upon his appearance this week, but
otherwise has felt confident that he is improving. There was no hesitancy in Brooks when he recalled his “special
moment” at Valhalla.
“It had to be getting it up and down from six feet for birdie on 18 in regulation,” said Brooks. “To be able
to do that at that time was something I will never forget.” Brooks went on to defeat Perry in a return to the par-5
18th hole, by hitting the green in two and two-putting for victory.
“There’s no question that a lot of good things or bad can happen on that one hole,” said Brooks.
It hasn’t been all bad for Perry at Valhalla, however, as he helped the U.S. reclaim the Ryder Cup in
2008. Perry turned 50 last August, and is a native of Franklin, Ky. He will compete alongside fellow Kentuckian
Ted Schulz of Louisville.
Valhalla’s 7,297-yard, par-72 layout is one of five venues in the U.S. that has hosted three of The PGA of
America’s premier spectator events: the Senior PGA Championship, PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. Its
slick, multi-tiered greens, 42 sand bunkers strategically positioned by legendary Jack Nicklaus and Kentucky
bluegrass rough add up to a constant challenge.
This week, one of the hottest Champions Tour players happens to be defending Senior PGA Champion
Tom Lehman, who captured the Regions Tradition three weeks ago for his third Tour victory of the season.
Lehman is one of nine past Senior PGA Champions in the field, and is joined by: Michael Allen (2009), Jay Haas
(2006, ‘’08), Denis Watson (2007), Mike Reid (2005), Hale Irwin (1996, ’97, ’98, 2004), who last won at
Valhalla; John Jacobs (2003), Fuzzy Zoeller (2002) and Tom Watson (2001)
“It's a good golf course, really tough,” said Lehman. “It's going to, I think, favor great shot
makers. You need to have a great game plan and I look forward to that.”
The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid is a Championship that has extended careers
and helped close the void for those players who missed on major championship opportunities as a member of the
PGA Tour.
Among those making the Senior PGA Championship their first victory as a member of the Champions
Tour were: Arnold Palmer (1980), Tom Wargo (1993), Doug Tewell (2000), Zoeller (2002), Reid (2005), Denis
Watson (2007) Allen (2009).
Hometown favorite Schulz played his college golf at the University of Louisville before embarking on a
professional career. He is a member of that school’s athletic Hall of Fame. Zoeller was born in nearby New
Albany, Ind., and now calls Floyds Knobs home.
Perry played collegiately in the state at Western Kentucky.
Perry and Brooks aren’t the only competitors here this week with PGA Championship connections at
Valhalla. Two-time PGA Champion Nick Price and former Masters Champion Larry Mize each tied for eighth. In
the 2000 PGA Championship, Fred Funk and Tom Watson each finished shared ninth place.
The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid is the oldest event on the Champions Tour,
originating in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club at the invitation of the legendary Bobby Jones.
Among the world-class field this week are 39 PGA club professionals, including reigning Senior PGA
Professional National Champion Robert Thompson of Huntsville, Texas. Thirty-five of the contingent earned a
berth last October in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship in Indian Wells, Calif.
“It is a great honor and a great opportunity for any PGA Professional to be playing in this event,” said
Thompson, who first competed on the Champions Tour in 2007, and holds “conditional status” this season. When
he isn’t competing for a berth in a Tour event, he is back home serving as a PGA teaching professional at
Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas.
“The one thing that anyone has to remember is that just because a player turns 50 does not mean that they
have lost their game or their ability to compete. I have seen how tough it is every week out on the Champions
Tour.”
Will Valhalla once again be the scene of history?
“We have enjoyed great moments here, great golf, and I hope that the weather will allow us to do the
same,” said Valhalla Golf Club PGA head professional Keith Reese. “The course is set up well for another great
challenge for a great field.”
About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to
establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career
services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in
their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions
that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in
the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA
of America brand represents the very best in golf.