PGA Championship - GCSAA

1421 Research Park Drive • Lawrence, KS 66049-3859 • 800472-7878 • www.gcsaa.org

Tournament Fact Sheet PGA of America 97th PGA Championship Aug. 10 - 16, 2015 Whistling Straits (Straits Course) Kohler, Wis.

Golf Course Management Information GCSAA Class A Golf Course Superintendent: Christopher A. Zugel, CGCS The title "CGCS," after a superintendent's name, stands for Certified Golf Course Superintendent, which recognizes the achievement of high standards of professionalism through education and experience.

Availability to media: Contact Chris Zugel by phone 920-565-6105; or email [email protected] Education: B.S., Landscape Horticulture/Turf Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., 2000 Age: 37 Native hometown: Boston, Mass. Years as a GCSAA member: 18 Years GCSAA certified: 3 GCSAA affiliated chapter: Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association Years at this course: 9 Number of employees: 55 Number of tournament volunteers: 100 (50 from other Kohler courses, 50 from outside volunteers) Previous positions: 2008, Grounds Manager, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, Milwaukee, Wis.; 2005-2008, Senior Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wis.; 2002-2005, 1st

Assistant Superintendent, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wis. Previous tournament preparation: 2004, 2010 PGA Championship, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wis.; 2007 U.S. Senior Open, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wis. Previous events hosted by facility: 2007 United States Senior Open, 2005 Palmer Cup; 2004-2010 PGA Championships; 1999 PGA Club Professional GCSAA Class A Manager of Golf Course Maintenance: Michael J. Lee, CGCS The title "CGCS," after a superintendent's name, stands for Certified Golf Course Superintendent, which recognizes the achievement of high standards of professionalism through education and experience.

Education: B.S., Agriculture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis., 1987 Availability to media: Contact Michael J. Lee by phone 920803-3293, Office manager at 920-5656105; fax 920-565-6103; email [email protected] Years as a GCSAA member: 30 Years GCSAA certified: 11 GCSAA affiliated chapter: Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association Years at this course: 22 Previous positions: 1993-1999, Head Golf Course Superintendent, Blackwolf Run, Kohler, Wis.; 1988-1993, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, Wauwatosa, Wis. Previous tournament preparation: 2012 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, Blackwolf Run River Course, Kohler, Wis.; 2010 PGA Championship, 2007 United States Senior Open, Whistling Straits, Kohler Wis;.2004 PGA Championship, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wis.; 1998 U.S. Women's Open Championship, Blackwolf Run, River Course, Kohler, Wis.; 1995-1997 Anderson Consulting World Championship of Golf, Blackwolf Run, River Course, Kohler, Wis.

Interesting notes about the course:

Course statistics

In the 1950s, for approximately 9 years, the site had been used by the U.S. Army as an antiaircraft training facility called Camp Haven. Previously, it was pancake-flat farmland.

Average tee size: 1,500 sq. ft. Average green size: 7,000 sq. ft. Soil conditions on the course: Mixed Green construction soil mix: USGA (sand 85%, peat 15%) Acres of fairway: 22 Source of water: Pond, well Acres of rough: 200+ Drainage conditions: Fair Sand bunkers: A lot Water hazards: 3

The course was named by Herbert V. Kohler Jr., chairman and CEO of Kohler Co., who was inspired while walking the land during early construction of the golf course. As he tells the story, the name came to mind quite naturally as it was a particularly blustery day, a north-tosouth gale was whistling along the bluffs, and white caps were breaking on the rocky shoreline – the straits – of Lake Michigan.

Championship ratings Tee

Yardage

Black

7790

Par

Rating

72

Slope

77.2

152

Other key course management personnel

Course characteristics Primary Grasses Tees Fairways Greens Rough

Penncross bentgrass Bentgrass; fine fescue; Poa annua Providence bentgrass Fine fescue

Height of Cut 0.312" 0.375" 0.100" 4-6"

Unusual wildlife on the course Numerous birds, including bald eagles and snow owls in winter. A flock of Scottish blackface sheep was acquired for Whistling Straits, with the intent that the animals would wander the property freely, as you might encounter on a country course in the British Isles. Predominate species of trees on course: Old field junipers

Course architect/date: Pete Dye, 1998

Joseph Sell, GCSAA Member Assistant Superintendent Derek Loda, GCSAA Member Assistant Superintendent Cliff Henning, Equipment Manager Mike O'Reilly, PGA Professional Herbert V. Kohler, Club Owner Jim Richerson, Director of Golf Dirk Willis, Associate Director of Golf

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Find GCSAA on

Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org. The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit www.eifg.org. For additional information please visit gcsaa.org/newsroom or contact the Communications Department at 800-472-7878. Craig Smith Director of Communications and Media Relations Phone: 785-832-4431 Cell: 785-691-9197 Email: [email protected]

Media story ideas to consider      

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