2020 PGA Championship To Harding Park
Looks like Joe Passov beat me to it by about 15 minutes, but here's my GolfDigest.com item for The Loop on Harding Park landing the 2020 PGA Championship.
The decision is a positive for the PGA of America because they are coming west after a 16-year hiatus, but I don't believe the current course, despite it's staggering $23 million PGA Tour Design Services renovation price, is up to the quality standards for a major site.
As I spell out in the item, this also dooms the chances of an international PGA in 2020 to get away from the Tokyo Games. That was always a longshot, but obviously when you weigh Harding Park vs. Royal Melbourne, well, the international option would have been great for fans.
**Story updated with quotes from Sandy Tatum, who spearheaded the renovation of Harding Park over 11 years ago and as you can imagine is delighted with the news.
Geoff
**Alex Miceli adds that Harding Park is also getting the 2025 Presidents Cup.
Reader Comments (38)
What's missing from the equation?
[removing tongue from cheek]
Considering this is the PGAs marquee tournament and money maker, I'm not sure where are they going to put corporate tents, parking, and a locker room?
Would that be the American fans that would have to travel to the other side of the world (to see an American PGA Championship), spending thousands just to get there, or the TV viewers that would have to watch one of the majors in the middle of the night or on tape delay ?
efinitely a course everyone should play, but RM vs HP? They don't compare architecturally. Or interestingly.
The next question is when the PGA will be held, since this is an Olympic year. I wonder if San Fran's temperate climate ( it could host basically any time) had something to do with HP being picked--they still have options regarding how they'll avoid the Olympics while committing to a venue.
Because America shouldn't host 3 majors indefinitely. The golf world is bigger than that now.
The world cares about the Masters and the US Open - but barely cares a dot about the PGA. Moving it around occasionally would do much for the championship.
And why should the rest of the world have sit up all night to watch the majors:)
The WGC events were created to recognize and aid to the global presence of the game, and apparently most countries are unable to support such events. If Australia or Europe wants to pony up to support the large purses required for such an event then let 'em, but the PGA is ours.
Australia put up 7+ million for the Matchplay in 2001 and the World Cup last summer - and do you want me to start listing who didn't bother to turn up?
The PGA might be yours - but don't you think it couldn't be a great event outside of America every now and then?
BrianS
They played at Metropolitan and Royal Melbourne - so decent enough courses.
Australia wont be conned again into putting up that much money with no guarantee of players like Tiger,Phil,Rory,Sergio,Ernie - although Ernie did play the Matchplay.
Full details and options to the address of your choice.
Cheers.
That was a great post. Honest, polite and succinct. At this point, I think people who float this trial balloon underestimate how fiercely proud and protective of this championship the rank and file members of the PGA of America are. It's come up in my casual conversations with many club pros, and the reaction has been tantamount to relocating the Lincoln Memorial. Leaders will say nice things, but the response from the rank and file has essentially been, "over my dead body."
If altruism is truly your interest why not take The Open Championship to Royal Melbourne?
Back to HP. I've played the course a couple of times. Never in good condition, staff maybe the worst in California, and not very interesting.
I disagree that HP is never in good condition. I play it often and it's in the best condition that it has ever been. I'm not sure if people expect it to be in the same condition as a country club, but let remember that this a muni course. Unfortunately, most golfers don't replace their divots nor they repair their ball marks on the green.
Moving the Open Championship outside the United Kingdom would definitely not be out of the question due to the fact that the R&A is the governing body of the rest of the world except for one rogue nation and its neighbor to the south. The only standard that has been set is that the Open should be contested over links land. Peter Dawson was asked about this one time and indicated such as I have. There is precedent I might add as the Amateur championship was one time contested in the republic of Ireland. Therefore if a true links course outside of the UK was able to host the championship I would not be opposed to this. Royal Melbourne well a mighty course is as I am sure you realize definitely not a links course. But there are links courses in the republic of Ireland and the Netherlands which definitely could qualify. So your jingoism is wasted on me. I simply love the game of golf in its many forms across the globe and would like to see more of these venues showcased rather than have two majors in the state of Georgia.
At least you admit it.
Only those two? "Jingoism"...? Surely ye jest!