FRISCO, Texas – Led by Honorary Chairman Jack Nicklaus and anchored by Memorial Day weekend, PGA of America Golf Professionals nationwide and Folds of Honor—a non-profit foundation that provides academic scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders—will again celebrate Patriot Golf Days together. Already, more than 200,000 golfers have played rounds in support of Patriot Golf Days.

Over the last 17 years, Patriot Golf Days has grown to encompass a variety of fundraising efforts that involve PGA of America Golf Professionals and golfers in all 50 states and 41 PGA of America Sections. These include rounding up green fees, donations at the counter, hosting golf tournaments or participating in Hero100 Golf Marathons. The Memorial Day weekend events have raised more than $84 million and funded more than 16,800 scholarships to help the families of Veterans and first responders.

“Veterans, Active Duty Military and First Responders are very near and dear to the hearts of PGA of America Golf Professionals, myself included as my father served in the Navy during World War II,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “Programs such as Folds of Honor and PGA HOPE allow the game to improve and even save lives. We invite golfers everywhere to get involved, whether it’s adding to your green fees or playing in a golf marathon, every donation helps.”

Created by PGA of America Golf Professional Lt Col Dan Rooney, a former F-16 fighter pilot, Patriot Golf Days began as a grassroots fundraising initiative in 2007 encouraging golfers across the country to add an extra dollar to their green fees to fund Folds of Honor scholarships.

“Playing golf’s most heroic round during Patriot Golf Days over Memorial Day weekend allows us to provide a life-changing education,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, PGA, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “I encourage everyone to go to the golf course or visit patriotgolfdays.com and make a one-time donation to assist those who need and deserve our help. While last year Folds provided over 9,300 scholarships, which was a record, the need remains great. The continued participation in Patriot Golf Days is critical to our mission, and we are so thankful to everyone who is making it a success. We are grateful for this record-breaking support through the game of golf.”

Folds of Honor continues to lead the onsite efforts for Patriot Golf Days activities surrounding Memorial Day weekend. The PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, will support the promotional efforts for Patriot Golf Days to the more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, their facilities and consumers.

Additionally, since 2023, the Folds of Honor Foundation has made a commitment to PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program includes a six-to eight-week golf instruction curriculum taught by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency.

To donate or register for Patriot Golf Days, visit patriotgolfdays.com.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 52,000 scholarships totaling about $244 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

Media Contacts:
Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Glenn Greenspan, Folds of Honor, GGreenspan@foldsofhonor.org

The post PATRIOT GOLF DAYS AIMS FOR SUCCESSFUL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND appeared first on The Golf Wire.

BENTON HARBOR, Michigan – Local Veterans convened at Harbor Shores Monday to participate in a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) clinic at the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, led by PGA of America Golf Professionals and Corebridge Financial Team members Tracy Phillips and David Hutsell.

As Phillips and Hutsell prepare for the most prestigious Major in senior golf, they led the clinic with support from 13 additional PGA of America Professionals from the Michigan PGA Section. Together they taught the fundamentals of the game and provided Veterans the opportunity to connect with one another while onsite at a major championship.

“This is something that we as PGA Golf Professionals can certainly do to help,” said Phillips. “We’re the recipients of their hard work and sacrifice. They gave us the freedom to allow us to do this. For me, It’s kind of the icing on the cake in terms of being able to play in two major championships and also work with Veterans.”

Phillips, the Director of Instruction at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, made his PGA Championship debut at age 61 last week at Valhalla Golf Club. This week he will compete in his sixth KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.

Hutsell, the Lead Instructor at Baltimore Country Club in Baltimore, Maryland, has played in 10 PGA Tour events, two PGA Championships (2010, ‘11) and is ready to compete at Harbor Shores this week. But first, he was helping Veterans such as Army Veteran Michael Gower, who just competed in the 9th PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, ahead of the PGA Championship, as part of Team Michigan. He spent Monday at Harbor Shores enjoying the clinic.

“PGA HOPE means I have another option of something that I can do, and it was really cool being here at the clinic,” said Gower, a PGA HOPE graduate. “Golf has given me a whole new realm of possibility of getting outside, especially with my son. We just got him his first set of clubs for his birthday. It used to just be video games inside, but now I can take him and go outside and play golf. Ultimately, what most Veterans love is to be able to be outside and do something. HOPE helps us do that.”

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

This year, the program plans to impact more than 17,000 Veterans through a developmental 6-to 8-week curriculum led by PGA of America Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. The cost of programming is free to all Veterans.

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, the most historic and prestigious Major Championship in senior golf, will be contested May 23-26 and broadcast on Golf Channel and NBC. The action can also be taken in through srpgachampionship.com and by following @seniorpgachamp on Facebook, Instagram and X.

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X, formerly known as Twitter and find us on Facebook.

Media Contact

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

The post PGA HOPE VETERANS CLINIC KICKS OFF 2024 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on The Golf Wire.

Editors: for photos of Suzy Whaley, PGA and Joe Hallett, PGA, click here.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky  – The 106th PGA Championship is underway at Valhalla Golf Club, and by week’s end another name will be etched into the historic Wanamaker Trophy.

There are more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, and over 20 of them are representing the PGA of America on the broadcast crews of ESPN, CBS and Sirius XM Radio as the world tunes into the second Major of the season.

End-to-end broadcast and streaming coverage across CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN+ and Paramount+ will total over 250 hours of live and exclusive programming. Add in PGAChampionship.com and fans could easily spend all week enjoying the action.

Among the broadcasters will be PGA of America Past President Suzy Whaley, PGA, and 2024 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year Joe Hallett, PGA.

Whaley, a PGA Master Professional and the president of Golf Nation, will be an on-course reporter for ESPN. She’ll be walking the grounds of Valhalla Golf Club, a championship venue that carries a lot of meaning in her career.

“It’s exciting to have the chance to cover the PGA Championship from behind-the-scenes,” said Whaley. “Valhalla is special to me. In 2003, I was the first woman to qualify and compete at the PGA Professional Championship at Valhalla. This year, I look forward to sharing stories and supporting the Corebridge Financial Team of PGA of America Golf Professionals who recently qualified for this major championship through the 2024 PGA Professional Championship.”

Whaley made Association history again in 2018, becoming the first woman president of the PGA of America.

Hallet, a PGA Master Professional and the Director of Instruction at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn., also joins the ESPN broadcast to provide coaching expertise and insight.

Alongside fellow PGA of America Golf Professional Nathalie Sheehan, PGA, Hallett provides on-course commentary and highlights unique shots players face at Valhalla, as well interviewing coaches to see what select players are focusing on.

“This is such an exciting week,” said Hallett. “Great golf on a great venue. The real fun is watching the best in the world play and showing a glimpse of how they got so good, or how they hit certain shots. Our goal is to explain to viewers in a way they can improve their own games at home with some simple concepts.”

A PGA of America Golf Professional for 28 years, Hallett is a GOLF Magazine Top 100 instructor and a Golf Digest Top 50 instructor, including holding the top spot in Golf Digest’s “Best Teacher in Every State” in Tennessee for seven consecutive years. He has coached some of the top LPGA players in the world, including seven-time Major Champion and LPGA Hall of Famer Inbee Park and two-time Rolex World No. 1 and 2023 US Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis. Hallett was also named to the Team USA coaching staff for the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Hallet and Whaley are joined by several PGA of America Golf Professionals on the ESPN and ESPN+ crews: Gary Christian, PGA; Graham DeLaet, PGA; David Duval, PGA; Matt Every, PGA; Billy Kratzert, PGA; Andy North, PGA; Geoff Ogilvy, PGA; Steve Scott, PGA; Nathalie Sheehan, PGA; Jeff Sluman, PGA; Paul Stankowski, PGA; Curtis Strange, PGA; Scott Verplank, PGA; Mark Wilson, PGA.

PGA of America Members on the CBS Sports and Paramount+ teams include Michael Breed, PGA and Brian Crowell, PGA. Also on the team is former PGA of America Independent Director Dottie Pepper.

Meanwhile, SiriusXM is airing the talents of Mark Carenvale, PGA; Rocco Mediate, PGA; Annika Sorenstam, PGA; and Johnson Wagner, PGA.

Dave Marr III, whose namesake father was both the 1981 Ryder Cup Captain and 1965 PGA Champion, serves as the regular host of PGA of America Radio on SiriusXM.

The PGA Championship will conclude May 19 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. You can stream, watch or listen on the networks of CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount, ESPN, ESPN+ and SiriusXM Radio.

About PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact:
Jesse Dodson, PGA
PGA of America
jdodson@pgahq.com

The post PGA OF AMERICA GOLF PROFESSIONALS BROADCAST THE 106TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on The Golf Wire.

Editors: For photos, click here.

 LOUISVILLE, Kentucky  – PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeremy Wells (South Florida Section) and Braden Shattuck (Philadelphia Section) made the cut at the 106th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. It’s the first time since 2021 that more than one PGA of America Golf Professional will play the weekend at the PGA Championship.

Wells (2-under), the PGA Director of Player Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Myers, Florida, finished his second round Saturday morning after play was suspended due to darkness on Friday.

A good night’s rest isn’t always easy to come by for a father of three. Trying to sleep with two holes still to play to make his first cut at the PGA Championship may be even harder.

LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 18: Jeremy Wells reacts to making his putt on the ninth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)

“We woke our kids up at 4:30 to get to the golf course,” Wells said. “We were in blankets in the clubhouse. Yeah, didn’t sleep very well but it wasn’t the first time I felt that way.

“Fortunately, I got to play 8 and 9 this morning, which are kind of normal holes here. But even still, I knew I was going to have to stand over a couple 3-footers.”

With a two-putt par on the par-3 8th hole, Wells had a shot to spare to make the 1-under cut on his 36th hole, alleviating some stress for the 2-footer that finished his even-par round.

Wells made the Corebridge Financial Team in 2023 at Oak Hill, but missed the cut. Making the weekend this year was the ultimate goal.

“We have a Section Championship which leads to the National Championship (PGA Professional Championship) which leads to the PGA Championship, and then you have a cut at the PGA Championship,” Wells said. “Now that I’ve made this cut, hopefully some of the pressure is off because these next two days are kind of the goal for my year. I’m fortunate enough to get this far to the PGA Championship.”

Wells will begin his third round at 1:01 p.m. ET off the 10th tee paired with 2010 PGA Champion Martin Kaymer (2-under) and Tyrell Hatton (2-under).

LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 16: Braden Shattuck makes his putt on the third hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)

Shattuck, the PGA Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania, made the cut after missing last year in his first appearance in the PGA Championship.

Beginning the second round on the 10th hole, Shattuck got off to a quick start with birdies on holes 11-13. He made the turn at 2-under, however, bogies on holes 3 and 4 nudged him outside the cutline. He needed at least one birdie over the final two holes to get within the top 70 and ties to reach the weekend. The birdie came on the par-3 8th hole (his 17th of the round) courtesy of draining a 35-footer.

On the par-4 9th, he found the fairway bunker off the tee and a greenside bunker with this approach. He stared down a 4-footer, then holed it for par.

“The cup looked like the size of a thimble on that last 4-footer,” Shattuck said, smiling, “but, thankfully, it found its way to the middle.”

Shattuck had to rebuild his swing due to a car accident in 2019, herniating two disks in his back and unable to swing a golf club for two years. He won the 2023 PGA Professional Championship to play at Oak Hill, where missing the cut last year left him wanting more.

This will be his first time playing the weekend of a Major Championship as part of the Corebridge Financial Team.

“That’s something you take a lot of pride in,” he said. “It’s nice to represent the PGA of America out here.”

Shattuck will begin his third round at 1:34 p.m. ET off the 10th tee paired with S.H. Kim and Stephan Jaeger.

The last time more than one PGA of America Golf Professional made the cut at the PGA Championship was 2021 at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, when Ben Cook (Michigan Section) and Brad Marek (Northern California Section) played the weekend.

Corebridge Financial broadened its partnership with the PGA of America to include title sponsorship of the PGA of America Member teams, formerly known as the Team of 20 (PGA Championship); Team of 35 (KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship); and Team of 9 (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship). Each group will now be recognized as the Corebridge Financial Team.

The PGA Championship continues May 18-19 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. You can stream, watch or listen on the networks of CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount, ESPN, ESPN+ and SiriusXM Radio.

About PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com

The post PGA OF AMERICA GOLF PROFESSIONALS JEREMY WELLS & BRADEN SHATTUCK TO PLAY WEEKEND AT 106TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on The Golf Wire.

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FRISCO, Texas –– Complimentary event registration is now open at PGA BuyingSummit.com for PGA of America Golf Professionals and golf buyers attending the 2024 PGA Buying Summit at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort (Texas) and the Home of the PGA of America, July 29 – 31.

More than 150 curated golf brands will showcase Spring 2025 apparel collections, accessories and golf products to influential buyers and PGA of America Golf Professionals during three packed event days, which feature open ballroom exhibits, ONE2ONE buying appointments, extensive educational programming, and nighttime golf experiential and networking events across the spectacular PGA Frisco campus.

Attendance at the 2024 PGA Buying Summit is exclusive to PGA of America Golf Professionals and golf industry personnel. There is no event registration fee for qualified golf industry professionals through July 20, 2024. Beginning July 21, PGA of America, LPGA and International PGA Professionals can continue to register at no charge, while other industry personnel will incur a $50 event registration processing fee through the conclusion of the Summit, July 31, 2024. Education enrollment for access to all PGA of America and Retail Buyer education sessions, nearly 20 in total, is just $100 for PGA of America Golf Professionals and $150 for golf buyers and industry professionals. Registration, education enrollment and hotel reservations can be made at PGABuyingSummit.com.

The Summit begins on Monday, July 29, with curated ONE2ONE Buying Appointments and new Buyer Retail education sessions at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, and PGA of America education sessions at the state-of-the-art PGA Professional Development Center in the Home of the PGA of America. PGA of America PDR credits can be earned through participation in education sessions and the event.

Ballroom exhibits showcasing more than 150 top and emerging golf brands will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30-31, at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort. Complimentary golf equipment and technology education sessions also will take place on the afternoon of July 30 in the newly opened PGA of America Coaching Center Powered by T-Mobile. 

Nightly networking and experiential golf events will offer PGA of America Golf Professionals, buyers and exhibitors a chance to unwind and stay connected, beginning with the popular Industry Welcome Reception and Live Fashion Show at the resort’s Panther Creek Pavilion on Monday, July 29. Following the reception, exhibitor-attendee networking continues with after-hours golf at the Monument Realty PGA District, including The Swing – a lighted 10-hole short course, The Dance Floor – a lighted 2-acre putting course, and at The Lounge by Topgolf and The Ice House. The event’s exciting, new Summer Jam, a nighttime golf festival experience featuring live music, will take place across experiential golf, dining and retail destinations of the Monument Realty PGA District on Tuesday, July 30.

Learn more about the event, view participating exhibitors, register and reserve housing at PGABuyingSummit.com. 

About PGA Golf Exhibitions

The PGA Show and PGA Buying Summit – Frisco are organized by PGA Golf Exhibitions (part of RX) and the PGA of America. Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Show has grown into the largest annual business event for the global golf industry. Both the PGA Show and the mid-season PGA Buying Summit drive the business of golf by providing opportunities to showcase and source innovative products, develop professional networks, learn new business strategies, and connect with peers and golf leaders. Learn more at PGAShow.com and follow us on “X”, Instagram and  Facebook.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organizations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit https://www.rxglobal.com./

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalization can be found at https://www.relx.com/investors.

Media Contacts:

PGA Show/Media: Sherry Major, sherry.major@rxglobal.com

PGA of America/Media: Jesse Dodson, jdodson@pgahq.com

The post REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 2024 PGA BUYING SUMMIT AT PGA FRISCO, JULY 29 – 31 appeared first on The Golf Wire.

 Editors: For photos of Beyond the Green, click here.

 LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Before the world’s greatest golfers compete at Valhalla Golf Club in the 106th PGA Championship, students from the Louisville area attended PGA WORKS Beyond the Green, a career-exploration event designed to engage students from underrepresented backgrounds with golf industry leaders and innovators.

Held alongside PGA of America Championships and led by hosts Doug Smith and Will Lowry, participants gathered in the Club PGA pavilion Tuesday along the 17th hole at Valhalla for engaging panels and activities. They heard from industry leaders such as PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh and ESPN Senior Golf Analyst Michael Collins who helped introduce the vast opportunities to find meaningful career opportunities within golf, as well as industries that work alongside the $102 billion industry.

Local schools and programs in attendance included the Boys and Girls Club, CHOICE (Fern Creek High School), Westend School, Kappa League, First Tee Louisville and Jefferson County Public Schools.

“The game of golf raises about $5 billion a year in charity and is a $102 billion industry with two million jobs,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh in his remarks. “When we talk about growing the game, it’s not just about playing the game, it’s about you making a life and career out of the game. Most importantly, if we can make the game look more like the rest of the world, maybe the world will behave a little more like the game.”

Following a welcome message from PGA of America Vice President Don Rea Jr., PGA, panel discussions and activities followed. The “A Bold Life Beyond” panel provided thought-provoking insights about unconventional career paths that can lead to rewarding careers in or adjacent to the golf industry. The “Fairways to Airways” panel touched on how the art of storytelling remains a fundamental aspect of human culture, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world around us.

Speakers and Panelists included:

• Michael Collins, Senior Golf Analyst, ESPN.com
• Krissi Florian, Vice President of Production Management for CBS Sports
• Nicole Peterson, Experiential Marketing & National Partnerships Manager, Lexus
• Don Rea Jr., PGA; Vice President, PGA of America
• Angel Rich-Jones, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Wealth Factory and #BlackTechMatters
• Roger Steele, Golf Influencer
• Seth Waugh, CEO, PGA of America
• Kurt Weaver, COO, You Can Play
• Fahad Zahid, Senior Director of Brand and Digital Marketing, PGA of America

“I’m here today because I wasn’t afraid to say, ‘yeah, why not,’” said Collins in the Fairways to Airways panel. “I started out doing stand-up comedy. I did that for 20 years and then I ended up caddying on the PGA TOUR, all kind of by accident. From caddying and stand-up, somebody reached out to me asking if I wanted to do play-by-play for XM radio. All of a sudden I get a tweet from ESPN asking if I wanted to chat and next thing you know, I’ve been on ESPN now for almost 15 years.”

To wrap-up the panel discussions, attendees participated in a story-telling activation where they were assigned to brainstorm and pitch fresh, innovative ideas to market the PGA Championship to youth.

“I think Beyond the Green is cool. It’s just a good way to spread the game,” said Caleb Seow, a local 17-year-old high school student aiming for a career in golf. “I already work for a golf course by my house and I’d like to go to college for a golf course management program. I think that would be pretty great.”

PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative, designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded by PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from diverse backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry.

The 2024 PGA Championship, played Thursday-Sunday, May 16-19, will feature end-to-end, 72-hole coverage via CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN+ and Paramount+, while the PGAChampionship.com website, App and Social Media channels also provide comprehensive coverage.

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X, formerly known as Twitter and find us on Facebook.

Media Contact: Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

The post LOCAL LOUISVILLE STUDENTS ATTEND PGA WORKS BEYOND THE GREEN AT 106TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on The Golf Wire.

Editors:

For Seneca Golf Course Improvement Project renditions, click here.

For photos of the check presentation, click here.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh announced today during a 2024 PGA Championship press conference that the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the charitable foundation of the Association, will donate $250,000 to Seneca Golf Course through the PGA Places To Play program.

In its mission to impact lives through the game of golf, the PGA of America REACH Foundation is committed to ensuring golf becomes more accessible. PGA Places To Play creates new opportunities to support facilities and sustain affordable access to the game for people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Significantly, the Valhalla Ownership Group (Jimmy Kirchdorfer, David Novak, Junior Bridgeman, Ches Musselman) and Valhalla Golf Club membership will match the donation to aid in the renovations of Seneca Golf Course, ensuring its facilities will meet the needs of the community for years to come.

The donations will be used toward the Seneca Golf Course Improvement Project, which will cost $1.5 million in total for the following:

• Renovation of the par 3 course to optimize playability and access
• The building of a new indoor practice facility, allowing year-round youth programming and education
• Upgrading and modernizing the driving range facilities to accommodate increased use
• The creation of a new putting course to engage all types of golfer

Seneca Golf Course was submitted for consideration by the Kentucky PGA Section and Louisville Parks and Recreation, as the course has been a fixture in Louisville since 1934. Located in central Louisville, the course is a community hub for families, local businesses and golfers of all ages.

“PGA Places To Play is a pillar within the PGA of America REACH Foundation because we consider it our responsibility to help improve and solidify community facilities that invite individuals of all backgrounds and abilities to this great game,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “The City of Louisville has been an avid supporter of the PGA of America over the years and now we are proud to play a small part in ensuring that a historic place such as Seneca Golf Course has the ability to serve the local community for many more generations to come.”

“The Seneca Golf Course par 3 course and driving range are vital community assets, serving as accessible venues for golf enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels in our community,” said Kentucky PGA Section Executive Director Sally Morgan, PGA. “We couldn’t be more appreciative of the PGA Places To Play program as we aim to enhance the overall golfing experience for residents and visitors alike.”

Seneca Golf Course houses PGA of America Programming such as PGA Jr. League; Drive, Chip and Putt; and a newly organized PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program. In addition, Seneca serves the golf community through the First Tee of Louisville and Youth on Course.

“Seneca Golf Course has a storied history in the Louisville community and we are exceptionally proud to join the PGA of America REACH Foundation and match the PGA Places To Play donation,” said Valhalla Golf Club Co-Owner Jimmy Kirchdorfer. “On behalf of Valhalla Golf Club, thank you to the PGA of America for the charitable efforts made in Louisville. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on our community for years to come.”

PGA Places To Play is supported by a $14 million endowment fund of charitable contributions to the Foundation’s DRIVE IT FURTHER Capital Campaign, annually providing three grants of $250,000 to selected facilities.

Three facility categories are available for consideration:

• PGA of America Spectator Championship legacy Project Model: A facility within the market of a PGA of America spectator championship such as the PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and domestic Ryder Cup
• Community-Based Innovation Model: Innovative facilities and concepts that open doors to underserved communities in the game through elements aligned with PGA of America REACH Foundation’s charitable mission
• Failing 9 or 18+ Hole Public Facility: Facilities that are operated by a local charitable organization or a municipality in danger of being replaced by a “better alternative use.”

About Places To Play

PGA Places To Play creates opportunities to support golf facilities and sustain affordable access to the game for people of all backgrounds and abilities through seed grants from the PGA of America REACH Foundation. Funding for PGA Places To Play comes from donors across America who believe wealth shouldn’t be a barrier to the game of golf. The program creates access through community-based initiatives and PGA of America championship markets while supplementing the local expertise provided by PGA of America Golf Professionals and national programs like PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE and PGA WORKS. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org/access.

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X, formerly known as Twitter and find us on Facebook.

Media Contact:

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

The post SENECA GOLF COURSE SELECTED FOR PGA OF AMERICA PLACES TO PLAY DONATION appeared first on The Golf Wire.

Editors:
For a photo of the Corebridge Financial Team at Valhalla Golf Club, click here.

For individual photos, click here.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky  – The 106th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club will feature the Corebridge Financial Team, composed of 21 PGA of America Golf Professionals who dedicate their careers as expert coaches, administrators and business leaders within the game.

Ben Polland, PGA, the 33-year-old Director of Golf at Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, won the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, which took place April 29 – May 1 at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco. He will lead the remainder of the team of top-20 finishers at the 2024 PGA Professional Championship and Michael Block, PGA, who qualified through his T-15 finish in the 2023 PGA Championship.

Polland will compete in his fourth PGA Championship following appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2021. After a number of close calls at the PGA Professional Championship, including finishing runner-up in 2015 to Matt Dobyns, PGA, his mentor, and former boss at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, New York, Polland heads to Valhalla with a long-sought-after victory under his belt. Dobyns will also compete in this year’s PGA Championship after a T-16 finish at Fields Ranch.

Corebridge Financial has broadened its partnership with the PGA of America to include the title sponsorship of the PGA of America Member teams, formerly known as the Team of 20 (PGA Championship); Team of 35 (KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship); and Team of 9 (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship). Each group will now be recognized as the Corebridge Financial Team.

“One of the most treasured opportunities for our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals is the chance to compete with the world’s best in the PGA Championship,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf of the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “Our Corebridge Financial Team not only can play at a high-level, but they do it amidst full-time careers within the golf industry, enabling individuals all over the country to experience our great game.”

Tracy Phillips, PGA, Director of Instruction at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, will make his PGA Championship debut at age 61. A Member of the PGA of America since 1992, Phillips stopped playing competitive golf for 20 years (1988-2008) following a collegiate golf career at Oklahoma State University. This year, he’ll compete at Valhalla Golf Club as well as at the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores as a member of its respective Corebridge Financial Team.

Larkin Gross, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Virginia, is the youngest to earn a spot in the field via the Corebridge Financial Team. The 26-year-old is making his second start in the PGA Championship after competing in 2021 on The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. His wife, Paige, is also a PGA of America Golf Professional and caddied for Larkin during the 2024 PGA Professional Championship. She will be on the bag at Valhalla as well. Paige is the Assistant Professional at The Club at Creighton Farms in Aldie, Virginia.

Preston Cole, PGA, Lead Assistant Professional at Quail Hollow Club, site of the 2025 PGA Championship, will head into his first PGA Championship at Valhalla after host responsibilities at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, days prior to PGA Championship week. Saturday morning he was helping Matt Fitzpatrick find a replacement shaft for his driver. Today, he’s on the grounds at Valhalla preparing to compete amongst Major champions. He earned a berth in the PGA Championship and a spot on the Corebridge Financial Team with a T-8 finish at the PGA Professional Championship.

Tyler Collett, PGA, Assistant Professional at John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, will play in his third PGA Championship (2022, ‘21) after a T-6 finish in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship. He will be in familiar territory at Valhalla as a 2017 graduate from the PGA Golf Management program at Eastern Kentucky University. Collet played in the PGA TOUR’s 2024 Cognizant Classic and made the cut in the 2024 Puerto Rico Open.

2024 PGA Championship Corebridge Financial Team

Josh Bevell, PGA (Nashville, Tenn.) – Profectus Golf – Tennessee Section

16Michael Block, PGA (Mission Viejo, Calif.) – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club – Southern California Section

Evan Bowser, PGA (Naples, Fla.) – LaPlaya Golf Club, South Florida Section

Preston Cole, PGA (Charlotte, N.C.) – Quail Hollow Club, Carolinas Section

Tyler Collet, PGA (Vero Beach, Fla.) – John’s Island Club, South Florida Section

Matt Dobyns, PGA (Jericho, N.Y.) – Meadow Brook Club – Metropolitan Section

Larkin Gross, PGA (Fairfax, Va.) – Westwood Country Club, Middle Atlantic Section

Jared Jones, PGA (Houston, Texas) – River Oaks Country Club, Southern Texas Section

Jeff Kellen, PGA (Glenview, Ill.) – North Shore Country Club, Illinois Section

Brad Marek, PGA (Berkeley, Calif.) – Corica Park, Northern California Section

Kyle Mendoza, PGA (Oceanside, Calif.) – Hacienda Golf Club – Southern California Section

​​Jesse Mueller, PGA (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Grand Canyon University Golf Course, Southwest Section

Zac Oakley, PGA (King of Prussia, Pa.) – Bidermann Golf Club – Philadelphia Section

Ben Polland, PGA (Jackson Hole, Wyo.) – Shooting Star of Jackson Hole, Rocky Mountain Section

Tracy Phillips, PGA (Tulsa, Okla.) – Cedar Ridge Country Club, South Central Section

Braden Shattuck, PGA (Aston, Pa.) – Rolling Green Golf Club – Philadelphia Section

John Somers, PGA (Trinity, Fla.) – Southern Hills Plantation Club, North Florida Section

Josh Speight, PGA (Locust Hill, Va.) – The Club at Viniterra, Middle Atlantic Section

Andy Svoboda, PGA (Oak Brook, Ill.) – Butler National Golf Club, Illinois Section
Jeremy Wells, PGA (Estero, Fla.) – Cypress Lake Golf Club, South Florida Section

Wyatt Worthington II, PGA (Las Vegas, Nev.) – Eastside Golf – Southwest Section

For more information on the Corebridge Financial Team competing at the 2024 PGA Championship, click here.

About PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com

The post COREBRIDGE FINANCIAL TEAM OF PGA OF AMERICA GOLF PROFESSIONALS TO PLAY IN 106TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on The Golf Wire.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky  – The 9th PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at University of Louisville Golf Club brought together 48 military Veterans from across the country with a true passion for the game of golf.

With an entrance fit for heroes, 48 PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) graduates received a motorcade escort from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on their way to the venue, not too far down the road from Valhalla Golf Club, site of the 2024 PGA Championship. The entrance was followed by Opening Ceremonies that featured a helicopter flyover from the Louisville Metro Police Department Air Patrol Unit.

PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, is a rehabilitative golf program that introduces golf to Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE offers golf through a developmental, six- to eight-week curriculum taught by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA of America Section foundations, with no cost for military Veterans to participate.

On Monday, 12 teams consisting of one PGA of America Golf Professional and four military Veterans who have graduated from the PGA HOPE program, competed in a spirited 9-hole match, as part of 2024 PGA Championship activities for PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America.

“You had the courage to serve our country, you also had the courage to get off the couch and go to PGA HOPE training and be out here today,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan) in the opening ceremonies. “You’re representing your respective PGA of America Sections today, but you also represent the country. I want to thank all of you for your service, without you we wouldn’t be standing here today. If you look around at each other, we have over 570 years of combined service. I’ve told many of you, but my dad served in the South Pacific in the Navy during World War II, so this is really impactful for me.”

SIMPSONVILLE, KY – MAY 13: PGA HOPE Winner, Team Carolinas poses with PGA of America Secretary, Nathan Charnes, Vice President Don Rea, and President, John Lindert during the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at University of Louisville Golf Club on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Simpsonville, Kentucky. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)

PGA HOPE is currently being offered at more than 535 program locations in the U.S. today, across all 50 States. This year, the program is on pace to positively impact more than 17,000 Veterans and Active Duty Military.

“I want to thank everybody here today, you represented the Veteran community in an outstanding way and you represented the HOPE Program beyond belief,” said Chris Nowak, U.S. Marine Corps retiree and PGA of America Military and Veteran Liaison. “It’s always great when you see Veterans together, how we interact and conduct ourselves. It makes me very proud to be a part of the program.”

Led by PGA of America Golf Professional Jeff Harris, PGA HOPE Carolinas Captured the 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at 7-under 29. Harris, a PGA HOPE instructor for the PGA HOPE Program in the Carolinas Section for six years, led the winning team of U.S. Veterans Joseph Reese (Marines), Kevin Strickroth (Marines), Earl White (Marines) and Thomas Sams (Air Force).

“This is an amazing thrill to win this event,” said Harris, the PGA Head Golf Professional at The Legends at Parris Island in Beaufort, South Carolina. “It’s an honor to participate in the Secretary’s Cup. The camaraderie developed between the guys is amazing to see. PGA HOPE brings them together and it’s a great enrichment to their lives.”

PGA HOPE Georgia captured the Journey Award, recognizing the importance of the overall journey for all who take part in the program. Rachel Clopton, a PGA of America Golf Professional at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, Georgia, who serves as an instructor for the PGA HOPE Program in the Georgia, participated alongside Veterans Ryan Carr (Navy), Robert Emmet Leahey (Navy), Chase Bullen (Army) and Patrick Forrestal (Marines).

Along with the Journey Award, Golfpac Travel donated a dream Orlando golf vacation to the PGA HOPE Georgia Team. The team will enjoy a 3-night stay in a luxury townhome at Magic Village Resort in Orlando. They will be playing three rounds of golf at top courses around Orlando including Walt Disney World Golf, Hawk’s Landing Golf Club and Shingle Creek Golf Club.

As part of the overall experience, all teams arrived in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, May 10. The Veterans and PGA of America Golf Professionals attended a welcome reception sponsored by DIRECTV on Saturday at Churchill Downs – site of the Kentucky Derby, where they watched horse racing and took photos with the famed Wanamaker Trophy, handed to the winner of the PGA Championship.

In addition to the welcome reception, DIRECTV was also the presenting sponsor of the Taste of Louisville Tailgate at the University of Louisville Golf Club immediately following practice rounds for Secretary’s Cup participants on Saturday.

DIRECTV and PGA HOPE announced a partnership on May 6. DIRECTV will provide year-round support for PGA HOPE.

Teams participated in practice rounds on Sunday and played in the Secretary’s Cup on Monday. The Veterans will also attend a PGA Championship practice round at Valhalla.

PGA Sections in the 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup:

• PGA HOPE Kentucky (2 teams)
• PGA HOPE Northern California
• PGA HOPE Philadelphia
• PGA HOPE Carolinas
• PGA HOPE Western New York
• PGA HOPE Northern Texas
• PGA HOPE Georgia
• PGA HOPE Michigan
• PGA HOPE Nebraska
• PGA HOPE Southern California
• PGA HOPE Utah

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X, formerly known as Twitter and find us on Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com

The post MILITARY VETERANS FROM ACROSS THE US KICK OFF 2024 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK AT 9TH SECRETARY’S CUP appeared first on The Golf Wire.

End-to-end broadcast and streaming coverage with 5G-powered cameras across CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN+ and Paramount+ totals more than 250 hours of live and exclusive programming

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – The 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, will feature the PGA of America’s robust multichannel digital suite, interactive platforms and broadcast partners CBS Sports and ESPN. The combination of full-coverage content experiences will allow fans to interact and engage with the PGA Championship (May 16-19) through access to real-time scoring, video, updates and coaching from PGA of America Golf Professionals.

PGA Digital

The PGA Championship’s official website and app will provide comprehensive coverage, featuring an interactive user experience, live leaderboard, scorecards and full coverage editorial. Within each player’s scorecard, users will get shot trails and scoring data, along with access to more than 1,000 automated video clips showing the best shots of each round.

“This week, the world’s greatest golfers compete for the historic Wanamaker Trophy while fan access to the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla will be presented at a whole new level thanks to our teams that tirelessly bring this major championship to life each year,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “We are excited to provide engaging and interactive programming in a unique way to expand the game’s reach and provide an enjoyable experience for fans and viewers around the world.”

Included in the 156-player field coverage, fans will meet the Corebridge Financial Team (#CorebridgexPGA) of PGA of America Golf Professionals competing in the PGA Championship. Stories are available on each of the 21 PGA of America Golf Professionals in their home setting, where they work and coach. An integrated “Meet My Coach” leaderboard feature will geo-locate each user and direct them to a PGA of America Golf Professional in their area. This feature connects directly to the PGA of America’s mission of growing the game through the more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals nationwide.

All digital platforms will feature live updates throughout the week, embedded video highlights, daily recaps, previews and breaking news. Fans will see relevant statistics through an expanded stats section, focusing on the numbers critical for success at Valhalla Golf Club. On the mobile app, fans will find live scoring, highlights and video recaps, along with special features for attending fans.

Live betting odds provided by ESPN BET will be integrated into the PGA Championship’s digital product suite, offering a real-time look at players’ odds of winning, as well as a range of other markets, providing instant updates for fans throughout the Championship.

On social media, fans will be able to find highlights, video and minute-by-minute updates across X, Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. The PGA of America’s depth of content continues to grow, providing fans with graphical and video highlights, while an expanded, longer-form video strategy will provide recaps and fun storytelling on YouTube.

“Our digital offering will be more in depth than ever before, providing new content franchises and product features to experience the world-class stage of the PGA Championship,” said Rob Smith, General Manager, PGA Digital. “While this beautiful venue awaits, we’ve been working hard to enhance the offerings for attending fans, as well as those tuning in at home. As a continued tradition of the PGA Championship, highlighting the Corebridge Financial Team will be center stage. We encourage fans to connect with their local PGA of America Golf Professional through our geo-targeted Coach search on the Championship leaderboard and via pga.com/Coach. We’re primed for a great week of content and can’t wait to see it all unfold.”

PGA Championship Fantasy, presented by Michelob ULTRA, will bring a new look to the Fantasy game this year, focusing on a five-person roster, inclusive of a PGA of America Golf Professional on the Corebridge Financial Team. The game, developed by RSports Interactive, is free to play and easy to enter. For the first time, fans will be able to swap out a player on their roster throughout the Championship, via the Michelob ULTRA Wildcard slot. Users can access PGA Championship Fantasy online via the “Fantasy” tab on PGAChampionship.com and through the PGA Championships app. Fans will have the opportunity to compete against users in a private group as well as across the United States. The winner of the nationwide game and five runner-ups will take home a PGA Championship prize pack. New roster creation will lock once a category is out of pickable options.

“We’re happy to deliver the PGA Championship fantasy experience to the PGA of America for the third straight year,” said Chris Nicholas, COO of RSports Interactive. “This year’s game will be better than ever, allowing users to swap out one of their golfers for another at the end of each round. This innovation will drive fun and engagement for the PGA of America’s loyal audience.”

T5G Range Show powered by T-Mobile 5G

For the first time, fans will be able to watch the new T5G Range Show for live, pre-championship coverage Wednesday on the PGA Championships App as well as PGA of America digital and social channels. T-Mobile’s private 5G network and 5G POV cameras will bring fans an exclusive, up-close look at the action on the T5G Range while PGA of America Coaches and expert commentators provide valuable insights and analysis on the players’ warm-up sessions.

Set up as a live co-located broadcast powered by T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solution, The T5G Range Show will feature T-Mobile Athletes Tony Finau, Max Homa, and Wyndham Clark on the range at Valhalla Golf Club and NBC Sports Broadcaster Jordan Cornette and PGA of America Golf Professional Abby Parsons in the state-of-the-art Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas. Viewers will be provided with in-depth swing analysis of these championship competitors, helping golfers at home to elevate their own game. T-Mobile will also present ‘T-Time Tips,’ featuring real-time broadcast highlights with instructional insights made for social media from some of the best PGA of America Golf Professionals in the country.

PGA Championships App

In partnership with CapTech Consulting, the PGA Championships App will provide a new attending fan experience, including an interactive map of Valhalla that includes all major spectator points of interest and real-time player location. Spectators will also be able to see their current location directly within the map. Digital tickets are integrated into the app for easy access. Additionally, spectators onsite will have enhanced connectivity through T-Mobile’s 5G Network. Fans enjoying the action from home can use the app to keep up with the Championship as it unfolds, with live scoring, in-scorecard highlights, starting times and more.

The app will be testing a new AI Fan Feature that will help answer fan questions in real time. This “Frequently Asked Questions” service will be occasionally available throughout the week as the feature’s capabilities are tested.

This new mobile app will be available for the PGA Championship, KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The PGA Championships app is available now for iOS and Android.

 Live Video Clipping

For the fourth consecutive year, the PGA Championship will utilize Wildmoka Clip Studio from media technology company Backlight as its video clipping solution for the website, mobile app and social media.  Wildmoka Clip Studio will provide automated and manual clipping services against the numerous live video production feeds captured from Valhalla and distributed worldwide.

Television & Streaming Coverage

The 2024 PGA Championship will feature 72-hole coverage via CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN+ and Paramount+. In the fifth year of the 11-year agreement between CBS Sports, ESPN and the PGA of America, there will be more than 250 hours of live coverage across their broadcast, cable and digital assets.

CBS Sports is set to broadcast the PGA Championship for the 34th consecutive year and 41st time overall. The network will offer multi-platform coverage throughout the week, highlighted by third and final round coverage (1:00-7:00 PM, ET; each day) on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 on the CBS Television Network, with coverage streaming live on Paramount+.
CBS Sports Network will provide extensive shoulder programming surrounding the 106th PGA Championship to complement multiplatform coverage across CBS, CBS Sports HQ and CBSSports.com.

CBS Sports HQ will feature live look-ins, updates and reports beginning Monday, May 13 on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. CBS SPORTS HQ SPOTLIGHT on CBS Sports Network will also break down all the storylines and action throughout the week. Additionally, CBSSports.com will provide live coverage and analysis throughout the tournament, and CBS Sports HQ and CBS Sports’ The First Cut podcast will provide recaps and extended coverage at the conclusion of each round.

For details on CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ coverage of the 2024 PGA Championship, click here.

 As golf’s second major of the year returns to Valhalla for the first time since 2014, fans will be served with more than 230 hours of live play across ESPN and ESPN+ during the four days of the championship, including traditional coverage as well as exclusive Featured Groups and Featured Holes presentations.

New this year will be an alternate betting telecast featuring ESPN BET, the official sportsbook of ESPN and newly-announced “Official Sports Betting Operator” of the PGA Championship. The alternate telecast, ESPN BET at the PGA Championship, will run on ESPN2 Thursday and Friday, and ESPN+ Saturday and Sunday for two hours each day.

Also new this year will be four additional hours of television coverage of the first and second rounds, with coverage on ESPN starting at noon ET each day, an hour earlier than previous years, and continuing until 8 p.m., an hour later than previous years. As in past years, traditional coverage will stream on ESPN+ from 7 a.m. until switching to television on both days.

ESPN’s PGA Championship coverage also will include the second year of an alternate telecast hosted by members of the No Laying Up golf content platform. No Laying Up hosts are five golf “fanalysts” who host one of the sports’ leading podcasts and produce some of golf’s most influential social media and digital content. PGA Championship with No Laying Up, produced by ESPN in association with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, also will run two hours per day for four days.

In addition to the coverage of live play, ESPN’s signature news and information program SportsCenter will have reports and analysis from Valhalla for the entire week of the event and ESPN.com will provide extensive digital coverage. ESPN+ will stream three-hour practice round coverage programs at noon on both Tuesday and Wednesday of tournament week.

For details on ESPN and ESPN+ coverage of the 2024 PGA Championship, click here.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact

Jesse Dodson, PGA     PGA of America          801-995-0684              jdodson@pgahq.com
Jeff Szklinksi             CBS Sports                                                      jeff.szklinski@paramount.com  
Andy Hall                    ESPN                            386-492-2246              andy.hall@ESPN.com

The post 2024 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OFFERS INNOVATIVE, COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE THROUGH PGACHAMPIONSHIP.COM, SOCIAL MEDIA, ESPN & CBS appeared first on The Golf Wire.