WHICH OF THE GOLFING GODS WILL MASTER VALHALLA?

JACK’S MASTERPIECE WILL TEST THE VERY BEST

Valhalla Golf Club, a masterpiece crafted by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, has in its relatively short life stood as a beacon of golfing excellence in Kentucky. Not only has it been consistently ranked No. 1 in the state, but it also proudly features on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 100 Greatest Courses.” The course is set to welcome the PGA Championship for the fourth time in 2024, adding another unique chapter to the tournaments rich history.

Valhalla has already been the backdrop to thrilling moments in golf. From Mark Brooks’ unexpected triumph to Tiger Woods’ memorable putts and celebrations and from Rory McIlroy’s dramatic win in the darkness to a Ryder Cup, the course has seen its fair share of drama and excitement. Each event has contributed to its growing legacy, highlighting the course’s challenging layout and the heroic feats of those who conquer it.

As this years USPGA now approaches, Valhalla is poised to host another memorable Championship. The course’s history promises that we are in for a spectacular event, breathtaking scenery and layout, and perhaps a few surprises that will add to its legacy.

Situated on a challenging terrain where half of the land was initially a floodplain dotted with high-tension power poles, Valhalla Golf Club is a testament to the genius of Jack Nicklaus. Drawing upon his experience under the guidance of renowned architects Pete Dye and Desmond Muirhead, Nicklaus crafted a distinctive course layout. His innovative design includes a par 5 with an alternate fairway, a daring par 4 featuring an island green, and an 18th green shaped like a horseshoe, each adding a unique character to the course.

Over the years, Nicklaus has returned periodically to refine and enhance the course’s features, ensuring that Valhalla remains a stern test for the world’s best golfers. In 2022, the club undertook significant upgrades to further elevate the playing conditions; the soft bent grass fairways were replaced with firmer, faster zoysia grass, and the bunkers were meticulously rebuilt. These improvements have bolstered Valhalla’s reputation as a premier championship venue.

Valhalla’s evolution from a difficult piece of land to a celebrated championship site encapsulates a journey of visionary design and continuous improvement. Its challenging layout and the strategic nuances embedded by Nicklaus ensure that each championship held here is not just a test of skill, but an overwhelming test of nerve.

Valhalla Golf Club, named after the majestic hall from Norse mythology where Viking warriors feasted and celebrated with gods, stands as a modern sanctuary for championship golf. This world-class course, the brainchild of Dwight Gahm, was designed with a grand vision—to host major golf championships and to establish Louisville as a recurrent host city for top-tier golf events. It’s a place where The PGA of America made history by choosing it as their first owned championship site.

Spanning over 500 acres of rolling Kentucky hills, Valhalla offers more than just a game—it presents a breathtaking golf theater. Here, every fairway and green is maintained with impeccable care, ensuring an exceptional experience for both members and guests. As the only private golf club owned and operated by the PGA of America, Valhalla holds a unique place in the golfing world.

The course is also an Audubon-certified sanctuary, a testament to its harmony with the natural environment. Spanning 256 acres, the sanctuary is home to a variety of birds and wildlife, offering players a moment of tranquility and a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature amidst the game. The presence of Floyd’s Fork, a stream that weaves through the landscape, adds to the serene setting. It serves not only as a picturesque backdrop but also plays a strategic role in the challenge golfers have to consider with each shot.

THE WANNAMAKER AND THE HISTORY OF THE USPGA

The origins of the PGA Championship and the Wanamaker Trophy are tightly woven into the fabric of professional golf in the United States. The concept was first imagined by Rodman Wanamaker, a visionary department store magnate, who saw the need for a national tournament to elevate the stature of professional golf in America. His groundbreaking idea came to fruition during a historic luncheon at the Taplow Club in New York City in 1916, where Wanamaker put forward the notion of establishing a professional golfers’ association and a championship to rival the British Open, the premier golf event accessible to American players at the time.

This meeting led to the creation of the PGA of America, and the inaugural PGA Championship was staged later that same year at the Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York. To underscore the significance and prestige of the championship, Wanamaker donated an impressive trophy, which would soon be named after him. The Wanamaker Trophy, a monumental achievement in silversmithing, stands approximately 28 inches tall and weighs around 27 pounds. Designed as a perpetual trophy, it is inscribed annually with the names of the winners, cementing their legacies within the pantheon of golf greats. This trophy not only symbolizes triumph but also serves as a lasting emblem of the enduring spirit and growing prestige of the PGA Championship.

The Wanamaker Trophy quickly became a symbol of ultimate achievement in professional golf, representing both the history and the competitive spirit of the PGA Championship. Over the years, it has been held aloft by many of golf’s greatest players, each adding their story to its rich legacy. As such, the PGA Championship and its iconic trophy continue to hold a place of honor as one of the four major championships in professional golf, attracting the world’s best golfers to compete for a piece of history.

THE EARLY YEARS AND THE MISSING WANNAMAKER

Jim Barnes won the first two PGA Championships and was the first to have his name etched on the Wanamaker Trophy. Then came Jock Hutchison, Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen, and then Hagen again, and it was after Hagen’s second PGA Championship victory that things got interesting.

Hagen took home the Wanamaker Trophy for four straight years, from 1924-27, and its whereabouts seemed insignificant.

He was asked at the 1926 award ceremony why he didn’t have the trophy, and replied that he hadn’t brought it with him because he had no intention of surrendering it.

But that’s just what happened two years later in 1928. Leo Diegel beat Hagen in the quarter finals and went on to win the title, but when the time came for Hagen to hand over the Wanamaker Trophy after his long reign, he was forced to admit that he had lost it.

The story around its disappearance is vague to say the least, but the gist is that Hagen went partying after winning his seventh major championship at the 1925 PGA Championship at Olympia Fields in Chicago. During his celebrations he jumped out of a cab to join some friends who were heading into a nightclub and left the Wanamaker Trophy behind.

Hagen claims he paid the taxi driver to deliver it to his hotel, but it never arrived. Instead, it somehow made its way from Chicago to Detroit, where it was found five years later in 1930 in an unmarked case in the basement of L.A. Young & Company, the firm that made Hagen’s golf clubs.

Lost? Misplaced? Tucked away? No one knows for sure.

In its absence, The PGA of America had a duplicate of the Wanamaker Trophy made. Once the original was recovered, it was retired, and it is now on display at the PGA Historical Centre in Florida. Champions’ names are still added annually to the original, but it is the more recent version that the PGA Championship winners now pose with.

This period what would be known as the match play era, lasted until 1957. The format, where players competed head-to-head in a knockout style rather than against the field, created dramatic and memorable contests that deeply ingrained the championship in the fabric of American sports.

The first tournament was held at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York, and was won by Englishman Jim Barnes. In these early years, the championship was not merely a test of golfing skill but also a showcase of endurance and strategy, highlighting the dramatic nature of match play. This era was dominated by legendary figures such as Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen, both of whom became icons through their performances in the PGA Championship. Hagen, in particular, left a lasting mark by winning the title five times between 1921 and 1927, a record for the match play format.

PGA Championship Winners (Match Play Era: 1916-1957)

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
1916	Jim Barnes	1 up	Siwanoy Country Club, Bronxville, New York
1917	No tournament	—	—
1918	No tournament	—	—
1919	Jim Barnes	6 & 5	Engineers Country Club, Roslyn, New York
1920	Jock Hutchison	1 up	Flossmoor Country Club, Flossmoor, Illinois
1921	Walter Hagen	3 & 2	Inwood Country Club, Inwood, New York
1922	Gene Sarazen	4 & 3	Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pennsylvania
1923	Gene Sarazen	38 holes	Pelham Country Club, Pelham Manor, New York
1924	Walter Hagen	2 up	French Lick Springs Resort, French Lick, Indiana
1925	Walter Hagen	6 & 5	Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Illinois
1926	Walter Hagen	5 & 3	Salisbury Golf Club, Westbury, New York
1927	Walter Hagen	1 up	Cedar Crest Country Club, Dallas, Texas
1928	Leo Diegel	6 & 4	Five Farms Country Club, Baltimore, Maryland
1929	Leo Diegel	6 & 4	Hillcrest Country Club, Los Angeles, California
1930	Tommy Armour	1 up	Fresh Meadow Country Club, Great Neck, New York
1931	Tom Creavy	2 & 1	Wannamoisett Country Club, Rumford, Rhode Island
1932	Olin Dutra	4 & 3	Keller Golf Course, Maplewood, Minnesota
1933	Gene Sarazen	5 & 4	Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
1934	Paul Runyan	38 holes	The Park Country Club, Williamsville, New York
1935	Johnny Revolta	5 & 4	Twin Hills Golf & Country Club, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1936	Denny Shute	3 & 2	Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, North Carolina
1937	Denny Shute	37 holes	Pittsburgh Field Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1938	Paul Runyan	8 & 7	The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania
1939	Henry Picard	37 holes	Pomonok Country Club, Flushing, New York
1940	Byron Nelson	1 up	Hershey Country Club, Hershey, Pennsylvania
1941	Vic Ghezzi	38 holes	Cherry Hills Country Club, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
1942	Sam Snead	2 & 1	Seaview Country Club, Atlantic City, New Jersey
1943	No tournament	—	—
1944	Bob Hamilton	1 up	Manito Golf and Country Club, Spokane, Washington
1945	Byron Nelson	4 & 3	Moraine Country Club, Dayton, Ohio
1946	Ben Hogan	6 & 4	Portland Golf Club, Portland, Oregon
1947	Jim Ferrier	2 & 1	Plum Hollow Country Club, Southfield, Michigan
1948	Ben Hogan	7 & 6	Norwood Hills Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri
1949	Sam Snead	3 & 2	Hermitage Country Club, Richmond, Virginia
1950	Chandler Harper	4 & 3	Scioto Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
1951	Sam Snead	7 & 6	Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pennsylvania
1952	Jim Turnesa	1 up	Big Spring Country Club, Louisville, Kentucky
1953	Walter Burkemo	2 & 1	Birmingham Country Club, Birmingham, Michigan
1954	Chick Harbert	4 & 3	Keller Golf Course, Maplewood, Minnesota
1955	Doug Ford	4 & 3	Meadowbrook Country Club, Northville, Michigan
1956	Jack Burke Jr.	3 & 2	Blue Hill Golf Course, Pearl River, New York
1957	Lionel Hebert	2 & 1	Miami Valley Golf Club, Dayton, Ohio

The decision to shift from match play to stroke play in 1958 marked the end of an era. This change was made to better accommodate television broadcasting and to align the PGA Championship with the other major tournaments, which were all played under stroke play formats. However, the match play years remain a celebrated chapter in the championship’s history, remembered for its compelling narratives and the legendary figures who shaped its legacy.

PGA Championship Winners (Stroke Play Era: 1958-2023)

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
1958	Dow Finsterwald	276 (-4)	Llanerch Country Club, Havertown, Pennsylvania
1959	Bob Rosburg	277 (-3)	Minneapolis Golf Club, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
1960	Jay Hebert	281 (+1)	Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio
1961	Jerry Barber	277 (-3)	Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Illinois
1962	Gary Player	278 (-2)	Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
1963	Jack Nicklaus	279 (-5)	Dallas Athletic Club, Dallas, Texas
1964	Bobby Nichols	271 (-9)	Columbus Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
1965	Dave Marr	280 (-4)	Laurel Valley Golf Club, Ligonier, Pennsylvania
1966	Al Geiberger	280 (-4)	Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio
1967	Don January	281 (-7)	Columbine Country Club, Littleton, Colorado
1968	Julius Boros	281 (+1)	Pecan Valley Golf Club, San Antonio, Texas
1969	Raymond Floyd	276 (-8)	NCR Country Club, Dayton, Ohio
1970	Dave Stockton	279 (-1)	Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
1971	Jack Nicklaus	281 (+1)	PGA National Golf Club, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
1972	Gary Player	281 (+1)	Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
1973	Jack Nicklaus	277 (-7)	Canterbury Golf Club, Beachwood, Ohio
1974	Lee Trevino	276 (-4)	Tanglewood Park, Clemmons, North Carolina
1975	Jack Nicklaus	276 (-4)	Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio
1976	Dave Stockton	281 (+1)	Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland
1977	Lanny Wadkins	282 (-6)	Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California
1978	John Mahaffey	276 (-8)	Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pennsylvania
1979	David Graham	272 (-8)	Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
1980	Jack Nicklaus	274 (-6)	Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York
1981	Larry Nelson	273 (-7)	Atlanta Athletic Club, Duluth, Georgia
1982	Raymond Floyd	272 (-8)	Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
1983	Hal Sutton	274 (-10)	Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California
1984	Lee Trevino	273 (-15)	Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, Birmingham, Alabama
1985	Hubert Green	278 (-6)	Cherry Hills Country Club, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
1986	Bob Tway	276 (-8)	Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
1987	Larry Nelson	287 (-1)	PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
1988	Jeff Sluman	272 (-12)	Oak Tree Golf Club, Edmond, Oklahoma
1989	Payne Stewart	276 (-12)	Kemper Lakes Golf Club, Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
1990	Wayne Grady	282 (-6)	Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, Birmingham, Alabama
1991	John Daly	276 (-12)	Crooked Stick Golf Club, Carmel, Indiana
1992	Nick Price	278 (-6)	Bellerive Country Club, Town and Country, Missouri
1993	Paul Azinger	272 (-12)	Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
1994	Nick Price	269 (-11)	Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
1995	Steve Elkington	267 (-17)	Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California
1996	Mark Brooks	277 (-11)	Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky
1997	Davis Love III	269 (-11)	Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York
1998	Vijay Singh	271 (-9)	Sahalee Country Club, Sammamish, Washington
1999	Tiger Woods	277 (-11)	Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
2000	Tiger Woods	270 (-18)	Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky
2001	David Toms	265 (-15)	Atlanta Athletic Club, Duluth, Georgia
2002	Rich Beem	278 (-10)	Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota
2003	Shaun Micheel	276 (-4)	Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York
2004	Vijay Singh	280 (-8)	Whistling Straits, Haven, Wisconsin
2005	Phil Mickelson	276 (-4)	Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, New Jersey
2006	Tiger Woods	270 (-18)	Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
2007	Tiger Woods	272 (-8)	Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
2008	Pádraig Harrington	277 (-3)	Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
2009	Y.E. Yang	280 (-8)	Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota
2010	Martin Kaymer	277 (-11)	Whistling Straits, Haven, Wisconsin
2011	Keegan Bradley	272 (-8)	Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia
2012	Rory McIlroy	275 (-13)	Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
2013	Jason Dufner	270 (-10)	Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York
2014	Rory McIlroy	268 (-16)	Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky
2015	Jason Day	268 (-20)	Whistling Straits, Haven, Wisconsin
2016	Jimmy Walker	266 (-14)	Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, New Jersey
2017	Justin Thomas	276 (-8)	Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina
2018	Brooks Koepka	264 (-16)	Bellerive Country Club, Town and Country, Missouri
2019	Brooks Koepka	272 (-8)	Bethpage Black Course, Bethpage, New York
2020	Collin Morikawa	267 (-13)	TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California
2021	Phil Mickelson	282 (-6)	Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
2022	Justin Thomas	275 (-5)	Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
2023	Brooks Koepka	274 (-6)	Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO WIN AT VALHALLA?

Valhalla Golf Club, with its rolling terrain and varied challenges, typically favors players who excel in several key aspects of golf. Reflecting on previous PGA Championships held at Valhalla can provide insights into what type of player will likely succeed in the upcoming event.

Key Characteristics of Champions at Valhalla:

1. Power and Distance Off the Tee:
   • Valhalla is known for its length, and players who can drive the ball long have a distinct advantage, particularly on its longer par 5s and some demanding par 4s. This allows them to use shorter irons into greens, offering more control and better birdie opportunities.
   • For instance, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, both past winners here, utilised their driving strength to dominate the course, setting up shorter and more manageable approach shots.
2. Accuracy and Strong Iron Play:
   • While power is beneficial, accuracy cannot be understated—especially with approach shots to the greens. Valhalla’s green complexes are often elevated with severe undulations and protected by strategic bunkering.
   • In 2014 Rory McIlroy excelled with his iron play, allowing him to navigate the challenging pin positions and secure scoring opportunities.
3. Solid Putting and Short Game:
   • The undulating greens at Valhalla demand proficiency in putting. Past winners have typically performed well on the greens during their winning rounds, managing both the speed and the break effectively.
   • Effective short game skills around the greens also help recover from missed greens, crucial in maintaining momentum and saving par.
4. Mental Toughness and Strategy:
   • Valhalla’s PGA Championships have often been decided by narrow margins or in playoffs, indicating that mental toughness and strategic play are critical.
   • Players must manage their game plan smartly, knowing when to be aggressive and when to play conservatively, as the course offers risk-reward opportunities that can be tempting but dangerous.
5. Course Management:
   • Knowledge and experience at Valhalla can be advantageous. Players familiar with the layout tend to make smarter decisions that align with the course’s challenges. Newer or less experienced players must rely on thorough course study and practice rounds.

Ideal Player Profile:

Given these characteristics, the type of player likely to succeed at Valhalla would be someone who combines power with precision, has a strong approach and short game, and exhibits great mental fortitude under pressure. Players who are currently excelling in strokes gained off-the-tee and approach-the-green, as well as those with strong putting stats over the recent season, would be prime candidates for success. Additionally, players who have shown the ability to rise to the occasion in majors or have previous experience at Valhalla with positive outcomes should be considered strong contenders.

Now a lot of that you will say is common sense but I have created my own short list and I believe based on the required skills, experience, temperament and form I am confident in saying…………

What do you think? Too safe? Give me your thoughts.