Louisville’s Valhalla Golf Club to Host 2014 PGA Championship?

Rumors have been flying over the last several days that Louisville will be hosting the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course. The PGA says it is considering Louisville as the host for the 2014 event, but would not confirm that they have made their choice.

A Valhalla official said that a press conference is scheduled for July 30th, which is the same day that PGA CEO Joe Sterenka will be in Louisville for a Rotary Club lunch. Several people expect that this is when the announcement will be made.

The Greater Louisville Sports Commission president Diane McGraw was told by a hotel operator that the PGA was returning. I guess this information leaked out when PGA officials were inquiring about adequate hotels in the Louisville area. Either way, this could be huge for the city of Louisville.

Valhalla has hosted some huge PGA events within the last several years. Valhalla was host to the 1996 PGA championship, in which Mark Brooks defeated Kenny Perry in a playoff to win by a stroke.

Who can forget the epic 2000 PGA in which Tiger roared back to defeat Bob May in a three-hole playoff in route to his Tiger Slam?

In 2004 the legends came to Valhalla for the Senior PGA Championship. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Craig Stadler, and many others competed for the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy, which was won by Hale Irwin in thrilling fashion.

And last but not least, the greatest sporting event ever to come to Louisville (besides the Kentucky Derby) happened last September with the 2008 Ryder Cup, which was won by the Americans.

Valhalla and the city of Louisville has shown great support during the past PGA events and it would be no different in 2014. Louisville loves it’s golf, and the PGA loves Louisville.