Kohler in the golfing spotlight … the 97th PGA Championship
For the second time in as many months, Kohler serves as the host for two of golf’s four Major Championships: The Open Championship at The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland, and the PGA Championship at The American Club in Wisconsin.
PGA at Whistling Straits, Kohler. Wisconsin
This phenomenon, which also occurred in 2010, puts both resorts and Kohler Co. in the international spotlight.
The Old Course Hotel and Hamilton Grand – noted as the second most photographed building in golf – border the 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course, respectively, and overlook the Scottish coastline. Both buildings appeared frequently throughout televised coverage of The Open, which included Phil Mickelson’s hooked tee shot that sent the ball sailing onto the hotel’s conservatory before coming to rest on the balcony outside room 130!
The Old Course Hotel at St Andrews in Scotland – a Kohler golf course and recent host of The Open.
And from August 10 – 16, all eyes in the golfing world will be on Whistling Straits and The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, when Kohler hosts it’s third PGA Championship.
Thousands will flock to Kohler to compete, spectate and volunteer while millions follow the Championship from around the world.
Whistling Straits at Kohler, Wisconsin.
Over the week, live PGA Championship coverage will be broadcast to nearly 44 international distribution partners, reaching more than 500 million households in nearly 200 countries.
When did Kohler become involved in golf you ask? Here’s a short timeline for all the golfing enthusiasts out there:
1978: Kohler opens a 500-acre wilderness preserve along the Sheboygan River, known as River Wildlife, which allows access to outdoor recreation activities for its private members.
1981: Following extensive renovations, The American Club, formerly a dormitory for Kohler factory workers, opens as a resort hotel. Today, it remains the Midwest’s only AAA Five-Diamond resort hotel and has earned this distinction every year since 1986.
1988: Kohler opens its Blackwolf Run golf course, which was named the year’s best new public golf course by Golf Digest magazine.
1994: The Inn on Woodlake opens in the Village of Kohler.
1998: Kohler opens the Straits course at Whistling Straits on Lake Michigan, northeast of the village of Kohler.
1998: Blackwolf Run hosts the U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
2000: The Kohler Waters Spa opens in the Carriage House adjacent to the American Club.
2003: Kohler introduces KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates in Kohler, Wisconsin.
2004: Kohler hosts the 86th PGA at Whistling Straits.
2004: Kohler acquires the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa and The Duke’s course in St. Andrews, Scotland.
2006: Kohler opens its second Waters Spa in the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland.
2007: Whistling Straits hosts the U.S. Senior Open.
2010: Kohler hosts the 92nd PGA Championships at Whistling Straits.
2012: The American Club and Kohler Waters Spa earns their first Forbes Five-Star awards.
2012: Kohler hosts the U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run.
2015: Whistling Straits hosts the 97th PGA Aug. 10-16.