PGA Makes French Lick Stop Official

The French Lick Resort is set to host its fourth major PGA event. The tour has officially announced the 2015 Senior PGA Championship will be held at the resort's Pete Dye Course. The organization expects more than 150 golfers to take part in the event.

French Lick, Ind. — French Lick Resort, one of the Midwest’s historic sports destinations long before it was recognized as home to a legendary basketball player, will attract its share of golf legends in the spring of 2015 as the site of the 76th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid.

French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course, which opened in 2009, will be the site of the most historic and prestigious event in senior golf, May 21-24, 2015. The Senior PGA Championship becomes the fourth major championship hosted by the resort, following the 1924 PGA Championship, played on the Donald Ross Course, won by Walter Hagen whose triumph began a remarkable four-year PGA winning streak. The French Lick Resort also hosted the 1959 and ’60 LPGA Championships. French Lick’s Pete Dye Course also hosted the 2010 PGA Professional National Championship.

The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid marks its first visit to Indiana, with an international 156-member field competing on the par-72, 7,400-yard Pete Dye Course, designed by its legendary namesake.

“The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid has demonstrated its ability to attract and establish a tradition of bringing this premier event to many of the premier courses in the country,” said PGA of America President Ted Bishop. “It is exciting to have the opportunity to bring the Championship to French Lick, which most recognize as the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird, but also became a site of golf history when Walter Hagen, one of our Association founders, enhanced his legendary career. The connection is now alive again in 2015 when the finest senior professionals in the world, including some of legendary status, compete for the Alfred S. Bourne trophy in Indiana.”

“On behalf of all the dedicated Cook employees from around the world and the fine residents of Southern Indiana, we are pleased to once again be partnering with The PGA of America and bringing the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid to French Lick Resort,” said Steve Ferguson, Chairman of the Board for the Cook Group. “Our resort is enthusiastic and energized to again serve as the host site for championship golf, and to help The PGA stage the most historic and prestigious championship in senior golf. We are looking forward to a long successful relationship with two great organizations The PGA of America and KitchenAid.”

Corporate Hospitality packages, Tickets sales and volunteer opportunities will begin this fall for the 76th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid,

“French Lick is a quality venue, with an historic past and a premium experience, just like The PGA of America and our KitchenAid brand. We look forward to working with them and hosting our customers with their first class hospitality”, said Jeff Fettig, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation.

About The PGA of America

Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About KitchenAid

Since the introduction of its legendary stand mixer in 1919 and first dishwasher in 1949, KitchenAid has built on the legacy of these icons to create a complete line of products designed for cooks. Today, the KitchenAid brand offers virtually every essential for the well-equipped kitchen with a collection that includes everything from countertop appliances to cookware, ranges to refrigerators, and whisks to wine cellars. Cook for the Cure®, the brand's partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, is now in its eleventh year and has raised over $8 million to help find a cure for breast cancer. To learn why chefs choose KitchenAid for their homes more than any other brand, visit www.KitchenAid.com or join us at http://facebook.com/KitchenAidhttp://twitter.com/KitchenAidUSA

About French Lick Resort

French Lick Resort is a $581 million restoration and development project including West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel and French Lick Casino. This Southern Indiana resort destination features 686 guest rooms and suites; a 51,000 square-foot casino; 63-holes of golf, including the Donald Ross Course and the Pete Dye Course; two full-service spas, meeting and event space, and an array of entertainment options. This historic resort has also hosted other golf events including the PGA Professional National Championship (2010), the Big Ten Conference Men’s and Women’s Championships (2012-2014), LPGA Legends Championship (2013-2015), and USGA Men’s State Team Championships (2014). For more information, visit www.frenchlick.com

Source: PGA