So many golfers have tried to take on Bethpage Black and been overwhelmed that in the early 1980s the park placed a famous sign behind the first tee that reads: “Warning: The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.”

Eighteen months ago, Quail Hollow club president Johnny Harris phoned PGA CEO Pete Bevacqua and Kerry Haigh, chief championships officer, and invited them to visit to discuss a few changes he had in mind for the course in advance of hosting the 99th PGA Championship this week.

It’s official. After widespread speculation, the powers that be announced on Tuesday that the professional golf calendar as we know it will look remarkably different beginning in 2019.

Consider a couple of scenes from the golf world this year, with emphasis on ‘world’.

The PGA of America is considering staging the USPGA Championship, one of golf’s four majors, outside the United States.