Letter from Valhalla: A rich golf history, but future uncertain for Louisville course

Valhalla’s future inclusion in the rotation of PGAs and Ryder Cups is far from guaranteed.

Thu, 16 May, 2024 - 16:51

Scott Michaux LOUISVILLE, Kentucky

Valhalla Golf Club doesn’t possess the architectural qualities of many classic major championship venues, but the Jack Nicklaus-designed course in the Louisville suburbs has delivered some dramatic moments.

Valhalla is playing host this week to its fourth PGA Championship. Among its classic moments was the epic Tiger Woods/Bob May duel in 2000 that marked the third leg of the Tiger Slam and Rory McIlroy’s fourth major triumph in 2014 in a dramatic back-nine shootout. It also brought a 2008 Ryder Cup Europeans would rather forget, when Nick Faldo steered Team Europe to a 16½-11½ defeat.

It has also been the site of two PGA Senior Championships. The Louisville community – which is no stranger to handling big-time sports events as the home of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby – has been very supportive of its golf championships. Tickets for this week are sold out and hospitality sales, according to John Lindert, president of the PGA of America, “has been off the charts.”

“As you know, the Kentucky/Louisville sports fans are, they’re sports fans and we don’t get golf tournaments really ever, let alone major championships,” said Justin Thomas, a Louisville native who attended the 2000 PGA when he was seven years old. “And when it comes here, I think you see that with some other Midwest venues, that they love it.”

However, since the PGA of America sold its final share of ownership Valhalla Golf Club in 2022 and built its new headquarters in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas, Valhalla’s future inclusion in the rotation of PGAs and Ryder Cups is uncertain at best. PGA Frisco will host PGA Championships in 2027 and 2034 on its Fields Ranch East course.

So where might Valhalla fit in considering the PGA of America has no stake in the club anymore?

“From my perspective, having had this as the fourth PGA Championship here, every single one of them has been extremely successful,” said Lindert. “I’ve talked to other venues about it. Part of is this is a community effort. The ownership group here is fabulous. The golf course is fabulous. The players love it.

“So as far as – the location, May date, it’s beautiful out, more or less, if you’d like a little bit of weather here and there. I don’t see why this facility wouldn’t continue to be considered.

“Two of the three PGA Championships we’ve had here have resulted in a playoff. So it’s a wonderful, wonderful venue. From that perspective, and for me, I would say it would continue to be considered.”

Those are encouraging words for Kentucky and Valhalla golf fans, but they’re only words. It’s been more than three decades since Valhalla wasn’t listed somewhere on the “future venues” lists for PGAs and Ryder Cups. That uncertain future leaves an uncomfortable feeling for the fans flocking to Valhalla this week for what could be a last chance as major calibre golf.