If you’re anywhere near the Harbor Shores Golf Club anytime this week, you will see the unmistakable preparations for the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
The 84th edition of the event tees off later this week and runs through the weekend. The first round is set for Thursday, at 1 pm. The final round is set for Sunday at 3 pm. This is the sixth and last time the event will be hosted at Harbor Shores, and it is expected to draw thousands of spectators for what’s described as one of golf’s premier events.
The defending champion is Steve Stricker. According to event organizers, the method of play is as follows:
Seventy-two holes of stroke play, four rounds of 18 holes. Following the first 36 holes of play, the field of 156 players will be reduced to the low 70 scorers and ties. Those players will advance to complete the final two rounds. In the event of a tie for first place after 72 holes, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff beginning on the 18th hole. If a tie remains, on to holes Nos. 16, 17 and 18, repeated, until a winner is determined.
Past Champions include Raymond Floyd, Hale Irwin, Bernhard Langer, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson.
Event organizers say Harbor Shores, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, is an integral part of the revitalization of Benton Harbor. Organizers have been working over the last two years to bring the championship elements together, including the players, the community events, celebrity chefs, and the local goods that will be showcased throughout.
“Fueled by public-private partnerships, Whirlpool Corporation and community leaders are creating hundreds of new jobs, building homes and bringing money and attention to the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area with the development of Harbor Shores.
“Harbor Shores represents the result of an extensive environmental transformation. The Nicklaus team transformed abandoned land, dilapidated vacant factories, and a city landfill into one of Michigan’s top courses. The course and surrounding real estate development is a catalyst for ongoing community transformation in Benton Harbor.”
Stay informed of traffic adjustments due to the event by signing up for WSJM news emails and tune in to the radio at 94.9 FM for play by play coverage of the Championship play beginning Thursday.
