White and limestone fencing that surrounds many of the Bluegrass State's horse farms lines the road leading in, which until recently featured a couple of residing thoroughbreds grazing just inside the gate. Speaking of bluegrass, every fairway features several cuts of the lush turf, complementing the Kentucky limestone jutting out from several holes.
A white spire a la
And as 156 of the world's best golfers prepare to take on the private course hosting its fourth PGA Championship this week, the hosts want to ensure that players, spectators and viewers learn all the Commonwealth offers.
“It’s the best course in
"Limestone in
Valhalla is hosting the PGA for the first time since 2014, when
Valhalla underwent the first of many of its own changes a few years later when that quartet of members purchased the club from the PGA aiming to keep it out of the hands of real estate developers. Since then, they've worked to ensure it remains the same course presenting a picturesque, stadium-like view on many holes.
Returning players might notice the Jack Nicklaus-designed course plays about 130 yards longer this time around at 7,609. Some holes have new tee boxes and all feature clever nicknames such as
Valhalla club professional
Other than tweaks elsewhere, Valhalla is the same — with its best natural features highlighted.
“We didn’t feel like we needed to make the golf course that much more difficult because we’ve had just great leaderboards throughout past years," Cramer added. “The cream has risen to the top and we’ve had great champions, so we didn’t want to do anything to make it tricky or too difficult. We want the players to enjoy the golf course, be able to make some birdies, which is exciting for the fans and viewers on TV as well.”
More than anything, Novak stressed that the ownership wanted to ensure that Valhalla retained the visual and competitive charm they enjoyed while playing the course as members. Fearful that the PGA might sell the club to a for-profit outside group hoping to build housing around it, the group banded together to not only keep it local, but enhance the traits that landed big tournaments in the first place.
Novak, the co-founder and former CEO of
And they're hopeful that golfers and everyone else will take notice.
“Myself, along with our partners, we’ve applied everything that we know and have learned in business to really making Valhalla a better golf experience," said Novak, whose upcoming book, “How Leaders Learn,” recounts his interactions from business along with golfers and other athletes.
“It’s a great test. It’s a very hard golf course. It can be very humbling. But when you have a great round there, you feel pretty good about it."
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