PGA Tournament in Oklahoma
This is my first post at OKCTalk, but I have been a lingerer and reader for years. I searched high and low in the forums for a similar topic, but found nothing, so I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere.
Can somebody tell me why Oklahoma City (or Tulsa) doesn't have a regularly scheduled stop for the PGA Tour and how we get one?
There have been three US Open's at Southern Hills (1958, 1977, and 2001) as well as four PGA Championships there, as well (1970, 1982, 1994, and 2007). Additionally, the PGA Championship was hosted at Oak Tree in 1988, and less well known--Twin Hills CC hosted the PGA Championship in 1935. So we have three major championship quality courses (although, Twin Hills is shorter than most Major-caliber courses now and would not be difficult enough for a major, either).
Furthermore, we had a regular PGA tour stop in the Oklahoma City Open Invitational that was hosted at Oklahoma City CC, Twin Hills CC, and Quail Creek CC. In fact, Arnold Palmer won once at Twin and once at QC.
According to Golf Digest, "In 2011, Golf Digest ranked Oklahoma City as the 12th best city in America for playing golf, which includes the second-lowest cost of public golf in the country." Additionally, The Wall Street Journal added, "Oklahoma City is the nerve center of golf...The Golf Channel's highest ratings come from Oklahoma City, which isn't even a stop on the PGA Tour."
Now, most of the courses I mentioned are not capable of hosting a major tournament by a long shot (less Oak Tree National and Southern Hills), but there are courses that could play host to a PGA Tour event every season I believe. Twin Hills, Oak Tree National, Gaillardia, and Southern Hills would be the best. Oak Tree and Southern Hills already have the formula down for transporting to their respective tournaments, parking, etc., but Twin has a plethora of resources at its disposal in the nearby Adventure Zone area that is full of parking, and could be further supplemented with buses for transportation to the tournament, much like Southern Hills and Oak Tree do for majors. Other courses could likely emulate this formulas.
What other courses could sustain a PGA stop? This tournament wouldn't have to be on a Players Championship magnitude of importance for sustainability or feasibility. After all, there are numerous tournaments every year where the pros tear the course up and record scores of -20 and better over four rounds. The OKC Tournament could be scheduled near the Byron Nelson and Colonial Tournaments for a sense of Regional cooperation/competition, and I'm many of our corporate interests would love to sponsor a tournament.
Similarly sized areas like Memphis, San Antonio, Charlotte, Austin, and Fort Worth have regular stops, while smaller towns like Jackson, MS, Akron, OH, Reno, NV and many others have PGA events too.
With all the interest in golf in this area, the history of tournaments held here and the players that have come out of here in any capacity (Locals or College Players), the high quality of courses, plus the number of golfers, I think OKC should really think about applying for a regular appearance on the Tour, however that is accomplished.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by s00nr1
Bookmarks