"Bring your thesaurus.” That may
be one of the best tips for anyone
— spectator, player or oncourse
TV commentator — at the 92nd PGA
Championship August 9-15 at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Haven, Wisconsin. Envisioned
and underwritten by Wisconsin industrialist and golf-enthusiast Herb Kohler Jr., the Straits was designed by legendary golf course architect Pete Dye. It opened to rave
reviews in 1998 and has earned a reputation as one of the most challenging tests of golf in
the United States.

The British Isles come to Wisconsin
Words like “awesome,” “spectacular” and “unique” get quite a workout here. The Straits hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline, a stunning
“green” course that was created by transforming an abandoned army artillery range and polluted dumping grounds into a pristine, 7,500-yard, wild and rugged sea side links
challenge. Tall sandy bluffs, treacherous pot bunkers, wind-swept fairways, grassy dunes, huge undulating greens and a herd of free
ranging Scottish black-faced sheep pay homage to classic courses in Ireland, Scotland and

Wales. This is a walking-only, caddy-required course with five miles of hilly trekking for good players and even more for hookers and shankers.
Whistling Straits is an exceptionally good venue for this last of four major annual tests of the world’s best golfers. Coming near the end
of the PGA year, after the U.S. Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open, golf enthusiasts call it “Glory’s last shot” — a potential
career maker.

The whole world is watching
The Straits debuted on golf’s major stage in 2004 with the 86th PGA Championship.
More than 320,000 spectators on course and 446 million TV viewers worldwide watched one of the most exciting matches in PGA history.
Justin Leonard, Chris DeMarco and
Vijay Singh were tied after 72 holes and battled through a three-hole playoff. Singh claimed a one-stroke victory, $1.125 million and the coveted Wanamaker Trophy.

The August event already has generated lots of interest. Among top players, past champions Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil
Mickelson and Padraig Harrington are expected.
You can “like” the PGA 2010 on Facebook and follow “Behind the Greens” series on YouTube. A free exhibit of rare PGA artifacts and memorabilia is on display through
August 22 at the Shops of Woodlake in Kohler Village.

Take the family
Great news for golfer-parents, grandparents and young golfers: This year the PGA offers a “buy one – bring four” program that allows each paid adult ticketholder to bring in
four guests aged 17 or younger, one of the least expensive admission plans for any international sporting event. Parking is included.

Gary Knowles is travel editor for Dane County Lifestyle