Press Release

For Immediate Release January 18, 2021

The Western Golf Alliance provides consulting for 2022 PGA Championship options

"Back-channel" inquiry prompts Board of Directors to provide official opinions

BEAVERTON, OR. Today, the Western Golf Alliance announced that it has provided the PGA of America with an "official opinion" regarding the location of the 2022 PGA Championship. The opinion contains a short justification for two locations: Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach CA, and Wolf Creek Golf Club in Mesquite NV. This announcement was made during the Board of Directors' annual winter meeting, being held as a virtual event, with board members collaborating from their home offices.

"It is well understood that our organization is the premier golf organization in the western US, with in-depth knowledge of all the great golf courses in this region of the country," said Peter McGarry, WGA president. "When we were approached via a 'back-channel' communication by representatives seeking guidance regarding the PGA's predicament, we knew it was our duty to provide our expert assistance."

The request - again, made through a back-channel representative not to be named - asked for a short "official opinion" about course options. It further stipulated that two recommendations be made, one being a course with a proven ability to host the PGA Championship, and the other being a 'wild card' that could provide a unique and new championship experience for the May 2022 event. The WGA opinion identifies these two courses:

Spyglass Hill Golf Course - While this course has never hosted a major, it annually hosts the PGA Tour and the Pebble Beach Company has hosted many US Opens, so it can host a successful major. Under their standard configurations, Spyglass Hill Golf Course is actually more difficult than Pebble Beach Golf Links, and thus should be easily set up to present a stern test for the PGA Championship. At 6,960 yards, Spyglass is shorter than other major venues, but in May the spring coastal weather could be used to not only soften - and thus lengthen - fairways, but also to grow punishingly lush rough.

Wolf Creek Golf Club - Though only 6,939 yards, with a slope of 154 Wolf Creek is famous as one of the most difficult courses in the US. It is also one of the most visually stunning courses in the world, and became famous when it was first included in the EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game ... initial gamers thought Wolf Creek was 'fake' because it was unlike any other course they had ever seen. In May, the weather and conditions 80 miles from Las Vegas would be perfect, and by requiring non-stop pressure on players' accuracy - not length - this venue would create an original major experience.

"Given the unusualy circumstances surrounding the decision to relocate a major championship, we really wanted to encourage the PGA of America to think outside the box in selecting a replacement course," said McGarry. "We are proud of the quality of golf on the west coast, and with Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Chambers Bay, and Bandon Dunes already hosting recent national events, we want everyone to know there are plenty more options to choose from."

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About the Western Golf Alliance: The Western Golf Alliance is the premier golf organization in the United States. The WGA exists to further the greatness of this grand sport of golf through the improvement of golf play by its members, the promotion of golf rules, etiquette, and tradition, and the ability to gather together from time to time for golf events and tournaments. The regional organization spans five western states, and is organized into nine geographic regions. Further information is available at http://www.westerngolf.org/.

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