Kiawah Island's Ocean Course will become the fourth course in history to host all three of The PGA of America's major championships when the famed Pete Dye-designed oceanfront layout welcomes the 2012 PGA Championship.
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- The PGA of America announced Thursday that the renowned Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will test the strongest field in major championship golf in August 2012, selecting the course for the 94th PGA Championship. By being named to play host to the season's final major, the Pete Dye-designed oceanfront layout will become only the fourth course to host each of The PGA of America's major championships -- the Ryder Cup (1991), the Senior PGA Championship (2007) and the PGA Championship (2012).

The announcement came on the morning of the opening round of this year's PGA Club Professional Championship, the Association's $500,000 national championship for PGA Professionals.
"The Championships of The PGA of America, Kiawah Island and The Ocean Course have enjoyed a great relationship since 1991 when The PGA introduced the world to this dramatic Oceanside course," said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Jim L. Awtrey. "The 2012 PGA Championship will serve as another testament of our confidence in this site's ability to continue to produce special moments in championship golf history."

Awtrey made the announcement with Kiawah Island Golf Resort Chairman Bill Goodwin, who was joined by co-host Buddy Darby, CEO of Kiawah Development Partners.

"It's an honor for The Ocean Course and Kiawah Island to host the first of golf's four major championships ever to be played in South Carolina," said Goodwin. "We look forward to continuing our history of hosting the PGA of America's major championships."

The PGA named The Ocean Course as host site for the 2005 PGA Club Professional Championship in 2002, and awarded the resort the 2007 Senior PGA Championship in 2004. In September 1991, The PGA introduced the golf world to The Ocean Course's links style layout when America edged Europe in an unforgettable 29th Ryder Cup.

"That tournament was pivotal for launching both the Ryder Cup and Kiawah Island into the golf legends vernacular," said Darby.

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island will become only the fourth course to host the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Senior PGA Championship. Earlier this year Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa., joined PGA National Golf Club of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., as only the second course to earn this distinction. In 2008, Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., will become the third when it hosts the 37th Ryder Cup in 2007.