Ticket Sales Announced for 2006 PGA Championship

As a result of unprecedented ticket demand by Midwest golf fans, the PGA of America, for the first time, is offering advance tickets to the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club through its local golf professionals and one of the area's golf associations.

The move is a result of requests by the Illinois PGA and the Chicago District Golf Association, which sought to give members and customers early access to a major championship ticket they know will be in high demand, said 2006 PGA tournament director Barry Deach.

"Having seen the success of the last three PGA Championships held in the Midwest – including the 1999 PGA at Medinah – the Illinois PGA and the Chicago District Golf Association wanted to provide their members and customers with a major opportunity to obtain advance tickets to the 2006 PGA at Medinah," Deach said.

"Because of our common interest in promoting the game of golf, the PGA of America was pleased to offer the members and customers of these two bedrock Illinois golf organizations an opportunity to be among the first to select from an unprecedented variety of ticket and hospitality options available at the 2006 PGA at Medinah," Deach added.

From April 18-24 only, more than 500 IPGA head golf professionals at 325 public and private courses throughout the Illinois section will be able to facilitate their members' purchase of advance ticket packages, Deach said. Many head pros already have contacted their members and customers about the program. Golf fans are encouraged to see their local IPGA professional for more information.

In addition, from April 25-May 1 only, some 100,000 members of the Chicago District Golf Association can purchase advance tickets, Deach said. CDGA members received the first of many reminders about the offer in the March-April edition of Chicago District Golfer magazine.

Any remaining tickets will go on sale May 3, Deach said. Sports fans unable to take advantage of the advanced offering may pre-register for tickets today by going to the website pga2006.com or by calling 800/PGA-GOLF (742-4653). Those who pre-register will receive ticket information via email on May 3.

"The Illinois PGA is proud and excited that our members will be able to further serve their golfers by helping them acquire tickets to the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club, which is sure to be the hottest ticket in golf," said Michael Miller, executive director of the Illinois PGA. "As golf professionals, our mission is to make golf a better game and this is one more way we can do just that."

Robert Markionni, executive director of the CDGA, said, "We are pleased to be able to offer our 100,000 members an early chance to purchase tickets to the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah, which is certain to be the highlight of the 2006 Chicago golf season."

The Weekly Season Ticket Packet, which provides access to the championship grounds for all seven days of the event, is regarded as the best value at $300. The PGA will offer two-day packages – the Third and Final Round Ticket Package for $200, and the First and Second Round Ticket Package for $165. Daily tickets will also be available.

Deach attributed high ticket demand for 2006 at Medinah to the enthusiasm of golf fans in the Midwest, the variety of ticket options being offered, and the unparalleled quality of the PGA field, which is consistently the strongest of any tournament in golf. The 2002 PGA at Hazeltine in Minnesota and last year's PGA at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin were extremely successful in terms of overall attendance and competitive drama. In addition to being the season's final major, the 2006 PGA will also be the final event in which American players can earn points to make the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

"Currently, we have a list of more than 250,000 past PGA of America event patrons whom we plan to contact, along with 100,000 CDGA members, and tens of thousands of other fans who can facilitate their advance ticket purchases through their Illinois PGA pros," Deach said. "That's a very strong base of fans who have a serious interest in obtaining tickets to a major championship at the major championship venue in Chicago."

Deach said the PGA's use of the Internet has enabled the organization to communicate with four times as many past and potential customers as it did when the PGA came to Medinah in 1999, resulting in increased demand and major access to tickets. He said the tournament office already has received ticket inquiries from more than 35 states, three Canadian provinces and Australia.

The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf. Recent champions include Vijay Singh, Rich Beem, David Toms, Tiger Woods, Paul Azinger, Nick Price and John Daly. Past champions include such legends as Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.

The 88th PGA Championship will be played August 14-20, 2006, at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. The Ryder Cup is scheduled for Medinah in 2012.