Golf

5 Interesting Facts About Valhalla Golf Club

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By @MichaelTerrill

5 Interesting Facts About Valhalla Golf Club

Valhalla Golf Club
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Valhalla Golf Club has been the home of numerous major tournaments, including the 2014 PGA Championship. Even though it has been around for only 28 years, it has seen its share of highlighted moments on the PGA Tour. Here’s a look at five interesting facts about Valhalla that golf fans must know before the PGA Championship kicks off this weekend.

Fact No. 5

Fact 1
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Fact No. 5

Fact 1
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Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus designed the course, which opened in 1986. In 2011, Valhalla and the PGA of America contacted Nicklaus to make improvements to the drainage and irrigation infrastructure in order to essentially modernize the course. Nicklaus did this by rebuilding the greens.

Fact No. 4

Fact 2
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Fact No. 4

Fact 2
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The PGA of America purchased a 25-percent interest in Valhalla in 1987, raised its stake to 50 percent in 1996 and purchased a 100-percent interest in the club in 2000. The purpose was to hold various prestigious PGA events, including three PGA Championships, two Senior PGA Championships and the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Fact No. 3

Fact 3
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Fact No. 3

Fact 3
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Measuring at an incredible 7,458 yards, Valhalla is the longest par-71 course in the 96-year history of the PGA Championship. Another first in PGA Championship history is the ticket sales for the 2014 tournament have never been higher.

Fact No. 2

Fact 4
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Fact No. 2

Fact 4
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The front nine at Valhalla is a links-style, while the back nine plays more traditional (tree-lined). There are also 60 bunkers located throughout the course. Not to mention, golfers will have to work around water on six of the 18 holes. With the variety of terrain, it was essentially designed to be rather difficult for professionals who are competing for a major.

Fact No. 1

Fact 5
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Fact No. 1

Fact 5
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Valhalla was founded by Dwight Gahm, who gathered the money through his business efforts of manufacturing kitchen cabinets. His three sons and he took five years to find the right property and vision for the course. Valhalla is located on 486 acres in Louisville, Ky.

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