Established in 1986, Valhalla Golf Club is a private golf club near Louisville, Kentucky created by Jack Nicklaus.
Valhalla was chosen in 1992 to serve as the venue of the 1996 PGA Championship, one of the four major tournaments in golf. The PGA of America acquired a 25% stake in the club the next year (1993). The PGA of America increased its investment to 50% following the championship in 1996 and declared that the competition would return to Valhalla in 2000. Upon its expiration, the PGA of America exercised its option to buy the club's remaining shares. It was revealed later that year that Valhalla would host the Ryder Cup in 2008.
In addition, Valhalla played host to the Senior PGA Championship in 2004 and the PGA Club Professional Championship in 2002. Originally set to take place at Valhalla in 2004, the PGA of America decided to move the event to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
The Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Championship will return to Valhalla in 2011 and 2014, respectively, the PGA of America confirmed in 2009. The PGA of America declared in November 2017 that Valhalla would host the PGA Championship once more in 2024.
Together, the club and the PGA of America announced on June 1, 2022, that a group of club members led by Jimmy Kirchdorfer, CEO of the nearby piping supplier ISCO Industries, had purchased the club.
Chester Musselman, a hotelier, former NBA player Junior Bridgeman, and David Novak, the CEO of Yum! Brands are among the other members of the group.
The course is located on a 486-acre (2.0 km2) plot of land just outside the Gene Snyder Motorway (I-265) on Shelbyville Road (US 60), in the eastern part of Louisville. Local business magnate Dwight Gahm (pronounced "game") and his three sons conceptualised it in 1981, and it launched five years later. As of March 2016, Steve Houg is the head professional.
PGA Championships hosted at Valhalla
The Valhalla Golf Course has hosted 5 PGA Championships as of April 2024, with the 2024 PGA Championship scheduled to be held here as well. These include 3 PGA Championships and 2 Senior PGA Championships.
Valhalla is the finest golf course in the Bluegrass State, having been designed by the greatest player of all time, Jack Nicklaus. Valhalla, rated No. 1 in Kentucky and listed by Golf Digest as one of "America's 100 Greatest Courses," has played host to two Senior PGA Championships, the 2008 Ryder Cup, three PGA Championships (a fourth is scheduled for 2024), and more. The Ryder Cup was won back by the United States in an electrifying three-hole playoff against Bob May on this exciting, difficult layout. Tiger Woods also prevailed there. What Valhalla has achieved in just over 30 years astounds us.
Major tournaments hosted at the Valhalla
Valhalla has hosted 6 major tournaments as of April 2024, including 3 PGA Championships, 2 Senior PGA Championships and the 2008 Ryder Cup.
In the 1996 PGA Championship, Mark Brooks won his only major championship when he birdied the first extra hole, the par-5 18th, to win the PGA Championship in a playoff. Kenny Perry, a native of Franklin, finished second in the event's final sudden-death playoff. After a change to the format to a three-hole course, Tiger Woods defeated Bob May by one shot in the 2000 PGA Championship, which also went to a playoff. On the last three holes of the course, Woods recorded a 3-4-5=12 against May's 4-4-5=13.
In 2014, Valhalla played home to its third PGA Championship, with Rory McIlroy defeating Phil Mickelson by the same margin of victory. Prior to then, the course saw a significant "modernization" that included redoing all 18 of the greens during its 2011 Senior PGA Championship hosting.
Furthermore, the 2008 Ryder Cup was held at Valhalla, where the United States triumphed over Europe 16 1⁄2 to 11 1⁄2, marking the country's first victory since their 1999 comeback victory at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Together, Perry and another native Kentuckian, Campbellsville's J. B. Holmes, who was selected as one of American captain Paul Azinger's four selections, scored five points for the winning Team USA.
The club will serve as the major host for the PGA Championship for the fourth time in its history in 2024.
Year | Tournament | Winner | Winning Score | Margin ofVictory | Runner(s) Up | Winner's Share ($) |
| 1996 | PGA Championship | Mark Brooks | 277 (-11) | Playoff | Kenny Perry | 430,000 |
| 2000 | PGA Championship | Tiger Woods | 270 (-18) | Playoff | Bob May | 900,000 |
| 2004 | Senior PGA Championship | Hale Irwin | 276 (-8) | 1 stroke | Jay Haas | 360,000 |
| 2008 | Ryder Cup | United States | 161/2 to 111/2 | Europe | N/A | |
| 2011 | Senior PGA Championship | Tom Watson | 278 (-10) | Playoff | David Eger | 360,000 |
| 2014 | PGA Championship | Rory McIlroy | 268 (-16) | 1 stroke | Phil Mickelson | 1,800,000 |
| 2024 | PGA Championship | TBD | ||||
FAQs on How many PGA Championships have been at Valhalla?
A. The Valhalla Golf Course is owned by a group of club members led by Jimmy Kirchdorfer, CEO of the nearby piping supplier ISCO Industries.
A. No, t is a private golf course.
A. Not only that, but Valhalla offers golf to both members and guests.
