PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Canterbury Golf Club, the host of virtually all significant U.S. men’s championships since 1932, has been selected as the site of the 70th Senior PGA Championship, the most historic and prestigious event in senior golf. The Championship will be contested May 21-24, 2009, at the course in Beachwood, Ohio, approximately 10 miles southeast of Cleveland.
Designed by Herbert Strong and opened for play in 1921, Canterbury Golf Club is recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses in America, and next year will become the second U.S. club behind Oak Hill Country Club of Rochester, N.Y., to host all U.S. men’s rotating championships.
“Canterbury Golf Club’s rich tradition in championship golf makes it a wonderful match to be the host for the 70th Senior PGA Championship,” said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “You can scan the pages of history and see what great champions have walked Canterbury’s fairways. We anticipate a great week of golf in Ohio at next year’s Senior PGA Championship.”
Canterbury Golf Club opened its doors to premier championships in 1932, hosting the Western Open won by Ralph Guldahl in a playoff over Horton Smith. It followed by hosting the 1940 and 1946 U.S. Open Championships, won respectively by Lawson Little and Lloyd Mangrum.
In 1964, Canterbury hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship, won by William Campbell of Huntingdon, W. Va.; and in 1973, Ohio native Jack Nicklaus marked the 55th PGA Championship as his 14th major title. In 1996, Dave Stockton posted a two-stroke victory at Canterbury to win the U.S. Senior Open.
Canterbury, a 6,960-yard, par-72 layout, was constructed to embrace the natural topography of high elevation, rolling hills, flowing brooks and lush wooded areas.
“The men and women of Canterbury Golf Club are very pleased and proud that The PGA of America has selected our course as the home of the 2009 Senior PGA Championship,” said 2009 Senior PGA Championship General Chair Bill Townsend. “We have a long list of hosting great competitions and in 2009 will add to our club’s tradition. But, most importantly, next May the residents of Ohio and surrounding states can see first-hand some of the greatest golfers of the world.”
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
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Contact:
Julius Mason
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com
