Kohler Co., PGA of America: Name David Kohler general chair of the 2015 PGA Championship

Contact: Leslie Stachowiak
leslie.stachowiak@kohler.com
O: 920.457.4441 x70468

KOHLER, Wis. – The appointment of David Kohler as General Chair of the 2015 PGA Championship was announced today by The PGA of America and Kohler Co.

The 2015 PGA Championship will be held for the third time on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, Aug. 10-16, following memorable PGA Championships in both 2004 (won by Vijay Singh) and 2010 (won by Martin Kaymer).

David Kohler is President of Kohler Co. and on the Board of Directors of Kohler Co., the Green Bay Packers, Interface Inc., and Interceramic. Supporting David will be several thousand volunteers and a seasoned cadre of professionals including Vice Chairman Michael Belot, who recently served as the Tournament Director of the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. Belot knows what it takes to set the stage for a dramatic golf experience, as the 2012 Ryder Cup was one of the most successful events in golf history.

Joining David and Michael will be PGA Professional Jim Richerson, Kohler Group Director of Golf and a member of the PGA of America Board of Directors.

“There is no more challenging and dramatic venue in Major Championship golf than Whistling Straits,” said David Kohler, “and we are committed to executing an event of exceptional caliber. My father Herb Kohler, and Pete Dye, who together built the course, really could accept nothing less.”

Fresh from the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, held in May at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Jason Mengel will serve as Championship Director for the 2015 PGA Championship. Mengel previously was the Operations Manager for both the 2008 and 2011 PGA Championship.

The PGA and Kohler Co., are focused on continuing to build on this successful Championship legacy with a renewed commitment to corporate and spectator experience during the event.

Demand is once again expected to be high for tickets, so fans are encouraged to pre-register now for 2015 PGA Championship tickets. For more information on pre-registration or volunteer opportunities, log onto www.pgachampionship.com.

For those who wish to sample the golf experience prior to the Championship, they can reserve a room in the Five-Star Five-Diamond American Club resort-hotel in Kohler, Wis., or the Three-Star Inn on Woodlake. Individuals can reserve tee times on one or more of the four courses at the world-renowned golf venues of Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, which have combined to host six Major Championships. All of the courses are ranked in the top 100 in the United States.

About Kohler Co.
Kohler Co. also operates a sister property, the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in the birthplace of golf, St Andrews, Scotland which is recognized as perhaps the most luxurious golf resorts in the world. The hotel stands astride the 17th hole of the Old Course looking out over the North Sea. To play the hole, a player must literally drive the ball over a wing of the hotel onto the fairway. Just beyond, immediately behind the 18th hole of the Old Course, Kohler Co. recently completed a renovation of an iconic building called Hamilton Grand with 26 of the world’s most extraordinary apartments.

For further information, please visit www.GolfKohler.com. Stay up to date on news and happenings on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KohlerGolf and on Twitter, www.twitter.com/theamericanclub.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to elevate the standards of professional golf and to grow participation in the game. Through world-class research and education, The PGA enables its Professionals to maximize their performance and showcase themselves as the experts in the game. By delivering world-class championships, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest and ensures accessibility. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.