PGA Championship: Practice rounds begin in Delaware County ahead of weeklong golf event
Aronimink Golf Club and Delaware County are preparing for a global audience this week as the PGA Championship gets underway, drawing the world's top golfers and nearly 200,000 spectators. Practice rounds begin Monday morning. Tens of thousands of fans will be visiting this week to see some of the greatest names in golf compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
Action News got a sneak peek of the event. ALSO SEE: PGA Championship pop-up shop opens in Delaware County "We still talk about having the PGA Championship here in 1962 when most of us weren't even born yet," said Andrew Panzo, president of Aronimink Golf Club. "We're on the international stage.
" The tournament marks the start of a jam-packed summer of major events for the Philadelphia region, including the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game and celebrations tied to America's 250th anniversary. "It's a chance for us to really roll out the red carpet and welcome all these visitors now and throughout the whole summer," said Larry Needle, executive director of PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. "I'd venture to say maybe the greatest span of sporting events that any city has seen over a 4-month period," he added.
The PGA Championship alone is expected to generate about $125 million for the region. It is the first time the area has hosted one of golf's four major tournaments since the U. S.
Open in 2013 at Merion Golf Club. "The locals have supported this event and I should say everybody in the Philadelphia region has supported this so well that we've sold out all of our championship rounds," said Jackie Endsley, PGA Championship director. She noted that limited tickets remain for Monday through Wednesday and warned that parking is "very limited," urging visitors to use public transportation via SEPTA or the event's rideshare program.