CHICAGO, Ill. - The PGA of America has begun general ticket sales for the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, tournament officials announced.
Tournament organizers plan to contact more than a million previous PGA Championship events customers along with other fans who have pre-registered for tickets to the tournament scheduled for August 14-20 at the Chicago area's most storied championship golf course.
Fans who want tickets may go to www.pga2006.com or call toll-free 1-800-PGA-GOLF.
"Already we can see that ticket demand is very high among golf fans in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest for this major opportunity to see the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, and Ernie Els compete for one of golf's four major grand slam titles," said Michael Belot, tournament director for the 2006 PGA Championship.
"Consistent with the PGA's mission of growing the game and reaching out to golf's increasingly diverse audience, the PGA Championship has designed 19 different ticket packages in order to give more people an opportunity to participate in this major championship in ways that best fit their specific needs," Belot said.
The most popular ticket - and the best value - figures to be the $300 Weekly Season Ticket Packet, which gives its holder access to the exciting Championship grounds at Medinah Country Club for all seven days of the event, complimentary offsite parking and shuttle services, and a complimentary copy of the official 2006 PGA Championship program.
New this year are two-day ticket options - the First and Second Round Ticket Package (Thursday-Friday) priced at $165 and the Third and Final Round Ticket Package (Saturday-Sunday) for $200. "We have introduced the two-day ticket option to accommodate the needs of our widely diverse fan base," Belot said.
Perhaps one of the better values among the ticket offerings is the "Junior" ticket, which is for young people ages 17 and under accompanied by a ticketed adult. These tickets cost $30 for championship rounds (Thursday-Sunday) and $15 for Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday practice rounds when fans are invited to take photos and ask players to sign autographs.
Belot attributed the high ticket demand for 2006 at Medinah to the enthusiastic nature of golf fans in the Upper Midwest; the variety of ticket options being offered, and the unparalleled quality of the PGA field, which is consistently the strongest of any tournament in golf. The 2002 PGA at Hazeltine in Minnesota and last year's PGA at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin were extremely successful both in terms of overall attendance and competitive drama. In addition to being the Season's Final Major, Glory's Last Shot, the 2006 PGA also will be the final event in which American players can earn points to make the United States' 2006 Ryder Cup team.
Belot said The PGA's use of the internet has enabled the organization to communicate with four times as many past and potential customers as it did when the PGA came to Medinah in 1999, resulting in increased demand and major access to tickets. He said the tournament office already has received ticket inquiries from more than 35 states, three Canadian provinces and Australia.
The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf. Recent champions include Vijay Singh, Rich Beem, David Toms, Tiger Woods, Paul Azinger, Nick Price and John Daly. Past champions include such legends as Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
The 88th PGA Championship will be played August 14-20, 2006 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. The Ryder Cup is scheduled to be played at Medinah in 2012.
DAILY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES
THIRD AND FINAL ROUND TICKET PACKAGE
PRICE: $200.00
Newly introduced for the 2006 PGA Championship, the ticket holders will be able to attend the Third and Final rounds of the 2006 PGA Championship, August 19 and 20. Be a part of history as the final field completes for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy to be presented to the winning 88th PGA Champion at the conclusion of play. Juniors can attend for $30 per ticket per day when accompanied by a ticketed adult. An adult may purchase up to four (4) Junior Tickets each day at the Main Spectator Gate. Ticket holders will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
FIRST AND SECOND ROUND TICKET PACKAGE
PRICE: $165.00
Another new package for the 2006 PGA Championship, ticket holders will be able to attend the First and Second Rounds of the 2006 PGA Championship, August 17 and 18. Be a part of history as the strongest all-professional field in golf tee off on famed Course #3 at Medinah Country Club. Juniors can attend for $30.00 per ticket per day when accompanied by a ticketed adult. An adult may purchase up to four (4) Junior Tickets each day at the Main Spectator Gate. Ticket holders will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
OPENING DAY
3-DAY BONUS TICKET PACKAGE: $75.00
Created exclusively for the 2006 PGA Championship, this 3-Day Bonus Ticket Package will give its holder access to exciting Championship grounds at Medinah Country Club beginning on Opening Day, Monday, August 14 through Wednesday, August 16. Juniors can attend for only $15 per day when accompanied by a ticketed adult. An adult may purchase up to four (4) Junior Tickets each day at the Main Spectator Gate. Come and enjoy the strongest all-professional field up close as they prepare for the challenge on famed Course #3. Cameras and autographs are encouraged and allowed these days they are not allowed beginning on Thursday, August 17. Ticket holders will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
MONDAY, OPENING DAY!
PRICE: $20.00
Enjoy Opening Day at the 2006 PGA Championship! Come see the strongest all-professional field up close and personal as they officially register for this historic event and begin practicing in preparation for the 88th PGA Championship. Cameras and autographs are encouraged and allowed on this day through Wednesday, August 16. Be the first to experience the major excitement of the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club. Each ticket holder will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
TUESDAY, DAY TWO
PRICE: $25.00
Cameras and autographs galore. Make your plans to experience the strongest all-professional field up close and personal as they continue to arrive and register for this historic event and begin practicing in preparation for the 88th PGA Championship. Come enjoy some of the greatest pairings in golf, while players join up on the first tee of Medinah's Course #3 to map out their strategies for the Championship. Each ticket holder will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
WEDNESDAY, DAY THREE
PRICE: $25.00
Wednesday is the final day where both cameras and autograph seeking is allowed, so this is your last chance. See final preparations by the strongest all-professional field up close and personal as registration closes for this historic event and practice comes to end on the eve of the 88th PGA Championship. Each ticket holder will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
THURSDAY, FIRST ROUND OF CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY
PRICE: $95.00
Be a part of history as the strongest all-professional field tees off on the first and tenth tees of the famed Course #3 at Medinah Country Club for the First Round of the 88th PGA Championship. Cameras and autograph seeking are not allowed. Ticket holders will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
FRIDAY, SECOND ROUND OF CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY
PRICE: $100.00
Who will survive the dreaded cut" Don't miss the final day when the greatest all-professional field competes to survive
the cut and continue their pursuit for Glory's Last Shot...the Seasons Final Major....the 88th PGA Championship. Ticket holders will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
SATURDAY, THIRD ROUND OF CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY
PRICE: $115.00
See the final strongest all-professional field in golf jockey for position as they compete for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Ticket holders will be provided complementary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Spectator Gate.
SUNDAY, FINAL ROUND OF CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY
PRICE: $125.00
See the strongest all-professional field in golf jockey for position a they complete for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Ticket holders will be provided complimentary designated off-site parking and shuttle services to and from the Main Admission Gate
DAILY JUNIOR TICKETS - AGES 17 AND UNDER!
Juniors can attend for $15.00 per day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Championship Week, and for $30.00 per day on Thursday through Sunday of Championship Week when accompanied by a ticketed adult. An adult may purchase up to four (4) Junior Tickets each day at the Main Spectator Gate. No juniors are turned away.
DAILY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES — CONTINUED
Daily Monday, Opening Day! Price: $15.00
Daily Tuesday, Day Two Price: $15.00
Daily Wednesday, Day Three Price: $15.00
Daily Thursday, First Round Price: $30.00
Daily Friday, Second Round Price: $30.00
Daily Saturday, Third Round Price: $30.00
Daily Sunday, Fourth Round Price: $30.00
Media Contact:
Barry Cronin
847/698-1801, cell: 847/867-3032
bcronin@cronincommunications.com
Julius Mason
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com
