KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- The renowned Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will test the strongest field in major championship golf in August 2012, selecting the course for the 94th PGA Championship. By being named to host the season’s final major, the Pete Dye-designed oceanfront layout will become only the fourth course to host each of The PGA of America’s major championships – the Ryder Cup (1991), the Senior PGA Championship (2007) and the PGA Championship (2012).

The announcement came on the morning of the opening round of this year’s PGA Club Professional Championship, the Association’s $500,000 national championship for PGA Professionals.

“The Championships of The PGA of America, Kiawah Island and The Ocean Course have enjoyed a great relationship since 1991 when The PGA introduced the world to this dramatic oceanside course,” said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Jim L. Awtrey. “The 2012 PGA Championship will serve as another testament of our confidence in this site’s ability to continue to produce special moments in championship golf history.”

Awtrey made the announcement today with Kiawah Island Golf Resort Chairman Bill Goodwin, who was joined by co-host Buddy Darby, CEO of Kiawah Development Partners.

"It's an honor for The Ocean Course and Kiawah Island to host the first of golf's four major championships ever to be played in South Carolina," said Goodwin. "We look forward to continuing our history of hosting the PGA of America’s major championships."

The PGA named The Ocean Course as host site for the 2005 PGA Club Professional Championship in 2002, and awarded the resort the 2007 Senior PGA Championship in 2004. In September 1991, The PGA introduced the golf world to The Ocean Course’s links style layout when America edged Europe in an unforgettable 29^th Ryder Cup.

“That tournament was pivotal for launching both the Ryder Cup and Kiawah Island into the golf legends vernacular,” said Darby.

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island will become only the fourth course to host the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Senior PGA Championship. Earlier this year Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa., joined PGA National Golf Club of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., as only the second course to earn this distinction. In 2008, Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., will become the third when it hosts the 37^th Ryder Cup in 2008.

The PGA Championship, which enjoys a rich heritage dating back to 1916, will be played this Aug. 11-14, at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. The 88^th PGA Championship will be contested at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club in 2006; the 89^th PGA Championship in 2007 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.; the 90^th PGA Championship in 2008 at Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Township, Mich.; the 91^st PGA Championship in 2009 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.; the 92^nd PGA Championship in 2010 at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wis., and the 93^rd PGA Championship in 2011 at The Atlanta Athletic Club, in Duluth, Ga.

Since its origin in 1916, the PGA Championship has become one of the game’s most anticipated major championships, and perennially features the strongest field in golf. The PGA Champions roster featured many of the greatest players from all generations of golf – from Hagen, Sarazen, Snead, Nelson and Hogan, to Nicklaus, Trevino, Woods and Singh.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Designed from a ribbon of pristine sand dunes stretching nearly three miles along the Atlantic Ocean at the eastern end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course is a par-72 layout reminiscent of the great seaside links of England and Scotland. In addition to the PGA’s events, the course has also hosted the 1997 and 2003 World Cups, and the 2001 UBS Warburg Cup. As well as The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island Golf Resort features four other championship courses: Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus, Osprey Point by Tom Fazio, Cougar Point by Gary Player and Oak Point by Clyde Johnston. The resort also includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island – a spectacular new 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa – the number one ranked tennis program in the country, and a plethora of dining and recreational opportunities. For more information about the resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com or contact Matt Owen at 843-768-2912.

KDP is the master developer of Kiawah Island, a 10,000-acre sea island located 21 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. The company’s subsidiaries include Kiawah Island Real Estate; The Kiawah Island Club, which encompasses the Tom Fazio-designed River Course, the Tom Watson-designed /Cassique/, The Beach Club and Sasanqua, the members-only spa; and Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland. For more information about KDP, visit www.kiawahisland.com or contact Theresa Martin at 843-768-5220.