PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka (with scissors) cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the PGA Championship History Exhibit./(Photo: The PGA of America)

EDINA, Minn. -- The PGA Championship History Exhibit, a "History of the Season's Final Major," celebrated its grand opening June 9, at the Galleria in Edina. The exhibit pays tribute to its newest Champion -- Padraig Harrington -- and features a sand wedge that he used to capture the 2008 PGA Championship.

A special ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by PGA Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka, included Hon. James Hovland, Mayor of the City of Edina, Jill Noack, Vice President and General Manager of Gabbert & Beck, Jeff Drimel, President of the Minnesota PGA Section, Jim Dauwalter, General Chair of the 91st PGA Championship; John Randle, former Minnesota Vikings seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackler, Andrew Brunette, Minnesota Wild forward and Tony Oliva, legendary Minnesota Twins right fielder.

The PGA Championship History Exhibit is open daily through Sunday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m., with free admission. Golf enthusiasts and history lovers can enjoy touring the exhibit that features both golf artifacts and memorabilia which reveals the tradition of the PGA Championship and its past 90 Champions.

The 91st PGA Championship will be conducted Aug. 10-16, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

With an upscale blend of more than 70 local and national retailers and restaurants, Galleria is known for luxury brands that offer internationally-recognized collections from merchants including Tiffany & Co., BCBG Max Azria, Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. The Center also features specialty shops that include Ampersand, Twill by Scott Dayton, Trail Mark, Three Rooms and Scheherazade Jewelers as well as many other locally-owned, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.

The Center is located approximately 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and some 20 minutes from Hazeltine National Golf Club.

"The PGA Championship History Exhibit proudly reflects the story behind the great Champions who have been the fabric of the advancement of golf in this country," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "The PGA of America is pleased that Galleria, which has been a hub of exciting opportunities for Minnesotans for so long, is serving as home to this remarkable collection of history. Minnesotans embrace sports and love golf, and we anticipate we will have outstanding support once again in leading up to the 91st PGA Championship this summer."

"Galleria is pleased to be hosting the PGA Championship History Exhibit," said Galleria Marketing Director Kira Johnson. "Our guests, shoppers and Minnesota's many golf enthusiasts will be very excited to spend time exploring this collection."

The PGA Championship History Exhibit features acclaimed memorabilia that includes Jack Nicklaus's putter, which he used to capture the 1980 PGA Championship; Phil Mickelson's wedge that clinched his victory on the 18th hole at Baltusrol in 2005; a driver used by Jim Barnes in the 1916 inaugural Championship; a straw hat worn by Sam Snead and a walking stick once used by the legendary Walter Hagen.

Hazeltine National Golf Club last hosted the PGA Championship in 2002, when Rich Beem stunned the golf world with a final-day performance to overcome a rally by Tiger Woods.

The PGA Championship is one of four premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America. Others include the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which brings together the winners of golf's four major championships.

Golf's best professionals have been competing for more than 90 years for the Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span both the legendary and recent stars of the game: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

Tickets will be available for purchase through the 2009 PGA Championship Web site, www.pga2009.com or by phone at (800) PGA-GOLF.

About the 2009 PGA Championship
The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf and is considered one of the largest sporting events in the world. Since 1916, golf's best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy; including past champions Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Walter Hagen.

About The PGA of America
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 billion-dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.