Final Putt, Final Chance

Only six percent of tickets remain for the 2012 PGA Championship, with minimal tickets available for Friday and Sunday Grounds and the weekly Wanamaker Club, and fans can purchase them immediately after the final putt drops at the 2011 PGA at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

Kiawah Island, S.C. -- For anyone who wants to attend the 2012 PGA Championship on the famed Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort next August 6-12 their last chance will begin at the end of this year's PGA Championship in Atlanta on August 14, 2011.

"When the final putt drops at the 2011 PGA Championship on Sunday, August 14, we will reopen ticket sales and anticipate a complete sell out within a few days. The remaining 6 percent of tickets will be available for purchase online and through the PGA call center," said Roger Warren, general chairman of the 2012 PGA Championship and president of Kiawah Island Golf Resort. "

The 2012 Champ has seen the most successful presale in PGA history. Since Nov. 15, 2010, the 2012 PGA Championship has broken the all-time PGA Championship single day ticket sales record five times including the single highest quantity of tickets sold for a PGA Championship in any 24-hour period on Dec. 3, 2010. The pre-sale ended December 31, 2010, and the final allotment of tickets will go on sale to the general public on August 14.

Only six percent of tickets remain with Saturday Grounds tickets completely sold out and minimal tickets available for Friday and Sunday Grounds and the weekly Wanamaker Club. Never before has a PGA Championship sold out of daily tickets for any single round this far in advance of Championship play.

"This is both a testament to the popularity of golf in South Carolina and the level of excitement people have throughout the state to finally see major Championship come to South Carolina," said 2012 PGA Championship Director Brett Sterba. "There were many people throughout the state that worked tirelessly to make this event happen, and it is our intention that we continue to not only break records, but more importantly, give both players and attendees the absolute best tournament experience they've ever had. We do not plan on waiting another 94 years to bring another major Championship to South Carolina."

To ensure spectators have the best possible experience during the tournament, PGA of America and Kiawah Island officials decided to limit the number of tickets available each day, nearly 30 percent less than what is typically allocated for a PGA Championship. The smaller galleries will allow for easier movement throughout The Ocean Course, offer better sightlines and enable spectators to feel closer to the action.

"In terms of international appeal and media exposure, the 2012 PGA Championship will be the highest-profile sporting event held in South Carolina since Kiawah hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup," said Warren. "It is important to make sure the people who attend this event feel as though their tickets provide major championship-level value."

That includes creating a more intimate atmosphere for business professionals for client hospitality and entertainment. Tournament officials worked with legendary golf course designer Pete Dye to design unprecedented hospitality villages to offer the ultimate viewing experience. For the first time in tournament history, all of the hospitality villages will be located on the course and beside the beach, offering cool ocean breezes and unbelievable sight lines along the 17th and 18th fairways and greens. Hospitality sales are also breaking previous records with only 25 percent of the packages still available. Currently all of the 18th Fairway and 18th Green suites are sold, along with the most exclusive package -- the Ocean Course clubhouse. A limited number of suites still remain along the 17th hole, but it is anticipated that they will also be gone by the end of summer.

The 2012 PGA Championship is expected to bring more than 50,000 visitors to the state with an economic impact of more than $92 million. The even greater impact will be the exposure that the entire state will receive from hours of network coverage broadcast to more than 570 million households in roughly 200 countries.

About the PGA Championship

Since 1916, golf's premier professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span the greatest names of golf over 90 years, including: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love III, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

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

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 multi-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.

About Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, SC, Kiawah Island Golf Resort is currently ranked as the #1 resort in the U.S. by Golf World magazine, one of the top five tennis resorts in the U.S. by Tennis Magazine and the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine has ranked Kiawah Island Golf Resort the #1 resort on the US mainland and the #1 island in North America. Kiawah Island is also known as one of the top eco-friendly resorts in the U.S. In addition to The Sanctuary, the resort's Forbes 5-star/AAA 5-Diamand 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa, the resort manages 600 private villas and luxury homes, nine restaurants, two tennis centers, a renowned recreation and nature program and has five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA championships.