Baltusrol readying for '16 PGA Championship

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Genevieve Hecker, Willie Anderson, H. Chandler Egan, Margaret Curtis, Jerome D. Travers, George Von Elm, Tony Manero, Stanley E. Bishop, Ed Furgol, Jeff Quinney, Mickey Wright and Kathy Baker have something in common.

Care to venture a guess to test your golf knowledge?

They've all won major championships at Baltusrol Golf Club.

So have Jack Nicklaus (twice), Lee Janzen and Phil Mickelson.

Baltusrol will host its 17th major event from July 25-31, 2016, when the PGA Championship will be conducted on the Lower Course.

Mickelson won the last major at Baltusrol, hitting a chip within two feet and converting the birdie putt on the 72nd hole into a one-shot victory over Steve Elkington and Thomas Bjorn for the 2005 PGA Championship's Wanamaker Trophy. Tiger Woods and Davis Love III finished just two shots back.

Mickelson's second major title came during a Monday finish because the final round was suspended due to weather.

Renowned course architect A.W. Tillinghast, whose first credit was Shawnee-on-the-Delaware back in 1907, designed Baltusrol, which has undergone many changes since the 2005 PGA.

Fellow world renowned architect Rees Jones has been responsible for most of those upgrades. The variety of adjustments promises to pose different challenges for the field of 156 than back in 2005.

"Bunkers were deepened and flashed up to restore the challenge Tillinghast built in," said Rick Jenkins, general chairman for the PGA Championship.

"Bunkers were moved to give them more relevance off the tee. Some bunkers were removed and others added."

Baltusrol, 120 years old this year, also has new collection areas surrounding the first, fifth and 12th greens -- another Tillinghast specialty.

In keeping up with the length the pros hit the ball of the tee, the fifth, 13th and 15th holes have new back tees to bring the Lower Course's total yardage to about 7,500 yards.

Baltusrol's two courses are annually ranked among the nation's top 100. The Lower Course will offer an interesting set-up for the PGA Championship qualifiers.

The par-5 first and seventh holes will play as par-4s, leaving no par-5s on the front side. The back nine concludes with a pair of par-5s: No. 17 plays at 647 yards from the tips and No. 18 is at 553 yards.

Baltusrol has few water hazards, but none are more noticeable than the pond on the left side of the 18th hole. It has been increased significantly in size since Mickelson won in 2005.

The finishing hole also is one of the many with deepened fairway bunkers, which will make it difficult to execute a full shot.

The four par-3s are tremendous challenges, none more picturesque than the fourth hole, which can play out to 199 yards.

There are similarities to No. 12 at Augusta National. Baltusrol's No. 4 also has water guarding the entire front of a wide green which has little depth and bunkers behind it. Distance control is the primary requirement on the tee shot, though there are many treacherous three-putts waiting for balls finding the wrong side of the slick, tilted green.

A new tee box was added to measure the par-3 ninth hole at 211 yards. Opposite of No. 4, the ninth is long and narrow. Bunkers are on each side, making it difficult to get up and down for par. The Sunday back right pin placement will make par a good score.

The 12th at Baltusrol stretches out to 202 yards and again puts a premium on distance accuracy. Holding the green also can be difficult depending on conditions.

The 16th may be the easiest and is the only one that plays downhill.

The sixth men's major championship on the Lower Course also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the forming of the PGA of America just 23 miles away in New York City.

Ticket registration for the 2016 PGA begins June 1.

"It's going to be administered online, it's completely free, it's mobile and able," said Ryan Cannon, PGA Championship director. "It only takes a minute and there's no obligation to purchase by registering.

"The earlier a fan registers, the better access, the better position you'll be in to get the most popular tickets for this championship."

Baltusrol GC is located about 70 miles from the Lehigh Valley, with most of the travel coming on Interstate 78 East.

This year's PGA Championship is Aug. 10-16 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc. Rory McIlroy won the 2014 PGA by one shot over Mickelson.

This article was written by Tom Housenick from The Morning Call and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.