SOUTHERN INDIANA- According to the PGA.com: "French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick, Ind., site of the 1924 PGA Championship, which marked a remarkable major winning streak by legendary Walter Hagen, has been named the site of the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship. The showcase event for PGA Professionals will be conducted in June 2010. It will mark the first visit by the PGA Professional National Championship to Indiana, and to a resort that features courses designed by two of the game's legendary golf architects -- Donald Ross and Pete Dye.

Photo: frenchlick.com

The National Championship, featuring a nationwide field of 312 PGA Professionals, will utilize the par-70, 7,000-yard Donald Ross Course, which opened in 1917, and the par-72, 7,400-yard Pete Dye Course, which is scheduled for a grand opening in the spring of 2009. The Championship's final two rounds will be conducted on the Pete Dye Course.

"The PGA Professional National Championship has maintained a tradition of bringing this showcase event to some of the premier courses in the country," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "It is exciting to have the opportunity to bring the Championship to the site where Walter Hagen, one of our Association founders, elevated his legend. I can think of no better story for our finest playing PGA Professionals than to compete for the Walter Hagen Cup in Indiana."

The Donald Ross Course, the creation of the famed Scottish architect, also has hosted the 1959 and 1960 LPGA Championship and was the home of the Midwest Amateur from the 1930s through the 1950s. Coincidentally, Dye captured the 1957 Midwest Amateur on the course.

The Donald Ross Course completed a $6 million renovation program in 2006, conducted by architect Lee Schmidt of Scottsdale, Ariz., which restored the original Ross design.

"We had photographs from 1926, two years after the PGA Championship was played, and we had Donald Ross's original drawings on site," said French Lick Resort Casino President Steve Ferguson. "And, we have Pete Dye, who has been so enthusiastic about this project. We have tremendous views at each location, and to have the restoration and to have a Donald Ross Course and one of the leading designers of this era in Pete Dye is a tremendous opportunity for golfers to play both approaches to golf.

The French Lick Resort Casino has undergone a $500 million historic renovation and casino development program, which includes the French Lick Springs Hotel, the new French Lick Casino and the West Baden Springs Hotel. In addition, this premier resort and casino destination features more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space; 689 guest rooms and a 42,000-square foot, single-level casino; two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 41,000 square feet and an array of dining and entertainment options.

"The Donald Ross Course shows the magic of Donald Ross," said Ferguson. "He chose a piece of real estate to fit that course. And Pete Dye is so enthusiastic about this course, and was dedicated to fit every golfer. He developed tremendous views from all tees. Pete had a relationship with Donald Ross and you can see a lot of Ross in Pete Dye.

"The PGA Professional National Championship...

Springs Valley, Indiana - This may not be new news, but it's BIG news, so the occasional reminder is surely good for a burst of area pride: THE PGA PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IS COMING! According to a News report on the official PGA website:

Photo: pga.com

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick, Ind., site of the 1924 PGA Championship, which marked a remarkable major winning streak by legendary Walter Hagen, has been named the site of the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship. The showcase event for PGA Professionals will be conducted in June 2010.

It will mark the first visit by the PGA Professional National Championship to Indiana, and to a resort that features courses designed by two of the game's legendary golf architects -- Donald Ross and Pete Dye.

The National Championship, featuring a nationwide field of 312 PGA Professionals, will utilize the par-70, 7,000-yard Donald Ross Course, which opened in 1917, and the par-72, 7,400-yard Pete Dye Course, which is scheduled for a grand opening in the spring of 2009. The Championship's final two rounds will be conducted on the Pete Dye Course.

"The PGA Professional National Championship has maintained a tradition of bringing this showcase event to some of the premier courses in the country," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "It is exciting to have the opportunity to bring the Championship to the site where Walter Hagen, one of our Association founders, elevated his legend. I can think of no better story for our finest playing PGA Professionals than to compete for the Walter Hagen Cup in Indiana."

The Donald Ross Course, the creation of the famed Scottish architect, also has hosted the 1959 and 1960 LPGA Championship and was the home of the Midwest Amateur from the 1930s through the 1950s. Coincidentally, Dye captured the 1957 Midwest Amateur on the course.

The Donald Ross Course completed a $6 million renovation program in 2006, conducted by architect Lee Schmidt of Scottsdale, Ariz., which restored the original Ross design.

"We had photographs from 1926, two years after the PGA Championship was played, and we had Donald Ross's original drawings on site," said French Lick Resort Casino President Steve Ferguson. "And, we have Pete Dye, who has been so enthusiastic about this project. We have tremendous views at each location, and to have the restoration and to have a Donald Ross Course and one of the leading designers of this era in Pete Dye is a tremendous opportunity for golfers to play both approaches to golf.

The French Lick Resort Casino has undergone a $500 million historic renovation and casino development program, which includes the French Lick Springs Hotel, the new French Lick Casino and the...