"Extremely difficult golf course:" PGA Championship coming back to Whistling Straits

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY (WITI) -- It may be more than 15 months away, but the idea that one of golf's major championships will be contested in our area has folks looking ahead -- particularly given what little "golf weather" we've had this spring!

Herb Kohler decided he wanted a big time golf competition on his courses in Sheboygan County, and he got it.

In 1998, it was the U.S. Women's Open at Blackwolf Run. In 2004, the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, and a repeat of that event in 2010.

There's another PGA set for 2015, and then, the international event to end all events, the Ryder Cup in 2020.

David Kohler is now the man charged with executing the plan.

"It's a great honor for me to serve as the General Chair and to really build on the legacy that my father Herb Kohler started with bringing major championship golf to the state of Wisconsin," David Kohler said.

On Tuesday, April 29th, that meant bringing 2013 PGA champion Jason Dufner to Milwaukee's Discovery World Museum to headline a ticket announcement event.

What they were talking about will take place in August of 2015 -- the PGA Championship will be played at Whistling Straits.

"Whistling Straits -- fantastic golf course. I was looking at the yardage book today because I couldn't remember. An extremely difficult golf course. Some of the images when you look from the tees are extremely intimidating," Dufner said.

Adding to the intimidation factor is the field. A PGA Championship attracts more than 150 of the top players in the world, which means there isn't much room for error in more ways than one. That Ryder Cup in 2020 will really fray nerves, as the very best players in the world will be going head-to-head in match play, rather than stroke play.

"I think the guys will like it a little bit better because you will have a little bit more risk you can take on because you'll only be penalized the loss of a hole instead of a triple bogey or even a quadruple bogey that you can make pretty quick out on this golf course," Dufner said.

It does come back to the course, which still stands as one of the most unique in the world -- especially when you consider how conditions along the lake can affect play. The biggest names in the game do draw big crowds in these parts.

"I think the golf fans in the Midwest really like their golf, and I think the people of Wisconsin will be really excited, and the neighboring states that don't get a lot of golf, don't get a lot of PGA Tour golf, for them to have a competition like the Ryder Cup, I think it's going to be pretty nuts," Dufner said.

The process of buying tickets for the 2015 tournament is now underway for the public, and it will include a chance to reserve a spot for the 2020 Ryder Cup, which will also be played at Whistling Straits.