If you’ve been scouring your friends, family, co-workers and others hoping to score some free tickets to the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and find yourself coming up empty you might want to get online soon to buy those tickets because stacks of unlimited freebies are officially a thing of the past.
Championship Director Ryan Ogle, his PGA of America colleagues, and the Championship’s Executive Committee have been working for nearly two years, since the major event was last held at Harbor Shores in 2016, to create a first class experience on virtually every front that establishes substantive value for the $25 ticket price. Keep in mind, too, that if you wait to buy at the gate the price goes up by $5 to $30 each, so your best buy time is right now.
Ogle admits, “There were many free tickets as we built the local Championship into a ‘not-to-be-missed’ attraction, and we purposely allowed lots of people to come and see for themselves the value we were creating on multiple fronts.” Now, however, with a number of local organizations invited to sell tickets to the 2018 Championship and share in the revenue generated, organizers decided to dramatically reel-in free ticket numbers to avoid under-cutting hard-working organizations trying to raise funds through the revenue-sharing arrangement. Ogle adds, “Our entire PGA team and the Executive Committee, comprised of top-notch local volunteer business people, have achieved a substantive value in exchange for the very reasonable $25 fee that brings an outstanding major event experience to Harbor Shores that is unprecedented.”
Everyone in attendance this year also has an amazing shot at winning a $5,000 shopping spree from the title sponsor, KitchenAid every single day of the Championship. That’s a $5K spree on each day, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. An excellent bonus opportunity just for being there. Everybody who has their ticket scanned is automatically entered. (No purchase necessary, visit www.srpga.com/scanwin for rules).
Additonally, families attending this year’s 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will enjoy many new kids activities and on-site experiences at Harbor Shores. The fun begins with all juniors, 17 and under, admitted into the Championship for free with an accompanying ticketed adult (limited to four minors per one ticketed adult).
Ogle says, “The PGA of America and KitchenAid are dedicated to delivering an unforgettable major Championship to everyone.” He adds, “We’re especially looking forward to Kids Day on Saturday, May 26th, of Championship Week, which will feature new on-site initiatives such as the ‘Feed the Gator’ competition and the smoothie race. We want to make this a memorable event for families, where each person can find something they enjoy.”
In addition to watching great golf, families can explore the following on-site attractions:
- Kids Day: All youth can participate in fun, interactive activities on Saturday, May 26th. From 10 am to 4 pm (ET), kids will be invited to a variety of on-site activities courtesy of KitchenAid and the PGA of America, including:
10 am: Photo opportunities with the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy at the KitchenAid Fairway Club
10:15-11:15 am: Smoothie Race at the KitchenAid Fairway Club for the first 50 kids
2 pm: John Dudley Magic Show in Jean Klock Park
2:30 pm: Golf Ball Decorating Contest in Jean Klock Park
3-4 pm: “Feed the Gator” Golf Competition in Jean Klock Park
- Saturday Night Concert: Northern Michigan natives, The Accidentals, who were named as one of the top breakout groups in 2015 by Billboard, will take over a newly constructed stage at the Championship entrance on Saturday, May 26th, to perform for golf fans. Opening for The Accidentals is another local favorite, Slim Gypsy Baggage, a Southwest Michigan born blend of Soulful, Spirited, Roots Rock. The concert is open to all ages. Fans with a valid ticket to the Championship on Saturday will have access to attend the concert, which begins at 5 pm. Championship gates and concession stands will remain open through 8 pm to accommodate these special musical guests.
- YMCA Kids Zone: Located at Jean Klock Park, kids can enjoy inflatable hitting balls with lessons from Michigan Section PGA Professionals, bounce houses and much more. The YMCA Kids Zone will be open Friday, May 25th from 10 am-6 pm (ET) as well as on Saturday and Sunday of the tournament from 10 am-4 pm.
- Community Showcase Tent: Returning to the Championship, the Community Showcase is located at the main entrance. Local volunteers will staff it each day, greeting fans and welcoming out-of-town guests with insider recommendations about places to see and things to do all around the area. Fans can scan their tickets at that location, too, for the chance to win a $5,000 KitchenAid Shopping Spree and prize packages from the local community.
- Celebrity Chefs: Some of the world’s best culinary creators will once again be on-site at the KitchenAid Fairway Club. Demonstrations are held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 1 pm (ET). Headliners include TV personality, culinary traveler, author of Straight Up Tasty, and host of Cooking Channel’s “Secret Eats with Adam Richman,” Adam Richman; Co-Host of ABC’s Emmy-Award Winning daytime series “The Chew” and Bravo “Top Chef” alumni Carla Hall and finally, the Culinary Director at Food & Wine, host of Mad Genius LIVE, James Beard Award nominee and author of two cookbooks, Justin Chapple. Local chefs, including Tim Foley of Bread + Bar, Cheyenne Galbraith of The Boulevard Inn & Bistro, Mike Kenat from Salt of The Earth, Abra Berens from Granor Farm and all-day chef from KitchenAid, Chris Covelli, will round out the cooking demonstration schedule.
- Food Trucks: Food trucks will be on-site each day in Jean Klock Park offering a variety of mouth-watering dishes catered to every palette such as barbeque, tacos, and sweet treats. Fans are invited to stop by and support the community’s local businesses as well as receive complimentary prizes during Championship week.
Add it all up and your $25 ticket gets you an incredible day at one of the most prestigious championships in the entire world of professional golf. To get your tickets click this link right now: http://SrPGA.com
For more information about the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, or to purchase tickets, visit SrPGA.com or call 1-800-PGA-GOLF (800-742-4653).