Those of us who can recall the old TV shows "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction" will recall the character named Mr. Haney. He was always busy plotting things and wanted his finger on the pulse of everything. While sharing the same last name in real life, Mr. Brandon Haney has been plotting for months on ways to lay out the virtual village that welcomes players, volunteers, spectators and guests to the 2016 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid. And, he certainly has his finger on the pulse of everything underway.
As Director of Operations for the PGA of America championship team on the ground at Harbor Shores, Haney has the unenviable task of piecing together the placement of key attractions, satisfying vendors, herding work crews, and generally answering myriad questions, always with an eye to the sky to assure the weather permits his assignments to be completed in a timely manner.
For probably a month or better, Mr. Haney's work has come sharply into focus as the actual build-out of the blueprinted plans has gotten underway along Graham Avenue in Benton Harbor. The infrastructure of framed tent buildings was well underway this past week with several thousand square feet of temporary space being erected at the main gate where everybody will arrive, either by shuttle bus or on foot, for the 77th Championship from May 22nd to the 29th.
He is also responsible for the placement and build out of all other temporary structures for the championship from TV camera towers to bleachers, from hospitality suites to trolley stops and everything in between. His full color blueprints are almost like a work of art as they pinpoint the precise location of each amenity on the course and the periphery of the grounds.
In the photo above, bleachers and the KitchenAid Hospitality Suite are shown under construction behind the 18th green along the Paw Paw River. That's a whole new placement for the KitchenAid crew which had been ensconced behind the 16th green in both the 2012 and 2014 Championships.
In the top photo below, the buildings being prepped for the village that will reside at the Main Gate are shown from earlier this week. All guests arriving will enter through ticket scanning gates and go through a major structure that will house the Community Showcase on the right hand side and the Championship Shop featuring retail souvenirs, including clothing, pin flags, caps, and other branded merchandise.
Once guests emerge from that welcome structure, they will have the opportunity to view up close the KitchenAid Stand Mixer Stadium with a massive display showcasing the more than 50 colors in the KitchenAid spectrum and a Swash demonstration.
As guests travel the carpeted boardwalk toward the driving range and club house, they will have the opportunity to next visit the Mercedes-Benz Performance Center with several vehicles on display and other fun things, followed by the front row Concession Stand with three service counters and multiple stand-up and sit-down tables overlooking the driving range and then the impressive KitchenAid Fairway Club where full scale demonstration kitchens will be utilized by Celebrity Chefs, local chefs and Whirlpool personnel. Before embarking on the cart path lined with an amazing Avenue of American Flags saluting our men and women in uniform on this Memorial Day Weekend, there will also be Pasta Carts and other great amenities to enjoy.
There will also be other grandstand bleacher opportunities near holes 16 and 17 and at the first tee where the Monster Board scoreboard will keep visitors up to date on scoring during the Championship, complete with the national flags atop from the countries represented by every player in the event.
A special upgraded ticket area for those interested will be established between holes 16 and 17…designated at The 19th Hole with additional amenities and up-close viewing of the action.
The skybox-style executive trophy hospitality suites will once again be erected behind the 15th green for a premium experience including catered meals, bar service, climate controlled indoor seating and elevated outdoor viewing platform for those who have signed on as hospitality clients. Cranes will put those suites in place on May 9th according to Mr. Haney.
Haney's plan is not only coming along nicely, his crews are running a bit ahead of schedule, and the notable white picket fence along the boardwalk entrance area will nicely punctuate the appearance next week.
Lightpost banners will be erected in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor soon welcoming the public to the Championship, and every day things get more and more exciting in the build up for the big event. We're already seeing many of the dozens of Mercedes-Benz SUV's with the SPGA logo on the door panels moving around town, so get your tickets today if you don't already have some, by clicking the link below.
