PGA Reaction Positive At French Lick Senior Championship

The small town of French Lick is being thrust into the national spotlight this week. This year’s Senior PGA Championship is expected to draw thousands.

Bryan Karns is up at 5:30 every morning preparing for a day of PGA golf. He’s the championship director, so there’s a lot to oversee.

Preparations started two years ago with developing site plans and configuring spectator views. But putting together a championship golf tournament in a town of less than two thousand people is quite the task.

“You’re really the biggest fish in the pond here,” Karns says. “This is the biggest show and probably one of the biggest events they’ll ever have in a community this size.”

Karns says the biggest challenge was finding 1,600 volunteers to help out this week. They’ve also had to work on transportation to and around the course.

But he says the reaction has been positive.

“It’s shock and awe. I think they come in here and can’t imagine a golf course like this is built here, so it’s fun to see the looks on their faces.”

But PGA President Derek Sprague says when it comes down to it, the success of this week will be how the golf course holds up.

“We always look for great golf courses and Pete Dye has really designed a real gem here in French Lick. Very challenging golf course, we want a challenging golf course to host majors,” Sprague says.

County officials are hoping the 40,000 visitors they are expecting will bring in more than $15 million to the local economy.

Besides live music, food and festivals, event sponsor KitchenAid is showcasing a fan experience tent to demonstrate their latest appliances while offering culinary tips.

Tickets are still available. Military members and their families get in free along with those 17 and under with a ticketed adult.

The tournament ends Sunday.