Review: My @SPG Moments at the 2015 PGA Championship Whistling Straits Kohler Wisconsin #spgLIFE

As the Samsung PGA app says, as well as all the other advertising, “This is Major”, that is, the last major PGA tournament of the year and a “major” score for me who is a big golf fan. If you are a golf fan, you will drool over today’s post – if you are not – well come back later today for more aviation related posts. 🙂

As I talked about on the live day post last week, this suite (one of 20), cost almost $100,000 for SPG to rent for the tournament. So, the Sarazen suites pulled in a cool 2 million or so bucks. Was it worth it? Many other big names had also rented suites AMEX, CBS and National Car rental (ps, thanks for the SWAG National – much appreciated).

Parking was in a preferred lot vs everyone else. We were shuttled the very short distance to the course via air-conditioned coach vs yellow school buses for everyone else.

Then a neat walk with lots of PGA banners and glitz on the way in. After security and “chair check” it was on to the course and what a venue this place is. Just remarkable and I would love to play it one day (there are over 1000 bunkers btw). We made our way past the putting green and the main club house and started to explore.

My buddy and I walked around the course and finally made it back to the Sarazen Suites by the 16th green. The SPG Suite was the one pointed out above. The views were, remarkable.

We could see all of the 16th fairway, clearly the green, and then the 17th par 3 as well. The upstairs views were even better and CBS did not mind us spending some time in their suite as it was empty much of the day (thanks CBS folks btw).

For a temporary structure the Sarazen Suites were amazing. An SPG rep checked us in and warmly welcomed us and explained a bit about what was included. Basically everything was free, from drinks (including adult beverages) as well as continental breakfast, lunch and brats later on for a late day snack (I called that dinner)!

SPG had some SWAG for us but it seemed like an after thought more than anything else. The cup was just purchased from the gift shop (still had the sticker on it, $16) and the golf balls were not from the PGA but just normal SPG ones. But still, SWAG is SWAG so thanks so much SPG!

A bit more about the Sarazen experience. Lunch was good. A good grilled burger with bacon and sides. Nothing amazing but again, for free on a golf course, just tops!

And we did not have to go to the course to find a stinky port-a-potty, no, we had wood lined walls with air conditioning and skylights in our lavatory. Just wow! But back to the golf!

Again, the views from our location were to die for. Upstairs you could see so much that it was hard to pick just one spot to stand and watch the best in the world hit shots.

Speaking of best in the world (well, was best a while ago), Tiger Woods hit one of the best shots of his two days of play at the 16th on Thursday for a birdie. He would not make the cut but had HUGE crowds following him and this included 3 security people and a cop as well. Interesting considering how bad he is playing nowadays.

After a full day of golf geekness, and waiting for the last group to finish on 16, we made our way to the 18th. What a place to watch golf and history happen.

Jason Day, on Sunday, was amazing and I regret I chose Thursday for my day to go for my SPG Moments event in some ways. I chose that day as everyone would be there not just those who made the cut. Either way, it was a blast and I cannot believe for just 10,000 SPG points both my buddy and I were able to go. It was his first PGA event ever and he is now getting an SPG card just to try for other PGA events like this. Yeah, points for travel, with SPG, is for more than just planes and hotel rooms! – Rene