South Carolina, Kiawah leaders seeking 2nd major

The Ocean Course held up through it all.

“I like what this golf course has, and it’s just a wonderful piece of property,” Tiger Woods said.

Warren and Kiawah leaders spent about a decade from preparing bid proposals to watching the plan unfold at the PGA Championship. Warren said the community was behind the process and would have to work together again to bring another major to the region.

The value of the tournament for homeowners comes in increased property values, said resort spokesman Mike Vegis. That’s what happened after the Ryder Cup and should happen again in the wake of the PGA Championship.

The major ends a string of events run by the PGA of America at The Ocean Course. The layout held the PGA Club Professional Championship in 2005 and the Senior PGA two years later.

“We’re very happy and very appreciative of the support from everyone in the community and the state and the county who have supported” the events, said Kerry Haigh, managing director of championships for the PGA of America.

Warren said the resort has asked the United States Golf Association look at its facilities for tournaments, including a U.S. Open. In 2009, the USGA held its U.S. Mid-Amateur at a course just off the island’s main gate, Cassique at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The USGA “knows who we are,” Warren said.

For now, it’s a waiting game. The PGA Championship is set through 2018 while the U.S. Open has courses in place through 2019.

Warren felt this past week should help Kiawah Island’s case.

“It just raises the esteem of the golf course,” he said. “The goal is to see how the golf course is, how well we were able to do as a community. I think that just bodes well for the future.”

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