Kohler: Work ethic key to rise of Asian golfers

Those big events are a boost for the company.

“What golf does is to shine a spotlight,” Kohler said. “And it’s a very bright spotlight. It shines it on the resort, it shines it on our plumbing products, on our engines, our generators, our furniture. And for that, we’re grateful. It’s an amazing little spotlight.”

The two main Kohler-owned courses are facing a regional challenge from Erin Hills outside Milwaukee, which hosted the U.S. Amateur last year and will host the 2017 U.S. Open.

“The USGA has needed a Midwest venue, and we have had this wonderful run with the PGA of America, starting in 2004 with the PGA Championship, another one in 2010, another one coming up in 2015 and the Ryder Cup in 2020,” Kohler said. “It was hard for the USGA to fit into that with a men’s Open. They tried several courses in the vicinity of Chicago and didn’t really find something they were comfortable (with) and so now they’re trying Erin Hills. And we’ll see what happens.”

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