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Reactions: Valhalla Golf Course

Just like a recent grad, the only way to get experience is over time

Valhalla has had its share of critics regarding the difficulty of the course. AP

Valhalla Golf Course, located just outside of Louisville, Ky., has received a lot of criticism for lacking prestige, mystique and history. Players also say the course lacks the difficulty common to majors. CNNSI.com users were asked what they thought of the course and most said not to knock it for being new to the scene. A sample of the most interesting responses received follow:

As a citizen of Louisville for a little over four years and an avid golfer (three-handicap), let me be the first to inform the non-believers that this course is very comparable. Not only has the Valhalla staff made some improvements, the PGA has also been in to make to course harder here and there. One other thing - when Tiger blew away not only the field at the British, but the course itself, did anyone say that St. Andrews was suddenly easy? Maybe the other pros need to forget about what course the tournament is being played upon, and worry more about the guy who they can't seem to catch.
Matt Roberts, Asheville, N.C.

The PGA Championship is being held at Valhalla because the PGA owns the course and they want to maximize the money they make from the tournament. How else could the PGA justify having the last PGA Championship there 5 years ago, another one now, a third one planned in 2006 (or so) and a Ryder Cup in 2007?
One reason the PGA Championship is the weakest of the 4 majors is courses they hold the tournament on. While quality of the course they hold the championship on has improved in recent years, the schedule with Valhalla shows the PGA still has a way to go. It's especially a shame with all the great courses in the U.S.
Can you envision the USGA holding the men's open on a weaker course just because they owned the course (especially three times in 10-11 years)? If the PGA response is that the course will be of major tournament caliber when it matures, then let them hold it when the course matures. Until then, the public and the competing golf professionals are being shortchanged.
Lastly, if the course and tournament lack the difficulty common to a major championship, then the PGA is giving itself a second black eye and further eroding its championship.
Ira Mandel, New York, N.Y.

Valhalla is in the unfortunate position of this year being compared to possibly the three greatest championship golf courses in the world. However it's quality is consistent with almost any other course that the PGA championship has been played on over the past 10-15 years. The PGA's decision to continually play the championship on "young" courses gives the championship a much-needed distinction from the other three majors.
Deive Elvins, Australia

When one thinks of Louisville, thoughts of Thoroughbred horse racing, some of the world's finest bourbon and now golf come to mind. So what's the problem? Life doesn't get any better than this! I'm pleased to say that some of the best golf I've enjoyed has been in Kentucky. Drive on PGA!
Ron Maul, Stockbridge, Ga.

Is there something wrong with building a new tradition at a place where people love the game of golf more than anywhere else? People are complaining because golf is changing for the better and as it becomes more popular with people around the world you will always have those who hate change. It's time to say good bye to those losers!
Brian Dumke, Greene, N.Y.

I think of Valhalla as one of the best courses I've visited. I've been to the Masters and to Pebble Beach and it compares favorably to both. Valhalla lacks the history the older courses possess -- that's all! I think Valhalla will hold its own during the 2000 PGA Championship. The scores will reflect the difficulty of the course. Valhalla is a course that rewards good shots and penalizes players with bad shots. Valhalla may prove to be one of the best in years to come.
Chris Coffman, Atlanta, Ga.

Sounds like sour grapes to me. The PGA is trying to build that reputation and mystic around the course. As with anything else, the "new kid" has to prove himself. Let's save the debate until Monday morning. Also, I know Louisville will support the event like no other venue would. The event, as in 1996, has sold out and this community is fired up.
Pete Mattingly, Louisville, Ky.

It's like the classic case of a college grad looking for a job, sorry but you need more experience. How is one going to get this experience if no one gives them a chance? Just like Valhalla, give it a chance. Yes it is young, but so were the other courses at one time. The pros who are doing the most complaining are the ones that did poorly in 1996.
Rick Riordan, Louisville, Ky.

I think that Valhalla is a wonderful course and a perfect setting for the PGA Championship. Sometimes I wonder how spoiled these players really are. They don't realize that there are some of us that work at a job every day and will never even be able to dream about the money these guys make.
If I am going to pay $300 to go watch them play, I don't want to hear their "cry me a river" stories about how Valhalla isn't hard enough or doesn't have enough tradition. Thanks to these players, the tradition will be there for my kids years down the road.
Tim Dabney, Louisville, Ky.

Although Valhalla is a fine course, that I expect to be in perfect condition for the PGA Championship, I would rather see the tournament played somewhere else this year. This is Y2K -- This is the year where the majors have been played at some of the most historic golf courses in the game. I feel that finishing the Major season at Valhalla simply ruins the "Major history tour" somewhat. To summarize: Any other year would have been fine. This year it just feels wrong.
James Helvang, Copenhagen, Denmark

I think it is a mistake not to consider newer courses. The British Open is all about tradition and has a small rotation of courses, The Masters is unique, the U.S. Open is too arrogant, only the PGA can bring major status and attention to a newer course. I enjoy seeing some new courses ever year, almost as much as I enjoy returning to old favorites such as Augusta or St Andrews.
Peter Schoenberg, Edmonton, Alberta

Absolutely Valhalla is worthy of hosting a Major. The course is certainly tough enough. Need evidence? The winning score at Winged Foot in 1997 was 270, eight strokes easier than Valhalla in 1996! People criticize Valhalla for being too new and lacking history. There was a time when you could have said the same about Medinah, Winged Foot and Inverness! If Duval or Mickelson win their first Major or Woods takes his third straight, that perception will change!
Larry, Lexington, Ky.

I would say a resounding, YES. This is the only course for the PGA tournament that has been sold out. The fans here are golf crazy. The winner of the 1996 tourney, Mark Brooks, won with a whopping 11 under par. Tiger has shot better than that at The Masters and at St. Andrews and I don't here those same whining pros asking to move the Masters from Augusta or make sure that the British Open never be brought back to St. Andrews. History and prestige come with time. That time has come for Valhalla.
Kelly Zimmerman, Simpsonville, Ky.

I've seen Pebble Beach. I've played Pebble Beach. Valhalla, you're no Pebble Beach. And for that matter, if the PGA didn't own a good portion of the course, the tour wouldn't even consider stopping at this course. But as in most any sport, it's all about the money.
Steve Fleming, Birmingham, Ala.

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