2013 Senior PGA Championship Winners!

A little history: In 1897, Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis began hosting spectator and championship golf. Since 1916, The PGA of America has maintained its mission to elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest in the game. In 1937, the Senior PGA Championship started as the most prestigious event in senior golf. 

The 2013 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid was hosted by Bellerive CC. Kohki Idoki, 51, of Japan won with a 6-under 65 to finish at 11 under, beating front runners Kenny Perry and Jay Haas who ended up tied for second place. That’s a payday of $378,000 for Kohki. Jay and Kenny get $185,000 each for their trouble.

Meanwhile hundreds of volunteers scramble for a chance to work jobs on the Leaderboards and as course Marshalls. These volunteers do it for the thrill of being just a part of a world class event. They volunteer a year in advance and most aren’t certain of shifts or duties. They love the game. I was among them. I gotta tell ya, it is really is a thrill. If you are a golfer, you can’t believe your luck when you raise your hands to hush the crowd for Tom Watson to putt. Volunteers are a part of the week-long celebration that includes pro-am and practice rounds and goes on past the presentation of the Borne trophy.

Somehow it all comes together like magic. The course is gorgeous and it shows well on television for the Golf Channel and NBC broadcasts. Bellerive Country Club members have to be proud. It’s another triumph for St. Louis too. Concessions workers, security personnel, bus drivers, pro shop retailers, corporate sponsors entertaining guests, guests, fans, broadcasters and everyone who got a chance to be a part of this spectacular event. You are all champions.   

Congratulations to Kohki Idoki on a great win!