The “Village” Making Aronimink and the PGA Championship Shine

By: Peter Madden

I’ve witnessed a city being built in only a couple of months. And it’s breathtaking.

I’m referring to the upcoming PGA Championship, only 8 short days away, being held at Aronimink Golf Club, in Newtown Square, PA.

It started (very) slowly. Let’s face it, there was a foot of snow and ice on the ground in this area only 8 weeks ago. And this feat requires deep pilings supporting insanely large hospitality areas, stands, and more. Speaking with our incredibly adept President, Andrew Panzo, he had ducked in with their team and assured me, “if they need to bring blow torches out here to melt the snow down and make things happen, they will.”

I’ve seen that ‘we can do it’ spirit since then. Many, many hundreds of folks, 24/7, all with a singular mission: let’s make this perfect.

Of all the people I’ve met on this massive project, from security to construction to our great staff at AGC, there is a collective singular focus. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to show off this course in a way that’s worthy of the greatest professionals’ games and give something the fans have never experienced.

I reflect on what may seem “improbable” projects, and the “how do we get this done” moments. And these will always be in play. And from now on, I’ll reflect on how many hundreds of folks stuck it out, went shoulder to shoulder, and demanded the best of each other. Nothing less.

From my latest spin through the course (thanks NSQ Capt. John Newell), this mission has been more than accomplished.

Proud to be a part of a seminal moment in golf – and Philadelphia Golf – as Aronimink hosts the first PGA Championship since 1962, won by Gary Player.

We are ready, only because this incredibly dedicated team was ready, on the rainy and snowy days, dawn to dusk, doing the hard work that needed to be done, to lead us to this special place. And from those I met, always a handshake and a smile. The “we’ve got this” swagger. I simply loved the attitude. They were proud of their work and proud of the “place” they were temporarily calling home.

By the way, a place that 250,000+ folks are about to enjoy the hell out of the week of May 11th.

Perhaps, when the winner of this prestigious Major Tournament lifts the Wanamaker Trophy on what will be framed by a gorgeous Sunday sunset, there should be one given to someone who gave all to make the moment possible. The Worker.

But ultimately, there are too many candidates to count. They all count. It took a village, and wow did the village show up.

Let’s go, PGA Championship Week! See you at “The Mink!”