From course upgrades to hospitality, the Quail Hollow Club team is focused on bringing spectators the ultimate experience.
By Ashley Stroehlein
Quail Hollow Club is set to be at the forefront of the golf world when the PGA Championship, one of golf’s four majors, returns to Charlotte the week of May 12-18. Between 40,000 and 50,000 spectators are expected for each round of competition, Thursday through Sunday.
After first hosting the PGA Championship in 2017, Quail Hollow Club looks to build on that experience to make the second time around even better than the last, says Johnny Harris, Quail Hollow Club president.
“I think it goes back to a club that cares deeply about the game and the fellowship that surrounds the game,” Harris says of the opportunity to host the PGA Championship again. “The love for the game that the professionals show and committing their lives to be a professional golfer, to bring them here and have the best in the world come here to compete on our golf course is really special.”
Jason Soucy, Johnny Harris and Derek Sprague at Quail Hollow Club; the PGA Championship trophy; photos by Ashley Stroehlein
Harris was joined by Jason Soucy, 2025 PGA Championship Director, and PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague during a panel discussion with reporters about what to expect at this year’s Championship.
In the eight years since Quail Hollow Club held its last major, Harris and company have been hard at work making changes that will surpass the success of previous events. The majority of those changes are focused on creating an exceptional spectator experience, with expanded hospitality areas and better viewing opportunities. A new entrance will help spectators easily arrive and depart the venue daily.
Another new aspect to the spectator experience is a PGA ticket initiative called Championship+ — all tickets will be inclusive of food and nonalcoholic beverages. The idea is to cut down on long lines for concessions.
It’s all about making it easier for spectators to watch more of the golf they came to see. “We’ll have five major markets all over the property … as you walk around there’ll be complimentary food and beverage at your disposal within a few holes,” explains Soucy. “Really what we’re trying to do is achieve a premium experience to make sure that if you’re here to watch a major championship at Quail Hollow Club you’re going to see more golf … than you ever have before.”
Quail Hollow Club photo by Ashley Stroehlein
Sprague took a moment to reflect on Quail Hollow’s enduring appeal. “The one thing that hasn’t changed … is just the excitement that not only the club here has for hosting championships and the PGA championship, but the city itself.”
For Harris, it’s another full-circle moment in the club’s storied history. “This club was founded by 25 men who met with Arnold Palmer at my father and mother’s home,” Harris says. “They talked about building a facility where friends could get together and enjoy friendship and fellowship, could enjoy the game that they loved and could bring the best players in the world here.”
One piece of advice from the legendary late Palmer that serves as a great reminder to Harris in times like these: “Greatness is always under construction.”
What to know:
TICKETS
- Every PGA Championship ticket will include all food and nonalcoholic beverages
- Daily tickets for the 4 rounds of competition range from $219-$262, while practice days range from $69-109
- Weekly tickets and Saturday single-day tickets are sold out
ON LOCATION
- To aid with pedestrian traffic, there is a new service road running between the 10th and 18th holes
- New entrance for bus and rideshare traffic
- The patio on the back of the clubhouse will double in size
- More viewing areas throughout the course
- Hospitality decks on holes 17 and 18 will double in size
ON THE COURSE
- Every green has been retouched; bunkers and tees are redone
- Minor changes to a number of holes (adding pin placements, softening some of the areas on the greens)
- New tees on holes 9, 13 and 16
- The putting area is now self-contained and located on the other side of the road from the parking lot in front of the pro shop
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Read more about the legacy of Quail Hollow Club and the Harris family.
Featured image courtesy Quail Hollow Club
