GCSAA Certified Golf Course Superintendent Mark Wilson has spent the last 18 months working with U.S. Team Captain Paul Azinger on a course setup for the 37th Ryder Cup matches, which will take place from September 19-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

Valhalla’s fairway landing areas have been widened around 300 yards down range, mostly by extending the first cut of rough a minimum of 12 feet and by as much as 50 feet. But the rough around the greens is long and thick. And Valhalla’s new putting surfaces will be faster than the greens at the K Club two years ago, measuring 12 feet on the stimpmeter.

Following the 2004 Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla, Jack Nicklaus began an extensive renovation that was completed in 2006. Some contouring was modified on the greens, four of which were rebuilt entirely (holes No. 6, 8, 11 and 16) and all were regrassed from Penncross to a Penn A-1/A-4 creeping bentgrass blend. Nine new tees were added to holes No. 4, 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17, stretching the length of the course to almost 7,500 yards. The bunkers were renovated and two dozen new bunkers were added on holes No. 1, 5, 7, 15, 16 and 17. Thousands of scrubs, underbrush and trees were removed to improve spectator viewing and movement. Additionally, course aesthetics were improved with water features and landscaping.