The city has never seen a sporting event like the PGA Championship. Here’s what to expect

Charlotte has been home to the Wells Fargo Championship since 2003, hosting golf greats like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickleson at Quail Hollow Club. But the city’s never seen anything like what’s coming in August.

Charlotte will host its first major golf championship later this year when the 99th PGA Championship comes to Quail Hollow Aug. 7-13.

And this tournament will be a whole lot different than the Wells Fargo Championship that we’re used to. Here’s a look at five of the big changes you’ll notice at Quail Hollow.

(1) The stakes.

There are only four major golf tournaments in the world each year and Charlotte is hosting one of them. That’s a big deal.

Sure, getting a cool $1.3 million for winning a tournament — like James Hahn did at the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship — is nice, but it’s nothing compared to getting your name etched on the prized Wanamaker Trophy. (Oh, and the winner of the 2016 PGA Championship, Jimmy Walker, scored a cool $1.8 million — not too shabby.)

(2) The talent.

With higher stakes comes a loaded field of golfers. The PGA Championship regularly features nearly all of the Top 100-ranked players in its field. The list of previous champions is basically a Who’s Who of the world’s best golfers: McIlroy, Woods, Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson — I could go on.

(3) The crowd.

Tickets for the tournament’s championship rounds sold out months ago and more than 200,000 spectators are expected to be on the grounds throughout the week. You think the Sunday crowds at Quail Hollow were big in the past? Just wait.

To accommodate all those fans, the PGA Championship has a new transportation plan. Your best options: Take the light rail to Sharon Road West then hop on a free shuttle; Take UBER to the pick-up/drop-off lot and hop on a free shuttle; or walk or bike to the championship. Don’t worry, there will be bike racks at the entrance.

(4) The course.

Quail Hollow Club President Johnny Harris knew the golf course would need to close for about 90 days last summer to re-do the greens with Bermuda grass in advance of the PGA Championship, so he figured what the heck — “let’s implement the Master Plan.” With the guidance of golf course architect Tom Fazio, Quail Hollow Club built three new holes and modified two more.

Here’s a rundown:

– Hole No. 1: The original par-4 hole No. 1 was lengthened to 524 yards by combining it with the former par-3 second hole. Former holes 3 and 4 now play as holes 2 and 3.

– Holes 4 and 5: The former par-5 fifth hole was broken into two holes — a 184-yard par-3 built to replace the former hole No. 2 and a 449-yard par-4.

– Hole No. 9: Trees were removed and a new green-side bunker was added.

– Hole No. 11: Was lengthened by 34 yards.

“I thought the new holes were great,” said Walker, who was in town for Monday’s media day. “It has the potential to play completely differently than it used to.”

(5) The attention.

With golfers and media from all over descending on the city for a week in August, Charlotte has a chance to show off to the world. And Harris, for one, thinks the city is ready to welcome guests with open arms.

“When people come and meet us and learn about us they really connect with us, and I think that’s going to be exciting,” Harris said.

Photos: Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer; John D. Simmons/Charlotte Observer; Nell Redmond/Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published June 6, 2017 at 1:01 AM with the headline "The city has never seen a sporting event like the PGA Championship. Here’s what to expect."