Senior PGA Championship tees off

Senior PGA Championship tees off

Japanese golfer Kohki Idoki tees off from the roof at The Inn at Harbor Shores to kick off the 2014 Senior PGA Championship. Courtesy PGA of America

Tom Watson and Fred Couples are just a couple of the big names coming to the region this week.

The 2014 Senior PGA Championship tees off on Thursday at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, with 156 golfers competing. The tournament is sponsored by KitchenAid, a brand by Whirpool in Benton Harbor.

This is the second time in three years Harbor Shores has hosted the event, and it will host it twice more in 2016 and 2018.

Kohki Iodki will look to defend his 2013 Senior PGA Championship title against a field that includes Mark O’Meara, Tom Lehman and Colin Montgomerie.

Food and music

The week will also feature several on-site experiences, including celebrity chef showcases with Gail Simmons, Cat Cora and Robb Hammond.

There’s also a Community Concert Series, including headliners P Funk/Parliament Funkadelic, Dirty Dozen Brass Brand and Will Downing.

Tickets

Grounds tickets can be purchased for tournament rounds at $30 a day, and tickets for practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday are $15 a day. A weekly grounds ticket package is available for $100.

The tournament is also selling 19th-hole tickets for $225 for the week or $60 per tournament day. The ticket includes access to the grounds and a lounge near the 16th and 17th holes, which includes a patio and food and beverage options.