Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/518838
26 | I NSIGH T • J u n e 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m Dynamic drive c o n t i n u e d hospitality sales, including the chalets, ticket sales and merchandize sales. Media rights are not included in the deal. "Honestly, this is not something we do for money," David Kohler says. "is is something we do because it's a great honor to be associated with a major championship, and for very positive recognition for our business, our golf courses and also for the state of Wisconsin." » 1978: Kohler opens a 500-acre wilderness preserve along the Sheboygan River, known as River Wildlife, which allows access to outdoor recreation activities for its private members. » 1979: The Sports Core, a 35,000-square-foot athletic facility, completes one of the most comprehensive indoor sport and fitness centers in the nation. » 1981: Following extensive renovations, The American Club, formerly a dormitory for Kohler factory workers, opens as a resort hotel. Today, it remains the Midwest's only AAA Five-Diamond resort hotel and has earned this distinction every year since 1986. » 1985: The 36,000-square-foot Kohler Design Center in Kohler is dedicated as a showcase for Kohler products featuring design ideas for the kitchen and bath. » 1988: Kohler opens its Blackwolf Run golf course, which was named the year's best new public golf course by Golf Digest magazine. » 1994: The Inn on Woodlake opens in the Village of Kohler. » 1998: Kohler opens the Straits course at Whistling Straits on Lake Michigan, northeast of the village of Kohler. » 1998: Blackwolf Run hosts the U.S. Women's Open Championship. » 2000: The Kohler Waters Spa opens in the Carriage House adjacent to the American Club. » 2001: The Riverbend estate (former home of Walter J. Kohler, originally built in 1923), opens as a private membership club. » 2003: Kohler introduces KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates. » 2004: Kohler hosts the 86th PGA at Whistling Straits. » 2004: Kohler acquires the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa and The Duke's course in St. Andrews, Scotland. » 2006: Kohler opens its second Waters Spa in the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland. » 2007: Whistling Straits hosts the U.S. Senior Open. » 2010: Kohler hosts the 92nd PGA Championships at Whistling Straits. » 2012: The American Club and Kohler Waters Spa earns their first Forbes Five-Star awards. » 2012: Kohler hosts the U.S. Women's Open at Blackwolf Run. » 2015: Whistling Straits hosts the 97th PGA Aug. 10-16. » 2020: Kohler will host the 43rd Ryder Cup Matches at Whistling Straits. Highlights from the Kohler Hospitality timeline: e media attention has helped shine the spotlight on Kohler. In the year 2000 Golf Digest magazine ranked Sheboygan County as No. 7 of the "50 Greatest Golf Destinations in the World," on a list with Monterey, Calif., Ireland and St. Andrews, Scotland. Kohler and the PGA kicked off the promotion of the 2015 PGA two years ago, and have been successful in selling the suites and private chalets, priced between $35,000 for 10 guests in the "Champions Club" to $270,000 for 100 guests in a private chalet (some limited opportunities may still be available in the smaller suites). Individual tickets are still available starting at $30 for practice rounds early in the week; championship rounds the last two days of the event ($90 and $95) are expected to sell out early. Every adult who buys a ticket can bring up to four children ages 17 and under for free. A need for 3,400 volunteers has already been filled. "We were outpacing any PGA in history (for hospitality and sponsorship sales) through the end of March," David Kohler says. "e ticketing side is also going exceptionally well. We are one of the top events in history so far in terms of our overall ticket sales." Kohler is pleased so many business leaders from throughout Wisconsin are supporting the PGA and plan to attend. Ariens plans to be there for at least a few days. Prevea Health CEO Dr. Ashok Rai plans to spend time in Prevea's chalet on the course. Prevea, which does a quarter of its business in Sheboygan County, is the official health care provider for the 2015 PGA. "We definitely recognize the economic impact of not only what happens at Kohler year round but by what they are able to draw during the PGA," says Rai, who as president of the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce has a keen interest in economic development of the region. "From a business perspective, we get an opportunity to show ourselves off — but it wouldn't be possible if the Kohler family and the Kohler Company had not made these investments in our area years and years ago," Rai says. Self-described as "passionate about the sport," Rai had planned to golf in Kohler the day aer he spoke with Insight in early May. "I love the break it gets me away from my hectic life," he says. "It takes me by about the second hole at Whistling Straits to truly appreciate it and remember how lucky we are to live in this part of the country to have a course like this. "And then, you get angry because the course is so tough!" he says with a laugh. "By the second hole I'm thinking how beautiful this is, and by the third hole I'm thinking, 'What am I doing here?' "I don't care how bad of a round you have, you will never have a more beautiful round than at Whistling Straits. With the eyes of the world on us, we have nothing to do but shine."