Sahalee pro reflects on what might have been

HAVEN, Wis. -- Jim Pike, the head professional at Sahalee CC in Seattle, was among the PGA professionals who visited Whistling Straits during the 2004 PGA Championship, but this week you can find him back in the pro shop at Sahalee tending to his regular duties.

"This week is a little bit bittersweet; this was supposed to be our year," he said by phone Friday morning.

Pike is referring to a scheduling change in which the PGA was originally slated to return to Sahalee this year after hosting the 1998 PGA Championship, won by Vijay Singh. Instead, Whistling Straits was inserted into the calendar, and the Pete Dye-designed layout also is on tap for the 2015 PGA and the 2020 Ryder Cup.

Sahalee, meanwhile, just completed hosting the U.S. Senior Open two weeks ago in which Bernhard Langer held off Seattle native Fred Couples.

"We just came off a great championship, so we're very happy," Pike said. "I've been to Whistling Straits, and it's a great place. They'll have a great PGA Championship again I'm sure. For us, we've moved on, and we enjoyed a very successful U.S. Senior Open. I guess it all worked out."

-- Dave Shedloski