LOUISVILLE, KY (August 26, 2019) — Persimmon Ridge Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. has been selected as the host for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Open Championships. The 102nd edition of the event will be held on Tuesday-Thursday, July 27^th – 29^th, 2021, with dates for the 2022 and 2023 championships forthcoming.

2021 will mark the fourth time that Persimmon Ridge Golf Club hosts the Kentucky Open, having previously hosted in 1990, 2002 and 2011. Aside from the Kentucky Open, Persimmon Ridge Golf Club has previously hosted many of the state’s top amateur and professional tournaments, including the 1991 Kentucky Amateur, 2003 Kentucky Women’s Open, 2010 Kentucky Mid-Amateur and 2018 Kentucky Senior Amateur. It also hosted the 2012 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship.

“We are thrilled to bring the Kentucky Open Championship back to one of the state’s top courses and are confident it will provide a great test for the competitors,” said Brent Paladino, Executive Director of Golf House Kentucky. “Since its inception, the club has enthusiastically supported amateur, professional and junior golf in Kentucky. 2021 will also mark the 15^th anniversary of Golf House Kentucky, and we look forward to welcoming both amateur and professional golfers to Kentucky’s home for golf.”

Persimmon Ridge Golf Club has a rich history that dates back to 1988, when Elmore Just purchased 774 acres to construct the course and surrounding community. Just is famously known as the co-founder of Louisville Golf, one of the industry’s leaders in persimmon clubs, which at its peak produced over 800 clubs a day.

Before his sudden passing in 2001, Just generously donated two acres of land behind the practice range to the Kentucky Golf Foundation and in 2006, Golf House Kentucky was constructed on that property. Golf House Kentucky is the home to the Kentucky PGA, Kentucky Golf Association and Kentucky Golf Foundation, all of which operate under the same umbrella. The building also includes the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, which includes memorabilia, photographs, a library and trophy display room. Appropriately, Golf House Kentucky resides on Elmore Just Drive.

“Not only will Persimmon Ridge Golf Club present a great challenge to the competitors, but we will also be able to highlight Golf House Kentucky, the home of golf in our great commonwealth,” said Pete Garvey, President of the Kentucky Section PGA. “I can’t think of a better location for our championship, and truly appreciate the ownership and members of Persimmon Ridge for their support and the opportunity.”

The championship layout was designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills and opened for play in 1989. Hills is regarded as one of the top golf course designers in the country, having designed Bay Harbor Golf Club, Half Moon Bay Golf Links, the Links at Lighthouse Sound, TPC Treviso Bay and Champions at Keene Trace, host of the PGA Tour Barbasol Championship. The course measures 7,113 yards from the championship tees and will provide a stern test for the state’s top golfers.

“Persimmon Ridge is excited to partner with the Kentucky PGA and Golf House Kentucky to host the Kentucky Open,” said Steve Shafer, Director of Golf at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club. “Our club has a strong history of supporting both amateur and professional golf and we are proud to carry on that tradition. “Our recent conversion to Zoysia fairways allows us to maintain quality playing conditions year round, and we are committed to providing a high level championship experience and a welcoming atmosphere to the participants, staff and volunteers.”

Shafer is in his first year as Director of Golf at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, having previously worked at Hurstbourne Country Club for the previous 21 seasons. He is a Past President of the Kentucky Section PGA and Golf House Kentucky, and was the recipient of the Kentucky PGA Golf Professional of the Year award in 2007.

The Kentucky Open Championship is contested over 54 holes of stroke play and consists of 156 of the top amateur and professional golfers who either reside or work as Golf Professionals in the state of Kentucky. Players advance to the championship by virtue of a sectional qualifier, with a limited number of players earning exemptions based on prior accomplishments. Beginning in 2021, Persimmon Ridge Golf Club will also become the title sponsor of the Kentucky Open. The total prize purse will be increased to $50,000, with the professional champion receiving $12,500.

The 2020 Kentucky Open will be played July 28-30 at Triple Crown Country Club in Union, Ky. For more information on the Kentucky Open, visit kygolf.org.

About the Kentucky Section PGA of America

The Kentucky PGA (KPGA) is one of the 41 sections that comprise The PGA of America.  Formed in 1925, the Kentucky PGA has a professional membership of more than 325 men and women professionals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, each of whom is dedicated to promoting the game in Kentucky.

The Kentucky PGA is dedicated to the promotion of the game of golf and providing ongoing education and professional development of Kentucky PGA Professionals.  Kentucky PGA Professionals are responsible for conducting a variety of golf-related functions, which include general management, golf instruction, tournament operations, golf shop merchandising, junior golf programs, golf club repair, and much more. The Kentucky PGA is a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization that manages Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.