PGA's the final major but it was my first in 2006

Guest Contributor Chris Saksa is a young business professional in the Chicago area employed as a Field Recruiting Coordinator for CNO Financial Group in their Bankers Life division. A 2016 graduate of Illinois State University, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Communication Studies: Organizational and Leadership Communication, this is his fourth blog for CliffSchrock.com:

The PGA of America retired its famous “glory’s last shot” marketing line a few years ago for the PGA Championship, but “the season’s final major” remains.

When I think of the PGA, my mind goes back to when I went to my first-ever golf tournament. It was the first round of the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club, in the Chicago area where I have lived for many years. I remember thinking to myself as my eyes gazed out on that first fairway: I had never seen grass that green. It’s a comment I know people say after they’ve seen Augusta National for the first time.

As my Dad and my two uncles traveled to Medinah’s 12th hole to wait for Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who were paired together, I tried my best to soak it all in—the smells, sounds and all the colors.

Much like any kid at their first PGA Championship, I was star-struck the entire time! I mean, I was within high-five distance of the players I had been watching on TV and who I was pretending to be in my make-believe backyard games.

Now another Round 1 of the PGA has begun and it’s been 11 years since that weekend when Tiger won a second PGA at Medinah to go with his 1999 victory. But I still think of it from time to time, especially when I look at the 18th-hole flag I have in my apartment, it's a special reminder of that great Thursday.

The PGA Championship may be the season’s final major, but the PGA will always be my first tournament—and major. Enjoy the golf everyone!