Laurel Valley Gearing Up For Pennsylvania Classic
Palmer Helping Bring PGA Tour Event To Ligonier In September
By Jerry DiPaola

There have been World Series. AFC Championhip games. U.S. Opens. NCAA Tournament regionals. Stanley Cup Final matchups.

The best and most compelling sporting events in the world have been contested within the borders of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but there wasn't a PGA Tour event for 20 years until last year when the Pennsylvania Classic came to Waynesborough Country Club in Royersford, 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Now, it's an annual event and it moves west across the state this year when the classic will be played at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier Sept. 17-23. It will be the first PGA Tour event ever in western Pennsylvania, although there have been U.S. Opens and Senior, LPGA and other tournaments in the area.

"It's going to bring not just local attention," said tournament director Joe Rotellini, an employee of the PGA, "but world-wide attention.

"I have to believe this area is starving for a PGA event. I'm hoping it is."

The tournament will be telecast by ESPN to most of the nation and about 140 countries.

Rotellini said western Pennsylvania is among the most logical spots in the United States for a PGA Tour event. Maybe the most logical.

Bringing the tournament to Pennsylvania -- the plan is to alternate between Waynesborough and Laurel Valley through 2003 -- was an idea launched, nurtured and seen to fruition by Gov. Tom Ridge and golfing legend Arnold Palmer of Latrobe.

"It's a great golfing area," said Rotellini, who grew up in McDonald. "Per capita, it has more golf courses in the area, compared to any place in the U.S. That tells me there are a lot of golfers in western Pennsylvania. I think it's a great fit. I see a lot of people taking a lot of pride in the event who want to support the event and help any way they can."

Rotellini said "there are events in (U.S.) cities where they really don't want them. You want to be wanted and I really get the feeling that we are wanted."

Having it in Palmer's backyard makes it even more attractive.

"He's the king; he's the man," Rotellini said.

Laurel Valley hasn't been host to such a big golf event since the 1989 U.S. Senior Open, but Palmer has played a key role in assuring that the course will provide excitement for fans and a challenge for golfers.

The No. 18 finishing hole is now a par-5 of about 540 yards after playing as a 460-yard, par-4 last year. The change involved turning No. 17 into a new hole. Workmen moved locations of the tees, green and bunkers and added undulations on the 220-yard par-3.

If no golfer is dominating the field, the longer distance on 18, combined with a water hazard, is sure to provide drama on the final day of the tournament.

"If they miss the green short, it's in the water," Laurel Valley pro Chris McKnight said.

McKnight said the course, with all of its Palmer-recommended changes, will be available for the club's general membership all spring and summer in advance of the Pennsylvania Classic.

Rotellini, who attended Canevin High School with Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements and later was head football coach at Salisbury (Md.) State and an assistant at Shippensburg, is unsure of the eventual makeup of the field. He is hoping Palmer plays, and he expects Greensburg's Rocco Mediate to enter.

Rotellini and his staff are hoping that the Pennsylvania Classic's spot on the calender after the World Golf Championships in St. Louis and before the Ryder Cup in Great Britain won't affect the field.

What the event is sure to attract are golf fans. There were about 100,000 in attendance at Waynesborough last year, and the same number is expected here. It won't be long before most of the major hotels in Westmoreland County will be sold out for that week. Rotellini already has requested US Airways bring bigger airplanes and additional flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe.

He also has put out a call for volunteers. As many as 1,500 are needed. For a fee, volunteers get a parking pass, logo shirt, windshirt and hat and a badge to watch the event when they're off duty.

And it's not just a good a time. The Pennsylvania Classic benefits the area in another significant way.

"We generate the revenue, pay the bills and give the rest to charity," said Rotellini, pointing out that Latrobe Area Hospital is the designated benefactor.

Various ticket packages are available, including access to the pro-ams and practice rounds that begin on Monday. Competition runs from Thursday through Sunday.

For more information, telephone 1-888-747-7576.

Jerry DiPaola is a sports writer with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.