PGA Championship at Valhalla serves up Kentucky classics: Benedictine, burgoo and beer cheese

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- PGA Championship week kicks off May 13 at Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, and as the pros gear up to take on the golf course, 200 chefs are perfecting their main course.

The Patina Restaurant Group has taken over all food and drink operations at the course and is focused on making this year's PGA Championship better than ever.

"We're doing the largest PGA championship in the event's history," Eric Babcook, general manager for the PGA of America Patina Restaurant Group, said Friday. "We'll do stadium volumes. What those stadiums do in an entire year we'll do in seven days."

There are 45 executive chefs, and preparation for the tournament's menu began more than a year ago.

"We're doing a Kentucky beer cheese, a Kentucky burgoo, classic Benedictine sandwiches (and) pimento cheese sandwiches," Executive Chef Edward Milan said.

There will also be classic sporting event foods such as hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers.

They're feeding everyone, including the spectators, caddies and players hoping to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy. In total, its more than 200,000 people.

"It'll be rewarding to know you were a part of it," Milan said. "Even in a small way."

Many fans attending the tournament have Championship+ Tickets, which come with an all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverage package. All fans with a Championship+ Ticket will receive a wristband upon entry to Valhalla that will be used to redeem entrees, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Once the wristbands are tightened, they can't be loosened so as to discourage fans from transferring access to someone else.

Separate wristbands will be given to fans with tickets in the Valhalla Member Club, Club PGA and PGA Premier Hospitality levels.

For fans without Championship+ Tickets, food and beverage items will be available to purchase at all concession markets.

Below is a list of some of the food and drinks available during tournament week at Valhalla:

Entree Items
- Breakfast
  - Breakfast Biscuit
  - Sausage, egg, and cheese on a toasted biscuit
  - Chicken Biscuit
  - Fried Chicken Breast on a Biscuit
  - Donuts
  - Classic glazed donuts
  - Hand Fruit
  - Apples and Bananas
- Lunch
  - Hot Dog
  - All-beef hot dog on a split-top bun
  - Chicken Sandwich
  - Grilled Chicken Breast, pickle slaw, chipotle ranch and served on a potato roll
  - Butcher's Grind Cheeseburger
  - Beef patty topped on a potato roll with cheddar cheese and pickles
  - Bratwurst with Caramelized onions
  - Bratwurst with Caramelized onions on a hoagie roll
  - Beyond Burger
  - Plant-based burger
  - Ham on Ciabatta
  - Ham, gruyere, arugula, and honey-mustard served on a ciabatta bun
  - Vegan Asian inspired salad
  - Tempeh, shredded cabbage, romaine, carrot, edamame, scallion, mandarin orange, sesame dressing
- Snack Items
  - Chips
  - Pretzels
  - Doritos
  - Cookies
  - Rice Krispy Treats
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  - Aquafina, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Starry, Mountain Dew, Brisk Lemonade, Brisk Iced Tea, Gatorade, Bubly and Coffee
- Alcoholic Beverages
  - Michelob ULTRA, Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer, Goose Island IPA, Kona Big Wave, Stella Artois, Resurgence Pin Seeker Pale Ale, Budweiser Zero, High Noon - Vodka and Tequila, Sugarlands Shine PGA Championship Lemonade, William Hill Chardonnay, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Rye, Tequila, Rum, Vodka

All transactions at Valhalla will be cashless. No cash or checks will be accepted during tournament week. The PGA Shops accepts American Express, MasterCard, VISA and Discover Card. The concession and bar areas accept American Express, MasterCard, VISA, Discover Card, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Tickets for Thursday-Sunday are sold out, but there are tickets still available for Monday-Wednesday. Prices range from $59-$99, plus tax and fees. To get your tickets, click here.

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