CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Quail Hollow Club president Johnny Harris said reports Friday that the golf club was preparing to announce it will host the 2017 PGA Championship and possibly the Ryder Cup are "absolutely untrue."
Harris added that while the club continues to have discussions with multiple golf organizations about the future of professional golf at Quail Hollow, it has no agreements other than those with the PGA Tour event it currently hosts.
"There are no agreements. There is nothing signed. There is no announcement coming," Harris said. "The rumors are untrue."
Harris has made no secret of the club's interest in possibly hosting a major championship, and the PGA Championship is the most likely possibility. Kerry Haigh, managing director for championships and business development for the PGA of America, was at Quail Hollow last week looking at the course and the facility.
Quail Hollow is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week and Joe Steranka, chief executive officer of the PGA of America, was among the guests attending a club dinner Thursday night. Also on hand were USGA president Joe Hyler, Arnold Palmer, course designer Tom Fazio and others.
The club has a contract with the PGA Tour and Wells Fargo to host the Quail Hollow Championship through 2014. No decision has been made about the event beyond 2014. Most PGA Tour events have contracts that end in 2014 or before.
It's likely the tournament will get a new name in the coming weeks. Wells Fargo is expected to put its name on the event, according to sources close to the tournament.
During the Quail Hollow Championship last week, several players endorsed the course as worthy of hosting a major championship. However, some players privately spoke to tournament officials to support the idea of keeping the May date on the PGA Tour rather surrender it for perhaps a PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup. The first available Ryder Cup is in 2024.
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