Serving Two Masters - Barry Deach

Barry Deach started building his resume' at age six when he began playing golf in his home town of Rochester, Minnesota. His next career move occurred at age ten when he started caddying at courses in the area; one public and one private.

Deach is an Evans Scholar, a scholarship program which was started by golf great Charles "Chick" Evans Jr. (1890-1979) The Evans Scholars Foundation administers the largest privately funded scholarship program in the country and since 1930, over 8,900 caddies have earned their college degrees through Evans scholarships. The Western Golf Association sponsors the program and today 865 caddies are attending college as Evans Scholars. There are chapters at many colleges and universities, including UW-Madison, Marquette University and at the University of Minnesota which is where Deach received his BA degree in Communication Studies.

His work at Minnesota began with an internship with the Minnesota Golf Association and he quickly clambered up the tournament ladder, becoming the Associate Tournament Director of the Western Golf Association in 1993. His responsibilities there included working on the Western Open which was once considered a major championship and the Western Amateur and Western Junior Championship. His work there led to the position of tournament director of the PGA Championships at Medinah CC in 1999, Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2002, the 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, and back in Medinah CC for the start of the 2006 event.

In 2005, he officially joined the Kohler Co. and directed the 2005 Palmer Cup Matches (a collegiate U.S. vs. Europe style Ryder Cup event), and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open. That's 15 years of tournament golf to prepare Barry Deach for his present position; Tournament Director-Golf Kohler Company/Tournament Director PGA of America.

"Working for two large organizations presents its challenges", said Deach and he by no means sees himself as a tournament "czar". "The job requires a lot of consensus-building. At any one time the staff may number 30+ not to mention the logistical work with the State Patrol, the Sheboygan Cty. Sheriff's Dept., the DOT, the Governor's office and the United States Coast Guard, to name a few."

Add 3,200 volunteers from 42 states and 6 foreign countries and pretty soon you're faced with a major organizational undertaking.

Media coverage totals 29 hours which is broadcast to 180 countries and territories around the world.
For those of us who travel to Haven by traditional means, it is remarkable how smoothly the ingress and egress is handled. New ramps will enable travelers to make efficient moves onto the expressway when leaving the Championship this year.

In the past, Sheboygan Regional Airport was unable to accommodate international flights but improvements and an enlarged infrastructure now allows the big planes to land from out of the country.

The shuttle bus system from the outlying parking areas alone has evolved into a smooth process which is courteous and fan-friendly and local farmers and businesses will prosper because of the infusion of dollars into a challenged economy. Deach says that it's difficult to project an exact figure but the 2004 figure was measured at $75m.

Take into consideration that Wisconsin golf fans may be the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the country and you have a recipe for success which offers an entertainment opportunity which is only a preview of what is coming to Wisconsin between now and 2020 when the Ryder Cup comes to Kohler :not to mention the 2017 United States Open Championship at Erin Hills. Major tournament golf at its best.

For additional information about the 2010 PGA Championship and how to obtain tickets go to PGA.com.