On a chilly but sunny bye week Sunday afternoon, Vince Vitrano, Ryan Nolan of the PGA, and yours truly got to try and tame the course that will host the 2010 PGA Championship.  Needless to say, my 55 on the front...and 55 on the back, didn't mean I was conscious of the speed limit.  I think it's safe to say Tiger Woods...or the last Straits winner, 2004 PGA Champ Vijay Singh aren't exactly shaking in their golf cleats.

Yes, it's Pete Dye and Herb Kohler's beast...but as my man Vinny says, Whistling Straits is truly a religious experience.  I just hope that doesn't mean all the times the good Lord's name was used in vain.

In a week when we find out that the former U.S. Bank Championship/GMO/PGA tour stop in Milwaukee is done, you can experience a major.  And you need to at least brag to your buddies that you tried the course that Tiger, Phil, and about 99 of the top 100 golfers in the world will tackle next August.  And hey, where else can you see a sheep scratch his back on a fence post on the 12th tee?

The views by the lake?  Awesome.  The newly created coffin bunker on 6, as I like to call it?  Something that I avoided....and thank goodness it's roped off and out of bounds anyway.

The 18th hole now has two options.  The same "lay up" fairway.  And on the left side, the "go for it" option.  I went for it...and ended up in something that looked like the lunar landscape. 

So before it's too late, check out the tournament's official website at: http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2010/index.cfm

And if you're going to play, check your pride at the door...and go have some fun.  After all, I watched John Daly blow up on 18 and hit it in the long lettuce at the 2004 PGA Championship.  You can't do any worse!

Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com