As Louisville welcomes thousands of people into town for the PGA Championship, the Muhammad Ali International Airport is giving golf fans a chance to putt like the pros.The airport has set up a putting green between the A and B Concourses, allowing passengers to take shots at a hole-in-one and win prizes after going through security."This is very interesting. The first time I've seen it," traveler Walter Pippert said about the fun and unusual attraction in the middle of the airport. "It's really fun to be included in it and to take part."Creating a welcoming environment for passengers is the goal, according to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority's Anthony Gilmer."People love when they land somewhere and there's a sense of place," Gilmer told WLKY. "The event kind of starts in the airport."WLKY also caught up with traveler John McCafferty, who flew in from the Washington, D.C., area on Thursday and was gearing up to head out to Valhalla Golf Club for the championship."A good opportunity to kind of switch it up, get out of town for a little bit for a really good event, come to a great city like Louisville," McCafferty said.And he isn't the only one looking forward to watching his favorite golfers play on the course.According to Gilmer, between 9,000 and 10,000 people will land in Louisville each day of the PGA Championship. To help them get here, he said American Airlines added two specialty flights from Los Angeles and Phoenix."We have more people flying in than have ever flown in for these things," Gilmer said.When fans are not out at Valhalla, many will be out and about exploring the city. In NuLu, local restaurants like Biscuit Belly are preparing for an influx of customers."Getting to host a really cool PGA Championship is an awesome opportunity, but it is a really awesome opportunity for us. Just having new people visiting the city," said Hannah Carrier.They're serving up a warm welcome for golf fans through the weekend. And when it's time to leave, the airport will keep the golf theme going.Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport said Monday is expected to be the busiest day for departures as thousands of PGA fans head home from the championship.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
As Louisville welcomes thousands of people into town for the PGA Championship, the Muhammad Ali International Airport is giving golf fans a chance to putt like the pros.
The airport has set up a putting green between the A and B Concourses, allowing passengers to take shots at a hole-in-one and win prizes after going through security.
"This is very interesting. The first time I've seen it," traveler Walter Pippert said about the fun and unusual attraction in the middle of the airport. "It's really fun to be included in it and to take part."
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Creating a welcoming environment for passengers is the goal, according to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority's Anthony Gilmer.
"People love when they land somewhere and there's a sense of place," Gilmer told WLKY. "The event kind of starts in the airport."
WLKY also caught up with traveler John McCafferty, who flew in from the Washington, D.C., area on Thursday and was gearing up to head out to Valhalla Golf Club for the championship.
"A good opportunity to kind of switch it up, get out of town for a little bit for a really good event, come to a great city like Louisville," McCafferty said.
And he isn't the only one looking forward to watching his favorite golfers play on the course.
According to Gilmer, between 9,000 and 10,000 people will land in Louisville each day of the PGA Championship. To help them get here, he said American Airlines added two specialty flights from Los Angeles and Phoenix.
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"We have more people flying in than have ever flown in for these things," Gilmer said.
When fans are not out at Valhalla, many will be out and about exploring the city. In NuLu, local restaurants like Biscuit Belly are preparing for an influx of customers.
"Getting to host a really cool PGA Championship is an awesome opportunity, but it is a really awesome opportunity for us. Just having new people visiting the city," said Hannah Carrier.
They're serving up a warm welcome for golf fans through the weekend. And when it's time to leave, the airport will keep the golf theme going.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport said Monday is expected to be the busiest day for departures as thousands of PGA fans head home from the championship.
