Area golfers at PGA Championship kickoff

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The countdown to Minnesota’s PGA Championship will begin at noon on Wednesday, July 9 with a ceremonial tee off event at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska and helping to kick off the event will be four local high school golfers.

Alexandria graduate Gordy Diekman, who finished as this year’s State Class AAA individual runner-up and helped his team to a fifth place finish, as well as Minnewaska’s Sarah Roering, Allie Ostrander and Emily Roering, members of the Class AA state championship team and the first, second and third place individuals in that division.

They will be part of a simultaneous tee off by celebrated Minnesotans who are part of the state’s golf and sports community, including Tim Brewster, University of Minnesota; Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings; Tim Laudner, Minnesota Twins; Brad Bombardir, Minnesota Wild; Fred Hoiberg, Minnesota Timberwolves; Michael Belot, 2009 PGA Championship tournament director; and Jim Dauwalter, 2009 PGA Championship general chair.

The tee off will be followed by participants taking part in a golf competition for charity.

No tickets are needed for this event.

The event will mark the official launch of the 2009 PGA Championship ticket sales.

Tickets for the PGA Championship will be available for purchase through the 2009 PGA Championship Web site, www.pga2009.com or by phone at (800) PGA-GOLF.

Tags: sports, alexandria, golf, pga, championship