Aug 9, 2017 - Things to Do

How to drink, eat, shop, watch golf and watch Bieber at the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow

Ted Williams

Tickets are sold out, but you probably have a buddy who’s got extras to the 99th PGA Championship that kicks off at Quail Hollow Club on Thursday.

Go for the golf, stay for the Bieber watching.

Yes, Justin Bieber was at Quail yesterday with his buddy Bubba Watson. The Charlotte internet melted in excitement. As did I.

I’m sure Erica wasn’t alone with her tweet yesterday, “Justin Bieber is at the PGA Championship in Charlotte. I had tickets to go today and didn’t bc of the rain… I hate myself.”

Charlotte is on Bieber Watch at the PGA Championship. 📷: @ronniegarcia24

A post shared by Axios Charlotte (@charlotteagenda) on

If you don’t know a guy or your company’s management team was too cheap to buy a chalet, tickets on Stubhub range from $75 to $120 depending on the day you choose to go (face value is $95).

trophy-at-quail-hollow — You’ll know if your basic friend attended, because they’ll be the person who takes a Snap/Instagram in front of this oversized Wanamaker Trophy upon entry into Quail Hollow.

Go to the driving range first. Watching players warm up will make you realize how much you suck at golf compared to these guys.

driving-range-quail-hollow — If you’re like me and hate dealing with parking, Uber there. You’ll need to type in 8801 Park Road, Charlotte, NC as your destination in the Uber app and your driver will take you to the designated Uber PUDO (pick-up/drop-off) lot. From there, you take a 5-minute shuttle from this spot to the course. Here’s the full PGA Tour Spectator Guide.

No, you can’t get in the Quail Hollow Club pool.

quail-hollow-pool-charlotte — Honestly, I rank the Quail Hollow Club pool last out of the “Big 4” club pools: Carmel, Charlotte and Myers Park. For more analysis, Top 10 country clubs in Charlotte, ranked (including pricing data).

Since you’re probably a golf nerd who’s previously attended the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail, check out the three new holes that were built last summer – #1 Par 4 (524 yards), #4 Par 3 (184 yards), #5 Par 4 (449 yards).

first-hole-at-quail-hollow — It looks like it’s about 200 yards just to make it to where the fairway starts. A 524-yard Par 4 is a legit opening hole. Fun fact (that I’m sure Quail members didn’t like: The course was closed for 89 days during construction).

OK, now that you’ve seen a few holes and walked around unsuccessfully looking for Jordan Spieth, Justin Bieber and Rickie Fowler, it’s time for a beer.

food-at-pga-championship-in-charlotte — Liquor drinks will run you about $14. Agenda recommends a Bloody Mary to get things started.

Most beverage stations, which some overly zealous marketing manager titled “Beverage Oasis,” have the following lineup:

$11 Large Bud Light, Budweiser, Goose Island, Stella Artois, Shocktop
$10 Wine, Chardonnay or Cab.
$9 Regular Sized Bud Light, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra.
$9 Spiked Seltzer (who orders this?)

bud-light-at-quail-hollow — Craft beer lovers can find Sugar Creek Brewery, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Catawba Brewery and Southern Tier Brewing on the course. Also, keep an eye out for the draft and craft beer self-serve “Tilt Your Own Tap” locations throughout the course.

Now go walk the back nine and make sure to check out the Par 3 17th. You’ll secretly be rooting for a water ball.

quail-hollow-charlotte-pga — via Kellner/PGA of America

You’ve worked up an appetite. Hit up Queen City Q for some beef brisket, pulled pork BBQ or their barbecue nachos. They’ve got two locations on the course and each of these items will run you about $10.

Or, try one of these fancier options:

$9 Italian Sausage
$11 Chopped Chicken Salad – rotisserie chicken, smoked bacon, tomatoes, green onions, garden basil, lemon and bibb lettuce
$10 Roasted Turkey BLT
$12 Thai Noodle Shrimp Salad – shrimp, egg noodles, pea pods, carrots, red peppers, basil, asian vinaigrette
$9 Watermelon Salad – red and yellow watermelon, feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, basil, mint

shrimp-quail-hollow-charlotte — Thai Noodle Shrimp Salad… Interesting. Courtesy of amateur Bieber photographer Garret Tichy

OK, that’s enough golf. It’s time for some merch.

merchandise-center-pga-championship — The Merchandise Tent is massive.

You’re probably going to buy an $85 branded Polo, but if you’re looking for a classy gift, let me offer up this $28 poster.

pga-championship-poster-charlotte — Classy, right? Here’s the Polo I also grabbed if you like looking at Polos.

Now it’s time to go home. But wait, you may need to search for Bieber just one more time…

justin-bieber-charlotte-quail-hollow — Bieber Watch 2k17 photo via Garrett Tichy

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