Kiawah 'ready' for 2012 PGA Championship

It has been a busy seven years since Kiawah Island learned it would host the 2012 PGA Championship, but the resort president believes the venue will be ready come Monday of tournament week.

The championship director, Brett Sterba, has had a range of logistical difficulties to overcome, and has spent the last three years putting together the physical pieces. Monday marks the culmination of seven years of hard work.

"After all the years of waiting for this, for it to be here next week is exciting," said resort president Roger Warren.

"The major stuff is done. We're just putting the finishing touches on things now. We'll be ready."

Because of the nature and location of Kiawah Island, no more than 30,000 people will be allowed on the site during tournament rounds.

With no public parking within the resort and limited roads leading in, the traffic plan was a matter of priority, which officials believe will ease congestion near the resort.

Another logistical difficulty was creating special viewing areas, as coast and dunes severely affect spectator passage between some of the holes on the course.

"The thing I'm looking forward to is the reaction of people when they arrive at the course and see the scope of the effort that has been put forth," Warren added.

One element that cannot be controlled, however, is the weather, with prevailing winds from the Atlantic often sweeping in and buffeting the course.

"I want to see how the course stands up to the greatest players in the world," Warren said.

"It could be extremely challenging if the wind blows. We hope that will be the case."