Senior PGA Championship Organizers Mindful Of Security In Wake Of Boston

In 2012, an unlikely man from Kenya took the Senior PGA Tour by storm to win the Senior PGA Championship and the Senior US Open in the span of just a few months. Monday, Roger Chapman got a first glimpse at the track he and his competitors will face when the 74th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid tees off Memorial Day weekend at Bellerive Country Club.

Chapman played a round at the course ahead of a media day press conference featuring tour officials and other dignitaries including Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. Chapman compared the course favorably to the Parklands Golf Course in England. Chapman lives in the UK.

Patch asked those at the briefing if the events surrounding the bombing at the Boston Marathon had changed any plans regarding the security posture for the tournament, which is expected to bring thousands of spectators to the area.

PGA Tour of America President Ted Bishop called the Boston Bombing an event which would "alter behavior and how we handle a lot of different things," adding that the the PGA was aware of its responsibilities for patrons and players. Championship Director Jason Mengel said that tournament officials have spoken with area law enforcement agencies since the marathon bombing and would continue to evaluate information, but Mengel did not indicate any changes in security protocols. 

Chapman, aware of not only what happened in Boston but in terror attacks which have struck in London, sounded unbowed by recent events.

"It will not stop players. They won't stop us. We just want to go out there and carry on as normal. I'm sure everybody in the background will do everything that they can security wise," he said. "I wouldn't think it would stop any player coming. They won't beat us."

Patch will have more coverage previewing the 74th Senior PGA Championship Presented by KitchenAid later this week and in the weeks leading up to the event.