PGA Championship: Fans fume over “disgusting” price of beer

The 105th PGA Championship gets under way at Oak Hill today but the event has already left a sour taste in the mouths of some spectators.  

According to multiple social media accounts, the price of alcohol at Oak Hill is extremely eye-watering, with fans forced to pay $17 – SEVENTEEN DOLLARS – for a beer. 

The issue came to light when one golf fan shared his story of being hit with an errant ball during Wednesday’s practice round by Joel Dahmen. 

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Caleb Maguire wrote: “Shoutout to @Joel_Dahmen for hitting my calf with a tee shot today on hole #1! He proceeds to ask me how much a beer costs at the tourney and I tell him $17 a pop. He then pulls out a crispy $100 bill and says ‘I got your beers today.’” 

First things first, consider this further evidence that Dahmen – who starred in Netflix series Full Swing – is one of the game’s good guys.  

However, many of the replies to Maguire’s tweet focused on the cost of suds at the second men’s major of the year.  

“PGA of America and their reasonable concession pricing,” said one user. 

Another added: “What a guy. But $17 is scandalous.” 

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“$17 for Coors Lite…worlds gone mad,” said another.  

The debate raged on away from Maguire’s thread. Responding to an unrelated post from the PGA Championship’s own Twitter account, another golf fan weighed in on the matter… 

17 Bucks for a beer, disgusting!

— Scott Lucas (@scottylu67) May 18, 2023

This is by no means a new issue. Last year’s PGA Championship was dogged by a similar debate.  

During last year’s tournament at Southern Hills in Oklahoma, fans were charged $19 for a pint of Stella Artois, with a standard Michelob Ultra going for $18.  

That prompted multiple players to call out the PGA of America, with Justin Thomas tweeting: “Gotta treat the fans better than that!” 

That prompted Kerry Haigh, the Chief Championships Officer, to issue a statement, saying: “We’re comfortable with where we are, and we hope spectators will come out and have a great time and a great experience.”