Kansas' surprising connections to the PGA Championship

The best golfers in the world are currently playing in the PGA Championship in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

The winner of the year’s second major championship will receive the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, May 17.

The Wanamaker Trophy is named after Rodman Wanamaker, the son of John Wanamaker. In 1916, Rodman hosted a luncheon, which resulted in the birth of the Professional Golfers Association of America.

The PGA Tournament Championship Wanamaker Trophy, left, is named after the son of John Wanamaker which is the namesake of Wanamaker Elementary School, right, and Wanamaker Road in Topeka.

Later that year, the first-ever PGA Championship was held in New York. Jim Barnes won the inaugural tournament and Rodman honored him with the Wanamaker Trophy; the tradition has stood ever since.

Wanamaker Elementary in Topeka, Kansas, is named after Rodman’s father, John. He is best-known for being the first Postmaster General in United States history. Topeka’s Wanamaker Road is also named after John.

The connections with Topeka continue to this day with Shawnee Heights’ Gary Woodland playing in this year’s major championship.

Earlier this year, the 41-year old won the Texas Children’s Houston Open for his first PGA Tour victory in seven years.