PGA Championship 2018: Officials warn fans, residents to prepare for road closures near Bellerive

Whether you're one of the greatest golfers in the world or a casual fan, the only driving allowed around Bellerive Country Club during the 100th PGA Championship next month will be with a golf club on the course.

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St. Louis County, state, local and PGA Championship officials urged golf fans and Town and Country residents to prepare for road closures Aug. 6-12 that will affect two major streets near Bellerive Country Club, 12925 Ladue Road.

Mason Road between West Walling Drive and Conway Road will be closed primarily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Aug. 6 through Aug. 12. Ladue Road will also be closed during those dates and times between Route 141 and Interstate 270.

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"We keep residents, fans, players and the volunteers' safety in mind," Capt. Bryan Ludwig of the St. Louis County Police Department said in a briefing Wednesday. "With that we developed what we feel is a transportation and parking plan that works for this event."

There will be no public parking or drop-off at Bellerive Country Club, officials stressed. "That goes for players, caddies, volunteers, everyone," Ludwig said. "I think it's important that the public understands that."

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After consulting with 24 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, tournament and local officials decided that shuttles were the safest way to get fans through the narrow streets near the country club.

There also won't be any pedestrian or bicycle access to the tournament, in part because many of the streets around the course have no sidewalks.

"Again, the reason that we do that is to keep the general public safe," Ludwig said. "If you're a member that typically travels through that area -- a member of the public -- it's important that you plan now for an alternate route because those roads will be closed."

"You won't have access," he continued. "Even if you're not coming to the tournament, you want to make alternate plans now to avoid that area if possible."

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Ludwig and Barry Deach, the 100th PGA Championship director, encouraged fans to read the spectator guide that has been sent to people who purchased tickets. The guide is available online at: https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/2018-pga-championship-what-know-you-go

Fans can catch a shuttle at the rideshare drop-off location at Westminster Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Center Drive in Chesterfield. The tournament will also offer complimentary general public parking at Fenton Logistics Park, 1050 Dobbs Drive.

"I'd say we have two great (options)," Deach said, "ride-share and Fenton Logistics Park."

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This article is written by Jose de Jesus Ortiz from St. Louis Post-Dispatch and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.