"[6] The 27-hole course is located on a heavily forested plateau immediately east of Lake Sammamish.

Sahalee is best known as the site of the PGA Championship in 1998, the first of Vijay Singh's three major titles.

It also was the site of the inaugural GTE Northwest Classic in 1986, a former senior tour event.

That decision was reversed by the PGA of America in January 2005, when the 2010 event was abruptly moved to Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which had recently hosted the very profitable 2004 edition and set new attendance records.

The PGA of America stated that it was concerned about the possibility of reduced financial support in the Pacific Northwest; it was scheduled to be held less than six months after the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC.

[8][9] In February 2007, the USGA selected Sahalee to host the U.S. Senior Open in 2010, held from July 29 to August 1.

He played for the U.S. on four Ryder Cup teams, and won the Senior PGA Championship in 1961 and 1962.

In preparation for the 1998 PGA Championship, Rees Jones was brought in to renovate the courses.

The course is like many in the Pacific Northwest, with tall evergreen trees, primarily Douglas fir and red cedar, lining the narrow fairways.

From the black (back) tees, the course measures 7,003 yards (6,404 m) with a slope rating of 74.2/139.

Lee Janzen, 1993 and 1998 U.S. Open champion, said of Sahalee: "I think the best way to prepare for this course would have been to go to a big city, like New York, and maybe play down Fifth Avenue ... With the trees being so large, and so close to the fairway, you immediately see the only shot you can possibly hit.

"[14] Justin Leonard, 1997 British Open champion, said: "Everybody heard there were a lot of trees ...

"[14] Davis Love III, defending champion: "You have to hit two very good iron shots in a row to get on the green ... For me, it's probably one or two drivers the whole golf course.