In two-and-a-half weeks, the golf world will turn its eyes to Rochester, which is hosting the 2023 PGA Championship. Tens of thousands of fans will travel to Oak Hill Country Club for a week of top-tier golf. Local law enforcement held a news conference Friday to ensure people there’s a top-tier plan in place — to keep everyone safe.

Hosting 225,000 people at Oak Hill Country Club over a week’s time takes a lot of work. From a law enforcement standpoint, planning for the worst — everything from a missing child to an active shooter threat — means being ready for anything, so golf fans at the PGA Championship have the best experience.

“We're excited,” said Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter. “We're very excited to have Oak Hill host this prestigious event. We’re very excited about the PGA looking at Monroe County again as a place to run these events, and from a law enforcement standpoint, we're excited to be part of it.”

Protecting the tournament is a big undertaking. Each day, crowds will number between 25,000 and 40,000. Oak Hill is a large property, so security is essential. During the PGA, deputies will work 12-hour shifts — working not only at Oak Hill, but providing ample coverage for the rest of Monroe County. New York State Police and local departments will also work the event. Fans will be subject to screening before they’re allowed to enter.

“We're ready for anything,” said Lt. Andrew Soike, the law enforcement point person overseeing the massive planning leading up to the tournament. “We have put a lot of time and preparation getting ready for this.”

Planning for security and safety for the PGA Championship began over a year ago. During the course of the tournament, fans will see about 100 officers in uniform on the course, and even more than that, which they won’t notice.

“People want to be comfortable when they come to a large event like this,” said Paul Delella, Assistant Commission with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “People will be coming from all over the world, so when they see the people that are involved and they feel comfortable and that the perception is that everybody knows what they're doing and how to handle situations, I think that'll make people feel comfortable to come here.”

The PGA Championship puts Rochester on an international stage. Authorities say they have the plan to make sure everyone enjoys the golf, and the experience. It’s a plan they hope they never have to use, but it’s there — just in case.

“It’s very important,” said Soike. “That's the message we want to convey is, we have taken the time to make sure that we have the latest tactics, the latest policies, the latest response protocols to respond to any event. And I can assure you that we do.”