OAK BROOK, Ill. – Golf aficionados and shoppers alike are in for a special treat with the limited-run "The Ryder Cup Exhibit…Where Legends are Forged and Legacies are Made," at Oakbrook Center near Chicago. The 4,000-square foot exhibit is presented by The PGA of America and Oakbrook Center for the first time ever, and showcases the storied history of the Ryder Cup in an exclusive run from Aug. 24-Sept. 30.

The grand opening ribbon cutting on Aug. 24 included some special guests such as Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen (who is featured prominently in a large exhibit image presenting a Bulls jersey to United States Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III); Chicago Blackhawks Hall of Famer Stan Mikita, Ryder Cup Tournament Director Michael Belot; Illinois PGA Section Executive Director Michael Miller; and several local dignitaries.

The exhibit is open to the public through Sept. 30. (Photo: Nick Novelli, Medinah Country Club)

The final day of the exhibit coincides with the concluding day of the 39th Ryder Cup between the United States and Europe at nearby Medinah Country Club, Sept. 25-30.

The Ryder Cup Exhibit at Oakbrook Center, located across from Macy's, is open to the public with complimentary admission. It will feature more than 60 extremely rare items dating back to 1927 that celebrate the unbridled glory and excitement of the Ryder Cup—which will be held in the Chicagoland area for the first time ever. Among the artifacts featured are:

• Personal Ryder Cup-related items of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Dow Finsterwald and 2012 Captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal, highlighted by the golf bag used by Nicklaus during his famous "Concession" match in the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale G.C. in England
• A lunch menu from 1929, signed by Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen, as well as Samuel Ryder, the British seed merchant for whom the Ryder Cup is named
• A driver used by six-time U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Hagen during the 1920s
• A replica Ryder Cup trophy given to Finsterwald as Captain of the 1977 U.S. Team
• Official Ryder Cup Programs, including one from the 1933 Ryder Cup
• Team golf bags from down through the years representing both the U.S. and European Teams
• Clothing, headwear and money clips from past Ryder Cup Teams
• Historical photos and memorabilia from 1927 to 2012, which capture the fervor of the Ryder Cup, as well as videos that pulsate with the drama and theater that is golf's greatest spectacle.

"The PGA of America is delighted to partner with Oakbrook Center as we present this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit to the wonderful people of Chicago and its many visitors to enjoy and marvel," said PGA President Allen Wronowski. "The items on display trace 85 years of Ryder Cup passion, pride and history."

The Ryder Cup is one of the pre-eminent events in all of sports. A passion play for pride and country, the 39th Ryder Cup features Teams of 12 professionals from both the United States and Europe.

Currently, Europe has possession of the beautiful Ryder Cup Trophy, thanks to a pulsating, one-point victory in Wales in 2010.

Ryder Cup Exhibit hours at Oakbrook Center are noon.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, from August 24-September 30. The Exhibit is located at Oakbrook Center on the corner of Route 83 and Cermak/22nd Street in Oak Brook, Ill. across from Macy's. For more information visit oakbrookcenter.com or RyderCup.com.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, The PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About Oakbrook Center
Oakbrook Center is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc. a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on owning, managing, leasing and redeveloping regional malls throughout the United States and Brazil. The Company currently owns, or has an interest in, 150 regional shopping malls comprising approximately 141.7 million square feet of gross leasable area. The Company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol GGP. For further information please visit GGP.com.