As the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course approaches, plenty of golf fans and golfers will no doubt ask themselves: How would I perform under tournament conditions on America’s most difficult golf course?

Other than earning a spot in the PGA field, perhaps the best way to find out – and certainly one of the most luxurious – is by participating in the sixth annual Friendship Cup, set for March 1-4, 2012. It’s a four-day, three-night extravaganza of golf, lavish receptions, hospitality and prizes, and accommodations at Kiawah’s five-star resort hotel, The Sanctuary.

How lavish? Each participant gets three nights’ stay, two rounds of golf – one at Pete Dye’s devilish Ocean Course, the other at Tom Fazio’s Osprey Point – gift bag, access nightly to the hospitality room, daily breakfast and on-course lunch boxes, plus an array of special events including a Thursday oyster roast/barbecue, Friday dinner honoring past winners and Saturday awards dinner and reception.

Now, the bottom line: Packages for the Friendship Cup start at $1,102 (three nights in a three-bedroom scenic condo, triple occupancy) and go up to $2,083 (three nights in The Sanctuary for a player and non-playing guest). Not inexpensive, but not out of line with regular rates at the resort.

Consider, too, that pre-tournament practice rounds on March 1 (not included in the cost) run $196 for The Ocean Course or $100 for any of the resort’s other four courses (Osprey Point, Turtle Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point). Again, hardly bargain-basement prices, but on the low end of cost compared to each course’s regular rates during March.

It’s your choice: Spend close to that amount to watch the PGA Tour’s best play in August, or play yourself. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience either way.

For information, tournament schedule or to register, call (800) 654-2924 or click here.