THE GENERAL CLUBHOUSE IS CHANGING AT EAGLE RIDGE RESORT & SPA. But do you know the General turns 25 on the 25th this month. Learn more-EagleRidge.com
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.
WGA-CEO John Kaczkowski speaks at the BMW 2024 press conference. Photo courtesy of WGA.
THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP now has it’s road map in place for the next three years.
Yesterday the Western Golf Association (WGA) and BMW, along with the PGA Tour and Castle Pines Golf Club, announced the 2024 BMW Championship will be played in the State of Colorado.
The championship will be held in the month of August. This coming August the 2022 BMW Championship will be held at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware. But in 2023, the championship returns to Olympia Fields in Chicago’s south suburbs. Now in 2024 it’s a trip to Colorado and Castle Pines Golf Club.
“We are so thrilled to bring the best players in the world back to Castle Pines and the Denver area for the BMW Championship,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “This golf course was made to host high-level championships, and we anticipate an unparalleled experience for the players, the Castle Pines Community and our fans.”
Castle Pines previously hosted the International Tournament on the PGA Tour from 1986 through 2006. But for the BMW Championship it’s the second visit to Colorado, and first since 2014, when Billy Horschel took home the trophy.
2024 BMW Championship to Castle Pines.
“Castle Pines Golf Club and it’s members welcome the opportunity to test the top 70 players on the PGA Tour, and put the focus of the golf world back on this iconic venue,” said George Solich, Castle Pines Golf Club Chairman and President. “It was always Jack Vickers vision to build a championship golf course and hold a tournament of national prominence. The International was the manifestation of that vision for over two decades. Hosting the 2024 BMW Championship reaffirms Jack’s vision and our commitment to championship golf at the highest level.”
Castle Pines a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course first opened for play in 1981. It was routed through rock formations and Ponderosa pine trees. Yardage is now over 8,000 yards and the course plays to a par of 72. Other features include narrow fairways, along with elevated greens complete with multi-tiered levels. Because of the vision of Jack Nicklaus and his design team.
“It’s very exciting to see Castle Pines back in tournament golf,” Nicklaus said. ‘We have made some excellent changes to the golf course over the last five years. So this will make the course more playable. But it’s still quite challenging, and one the players will enjoy.”
One can bet the players who have previously played Castle Pines, will enjoy tasting the clubs famous milks shakes once again.
David Duval a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour and major champion, along with 32 year member NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway are both members at Castel Pines. Both issued statements supporting the return of professional golf to their club. CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz said several players have told him, it was their favorite stop on the PGA Tour when the club hosted the International.
The BMW Championship has raised over $40 million dollars for the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007. 58 Evans Scholars currently attend the University of Colorado in Boulder.
“Castle Pines Golf Club has long been a tremendous supporter of youth caddies and the Evans Scholars Foundation,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase this beautiful club and our shared efforts to reach more deserving young caddies.
But for more information please visit bmwchampionship.com.