CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — The PGA Tour is returning to Colorado for the primary time in a decade with the redesigned course at Fortress Pines Golf Membership serving as host to the 2024 BMW Championship.
It is the primary big-time skilled golf match on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course 30 miles south of Denver since The Worldwide’s 21-year run resulted in 2006.
Nicklaus mentioned each gap has been modified during the last 5 years, highlighted by the addition of a number of lakes on the mountainside course carved by means of pure rock and Ponderosa pines that opened in 1981.
“It’s extremely thrilling to see Fortress Pines again in match golf,” Nicklaus mentioned. “We have now made some glorious modifications to the golf course during the last 5 years which make it extra playable however nonetheless fairly difficult.”
The undulating structure that options slender fairways and elevated multilayered greens performs over 8,000 yards with a par of 72.
“I feel it is a enjoyable golf course to play and it actually does not lack for magnificence,” Nicklaus mentioned.
Fortress Pines was the third of the greater than 400 golf programs that Nicklaus and his group have designed.
Tyler Dennis, PGA Tour government vice chairman, mentioned returning to the Denver market was a precedence for the PGA.
“It is one of many largest markets within the U.S. It is obtained a fantastic sports activities tradition,” Dennis mentioned. “And we expect that is the proper alternative to showcase the FedEx Cup playoffs.”
The 2024 BMW Championship shall be performed in mid-August earlier than the NFL and NCAA soccer seasons start.
George Solich, Fortress Pines Golf Membership chairman and president, mentioned he’d prefer to see professional golf make extra frequent visits to Colorado.
“We want to see, for instance, a everlasting rotation,” Solich mentioned. “We’d actually like to not make this only a one-and-done.”
The PGA Tour’s final massive occasion in Colorado was the BMW Championship at Cherry Hills Nation Membership in 2014, which Billy Horschel received on his solution to capturing the FedExCup title.
“I do know, time retains touring sooner and sooner,” mentioned John Elway, a Fortress Pines Golf Membership government committee and board member. “Nevertheless it was such a fantastic occasion at Cherry Hills and plus the historical past of the tournaments right here, The Worldwide within the ’90s and early 2000s, so it is nice to have it again right here.
“I do know the followers of Colorado, they’re nice sports activities followers. So, it will be a fantastic match.”
