Caves Valley Golf Club Set to Host PGA Tour's BMW Championship
Baltimore County gears up to host elite professional golfers from August 14 to August 17 at Caves Valley Golf Club for the BMW Championship, a key event in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs.
“Caves Valley was really built for championships like this,” stated Steven Fader, chairman of the club. “It’s the penultimate event before the Tour Championship. Everybody shows up, everybody wants to play.”
The BMW Championship is pivotal, featuring the top 50 players on the PGA Tour competing for a chance to advance to the FedEx Cup finale. Currently, Scottie Scheffler leads the standings.
In 2021, Caves Valley Golf Club hosted the championship, attracting over 120,000 fans across four days. This year, expectations are high for even larger crowds in Owings Mills.
Patrick Cantlay emerged victorious in the previous tournament, which also showcased renowned golfers such as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Phil Mickelson.
“The entertainment and hospitality venues have expanded since 2021, so I’m expecting it to be bigger than it was,” Fader remarked.
The economic impact of the BMW Championship is significant, generating over $50 million for the region. Caves Valley has also hosted NCAA championships and events on both the LPGA and Senior PGA Tours.
As the world’s top golfers prepare to tackle the course in August, it will present its most formidable challenges yet.
Under a 10-year enhancement plan, Caves Valley closed in August 2023 for renovations that included upgrades to every putting green, reopening in June 2024.
A new system installed beneath the greens regulates temperature and moisture levels, increasing difficulty for players.
“All the enhancements that we’ve done over the last couple of years make the course challenging,” said Matt Fuller, director of golf at Caves Valley Golf Club.
Notable changes include a 100-yard extension of the first hole and adjustments to its fairway and green positioning. The fifth hole features one of the most challenging greens on the course, measuring only nine paces in depth.
The BMW Championship arrives at a time of renewed interest in golf, following McIlroy’s career Grand Slam victory at The Masters in April and Scheffler’s recent win at the PGA Championship.
“It’s kind of a renaissance period for golf right now,” Fader noted. “More and more people are playing and showing interest in the sport.”
This championship will shine a national spotlight on Baltimore and its surroundings, providing an opportunity to showcase Maryland’s offerings.
“It’s great for Baltimore, great for Maryland, great for Baltimore County,” Fader added. “We did it in ’21, but it’s exciting to bring them back in a couple of months.”
Tara Lynch, an Emmy-nominated reporter, looks forward to sharing Baltimore's stories during this prestigious event.
