CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE — In addition to making everyone feel comfortable and welcomed during the BMW Championship, Cherry Hills leaders hoped the historic country club would impress golf organizations enough to be considered for future events.
Throughout its history, Cherry Hills has hosted tournaments conducted by the PGA Tour, USGA (including men’s and women’s U.S. Opens) and PGA of America (PGA Championships, Ryder Cup matches).
“It’s in Cherry Hills’ charter to host championship tournaments,” said George Solich, who served as general chairman of the BMW Championship. “We wanted to get in the conversation (for future championships). I think we’ve done that.”
No announcements are imminent, however.
Castle Pines Golf Club, which hosted The International on the PGA Tour from 1986-2006, and Colorado Golf Club, which has recently hosted the Senior PGA Championship and Solheim Cup matches, also could be vying for future professional golf championships.
That could include a return of the BMW Championship, the third of four legs that make up the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
“It’s my personal opinion that the state of Colorado has to be looked at for the BMW Championship in the next 5-10 years,” Solich said. “I know the PGA Tour wants to come back to Colorado.”
The Western Golf Association, which conducts the BMW Championship, was thrilled with its week at Cherry Hills, said Vince Pellegrino, senior vice president of tournaments for the WGA.
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Sunday’s attendance was announced as a sellout (capped at about 27,000 spectators), and Saturday “was close” to being sold out, Pellegrino said.
“The Western Golf Association would love to come back here in the future,” Pellegrino said. “This looks and feels like what the FedEx Cup playoffs should be all about.”
