PGA Tour to come to Delaware for first time in 2022 BMW Championship
WILMINGTON, Del. (BVM) — There will be another first happening in the First State soon, this time in the world of golf. The PGA Tour, Western Golf Association and Wilmington Country Club officials announced on Nov. 17 that the Wilmington Country Club’s South Course would host the Tour’s 2022 BMW Championship projected to happen in late August of 2022. The event will mark the first time the Tour will come to Delaware and the third time since 2018 that the event will be held on the East Coast as it was held in Pennsylvania in 2018 and will be held in Maryland in 2021.
“It is a great honor for Wilmington Country Club to be the first club in the state of Delaware to play host to the PGA TOUR, and to the prestigious BMW Championship,” Club President Gary Ferguson said in a press release. “The passion that fans in this area have for golf is unmatched, and they will enjoy the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete on this spectacular and challenging golf course.”
The Wilmington Country Club is held in high esteem among both golfers and golf enthusiasts alike. The South Course is especially well regarded as it has been ranked the best golf course in the state by Golf Digest and is considered among the top 200 courses in the entire country. The 18-hole, par-71 course is nearly 7,500 yards from its championship tees providing a unique and still difficult challenge for tour members.
“We’re thrilled to be taking the BMW Championship to Wilmington Country Club, one of the finest clubs anywhere in the United States,” WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments Vince Pellegrino said in a press release. “The South Course has everything you look for in a traditional championship layout. It will present a strategic test for the world’s best players and a perfect venue for fans and PGA TOUR partners.”
The BMW Championship has the top 70 PGA TOUR players vying to earn one of 30 spots in the season-ending TOUR Championship and the chance to be crowned FedExCup champion. A number of past BMW Championship winners are easily recognizable including recent Masters winner Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods among a plethora of others.
While the event may represent the Wilmington Country Club’s first professional event, the site has had a long history of hosting successful amateur events. In its history, the club has hosted six amateur events from the 1913 U.S. Women’s Amatuer to the 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur. The club also hosted the 2013 Palmer Cup competition between Europe and a United States team that featured 2019 BMW Championship winner Justin Thomas.
With the historic decision bringing the Tour to the First State for the first time, many of the state’s leaders are excited about the possibilities the event will bring to the area.
“Delaware is excited to host the 2022 BMW Championship,” Delaware Governor John Carney said in a press release. “The First State has a long and proud golf history and is ideally positioned to support one of golf’s great championships. Not only will the BMW Championship enhance the local economy, it will showcase a wonderful course and dynamic community to a global audience.”
GOOD NEWS – Wilmington Country Club and the State of Delaware will host one of PGA golf’s great events, the BMW Championship.
https://t.co/2GbFNCXOkB— Governor John Carney (@JohnCarneyDE) November 18, 2020
Speaking on the economy, tour officials estimate the event could bring in as much as $30 million to the Wilmington area.
“I join with all members of our community to welcome the BMW Championship to Wilmington Country Club,” Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said in a press release. “This event will attract many to our city who will be able to enjoy our terrific restaurants and fine hotels in addition to watching the greatest golfers in the world compete for one of the PGA Tour’s most coveted titles.”
With the PGA Tour coming to the state, there is rightfully a lot of excitement surrounding the event. With some of the sports top performers making their way to Wilmington, the energy around the event will only gain more momentum as the date approaches.