A Journey Through the Greens: Preparing Castle Pines for the 2024 BMW Championship

As the 2024 BMW Championship approaches, Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, is gearing up to host the world's top golfers on a course renowned for its stunning elevation changes and strategic design. Nestled at an altitude of 6,400 feet, this Jack Nicklaus-designed course is a true test of skill, combining natural beauty with demanding play. Leading the charge in preparing the course is Scott Pavalko, a seasoned Director of Golf Course and Grounds with 21 years of experience as a GCSAA member.

Scott Pavalko’s team at Castle Pines includes superintendents Trevor Meints and Brandon Wollesen, senior assistant John Calendine, and a dedicated group of turf specialists, horticulturists, and maintenance professionals. Together, they are responsible for ensuring that the 210-acre course is in peak condition for the tournament. This year, the course has undergone extensive renovations, including new bunkers, rebuilt tees and greens, and enhanced water features—all carefully overseen to preserve the original Nicklaus design while meeting modern standards.

Turfgrass Specifications:

• Greens: T1 Bentgrass / Poa annua, maintained at a precise height of .100 inches for a fast and consistent roll, with a Stimpmeter reading of 13.
• Collars: T1 Bentgrass / Poa annua, cut to .225 inches.
• Approaches: Bentgrass / Poa annua, at a height of .375 inches, providing a seamless transition from fairway to green.
• Tees: Bentgrass / Poa annua, trimmed to .400 inches, offering a firm and uniform surface for tee shots.
• Fairways: A cool-season mix of Bentgrass, Poa annua, and perennial ryegrass, maintained at .400 inches for optimal playability.
• Rough: A challenging mix of Kentucky bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass, cut to a formidable height of over 4 inches.

Course Statistics:

• Total Yardage: The course will play at an imposing 8,130 yards, emphasizing the importance of distance and accuracy.
• Average Green Size: 5,600 square feet, requiring precision in approach shots.
• Fairway Width: Average landing areas are just 27 yards wide, putting a premium on accuracy.
• Sand Bunkers: 77 strategically placed bunkers that guard fairways and greens.
• Water Hazards: 10 water hazards come into play across the course, demanding careful shot planning.

The unique environmental conditions at Castle Pines also play a role in the course’s character. With rocky native soil and a water supply sourced from reclaimed water and wells, the turf management team faces the ongoing challenge of maintaining healthy, resilient playing surfaces. The course’s dramatic elevation changes, combined with its rugged terrain, make for a visually stunning but technically demanding layout.

Adding to the course's allure is its wildlife, including a herd of 250 elk, deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and a variety of bird species, such as bald eagles and hummingbirds. This natural backdrop enhances the experience for players and spectators alike, making the 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines an event not to be missed.

As the tournament dates approach, Pavalko and his team continue their meticulous preparations, ensuring that Castle Pines will provide a true test of golf that showcases both the skill of the players and the expertise of those who maintain the course. The 2024 BMW Championship promises to be a memorable event, where the beauty of nature meets the precision of world-class golf.

FULL TOURNAMENT FACT SHEET:  CLICK HERE