OWINGS MILLS, Maryland — Thousands of spectators gathered at Caves Valley Golf Club on Sunday, enduring warm temperatures and a rugged terrain to witness the final round of the BMW Championship, the second-to-last event in the FedEx Cup playoffs on the PGA Tour. n nFan Joe Spain expressed enthusiasm, noting the rare opportunity to observe elite golfers execute shots that amateur players often struggle to replicate. n nThe tournament last took place at this venue in 2021, generating a statewide economic impact of $53 million and sustaining approximately 450 jobs. This year’s edition is projected to increase that figure by 7 to 8 percent, according to Terry Hassletine, executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission. n nHe attributed the improved financial outlook to greater consumer spending flexibility compared to the post-pandemic climate of 2021. n nThe economic ripple effect was evident throughout the grounds, including at the Hole 9 snowball stand operated by students from First Tee Greater Baltimore, a youth development program that integrates golf instruction with life skills training. n nMatt Bassler, the organization’s executive director, reported that sales of snowballs doubled this year. All proceeds will support program expansion, including acquiring additional equipment and increasing access for the 600 children currently enrolled. n nWhile next year’s BMW Championship is scheduled for Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, Hassletine emphasized that Maryland is actively pursuing future hosting opportunities. He highlighted the state’s growing reputation for organizing premier sporting events and positioning itself as a top-tier destination. Though no guarantees exist, he affirmed that Maryland will pursue the event aggressively. n— news from WMAR 2 News Baltimore n
— News Original —nBMW Championship brings big economic boost for Marylandn nOWINGS MILLS, Maryland — On Sunday, thousands of golf fans flocked to Caves Valley Golf Club braving the heat and hilly course to watch the pros tee up for the final round of the penultimate FedEx Club playoff on the PGA tour. n n“You get to see all the pros do all the things that we try to do and don’t successfully do too good,” fan Joe Spain said. n nThe last time this event was held at the course was 2021, which had an economic impact statewide of $53 million, supporting 450 jobs. n nOn Sunday night, Scottie Scheffler won the championship making a notable comeback after being in a four point deficit. n nIt’s also been a successful return for Maryland with an expected 7-8% boost in economic impact this go around, according to executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission Terry Hassletine. n n“Their wallets are a little freer because we’re away from what was 2021, which was just coming out of COVID,” he said. n nThat could be felt all across the course, like at the Hole 9 snowball stand run by the students of First Tee Greater Baltimore. n n“We’ve doubled the amount of snowballs this year,” executive director Matt Bassler said. n nTheir program combines teaching kids golf and life skills. n n“So our first tee students are making snowballs, they’ve been making them all week, and the proceeds from the stand this week go to improve our program, more clubs, more access, more opportunities for the 600 kids in our program,” he said. n nThe BMW Championship has been hosted at a variety of challenging courses across the country and though next year has been spoken for at the Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, MO, Hassletine says the discussions to get the championship back in Maryland begin ASAP. n n“It takes a resume and Maryland’s been building a resume now for many, many years about having the ability to host world-class events and a world class destination,” Hassletine said. “I can’t say if there’s a guarantee but I can tell you there will be a full court press.”
