There are years of planning that go into the execution of a golf tournament.

Founded in 1899, the Western Golf Association (WGA) conducts and runs professional and amateur golf tournaments around the country every year.

Patrick Timson, vice president of tournament operations for the WGA, oversees and executes builds for tournaments and has been spending the last few months at the Castle Pines Golf Club (CPGC) in preparation for the 2024 BMW Championship.

In the latter part of 2021, the WGA put together an initial macro plan for the tournament at CPGC “to see if the big pieces fit structurally,” explained Patrick.

And how detailed is the planning for this month’s tournament?

“Picture it down to a microscope,” said Patrick. “It’s where to put the parking lots, the shuttle routes, a menu item at a concession stand, the interior finish inside of a venue, where the players are staying. It is everything that happens outside the ropes.” The plan also includes what grounds tickets look like, hospitality credentials, and where to strategically place restrooms, concession stands and grandstands.

The WGA collaborated with the PGA TOUR and the CPGC in preparation for the tournament. Patrick added that he has worked successfully with the Castle Pines Homes Association, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (see related article on page 6) and the Colorado State Patrol.

The CPGC course held some challenges. Patrick explained that most courses they have staged the Championship at are one, large, continuous piece of acreage. The CPGC course meanders throughout neighborhoods with elevation changes – 450 feet from the low spot by the 16th hole to the high spot by the first tee in the range.

“We had to look at how to handle building 250,000 square feet of structure on a facility and move people around the property to create a good experience,” added Patrick. Another unique feature of the tournament is a shared tee box for two different holes at the 9th and 18th tees. Patrick said this is a rare occurrence on the TOUR, but “will provide one of the most coveted viewing areas for spectators.”

Fortunately, because The International tournament was played at CPGC for 20 years, there was a blueprint of what happens at a tournament in The Village at Castle Pines. Closing Happy Canyon Road is the best strategy for managing the influx of people and traffic.

The BMW Championship sold out general admission tickets for the weekend days (August 24 and 25) in record time, and more than 120,000 people are expected to attend over the six-day event. Also, hospitality workers, security, volunteers, the media, and of course, the players will be part of the crowd.

“We do the best we can regarding parking and transportation,” added Patrick. “At the end of the day, it is a big major sporting event and planning ahead is advised. Congestion is to be expected.”

And there is no rest for the weary. Patrick is already in planning stages for next year’s BMW Championship (in Maryland) and subsequent years up to 2027.

Growing up outside of Chicago, Patrick got an early start with the WGA. In 2002, he was right out of high school and the organization was hiring interns for the Western Open (now the BMW Championship) which was played for twenty years at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in western Chicago. Patrick painted signs, planted flowers, parked cars – “the dirty work,” he said.

Patrick golfs but said he is a “fun golfer.” He is married to Kristen and they have a daughter, Samantha (9). The family enjoys traveling to America’s national parks. Patrick concluded that they especially like to get away during the Chicago winters.

 

By Hollen Wheeler; photos courtesy of Patrick Timson