PGA Tour Returns to Castle Pines: Players Weigh in on the 8,130-Yard Challenge
After nearly two decades, the PGA Tour has made its return to Castle Pines Golf Club, the former home of the International tournament. This iconic course, which was a fixture on the Tour calendar for 21 years before being phased out in 2006, has undergone significant renovations by its original designer, Jack Nicklaus, and Total Turf.
The modifications include the relocation or redesign of six green complexes and the reshaping or rebuilding of over 70 bunkers. Castle Pines, always known as a "big boys' course," has now been stretched to a staggering 8,130 yards, making it the longest course in PGA Tour history. However, with the Mile High City's altitude—where the ball typically travels about 7 percent further—players can expect it to play more like a 7,400-yard course.
Here’s what some of the pros are saying about the unique challenges they face at Castle Pines for the 2024 BMW Championship:
Wyndham Clark
"Castle Pines is probably the most challenging course in Colorado, with the combination of altitude and elevation changes. It’s tough off the tee, and around the greens, precision is crucial. At this altitude, distance control is going to be the biggest challenge. You might see us miss by 10 or 15 yards, not because we’re bad, but because the ball behaves differently up here. The inconsistency at altitude, compared to sea level, makes it tricky. One shot might go 205 yards, and the next could go 210. It’s all about getting dialed in."
Xander Schauffele
"Players will rely heavily on their data, using devices like TrackMan to gauge how far each club is traveling in the thin air. It’s a different game at altitude, and everyone will be working hard to adjust."
Scottie Scheffler
"I’ve played at altitude before, both recreationally and in tournaments like the Korn Ferry Tour events near Denver and in Colombia. It comes with its challenges, but I have a system that has worked for me in the past, and I’m confident it will hold up this week."
Billy Horschel
"I won the BMW in 2014 at Cherry Hills, another altitude course, so I feel there’s an advantage for those familiar with these conditions. I’ve spent many summers in Aspen, so I understand how the ball travels up here. With modern technology, everyone can dial in their distances pretty quickly, but there’s still something to be said for feeling comfortable and confident with your shots in these conditions."
Patrick Cantlay
"Although the course is long, it doesn’t play as long because of the elevation. The key is controlling trajectory and distance into the greens since the ball flies further than usual. The altitude adds an extra layer of complexity, and it’s all about adjusting to those differences."
Jim "Bones" Mackay
"Back in the day, Castle Pines was known as the toughest walk on Tour—harder even than Kapalua. This year, with the course stretching over 8,100 yards, players and caddies alike are in for a serious workout."
Keith Schneider, Castle Pines GM
"The back nine is where the drama will unfold. The stretch of holes 10 through 18 includes some of our toughest challenges and most beautiful landscapes. We expect plenty of excitement, especially on the 17th and 18th, where changes in length and bunkering will test the pros in new ways."
As the players gear up for the 2024 BMW Championship, the altitude and revamped course at Castle Pines promise to make this a memorable stop on the PGA Tour.