Luke Donald plays down Cog Hill and supports moving BMW Championship to Conway Farms
After Phil Mickelson’s harsh remarks against the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, World Number One, Luke Donald has probably hammered the last nail in the coffin when he threw his weight behind the Conway Farms and North Shore Country Club as his recommended
venue for the next BMW Championship.
This outburst of Donald, which is far more subtle than that of Mickelson’s, probably would finally bring an end to Cog Hill’s hopes of hosting a PGA Tour title in the coming future.
Donald expressed his concern about the renovation which was carried out and though he suggested that the venue should be moved somewhere else, he remained adamant that the new venue must also be in Chicago. Donald said, “From what I’ve heard, I think a lot
of the players weren’t that happy with the redo and didn’t enjoy the new Cog Hill.”
The course underwent a hefty Rees Jones re-modelling of the same in an attempt to make it more difficult and impart more depth in strategic shots. Owner of the Cog Hill GCC, Frank Jemsek, wanted to make the changes to lure the USGA for a possible selection
of the course for a future US Open title.
The bunkers were deepened, extra yardage was added to the already windy Chicago Suburbs and many players expressed despise for the course. Not just Mickelson, but Steve Stricker and Erni Els also criticised the course management for useless renovation which
has gone to destroy the course’s reputation.
Donald spoke about the conditions at the Conway Farms where he has played a few rounds and found it at par with the standards required by the PGA Tour. He said, “I know Conway Farms and North Shore CC – a place I play sometimes. I think Conway Farms is probably
the favorite right now and it’s a great test and a very good golf course.”
Donald also supported the fact that the BMW Championship should remain in Chicago while the course switching is undertaken. “I think it’s important. It’s one of the major cities in the U.S., has a great background in golf with the Western Open and Western
Golf Association,” he said.
The Englishman’s love for Conway Farms might be surprising for critics as it is quite unusual of PGA players to support any particular golf course for future events. It still remains to be ascertained that Donald might have been speaking for some under the
table marketing deal for the course. Donald will be hoping to lift the final event of the FedExCup Plyoff Championship this week, in order to bag the lucrative $10-million prize money.
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