Golf’s global superstars may take centre stage at next week’s BMW PGA Championship, but it’s not just about Rory McIlroy and Co. at Wentworth Club when the World Number One steps up to defend his crown.
There is, quite literally, something for everyone on site at the popular Surrey venue. Fun for all the family can be found everywhere – and, remember, under-16s are admitted free of charge with accompanying adults.
The excitement and enjoyment isn’t only confined to on-course activity (which this year is augmented by Tournament Radio, allowing golf fans to hear all the action live through their headsets for £8). The Championship Village offers a huge selection of activities to occupy the most restless of minds and assuage the most voracious appetite or thirst.
This year’s off-course entertainment will predominantly take place in the vibrant and ever-expanding BMW PGA Championship Village – a ‘buzzy’ hub of activity for families and golf fans alike. The highlight of the 2015 BMW Championship Village is the elevated BMW Fairway, providing stunning panoramic views and hosting the virtual ‘nearest the pin’ golfing competition. Use #BMWFairway to share your experience.
For family fun, head to the Active Tourer Garden for the wiggle board challenge and boot jigsaw puzzle, where spectators can also enjoy one of the first viewings of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. For an added competitive edge, there is an opportunity to take a miniature BMW i8 for a spin around the BMW i racetrack.
Visitors can also try their hand at the much-loved putting challenge, which returns for 2015 in the BMW 3 Series garden. Celebrating 40 years of the BMW 3 Series, the driver’s car since 1975, both the 3 Series Saloon and 3 Series Touring will have pride of place within this area.
True to its style, the M area will offer a number of racing games for visitors to play, with a Goodwood M4 and M3 Saloon on display. For speed enthusiasts, Goodwood will be promoting their ‘ultimate driving at Goodwood’ experiences, with packages available to purchase. Representatives from the BMW events team will be on hand to book track days.
The final car in the BMW M area is the BMW X6M. So don’t forget to practice England’s rugby anthem singing, as anyone can audition for a place in the BMW chariots choir from inside the car.
And, if anyone has built up a thirst, why not indulge in a chilled gin cocktail in the luxury BMW bar before taking a look at one of the beautiful BMW 6 Series models on display nearby?
The BMW Owners’ Lounge returns in 2015, offering a relaxing alternative to the golf, with delicious new menus and a range of formal and informal eateries. BMW owners can also visit the BMW viewing gallery on the 14th Green with views of both 14th and 15th fairways, as well as this year’s hole in one car, the BMW i8. Back for the second year, the tenth hole features BMW’s second hole in one car, the BMW M4 Coupé.
BMW owners can still take advantage of parking on-site in the usual car park, car park 7. For those who arrive a little later in the day, a dedicated shuttle service will operate from the rear of the car park to the shuttle drop off location, a short walk to the village.
Once again, the vllage will feature the HSBC Ultimate Bunker Challenge, where golfing masochists can test their skills in escaping from a replica of the famous Road Hole bunker on the 17th at St. Andrews.
Additionally, HSBC have a new test, situated next door to the bunker - the HSBC Chipping Challenge, which allows golfers of all ages to attempt a replica of the first hole of the West Course at Wentworth Club. Use #AnyonesGame to share this experience.
The fun doesn’t stop there. Anyone can try out the Hilton Golf Simulator, where players test their accuracy on a ‘virtual’ first hole of the West Course, with daily prizes at stake and a two-night stay and play package available to an overall winner at a Hilton property. Additionally, Hilton have organised a ‘guess the number of golf balls’ competition, for which the nearest guess will win signed Hilton golf merchandise.
Emirates airline will also offer the chance to win a weekend at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai – the climax of The Race to Dubai – at Jumeirah Golf Estates who, as a European Tour Destination, will be exhibiting their two championship courses and their new development AlAndalus overlooking the Greg Norman designed courses on their stand within the village.
The traditional golf nets will be sponsored by Mizuno this year, while Mitsubishi Electric are also bringing along the boat which they are sponsoring as part of a challenge to row the Atlantic.
One of the centrepieces of the Village, close to the Welcome Pavilion which greets all golf fans on arrival, is the Mega Putt Challenge, a 61 foot long replica of the first hole on the West Course – one foot for every edition of the PGA Championship stretching back to 1955.
For the second successive year, spectators will be invited to try the putt for a donation of £5 per three attempts, with all proceeds going to the official charity of the event, Teenage Cancer Trust. There will be a daily draw for a Scotty Cameron putter, open to anyone who makes a hole in one from Wednesday to Sunday, while every person entering during the week will go into a draw to win a customised Scotty Cameron putter.
The EA Sports Dugout is a ‘must’ for all Gamers, while shoppers can visit The European Tour merchandise store; the BMW Lifestyle shop; Wentworth Professional Shop; Maui Jim sunglasses or the Hugo Boss store, where fans will have the chance to meet Hugo Boss player, Martin Kaymer, at some stage of the week. There is also the BMW public crèche in the Village, while the Welcome Pavilion contains a new big screen to watch the golf from the comfort of luxurious bean bags.
Food and drink opportunities abound. The traditional Theatre of Food is augmented by the Showstage Bar, incorporating West Berkshire Brewery and a thirst-quenching pint of Good Old Boy ale! The Moët & Chandon Brasserie returns, but this year alongside the new Moët Ice Terrace, serving a variety of different measures of chilled champagne. For those with a sweet tooth, there is a chance to enjoy the Lindt chocolate shop, next door to the Nespresso Conniosseur Club.
Strutting their stuff on the popular Showstage on Saturday night will be the Jones Gang, led by former Faces drummer Kenney Jones, while after play on Sunday it will be the turn of the AllStars Band to close the show.
During the day, the Showstage will be the location of the ever-popular Cotter’s Questions, hosted by the BBC’s Andrew Cotter and featuring big name golfers and other prominent sports stars from Thursday to Sunday. Already confirmed on Thursday are footballer Alan Shearer and Olympic curling bronze medallist, Eve Muirhead. While Sunday’s Rugby World Cup special has Ben Foden, George North and Michael Lynagh taking centre stage.
Advance tickets, offering a discount on gate prices, are available until 23:59 tonight (Saturday May 16) via www.bmwpga.com or by calling the ticket hotline on 0800 023 2557.
From Sunday, tickets for the Practice Day on Tuesday, May 19, the Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday May 20 and all four days of the Championship from May 21-24 will be available on the gate.
Children under the age of 16 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Hospitality packages for the BMW PGA Championship 2015 are almost sold out, with limited availability remaining in the Wentworth Clubhouse and Championship Village. For further information, or to book hospitality packages, call 0800 023 2557 or email enquiries@europeantourhospitality.com
