It's official: Conway Farms to host 2013 BMW

The rumor that's been out there for about a year has finally become reality: the 2013 BMW Championship will be played at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest.

“We're excited to be returning to the Chicago area and especially for this opportunity to conduct our first professional championship on the North Shore since 1972,” said Vince Pellegrino, Western Golf Association vice president of tournaments. “Many of our volunteers and contributors to our championships and scholarships live in the city's northern suburbs, and this gives us the opportunity to reward their support by showcasing the world's top golfers on a course in their own backyard.”

It also ends the run of BMW Championships hosted at Cog Hill in Lemont. Cog Hill officials hosted the inaugural BMW in 2007 and they have been tournament hosts in four of the five years of the event.

But the pros never warmed to the layout at Cog Hill, even after its multi-million renovation.

“The Jemsek family, and Cog Hill's entire staff are to be commended for their long-time support of the BMW Championship and of our sole charity, the Evans Scholarships for caddies,” Pellegrino said.

Former world No. 1 player Luke Donald is a member at Conway and believes the course, which opened in 1991 and has hosted several events, including the 2009 Western Amateur, can handle the challenge.

“I feel like it offers one of the best all-around tests of golf in the Chicago area and will be a course that my fellow pros really enjoy,” Donald said. “For a relatively young golf course, Conway Farms has quickly become a prestigious club, and because it provides such a different test every time you play it, is sure to make the BMW Championship a thrilling event for players and fans alike.”

The last North Shore club to host the championship was Northfield's Sunset Ridge Country Club in 1972, when the tournament was known as the Western Open.

“Since the club was founded 20 years ago, our members have been committed to opening the course to top-level competitions,” said Dave McDonough, Conway Farms president. “We welcome this opportunity to showcase our club to the world.”

The tournament will be played Sept. 9-15 in 2013.

The BMW Championship is the third of four events in the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup and determines the final field of 30 for the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.