Maryland embraces pro golf. Keep it coming.

Over the past week, the golf world’s eyes fell squarely on Maryland.

The PGA Tour’s BMW Championship at Caves Valley transformed Baltimore County into the sport’s epicenter, and the results were undeniable. The course dazzled (and overcame a pounding thunderstorm), the crowds arrived in waves and the atmosphere proved that the state deserves to host more professional golf.

Caves Valley, with its renovated course and grounds that feature reworked holes, ripped-up greens and a 10-mile drainage system, showed it permanently belongs in the conversation. This weekend revealed that the infrastructure, rising fan base and regional passion all exist for Maryland to become a regular stop on the pro circuit.

The galleries told the story.

From the Gardner Heidrick pro-am round through the final putts between winner Scottie Scheffler and runner-up Robert MacIntyre on championship Sunday, fans packed the fairways and grandstands, helping create contagious levels of energy. This was not just your traditional “polite” applause, either.

The Scotsman MacIntyre, 29, enjoyed “giving crap back” during his back-and-forth with American fans, who showed up in favor of the World’s No. 1-ranked golfer Scheffler. Moments before MacIntyre and Scheffler embarked on the final round, Gov. Wes Moore joined them for a photo op, and the duo teed off in front of an eager group that braved high humidity and 90-degree weather.

Maryland native Denny McCarthy finished 3-over but made his fourth consecutive start at the BMW Championship, citing his pride in his roots and the state’s golf scene.

Akshay Bhatia, 23, will be long remembered for sinking a hole-in-one with his five iron on the 17th hole, a 227-yard par-3. Bhatia’s ace served as an electric moment that won him a new BMW, an iX M70 SUV, and also provided a full four-year Evans Scholarship in his name to a young caddie.

The course itself also proved its worth.

Tucked in the Northwest suburbs of Baltimore, a new-look Caves Valley welcomed the sport’s top 49 players and thousands of spectators, including local sports icons such as former Ravens offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. The Tom Fazio-designed course showcased Maryland’s rolling hills, gorgeous skies and tree-lined beauty, while its renovated greens withstood a pounding from Thursday’s thunderstorm that forced a lengthy delay.