Tour plans constant testing, limiting access for golf return
Players, caddies and key personnel will be tested once a week at tournaments and have their temperatures taken every day as part of a PGA Tour plan to limit the risk of the new coronavirus when golf resumes next month in Texas.
The plan offers a glimpse into significant changes for golf’s return, from the elimination of pro-ams to designated hotels to the availability of charter planes that get players and their caddies from one tournament to the next.
The first trial is scheduled for the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth on June 11-14.
The key components are testing, social distancing on and off the golf course and creating what the tour referred to as a “bubble” of essential people that will be tested at tournaments.
“We’re not going to play if we can’t do it in a safe and healthy environmental for all our constituents,” said Tyler Dennis, the tour’s chief of operations.
He also said the tour will not go forward with its testing if it takes away from resources in the city where it plays.
Players and caddies will be sent pre-travel tests, and they will be given the RT-PCR test for COVID-19 when they arrive at tournaments. The test, authorized last month by the Food and Drug Administration, involves a nasal swab. Results typically take a couple of days, and the tour is hopeful of using local labs for a quicker turnaround.
Anyone who tests positive will have to withdraw from the tournament and self-isolate for 10 days, provided there are no further symptoms and they get two negative tests 24 hours apart.
The tour said it would give players and caddies a stipend to pay for the self-isolation. Andy Levinson, the senior vice-president for tournament administration, said the tour would pay for all testing material.
Beyond testing, the tour is recommending players stay in a designated hotel and practice social distancing as if they were still at home by avoiding eating at restaurants or meeting at bars.
On the golf course, players are to handle their own clubs and let their caddies rake bunkers and remove the pins, wiping down both after they’re done with them.
Another change: No shaking hands after the round.
Along with no fans for at least the first four tournaments, the tour is not allowing family members and only limited support staff, such as trainers and instructors. All would be subject to the same level of testing – a health questionnaire and thermal screening every day.
Levinson estimates key personnel – players, caddies, officials, clubhouse staff – amounts to 400 people.
For the charter flights, all passengers must take a viral test 24 hours before leaving, and then be tested again when they arrive at the next event.
The tour said about 25 players remain overseas and recommended they arrive at least two weeks ahead of the tournament to meet the federal 14-day quarantine requirement.
A player hotel will be designated, although players would be allowed to stay in RVs if they have them, rental homes the tour approves and their own homes if they live in the area.
Four tournaments without fans will be Colonial, the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, the Travelers Championship in Connecticut and the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. The tour said it will decide after that whether it’s safe for a limited number of fans.
Coming together as a community
I received an email from my golf club in central Ontario, promoting its “Mother’s Day at Home” family meal. Take-out only. I anticipate getting a similar email when Father’s Day rolls around in early June. U.S. Open Sunday, actually. But there won’t be a U.S. Open final round played that day.
June 3 would have marked the 16th playing of Mikey’s Tournament for Autism, a fund-raising event I co-founded, one that has raised $500,000 so far to support those affected by the disease in our region. We cancelled it for this year.
And I am fine with all that. I know this will be a polarizing stance. I’m fine with that, too. But with my wife and our two daughters on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, I understand, more than ever, that the term “safety first” has never been more applicable.
Like all golfers, I am champing at the bit to play. Golf has provided not just my recreation but my livelihood for 35 years. Believe me, I feel your pain.
But let’s look at the “gain” when all this “pain” finally winds down. To be clear, there will be no floodgates opening. Provincial and municipal health authorities will continue to make informed decisions in the best interest of public health. There will be a growing trickle of golf courses, allowing a restricted number of golfers at first. Some provinces starting the process with stringent safety measures in place.
Ryan Logan, Golf Canada’s Regional Director for Ontario, has been reaching out to facilities around the province like his counterparts across the country. While he says the “murky” scenario is frustrating, he is impressed by the determination of course operators to come out of this crisis better and stronger.
At London’s Sunningdale Golf and Country Club, General Manager Brad Adams and Head Professional Jason Wyatt have taken to social media to stay connected with their members along with sending regular e-newsletters. Like many other clubs across the country, they offer take-out meals and online pro shop sales with curbside pickup.
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley and the Humeniuk Foundation went above and beyond in their support of efforts to combat COVID-19. On March 30, they donated $100,000 to Caledon Community Services and followed that with the announcement of a commitment to match contributions up to $50,000 to the Headwaters Health Care Foundation in the period April 13 through May 1. On April 30, the club donated $50,000 to William Osler Health System Foundation and $25,000 to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington.
With ongoing needs for COVID-19 relief efforts, we’re highlighting two more organizations doing important work in our community.
• @ChildrensFdnGW
• @OslerFoundation? More information on their campaigns and our donations here: https://t.co/OulZARaNe5 pic.twitter.com/P4wGNTbAA3
— TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (@TPC_Toronto) April 30, 2020
Listowel Golf Club has even more to be proud of than being the home of PGA TOUR winner Corey Conners. Like many other clubs, they have not only served take-out meals for a while but recently started offering pre-packaged meat and produce parcels for pickup. The response has been “phenomenal,” says Director of Operations Brenden Parsons. After overcoming the “logistical nightmare” of creating order forms and ensuring safe handling protocols, anyone—not just club members—is welcome to order a grocery package for curbside pickup. As Parsons says, these initiatives not only provide an option for people who want to avoid going to the grocery store but keeps his staff employed.
In Atlantic Canada, Golf Canada Regional Director Jeff Hutt sees the industry bonding to ensure everyone comes through this pandemic more unified. Working shoulder to shoulder, as it were—figuratively, of course!
“There has been yeoman’s work done by all the associations to ensure we are aligned in our response and in our approach to reopening safely,” he says.
“That’s the key: safely.” At a recent meeting of the Atlantic Allied Golf Associations, it was emphasized that the industry must take responsibility for ensuring proper safeguards, much as the grocery industry has done.
The current situation across Western Canada is varied, as some courses in B.C. never closed while those in other provinces are gradually reopening. Golf Canada Regional Director Blair Armitage understands the frustration not only from province to province, but stemming from the different type of golf facility, from municipal to public to private.
One bright spot he cites is when Vancouver Park Board closed their three courses but soon thereafter redeployed more than 15 golf course kitchen staff to start producing more than 2,000 meals per day for vulnerable residents in the Downtown East Side out of the Langara Golf Course kitchen. Twice a week, about 700 social housing residents get a hamper filled with meals that can easily be reheated, along with fresh fruit, dairy and snacks to last 3.5 days.
“It has been a wonderful, if somewhat overwhelming, challenge to part of this vital initiative to help feed the city’s most vulnerable residents during this crisis,” says Mark Halyk the Park Board’s Manager of Food and Beverage Operations.
The golf community has rallied together through uncertainty with industry collaboration—especially at the provincial level—on safety protocols and operational best practices to meet the guidelines of provincial health authorities in delivering a safe environment for golfers and facility staff.
In Quebec, the Industry Concertation Table (represented by Golf Québec, ACGQ, NGCOA, PGA Québec and ASGQ) has been working collaboratively to share information with the Quebec government. The group created a program on their social networks to talk about golf with Quebec golfers, including the show Une tasse de Tée with Max Lalonde. More than 8,500 people have been connected to each show on different platforms (Facebook and YouTube) with guests including Yohan Benson, Julien Trudeau, Chip Beck, Mike Weir, Brigitte Thibault, Lisa ”Longball”Vlooswyk, Sébastien Toutant, Daniel Melançon and Martin Cloutier.
“There is no doubt that Quebec golfers are very anxious to start playing golf again, and until then, we remain a responsible industry that will follow the recommendations of public safety,” said Patrick Rhéaume, Golf Canada’s Regional Director for Quebec.
In a message to golfers and member clubs, Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum outlined the association’s support of guidelines put forth by Health Canada, the World Health Organization and provincial public health experts.
“Golf Canada is committed to supporting the golf community through these challenges to the best of our ability. I am encouraged to see the resiliency of our industry—people and facilities engaging to share ideas and best practices, further professional development and provide levity and support for each other through this difficult period.”
“When we come out of this, golf will have a really important role,” says Logan. “Not just from a business perspective but from a social aspect. Golf will be reconnecting people.”
Mike Weir ready to take on Champions Tour as 50th birthday approaches
As far as Mike Weir is concerned, 50 is the new 20.
The Canadian golfing legend will reach his half-century mark on Tuesday and qualify to join the PGA Tour Champions, the senior circuit for professional men’s golf. Although the date of the next tournament is still up in the air thanks to restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weir is ready for a new beginning in his career.
“The interesting thing about professional golf is that you look forward to your 50th birthday instead of dreading it,” said Weir. “I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while.”
Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., had eight wins on the top-tier PGA Tour including at the prestigious Masters in 2003, making him the only Canadian man to win one of golf’s majors.
His last win, however, was 2007’s Fry’s Electronics Open, and Weir has been targetting a move to players closer to his age for some time.
“Just because you turn 50 and you’ve had success on the PGA Tour that doesn’t mean it’s going to translate to the Champions Tour,” said Weir. “You have to really put the work in and be ready to go and that’s what I’ve really tried to concentrate on here for quite a while now, especially the last year I’ve really dialled in a lot of stuff with my game.”
Although Weir is eager to transition to the senior circuit, he still wants to make some occasional PGA Tour appearances.
He has a lifetime exemption for the Masters thanks to his 2003 win, and a sponsor’s exemption for the RBC Canadian Open will likely always be available to him.
But the Canadian Open has been cancelled this summer because of the restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, Weir has committed to playing in the Champions Tour’s Shaw Charity Classic in Calgary at the end of August, but the city has cancelled all of its event permits up to Aug. 31.
“The next couple of weeks we’re focusing on working with our municipal and provincial government partners, Shaw Communications and of course the PGA Tour to outline what our options might be,” said Sean Van Kesteren, the executive director of the event. “We can’t say with certainty that the 2020 Shaw Charity Classic is going to happen or not, but we will update the community as soon as we can.”
Weir continues to play golf regularly at courses near his home in Utah, where clubs haven’t been closed by the pandemic. Although he still has a strong work ethic, Weir has learned to listen to his body and take some time off when aches and pains catch up with him, as they did last week.
“I just took a week off and I didn’t swing it, or hit a putt, or take a chip,” said Weir, who was suffering from some lower back pain. “I did a lot of stretching and yoga, just taking my dog on a hike, and just trying to keep moving but it’s not that explosive golf movement.”
COVID-19 Updates & Resource Page
Team Canada’s Brigitte Thibault is in pursuit of excellence
As a second-year member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Squad, Brigitte Thibault has established herself as one of the country’s most promising amateurs.
Since the spring of 2019, the native of Rosemère, Que., has been playing some the best golf of her career.
After being selected as the only Canadian to compete at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April of 2019, Thibault would go on to win the Ontario Women’s Amateur title and the Mountain West Conference Championship.
The second year Amateur Squad member is also a standout at Fresno State University. She’s carried the success from 2019 over to her junior year, having recorded six NCAA top ten finishes.
However, in early March, her collegiate season came to an end when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the remaining tournaments on the NCAA schedule.
Faced with the unprecedented circumstances, the 21-year-old was extra cautious as she travelled back home to Rosemère, Que.
“First thought when travelling back to Canada was to stay healthy and take all the precaution possible to not catch anything. I knew that if I made a mistake, I could have put my family at risk,” she noted.
“Then quarantine was actually not as bad as I thought. It gave me enough time to think about my game plan, prepare my game plan, so when my 14 days were over, then I would be able to train and keep my routine as normal as possible,” added Thibault, who was recently selected to the NCAA All-Mountain West first team.
Given her recent stellar results on the golf course, it might be surprising for some to find out that Thibault did not start focusing on golf until the age of 15.
And while she was introduced to the sport prior that by her father, Daniel and her mother, Josee, it wasn’t something that she invested much time in to initially.
“My parents were members at a golf course back home and I remember of Sundays, we would always go eat at the course and afterwards we would hit some golf balls on the range. But it was always just for fun at the time,” Thibault recalled.
Growing up young Brigitte dedicated most of her time to cheerleading and gymnastics.
“Cheerleading was huge for my competitiveness. In cheerleading, you have this rush of energy that is boiling inside of you with so many people watching. You have to put yourself all in all the time. My work ethic really grew from cheerleading,” she pointed out.
“I was into cheerleading and gymnastics but all the flips and jumping was hard on my body. So my parents suggested that I focus on golf instead. They have been playing golf for 30 years and wanted me to try it out,” said Thibault.
Faced with injuries, Thibault followed her parent’s suggestion and decided to shift her focus from cheerleading and gymnastics to golf.
“I really got started at the age of 15, and I remember having coaches approach me and telling me how raw my talent was,” she recalled.
Despite the relative late start, Thibault would make up for it with an all in approach.
“I was super focused. I was just trying to learn as much as I could. I would wake up at 5 a.m. and spend the whole day at the golf course,” she pointed out.
Thibault says she became inspired and fascinated by athletes who achieved greatness in their sport – such as Tiger Woods and the late great Kobe Bryant. She was impressed by their work ethic and level of dedication to their craft.
“I used to look for videos of them because I was always intrigued by their greatness and how obsessive they were about getting better and figuring out how to get to that next level. I have taken this same obsession and approach to my development in golf,” she revealed.
Thibault’s desire to achieve her own version of excellence on the golf course combined with her hard work and dedication would lead to impressive results.
In 2016, just two years after dedicating herself to the game of golf, the then 17-year-old Monday qualified for the CP Women’s Open.
Thibault remembers qualifying for the LPGA event, which was held at the Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Calgary, gave her confidence in her game, as well as, motivation to work even harder.
She also adds that playing in her first LPGA tournament at 17 was an eye-opening experience.
“I remember that my heart was racing like crazy and my energy level was so high. It felt like an out-of-body experience. All the golfers that I looked up to were sitting next to me having lunch and everything just seemed so surreal,” she recalled.
Thibault is glad to have been able to continue her development at Fresno State University.
“Being at Fresno State, the weather is always nice. And it’s great that I get to be play Division I golf with some of the best amateurs of the world,” said Thibault, who will be entering her senior year this autumn.
She’s also thankful to be part of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.
“The program has been great, we learn about the mental side of golf, and we learn about nutrition, physio, fitness and a lot of other things to be successful on the golf course and away from it,” noted the second year Amateur Squad member.
“I also love working with Tristan (Mullally) because he’s very direct and to the point and gives great feedback.”
The 21-year-old amateur standout credits continued improvements in her game for the recent success on the golf course.
Head Coach Tristan Mullally and Brigitte Thibault at a training camp in Phoenix, Ariz.
“My putter is starting to gain momentum and my short game is starting to step up. I’ve also been working hard to improve on my wedge and approach,” pointed out Thibault, who is also known to show creativity on her shots.
Looking ahead, Thibault believes her all in approach will provide the opportunity to achieve her own version of greatness on the golf course.
“The game of golf is incredible and I would love to be able to play on the LPGA Tour one day and make an impact and do my part to bring the women’s game to the next level.”
And despite the restrictions from practicing social and physical distancing, Thibault’s long-term goals have kept her motivated and focused during the pandemic.
“I’m up at 5 a.m., filled with busy days and doing it all over again. My own personal growth and grind aren’t going to pause in regards to the conditions of COVID-19,” she said.
With golf courses across the country preparing to open up again, there is optimism that tournament golf will soon return. And when it does, the second year Amateur Squad member will surely be ready.
“I am actually working on all aspects of training – fitness wise, golf wise, and mentally. I’m doing my best to keep improving and being my best self.”
Saskatchewan revises COVID-19 course regulations
The Government of Saskatchewan has worked extensively with the National Allied Golf Association – Saskatchewan branch when it comes to playing golf in a safe manner amid COVID-19.
Golf in Saskatchewan was announced in the “Re-Open Saskatchewan” plan back in March with restrictions. The government has made alterations to the rules last Friday and released additional updates this afternoon including.
- A maximum of four players per group is permitted.
- Tee times must be a minimum of 12 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course.
- Flags must remain in place and measures must be taken to prevent the ball from dropping in the hole, eliminating the need for players to contact the pin or cup. This may include such measures as leveling the cup, elevating the cup or installing a touch-free ball removal mechanism.
- Driving ranges and practice putting/chipping greens can open if physical distancing (minimum of two metres) is maintained. Range balls must be cleaned and disinfected between customers. For the practice putting/chipping greens, flags must remain in place and measures must be taken to prevent the ball from dropping in the hole. This may include such measures as leveling the cup, elevating the cup or installing a touch-free ball removal mechanism.
- Retail sales must follow the Clothing and Retail Guidelines on P. 35.
- Group lessons and tournaments are prohibited. League play and one-on-one lessons may occur if all other criteria are met.
More details can be found in the government’s announcement today. Golf course guidelines are now located on page 42.
Golf Saskatchewan, along with the Canadian Society of Club Managers Saskatchewan Branch, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, Professional Golfers Association of Canada Saskatchewan Branch, and Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association want to thank the Province of Saskatchewan for their cooperation through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Woods, Mickelson, QBs to donate $10 million to virus relief
HOBE SOUND, Fla. – The next match involving Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson involves a $10 million donation for COVID-19 relief efforts, along with plenty of bragging rights in a star-powered foursome May 24 at Medalist Golf Club.
Turner Sports announced more details Thursday for “The Match: Champions for Charity,” a televised match between Woods and Peyton Manning against Mickelson and Tom Brady.
Medalist is where Woods plays when he’s at home. Manning and Brady said they have played there before – Manning running out of golf balls before reaching the 18th, Brady posting a 106.
The format will be better ball for the front nine and modified alternate shot on the back nine, meaning both players hit tee shots and they take turns from there.
You know I had to come in hot with a little trash talk, but as usual, he got the better of me ?
Looking forward to getting back to golf and teaming with @TomBrady against @TigerWoods and Peyton.
Even more excited to raise money for those in need during these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/jp1ten4UqH
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 7, 2020
It will be simulcast on May 24 at 3 p.m. EDT on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN, along with pre-match coverage available on the Bleacher Report app.
WarnerMedia and the four players will collectively make a charitable donation of $10 million to benefit various relief efforts locally and nationally. Turner said the match includes a partnership with the “All In Challenge,” an initiative that provides food for those in need.
Mickelson beat Woods in a playoff under the lights in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend in 2018. This time, they are bringing in two of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks to add to the entertainment.
The announcement came with a video interview by TNT’s Ernie Johnson of the four players, in which Brady said he wanted Woods as a partner until Manning’s father called to switch the teams.
The match will be held one week after live golf returns to television for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the PGA Tour and other tours around the world. Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson will play a charity match against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff at Seminole Golf Club, one of Florida’s most famous courses that will have a televised event for the first time.
DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada cancelled due to COVID-19
ACTON, ON (May 6, 2020) — The PGA of Canada, together with title sponsor DCM, has made the difficult decision to cancel the DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada amid the COVID-19 public health crisis.
The championship was slated for June 8-10 at Oshawa Golf & Curling Club.
“Knowing how much this event means to those who compete in it, we are disappointed to have to make this decision,” says Adam LeBrun, managing director of championships and foundation at the PGA of Canada. “As always, our top priority remains the health and safety of our players, staff and volunteers. We are evaluating several options to provide our female members with the opportunity to compete later in the season when it is safe and responsible to do so. We look forward to providing updates when more information becomes available.”
It should also be noted that female PGA of Canada professionals are eligible to participate in other national member championships with a reduced yardage as approved by the association’s board of directors last November. The policy can be seen here.
The event has drawn an impressive field of domestic and international talent in recent years thanks to the combined efforts of the association and lead sponsor DCM, who has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to the betterment ofwomen’s professional golf.
“We are proud partners of the PGA of Canada, and continue to support opportunities for female professional golfers to compete and develop as athletes, be it through this championship or our Power Up Bursary program,” says DCM President and CEO Greg Cochrane. “We are committed to this partnership and will be working with the PGA of Canada to conduct this national championship for years to come.”
DCM continues to actively support female golfers through the Power Up Bursary; the 2019-2020 recipients are Casey Ward, Megan Osland, Josée Doyon, Elizabeth Tong, Maddie Szeryk, Selena Costabile (also a Power Up recipient for 2018-2019), and Jessica Porvasnik, winner of the DCM PGAWomen’s Championship of Canada in 2018.
The storied national championship, which was first contested in 1987, has seen several notable players hoist the trophy, including Cathy Sherk, Nancy Harvey, Lorie Kane, Brooke Henderson, and last year’s winner Rebecca Lee-Bentham, to name a few.
Lee-Bentham set the course record at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto last July, winning in spectacular fashion after shooting a final-round 9-under-par 63.
Announcements for all other upcoming PGA of Canada national championships will be made closer to the event dates.
IGF announces cancellation of 2020 World Amateur Team Championship due to COVID-19
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The International Golf Federation announced today that the 2020 World Amateur Team Championships scheduled for October have been cancelled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision follows the IGF’s announcement in February that the biennial event for men and women, originally to be held in Hong Kong, was moving to Singapore due to ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IGF continued to work with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) to host both competitions at Tanah Merah Country Club and Sentosa Golf Club on the same dates as planned, with the Espirito Santo Trophy for women scheduled from October 14-17 and the Eisenhower Trophy for men from October 21-24.
“This unprecedented decision was due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that this has caused to ensuring that the 2020 WATC could be staged successfully,” said IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon. “But most importantly, it was made to safeguard the health and safety of all athletes, officials and volunteers at the 2020 WATC, to which there was no certainty that this risk could be mitigated to an acceptable level.”
“I would also note that we gave thoughtful consideration to postponing the Championships to 2021,” Scanlon continued. “However, this would have created considerable scheduling and logistical issues that were insurmountable, plus we still could not say with absolute certainty that we could hold it without risk next year. Therefore, it is preferred that the IGF look forward to focusing on and delivering a wonderful 2022 event in France.”
Dating back to 1958, the World Amateur Team Championships include up to 72 countries competing in 72 holes of stroke play competition. Each country fields two or three players with the two lowest scores counting per round.
Korn Ferry Tour announces new restart schedule and combined 2020-21 season
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The Korn Ferry Tour announced today additional modifications and details regarding the restart of the 2020 schedule and a fall calendar of events that will be part of a one-time, combined 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour season.
The announcement of a fall schedule comes after the PGA TOUR announced last week that, due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation or postponement of 13 events from the 2019-20 TOUR Season, eligibility has been extended for exempt 2019-20 PGA TOUR members for the 2020-21 season. These adjustments will result in the Korn Ferry Tour not having a graduating class in 2020; however, the TOUR has established a performance benefit for the top 10 from the Korn Ferry Tour points list following the conclusion of the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance. Those players will be granted access into all PGA TOUR additional events for the 2020-21 season.
The newly created 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour schedule that will bridge two seasons will conclude with 25 PGA TOUR cards awarded at the 2021 WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by KraftHeinz, with an additional 25 cards awarded at the conclusion of the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Finals.
With six events completed through the El Bosque Mexico Championship by INNOVA, the remaining 2020 schedule – subject to change – now consists of 23 events. Korn Ferry Tour events to be contested in 2021 as part of the combined 2020-21 schedule will be announced later this year.
“While we won’t have the opportunity to graduate a Korn Ferry Tour Class in 2020, we feel our reimagined wraparound schedule – with newly created playing opportunities – is the best solution to our season that has been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “We greatly appreciate the support of our tournaments, title sponsors and Player Advisory Council in getting to this point. As we’ve said on several occasions, we will resume play only when it is deemed safe to do so by leading health authorities and government agencies and our tournaments do not negatively impact the critical efforts in the healthcare world and our communities.”
The restart to the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour season will begin as previously announced with the Korn Ferry Challenge at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The event will now be followed by a second event in Northeast Florida at The King & Bear Course at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. This new tournament takes the place of the Wichita Open Supporting Wichita’s Youth, which will move to one of the newly created fall dates.
Following the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes, the Tour will contest two new events at TPC San Antonio – host of the PGA TOUR’s Valero Texas Open – in back-to-back weeks, starting July 6-18. The first event will be played on the Canyons Course, while the second event would be hosted on the Oaks Course, which is the official tournament course for the Valero Texas Open.
“As we look toward a return to golf, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Korn Ferry Tour and our communities will remain our No. 1 priority,” said Baldwin. “With the impact sustained thus far to our 2020 schedule, it was imperative that we strive to create new playing opportunities for our membership, including these four events that were not on our original schedule.”
The Lincoln Land Championship presented by LRS in Springfield, Illinois, will move from the week of July 13-19 to one of the new fall dates, which leaves the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper in Springfield, Missouri, as the first of six events on the original 2020 calendar that will remain as scheduled through the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance.
In addition to the Lincoln Land Championship presented by LRS and the Wichita Open Supporting Wichita’s Youth, the Evans Scholars Invitational in Chicago, and the Savannah Golf Championship in Savannah, Georgia, were also rescheduled for the new fall season. The inaugural Orange County National Championship presented by Knight 39 will be played near Orlando the week of October 5-11.
Revised 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Season schedule
- June 8-14: Korn Ferry Challenge at TPC Sawgrass, TPC Sawgrass (Dye’s Valley), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
- June 15-20: The King & Bear Classic at World Golf Village, The King & Bear GC at World Golf Village, St. Augustine, Florida (Saturday finish)
- June 22-28: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, Oakridge CC, Farmington, Utah
- June 29-July 5: TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes, TPC Colorado, Berthoud, Colorado
- July 6-12: TPC San Antonio Challenge at the Canyons, TPC San Antonio (Canyons Course), San Antonio, Texas
- July 13-18: TPC San Antonio Championship at the Oaks, TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, Texas (Saturday finish)
- July 20-26: Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, Highland Springs CC, Springfield, Missouri
- July 27-August 2: Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Aetna, The Club at Indian Creek, Omaha, Nebraska
- August 3-9: WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by KraftHeinz, Pumpkin Ridge GC (Witch Hollow), North Plains, Oregon
- August 10-16: Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft Nabisco, Hillcrest CC, Boise, Idaho
- August 17-23: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Ohio State University GC (Scarlet Course), Columbus, Ohio
- August 24-30: Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance, Victoria National GC, Newburgh, Indiana
- August 31-September 6: Lincoln Land Championship presented by LRS, Panther Creek CC, Springfield, Illinois
- September 7-13 : Evans Scholars Invitational, TBD, Chicago, Illinois
- September 21-27: Wichita Open Supporting Wichita’s Youth, Crestview CC, Wichita, Kansas
- September 28-October 4: Savannah Golf Championship, The Landings Club (Deer Creek), Savannah, Georgia
- October 5-11: Orange County National Championship presented by Knight 39, Orange County Golf Center & Lodge (Panther Lake), Winter Garden, Florida
The Korn Ferry Tour will resume play with at least the first four events closed to the general public while continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities in order to determine the most appropriate on-site access in each market. Decisions on fan attendance at all events thereafter will be dependent on available protocols that could be implemented to ensure the health and well-being for all involved.
For more information on the Korn Ferry Tour, please visit PGATOUR.com.