Golf In A Plague Year May 16: Modifications

Golf In A Plague Year May 16: Modifications

As of this date, all fifty states now are open to golf. The openings, however, come with lots of modifications: walking, or one to a cart; no touching flagsticks; no rakes. Still, I am grateful that the sport has returned.

Other aspects of golf also are making modifications;

• The PGA TOUR Champions Combines Seasons
• Live Golf Returns With Charity Skins On Sunday
• The European Tour Holds Its Second Virtual Tournament
• PGA Of America Fashion And Demo Experience Goes Virtual

PGA TOUR Champions Combines 2020-2021 Season

With eight events already cancelled, and others perhaps on the verge, the PGA TOUR Champions will combine its 2020 and 2021 seasons, crowing a Charles Schwab Cup Champion in November 2021.

In addition, other measures are being taken to offset some of the impact made by the cancellation of tournaments.

• In 2020, the field size of tournaments will increase from 78 to 81 players.
• In 2020, the three Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs events will be converted into 81-player fields.
• The Charles Schwab Cup Championship will be reduced from 72 to 54 holes.

The PGA TOUR Champions season is schedule to restart July 31, 2020 with The Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

TaylorMade Driving Relief Benefits COVID Pandemic Relief

Live golf returns Sunday May 17, as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff put on a team competition show. The $3 million charity skins match is supported by UnitedHealth Group.

McIlroy and Johnson will compete for the American Nurses Foundation, while Fowler and Wolff will play for the CDC Foundation. The teams begin with $500K for their foundations; $2 million more can be won as skins. Farmers Insurance has pledged $1 million for a birdies-and-eagles pool.

The competition will be broadcast on NBC, GOLF Channel, NBCSN, Sky Sports and other PGA TOUR global media partners.

During the broadcast fans can donate by visiting this link.

European Tour Holds Second Virtual Tournament

2^nd Tournament BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan Saturday May 16, Course: Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland

The European Tour is staging a series of virtual golf tournaments during the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s not a bad idea.

Connor Syme was the winner of the second BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan. From their homes, 28 European Tour players, including last week’s winner Joost Luiten, and former World Number One and two-time Major Champion Martin Kaymer, took on Royal Portrush, the spectacular venue of the 148^th Open Championship in 2019, in the one round, 18-hole stroke-play event.

Syme carded an eight under par round of 64 to secure a two-stroke victory over England’s Lawrie Canter and Dutchman Will Besseling, who were tied for second place.

The 24-year-old Scot opted to split the €10,000 cheque between two charities that will benefit from the donation during the COVID-19 pandemic – FoodTrain, which supplies meals to the elderly in Dundee, Scotland, and Hospice of the Valleys, a charity close to his heart which provides palliative care.

PGA Of America Replaces In-Person PGA Fashion and Demo Experience With Virtual ProgramsT

The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience, originally scheduled for August 18-19, 2020, at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, will instead facilitate business connections through a series of digital programs starting in June with additional online offerings continuing throughout 2020.

The new platforms will aid the golf industry by helping to connect buyers and exhibitors leading up to the 2021 PGA Merchandise Show, January 26-29, 2021, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

“While we certainly wish we could stage this year’s PGA Fashion and Demo Experience, the health and well-being of everyone involved is our highest priority,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley. “Situations like these spark innovation and new solutions, and we’re excited to partner with Reed Exhibitions to present creative strategies for the golf industry. We value their global business resources and are working together to develop new opportunities for our PGA Professionals, industry buyers and exhibitors to interact and prepare for the industry’s rapid changes. Additionally, we sincerely appreciate Reed Exhibition’s donation to the Golf Emergency Relief Fund, in support of golf industry professionals who are facing financial hardship.”