PGA Tour Shuts Down in Response to the Coronavirus
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Vol. 32, No. 7 R O C H E S T E R Monday, March 16, 2020 Augusta National PGA Tour Shuts Down in Postpones Masters Golf Response to the Coronavirus BY BILL PENNINGTON Due to Coronavirus PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. Washington (AFP) — This of American sport, also forced — The PGA Tour responded year’s Masters tournament, the Ridley to postpone the Augusta to the coronavirus outbreak on season’s first major golf champi- National Women’s Amateur and Thursday night by canceling the onship, has been postponed due youth Drive, Chip and Putt Na- remainder of the Players Cham- to the coronavirus outbreak, Au- tional Finals. pionship, its signature event, and gusta National Golf Club chair- “Ultimately, the health and shutting down all of its events man Fred Ridley announced well-being of everyone associ- until at least April 9, the start Friday. ated with these events and the date of the Masters. “Considering the latest infor- citizens of the Augusta com- The cancellation of the Players mation and expert analysis, we munity led us to this decision,” Championship came roughly 10 have decided at this time to post- Ridley said. hours after an announcement The crowd for the Players Championship on Thursday was smaller than pone the Masters tournament,” “We hope this postponement Shuts Down — PAGE 6 usual. (Erik S Lesser/EPA, via Shutterstock) Ridley said in a statement. puts us in the best position to The outbreak, which has safely host the Masters tourna- prompted a virtual shutdown Masters — PAGE 5 Tiger Woods Elected to the Jack Nicklaus Urges Americans World Golf Hall of Fame BY DOUG FERGUSON to Be Smart, Considerate PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Already among the great- During Coronavirus Pandemic est on the golf course, Tiger As “social distancing” becomes Woods will join them in the the new norm in the U.S., 18- World Golf Hall of Fame. time major winner Jack Nicklaus Woods was elected Wednes- is urging his fellow Americans to day to be part of the 2021 in- be smart and considerate during duction class, a decision with this coronavirus pandemic. as much suspense as a tap-in. In a video posted to Twitter Woods shares the PGA Tour by Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Nick- record with 82 career victories, laus, who is 80 years old, speaks and his 15 majors are second out on the potential dangers of only to Jack Nicklaus. He has 11 COVID-19 to the nation’s se- other victories in tours around nior-citizen population. the world, including Europe, “I know the last week or so Tiger — PAGE 3 (Harry How/Getty Images) has been an incredibly confusing Jack Nicklaus urges Americans to time,” Nicklaus said. “We’ve lost be smart, considerate during coro- Jack — PAGE 5 navirus pandemic. Brooks Koepka Says He Won’t The World’s Oldest Golf Club Be Joining Premier Golf League Finally Accepts Women as Members BY DOUG FERGUSON (AP) — Brooks Koepka said Sunday he has no interest in the Premier Golf League, another setback to a league promising guaranteed money and a team concept that now is missing some of golf’s biggest young stars. “I am out of the PGL. I’m going with the PGA Tour,” Koepka told The Associated Press. “I have a hard time be- lieving golf should be about just BY ANDY ROBERTS has finally decided it is time to 48 players.” Brooks Koepka hits to the 16th green during a practice round for The The world’s oldest golf club allow women members. Later Sunday, Golfweek re- Players Championship golf tournament Wednesday, March 11. (AP Photo/ Royal Burgess Golfing Society Finally — PAGE 13 Brooks — PAGE 3 Chris O’Meara) RDGA Statement Regarding COVID-19 As concerns over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to rise, the Rochester District Golf Association is monitoring the current situation very closely as the health, safety and well-being of our Members, Member Clubs and the surrounding community is the priority. During extraordinary times such as this, our intent is to inform and not alarm. As such, we wanted to share information about how we’re handling this situation and its influence on life and our day-to-day operations at the RDGA. In light of the current conversations surround- ing the fluidity of COVID-19, the RDGA will continue to operate and will evaluate all events, meetings, seminars and gatherings in the coming weeks–taking into account the CDC’s recommended guidelines, as well as the guidelines and requirements of the health departments in the regions in which we operate. Our staff will primarily operate from home. We encourage our Members, as well as our staff and volunteers, to avoid in-person meetings whenever possible, as we have the tools and resources necessary to arrange for virtual meetings (via phone, video conferencing, etc.) whenever needed. We also encourage everyone to avoid visits to our offices at this time-please email or telephone us instead. We are confident in our ability to provide essential services to our Members and Member Clubs without interruption while ensuring our staff remains healthy and safe. While our online 2020 Tournament registration remains open, as we near the beginning of the active local golf season, the RDGA will continue to update our membership on any and all adjustments to our schedules and operations through our website and other electronic resources. Should you have any questions, please contact the RDGA office at 585-292-5950or via email at [email protected]. x Page 2 • Rochester GOLF WEEK • Monday, March 16, 2020 What Will Be the Biggest Impact of the Tour and Masters Layoff? 1. The PGA Tour and Augusta will be felt most when you get matter again then, and dang will National Golf Club joined a host beyond the Tour stars to the third we be excited for its return. of other sports organizations and fourth degrees of separation. Michael Bamberger, se- last week in either canceling Not just the lesser lights and the nior writer: In the long run, in or postponing events due to other circuits. The charities that the grand scheme of things, this the coronavirus. The Tour an- benefit from the events. The local is of course a blow to a game we nounced Thursday that it was businesses that see a boost every all like or love, but a dent in the canceling the remainder of the time the Tour comes through economy, in golf and beyond. Players Championship and the town. Hotels. Caterers. Event next three tournaments, and planners and on. As Clarence tells 2. It’s important to note that on Friday, the Augusta National George Bailey in that Christmas Augusta National has only post- Golf Club said it was postpon- classic — each life touches so poned the Masters, not canceled ing the Masters. What will be many others. it. How likely is it that we’ll see the biggest impact of the Tour/ Alan Shipnuck, senior a Masters in 2020, and if it is Masters layoff? writer (@AlanShipnuck): The played this year, what would Sean Zak, senior editor CDC just recommended eight be the most likely dates for the (@Sean_Zak): Hmmm. Tough weeks until any large gatherings event? TPC Sawgrass on the first day of the PGA Tour’s layoff.(Getty Images) question to answer because so can be held. That puts us to Zak: I’ll lead off with the most many industries are affected, but at least the PGA Champion- obvious and optimistic answer. the Tour definitely bungled the its new, long-awaited domes- I’ll say the lesser-paid factions ship. I’m feeling like there might Yes, it will be played this year, decision-making process. It was tic media rights deal. The nine- of professional golf could be not be meaningful golf the rest and mid-October. Two weeks a quick one, and with dominos year agreement is with long-time greatly impacted. If this layoff of this season. The economic after the Ryder Cup. As many falling every 30 minutes, but Tour partners CBS Sports and extends beyond the initial an- impact of that is going to be people know, the course is typ- where Monahan lost me quickest NBC Sports, with the addition nouncement (and I think that severe, for the reasons noted ically not open during the sum- was his incessant use of cer- of ESPN to the fold as well. How is very reasonable to expect), above. mer due to the hot southern tain excuses to keep the Players will this deal impact the Tour people like LPGA Tour players, Dylan Dethier, senior writ- climate. So give the overlords Championship moving forward and the viewer? Korn Ferry players, Ladies Eu- er (@dylan_dethier): Well put at Augusta the month of Sep- while all other sporting events Zak: There will be more golf ropean Tour players, etc., will by all of the above. I’m feeling tember to prep the course and stopped: than the PGA Tour fan/viewer potentially look for other means glum, so let’s think of the tiniest give us that fall Masters. It’d be “My children went to school is interested in watching. (This of income. It’d be like they’re all sliver of silver lining: On some a memorable one. this morning.” might already be the case.) The in a missed-cut drought, and it’s future day when this starts to Sens: Autumn in Augusta. Talk “Disney World is still open.” game will be gambled upon by not up to them to play their way slow down, we’ll have golf to about an off-brand Masters, like “Our playing fields are more millions, and more efficiently out of it.