Ohio Golf Journal June 2020

Marathon Classic The LPGA’s Marathon Classic has been moved to July 23-26. The LPGA Tour is planning on restarting its season in Toledo, with fans in attendance. In an interview for Back 9 Report in May, Marathon Classic Tournament Director, Judd Silverman said he was not willing to host the 2020 tournament without fans. Bridgestone Senior PLAYERS Championship The PGA TOUR Champions are set to visit Firestone Country Club in Akron for the Bridgestone PLAYERS Championship, August 13-16. It was moved from its original dates of July 9-12. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship The Korn Ferry Tour’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship is slated for August 20-23 and is normally one of the final tournaments of the season that helps determinewhowill receive PGA Tour exemptions to the following season. The PGA Tour has already announced that the normal 50 new PGA Tour cards that are issued from the Korn Ferry Tour every year has been reduced to 10. Safety Concerns The Memorial has announced that special RFID tags will be added to entry badges so tournament officials can monitor crowds during the tournament. They will be able to advise fans to disperse if they become too congested in one area. The Marathon Classic will have thermal imaging equipment in the parking lot and fans will be scanned for symptoms of fever before they board shuttle busses to take them to the course entrance. If a fan exhibits higher than normal temperatures, he/she will be asked to return home and seek medical attention. In these post-COVID-19 times it is essential that life continue, but precautions need to be taken to assure the safety of everyone. These tournaments generate millions of dollars for their local economies and more importantly raise millions of dollars for charity. Workday is a financial management company based in Pleasanton, California.They have been involved in golf with player endorsements for Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker and Matt Fitzpatrick, but this is the first time they have been a title sponsor for a PGA TOUR event.