We have recently all got used to headlines of sports events being cancelled or played behind closed doors because of the Coronavirus. It was, therefore, fantastic to hear optimism as the Ryder Cup organisers announced they’re planning for a near full-capacity crowd.
The Ryder Cup is a biennial men’s golf event that pits Europe against America in a showdown of golfing prowess. The next and 43rd event had been scheduled for September 2020 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, United States. However, the organisers rescheduled the tournament to 21-26 September 2021, as a result of the pandemic.
Michael O’Reilly, Director of Golf Operations, advised “The original plan is what we’re with right now (with) 40,000 to 45,000 spectators on site per day. Right now, that’s what we’re planning for. Obviously, the PGA of America and Kohler Company, we’re going to adhere to state and local guidelines and recommendations.”
The American PGA Tour was paused for over 2 months in 2020, after restarting in May under tight guidelines and without fans in attendance.
O’Reilly said “There’s a lot of golf tournaments to be played between now and late September, including the PGA Championship, which is in May down at Kiawah. We have the opportunity … to learn a lot along the way, and as things change and evolve, for us to pivot. But as of right now, that’s what we’re hoping for, full attendance and full corporate hospitality.”
Whilst a lot can happen between now and September, the announcement is the first concrete statement of plans to get fans back to major golf events. The strategy is undoubtedly dependent on international progress to control the virus, but it is also testament to the continued learnings of event organisers to implement safety procedures to minimise transmission and put on a safe event.
O’Reilly concluded “I think for the Ryder Cup, for the spectators, it’s going to be really, really good. …There’s a lot of bluffs, a lot of hills, a lot of spaces people can go to watch multiple holes of golf. …We’re set up in a good position to make it the best experience possible.”
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