The 2020 golf season was in jeopardy just one year ago. What seemed like a promising early start to the season came to an abrupt halt. Golf courses were forced to close – unsure of when they would reopen. What came next was almost a month of coordination by Minnesota’s allied golf associations and local government officials to ensure the safe reopening of golf facilities in April. To resume play, numerous safety protocols were implemented that brought noticeable changes to the playing procedures most recreational golfers expect. Clubhouses were shut down for indoor dining service. Ball washers and bunker rakes were not allowed on the golf course. Flagsticks were prohibited from being touched and removed from the hole. While some of these restrictions seemed extreme, most golfers were appreciative to be back on the course and enjoy one of the few outdoor activities allowed during the lockdown.

That said, while the number of recreational rounds played began to soar, organized golf (i.e., leagues and events) was still in question. Recreational golf was allowed if individuals signed up with their own groups and stayed socially distanced from others. However, the effectiveness of these safety protocols was questioned when applied to events which purposely bring golfers from multiple households together. Minnesota PGA Tournament Director, Tone Pulido reflects that, “There was a time when we thought there wouldn’t be a tournament season. We developed multiple scenarios based on when tournament play would start, and we prioritized the events to host. At the start of the shutdown, the worse-case scenario of canceling the entire season was very much in play.” As May approached, the Minnesota PGA and other golf associations suspended their events for the month to comply to local governance. All organizations knew the tournament season would be at risk if June’s events had the same fate.

Luckily, organized events were allowed to start in June with responsible protocols in place. The Minnesota PGA’s Senior Open at Keller Golf Course was the first championship to be held during the 2020 Minnesota golf season. Like the recreational experience, seasoned tournament players recognized many changes when arriving to the first tee. Absent were the normal amenities offered such as water, tees and ball markers, caddies and spectators were not allowed, and all tournament staff wore masks. Under these conditions, the tournament was still a success and Don Berry, PGA clinched his seventh Senior Open title after defeating Dale Jones, PGA in a one-hole playoff. “From there, the season continued as normal as possible. Many tournament restrictions stayed in place, while some loosened as we learned more about the virus. For example, caddies and the removal of flagsticks were allowed in July, but we advised participants to use a towel and sanitize their hands frequently,” Pulido said.

Through all the challenges the pandemic brought, the Minnesota PGA was grateful to be hosting events and providing opportunities for the best local professionals and amateurs to compete. Overall, the Minnesota Section’s season would see Dale Jones, PGA claim victory at the Minnesota PGA Professional Championship. Angus Flanagan, who was recently named to the Walker Cup team for Great Britain and Ireland, won both the State Open and Minnesota Golf Champions, and Kathryn VanArragon would become the youngest player to win the Minnesota Women’s State Open—the same feat she accomplished a year earlier at the Minnesota Women’s State Amateur.

Finally, three Minnesota Section professionals were recognized for their great play at the end of the season. Brent Snyder, PGA won his third Player of the Year honors accumulating 797 points and having six top-five finishes, including winning the Minnesota PGA Match Play Championship. Don Berry, PGA would be recognized as the Senior Player of the Year and Angie Ause, PGA as the Women’s Player of the Year – both winning that title eight and four times respectively. Besides the few events in May, the Minnesota PGA was able to host all their major tournaments in 2020.

“I don’t think the scenario of hosting all these events was on any of our radars in March or April of 2020. What the Minnesota PGA was able to accomplish as a team was something special. I owe a lot of gratitude to our Section leadership and the allied golf associations for coming together and creating protocols to ensure the safety of our staff and players. Here at the Minnesota Section, we did not have one COVID case linked to our tournaments – and that, is something worth celebrating,” Pulido concluded.