Like everything else in the world today, the COVID-19 global pandemic proves it is running the show. We are just playing defense.

The effects have touch everyone’s life. School was conducted online. Graduations were either cancelled, held remotely or with social distancing and limited attendance. All major professional and collegiate sports were cancelled or postponed. Businesses were forced to shut down… some for good.

The PGA TOUR and the 2020 3M Open were not exempt.

On June 15^th, officials announced that the tournament, held July 23-26 at TPC Twin Cities “would be conducted without spectators in accordance to current Minnesota state guidelines in place due to COVID-19.”

The news was not wholly unexpected. Leading up to the 3M Open, all PGA TOUR tournaments after the shutdown were conducted in a similar fashion. The Memorial Tournament scheduled for the week prior to the 3M Open was to be the first to have limited fan access.

Held annually at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, the tournament that “Jack built” eventually fell victim to COVID-19. Officials announced several weeks before their event that they too would be sans fans.

In fact, shortly after that announcement, the PGA TOUR announced that ALL events for the remainder of the 2019-2020 tournament schedule would be TV events only. No fans.

The final two Majors, The Masters and the U.S. Open are to be conducted after the end of this wrap around schedule in the fall. Augusta National and the USGA have not made a decision on fan attendance as of the time of print.

Sighting “the well-being of the Blaine and surrounding communities remains of utmost importance, the 3M Open and the 3M Open Fund will continue to work with the PGA TOUR and local and state government agencies to ensure the health and safety of the players, caddies and essential personnel who are allowed on the grounds at the 3M Open.” Officials said in a statement.

Tournament officials had held out hope that some fans would be allowed to attend.

“We had parallel plans in place allowing for a limited number of spectators on the grounds, but we understand the need to conduct this event in this fashion as we continue to recover from the pandemic,” said 3M Open Executive Tournament Director Hollis Cavner. “We’re still very excited about the opportunity to showcase the 3M Open and its community impact to the world through the PGA TOUR’s media partners, including Golf Channel and CBS domestically.”

It not only was the correct decision… it was, in fact, the only decision.

How Will It Look?

If you have watched any of the previously held events since the PGA TOUR restarted, it is a bit different. OK… a lot different.

First, it’s quiet… very quiet. There are no fans going bananas when someone stuffs one in close. No echoing roars when someone drains a 50-foot birdie. No gasps of horror when someone dunks it in the water on 17. On the plus side, there is no one yelling “mashed potatoes,” “Baba Buoy,” or “you da man!”

Second, players, caddies, media (those limited number of media members that are allowed to be on-site), officials, essential staff and volunteers all must undergo COVID-19 testing prior to being admitted on the grounds. Once they have tested negative, additional testing is conducted throughout the week.

The PGA TOUR is taking their guidance from the CDC and the WHO, but their protocols are changing weekly as they learn to navigate through this pandemic.

The TOUR has had several positive tests of both players and caddies. Additionally, there appear to have been several false positives, leading officials to conduct further testing for those asymptomatic individuals that have previously tested positive.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the television coverage is massive. All networks involved, as well as the PGA TOUR Media have gone above and beyond to make the product compelling enough to watch even without fans.

One sight that may seem out of place to the television audience… gallery ropes still lining the holes. While that may look odd, it is, in reality so the camera operators know where to go.

With all the changes, a very stout field, including newly committed Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka will compete to unseat last year’s rooking sensation Matthew Wolff. Wolff won in dramatic fashion in 2019 draining a long putt from just off the 18^th green card a final round 65 and snatch a one-shot victory over fellow rookie phenom Collin Morikowa and Bryson DeChambeau.

DeChambeau is currently the talk of the TOUR. Using the shut-down to add 25 pounds (going up two shirt sizes) and adding an additional 30, 40 sometimes 50 yards to his drives, DeChambeau is proving once again that he aims to get to number 1 in the world doing “his way.”

If the first few events are any indication, the finish should be something to see. Historically, the 3M Open and its predecessor the PGA TOUR Champions’ 3M Championship provided ample fireworks over the closing holes to keep television viewers glued to their screens.

What About The Charities

A tournament without spectators has left a void in the charitable giving for the PGA TOUR and its local sponsors to fill. Much of the money raised by these events comes in the form of daily ticket revenues and corporate hospitality tents.

In 2019, the 3M Open Fund donated over $1.5 million to Minnesota nonprofits as well as sponsored hundreds of hours volunteering and hosted a toy drive for the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.

Officials of the 3M Open Fund still intend on charitable contributions to the community. Local partners have stepped up to keep the funds flowing. Funds raised will go to select Minnesota charities to highlight the ‘Power of Community’ throughout the event.

Tournament organizers identified eight major charity partners for this year’s tournament: M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, Greater Twin Cities United Way, VEAP, Urban Ventures, Lake Street Council, YWCA of Minneapolis, YWCA of St. Paul and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

“Thanks to the support we receive from so many, including our volunteers and corporate partners, the 3M Open Fund has this opportunity to partner with local organizations to assist others through awareness and financial means.” said Mike Welch, 3M Open Tournament Director. “One of 3M Open Fund’s primary goals is to make this community stronger and it is a mission our tournament staff takes seriously throughout the year, not just one week.”

Denise Rutherford, 3M’s senior vice president of corporate affairs added, “Even without spectators, the 3M Open will remain a platform to give back and build more resilient communities.”

“Sports has the unique ability to unite people and that has been a cornerstone of 3M’s partnership with the PGA TOUR for many years. We look forward to strengthening our social impact through the 3M Open Fund with this year’s tournament.”

Now all that is left to do is watch it all play out. Hopefully next year we can watch the action in person.