TOUR Championship is ready for fans with COVID-19 plan in place

ATLANTA — Unlike 2020, there will be fans roaming the walkways of the East Lake Golf Club Labor Day weekend during this years TOUR Championship.

No, there won’t be sellout crowds following their favorite golfer competing for $15 million in prize money. There will be roughly 20% fewer people on the course than in years gone by.

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Channel 2′s Tom Regan spoke to Allison Filmore, the Vice-President and Executive Director of the TOURChampionship.

Filmore said we’re still talking about tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans during the four day tournament.

“We are so excited to have fans back at East Lake Golf Club this year,” Filmore said. “To have someone sink a putt and no one yelling after it, that’s not how you’re used to celebrating an event.”

As preparations ramp up, the course is buzzing with activity. But when the fans show up beginning next week, there will be several COVID-19 rules in place.

Fans will be required to wear protective masks while inside buildings. While on the course, masks are highly recommended, particularly for those who are not vaccinated. In addition, there will be digital spectator guides, pairing sheets and tickets to limit the handling and printing of paper.

“This year, everything will be digital, from spectator guides to pairing guides to our tickets,” Filmore said.

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The course will feature hand sanitizers at points all over the course. Staffers will clean surfaces frequently and fans are being asked to practice as much social distancing as they possibly can.

Keeping that distance during a crucial putt on the back nine on the final day will be difficult.

“I know our fans missed being here, and I know our players missed having the fans,” said Filmore.

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Things that you won’t see if all goes to plan, no selfies, fist bumps or player autographs over the course of the week. But, Chad Parker, the President of East Lake Golf Club feels that’s a small sacrifice to make.

“The fact that we can still have the event, with not having it the way it’s always been, with no signing autographs and what the protocol will be,” Parker said. “That’s just something we will have to deal with. We just want some momentum and get the event going again.”

All 6 people injured after lightning strikes Tour Championship home, recovering Officials said that one of those bolts hit near the 15th green and the other hit the 16th tee, injuring six people, including a child.

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