Tournament officials announced today that out of an abundance of caution due to the continuously changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TOUR Championship will be played without spectators at East Lake Golf Club over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-7.
The 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season will once again conclude at the TOUR Championship, where the FedExCup champion will be crowned following a 33-event Regular Season and three FedExCup Playoffs events. With today’s announcement, the remainder of the 2019-20 season will be contested without spectators.
Ultimately, the decision by the tournament to be spectator free was in collaboration with local and state government and health officials and the PGA TOUR to ensure the well-being of all involved with the TOUR Championship. Tournament officials will work with the event’s Proud Partners, Coca-Cola and Southern Company, to make sure the tournament continues to benefit the communities in the Greater Atlanta area.
“These decisions are never easy, and we would like to thank the City of Atlanta and PGA TOUR headquarters for their extensive collaboration as we arrived at what was the best decision for all involved with the TOUR Championship and the community. We are still very excited about showcasing the world’s 30 best players and the City of Atlanta to a global television audience and continuing our mission of raising funds and awareness for the East Lake Foundation and all of our charitable beneficiaries,” TOUR Championship Executive Director Allison Fillmore said. “Each year, a portion of every ticket purchased to the TOUR Championship is invested back into the community. With no fans on site this year, we plan to exhaust every option to generate the necessary funds for these very deserving organizations.”
Fans are now able to donate in support of the TOUR Championship’s charitable partners through PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. All proceeds will benefit the tournament’s four primary charitable beneficiaries: East Lake Foundation, Purpose Built Schools Atlanta, Grove Park Foundation and First Tee® of Metro Atlanta.
Donations can be made directly through PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. here: TOUR Championship COVID-19 Relief Fund
“The East Lake Foundation and our charitable beneficiaries need our help to accomplish their goals, so we are hopeful that our fans jump at this opportunity to make a personal contribution,” Fillmore said.
In addition to its commitment to charitable giving, the TOUR Championship will unveil a comprehensive “Virtual Fan Guide” that will live on TOURChampionship.com as part of several virtual fan activations to keep fans engaged and connected to the tournament and its players.
The first round of the TOUR Championship will begin on Friday, Sept. 4, with the final round scheduled for Monday, Sept. 7. The first two rounds will be broadcast on Golf Channel; the final two rounds will air on NBC.
Online ticket purchasers for this year’s event will be refunded by their original method of purchase automatically. For more information on the refund policy and the 2020 TOUR Championship, fans are encouraged to visit TOURChampionship.com.
Fans can follow the TOUR Championship on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest tournament news and updates.
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About the TOUR Championship
The top 30 players in FedExCup standings after the BMW Championship qualify for the TOUR Championship, the finale of the FedExCup Playoffs, and will be awarded starting strokes for round one based on their position. The player with the lowest stroke total including starting strokes in the TOUR Championship after 72 holes of competition will be named winner of the FedExCup and will be awarded an official PGA TOUR victory. The TOUR Championship is annually contested at Atlanta’s renowned East Lake Golf Club, the formative home of the legendary Bobby Jones. The 2020 tournament will be played Sept. 4-7. The tournament proudly supports the East Lake Foundation, the Grove Park Foundation, Purpose Built Schools Atlanta and The First Tee® of Metro Atlanta. The Coca-Cola Company and the Southern Company are the exclusive Proud Partners of the TOUR Championship.
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and nearly 3,900 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 21 billion-dollar brands, 19 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. These brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages. More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, Forbes and the Women’s Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
