After months of deliberation, organizers of the Masters announced on Wednesday that the event will be played without fans and patrons.
This note came from Masters organizers today:
Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, announced today that the 2020 Masters Tournament will take place November 9-15 without patrons or guests on the grounds.
“Since our initial announcement to postpone the 2020 Masters, we have remained committed to a rescheduled Tournament in November while continually examining how best to host a global sporting event amid this pandemic,” said Ridley. “As we have considered the issues facing us, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Masters always has been our first and most important priority.
“Throughout this process, we have consulted with health officials and a variety of subject matter experts. Ultimately, we determined that the potential risks of welcoming patrons and guests to our grounds in November are simply too significant to overcome.
“Even in the current circumstances, staging the Masters without patrons is deeply disappointing. The guests who come to Augusta each spring from around the world are a key component to making the Tournament so special. Augusta National has the responsibility, however, to understand and accept the challenges associated with this virus and take the necessary precautions to conduct all aspects of the Tournament in a safe manner. We look forward to the day when we can welcome all of our patrons back, hopefully in April 2021.
“We appreciate the support and patience of all those we serve – including the Augusta community, our corporate and broadcast partners and our friends in golf – as we continue to plan for this historic event.”
All 2020 ticket holders will be guaranteed the same tickets for the 2021 Masters. Augusta National will communicate directly with all ticket holders and 2021 ticket applicants in September.
Previously, Augusta mayor Hardie Davis predicted a patron-less Masters Tournament was likely when the rescheduled event is held in November.
The golf club postponed this year’s Masters Tournament events from April 9-12 to Nov. 9-15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Augusta added 1,460 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the two weeks leading up to August 6, bringing the Richmond County total Wednesday to 3,921, which is just under 2% of the population.
Davis, who is not affiliated with the club, said it will look out for the safety and well-being of all but refused to say whether he wants patrons to attend.
“They’re very thoughtful,” he said of the Augusta National. “They’re going to take those necessary precautions to ensure the health, welfare and safety of not just the competitors but also this city.”
Players have weighed in on the move, like 1992 Masters champ Fred Couples, who expects the conditions will make this a tournament like none other.
“I’ve only gone to Augusta once other than getting in there on the Sunday before the Masters and it was the end of November. We teed off at 8 a.m. and I hit driver, 2 iron into the first green. The next day it was cold and windy and I needed a rescue,” Couple said. “So, I’m not sure what the weather will be like in early November, but I will say this, the greens were unreal and as good as any Masters I ever played. The fairways were a little thin, but we’re talking Augusta, usually, it’s an 11 out of a 10 when we play. I don’t think it will touch 70 degrees, so it will play extremely long and be a unique situation.”
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