PGA Tour Re-Start Safety Includes Charter Flights And LOTS Of Testing

The PGA Tour’s Virus Magna Carta is out, sort of, and the protocols for the tour’s return to action will include, among other items, loads of testing and charter flights.

The Sheriff Of Nottingham (aka Tour Commish Jay Monahan) won’t be all that pleased to know that Golf Digest along with the four letter network (ESPN)  got hold of the tour’s 36-page internal document sent out to all its members.

In that document are details of the tour’s return plan and the biggest part of it, as anticipated, includes a LOT of testing for COVID-19.

Testing protocols will include three levels —  a questionnaire, thermal reading and nasal swab or saliva test. Players and caddies will have to be screened before they leave their homes for an event, then again upon arrival at the event with all three methods used along with a daily questionnaire and thermal reading.

According to the “leaked” document, the results from nasal swabs will take at least 24-48 hours. Players who are waiting for those test results may practice or play on-site but will have no access to course facilities such as the clubhouse and locker-room.

What happens if someone tests positive?  They would be required to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days with no subsequent symptoms, or two negative test results at least 24 hours apart.  Of course the Tour will provide support for someone throughout said isolation period.  They might even be sent home via car if deemed safe.  Players or caddies who test positive will not be permitted to participate in the competition and any player who competes in a tournament, makes the cut but is then unable to finish due to a positive test will receive last place unofficial money.

There will also be tighter restrictions over player and caddie areas.  Clubhouse access will be very tight.  Said access will only be granted to those who have been cleared through testing; no player families  will be allowed at the events and there will be limited support personnel.  Expect lots of disinfection protocols, distribution of personal protective equipment, sanitary wipes and sanitizer.  Players and caddies will have movement within the host cities restricted..

The same testing protocols will also be used for PGA Tour Staff, rules and other officials, media, security, just about everyone who steps foot on the tournament site.

Everyone on the property, whether among those tested or not, will be required to complete a questionnaire as well as receive a temperature screening each day. Social distancing and other methods such as sanitizing hands and equipment will also be expected.

Along with family, no agents or manager-types on site.

Swing coaches are allowed and for players who don’t speak English, interpreters are okay.

The equipment trailers for the big companies like Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist, among others, will be allowed as well, but with restrictions. Reps from those companies will not be allowed in practice areas, the clubhouse or locker room, and they will have a designated drop-off/pick-up point for items. Players will not be allowed in the equipment trailers.  Players’ personal trainers will have a designated space inside the clubhouse.

The Tour hopes to create a “bubble” if you will in the form of a designated host hotel for players and caddies  to create a controlled environment.  There will be exceptions, such as as RVs, rental homes approved by the Tour, or a player staying in his own home.  Those are permitted.

The Tour also plans to charter airline flights between events for players and caddies, with up to 170 players and caddies on board. PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions players will be charged $600 per airplane seat.  Caddies and Korn Ferry Tour players only $300. All passengers would be required to submit to viral testing within 24 hours of departure and only passengers who test negative for the Coronavirus will be allowed on those flights.

There may still be those wonderful luxury courtesy cars but those are provided by the events themselves.  Other than those vehicles, players and caddies will mostly be responsible for their own transportation. No services like Uber or Lyft may be used.

As for the caddies during play — they can rake bunkers and touch flagsticks.  But have to clean those after use.  Social distancing will be monitored on the practice ranges and putting greens.

There will be sanitizing stations on all tees and greens.

No media interview rooms and networks have been asked to scale back their personnel.

Of course, no spectators at all for the first four events, at a minimum.

Welcome to the new-version PGA Tour, brought to you by the Corona Virus.