As I watch many professional and amateur sports on TV, the term health and safety protocol is at the top of list for announcers. They discuss how teams are responding to their depleted roster due to COVID and other medical challenges. The health and safety protocols are part of the 2022 sports season and is an undeniable fact that it is affecting many teams. This is stressor for sure on all team sports, but what about golf. As an individual sport, where do the health and safety protocols stand for golf professionals and tournaments?
I have tried to find the rules/guidelines that the PGA Tour is using with respect to health and safety protocols for the players, but have not found a specific document with which to reference. Most recently, “Cameron Champ has withdrawn from the Sentry Tournament of Champions after testing positive for COVID-19. Champ qualified for the field after earning his third PGA TOUR victory at last year’s 3M Open.” (PGATour.com). This leads me to conclude that if a player tests positive for COVID the week of or during a tournament, they must withdraw. This action follows along all the team sports with respect to the health and safety guidelines.
Also, there are guidelines for fans and guests published on the PGA Tour website. Labeled ‘Know before you go’, it outlines the do’s and don’ts of attending a professional golf tournament. Additionally, other restrictions can be levied by the tournaments themselves, therefore, it is important that all fans figure out what the health and safety protocols are before attending the event.
Regardless on where you stand on the health and safety protocols for professional athletes and fans, they appear to be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Personally, I am all for them.
Health and safety protocols due to COVID are affecting all professional sports. For golf, a player is asked to withdraw from an event if they test positive the week of or during the actual event. There are many different views on whether the efforts of the PGA Tour are effective. Regardless what we think, they are likely doing what they believe is best for the golf industry and the safety of the players and fans.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
While the covid factor is a concern, I have a more pressing problem with the age
of some of my league golfers. I have 35 players of various ages with various problems. I have golfers that are 80 years plus, a couple with diabetes, a few that are on chemotherapy. While we don’t play in front of crowds, I still have a responsibility to make sure they are safe. Protocol is followed loosely in Pennsylvania, I still have to remind the players to remain apart as much as possible.
I have a policy to have the younger players keep an eye on the older players
(especially during the warmer months) I tell them to make sure that they stay
hydrated and to slow down. 30 minutes more on the course is really not going to effect the pace of play. While some of the older players complain about being
watched over, at the end of the day I know they appreciate the attention.
Mike
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Mike,
I found that it is very difficult to herd cats. And that is what the senior Mens are like some days. Last year during senior mens day, they followed the protocols as they saw fit. Many acted like it was a guideline. The only person we can control is ourselves and our intent. The rest is out of our hands.
Cheers Jim
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