OPINION: PGA Championship Allowing Fans, But Needs to Regulate Who Gets In

I’ve been to several heavily attended PGA TOUR and PGA Champions Tour events in my lifetime. They’re exciting, they’re fun, they’re a totally different sports experience, and they’re crowded as all hell.

Working with the CDC, public health officials in South Carolina, and MUSC Health (who will provide medical services at the major), the PGA Championship will allow up to 10,000 ticketed patrons per day.

Given the fact that this takes place over a massive piece of land, I think this number is adequate. 

Then again I saw plenty of bunched crowds at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Houston Open eschewing good sense by not wearing a mask in close quarters of crowds bunched at the tee boxes. It didn’t seem security and volunteers were able to get many to stay compliant to the ground rules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Waste Management Phoenix Open (@wmphoenixopen)

Let’s say I still have significant doubts about health safety at PGA TOUR and other events if left to the masses and common sense about health and those around them.

As I’ve mentioned before, I suffered a mild case of COVID-19 in October and it wasn’t a fun ride even with a less than severe case. Frankly, it was the suckiest sickness suck that I’ve personally experienced. Luckily I’m also receiving my second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday, February 24th because my being both a type 2 diabetic and the size of a Volkswagen finally paid off for me.

Even with a vaccine on board for me and many others, the late May play of the PGA Championship will not be close to having the significant majority of Americans vaccinated (based on the CDC’s recent estimates). The other problem is we have too many people not talking to their doctors or medical providers but choose to listen to questionable sources or “researching” these vaccines on YouTube while atop the porcelain throne.

For those who still prefer anecdotal evidence, my first dose of the ‘Rona vaccine had little to no side effects in me outside of the normal soreness I get from the annual flu shot (which I also have received). Some have told me to expect the same with the second where others have said it was a wilder ride, but my doctor says not to worry so I trust her judgment more than some guy on Facebook who heard things from his father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate.

Now, how can the PGA Championship make this the safest environment in sports for viewing? That’s simple: only allow tickets to be purchased by those who enter the grounds to provide proof of receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Is the vaccine foolproof? Nope, and neither was Max Homa’s short putt to win last Sunday at the Genesis Invitational. The vaccines are about 94% effective for both Pfizer and Moderna’s offerings, but that’s also way better than most ever come close to protecting us from other ailments.

But taking a measure like this sends a message: we want fans to come back and we want the safest environment possible. Yes, these events are outdoors but people bunch in tighter than sardines in a can at these things (no matter what security says) so let’s go the extra mile. And when you can feel the hot breath of others on your neck like dragon’s fire then it really makes no difference if you’re inside or out.

I’m more than ready to get the hate mail and the nasty comments on this opinion, and I frankly don’t care. Healthcare and safety isn’t politics, the virus doesn’t give a rat’s ass if you’re a conservative or a liberal, and doctors are smarter about your health and safety than some twit tweeting on Twitter. 

So yes, I want fans back at golf events as much as I want them back at lots of sporting contests, but we can do this safer and smarter in the process.

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