European Tour Emphasizes UK Event Cluster, "Golf For Good" Theme In July Return

European Tour Chief Keith Pelley and his team rolled out a “reshaped” season with a six-tournament UK swing in July and August followed by a rescheduled Rolex Series in the fall. The European Tour shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 8th.

While also the rollout is similar to the PGA Tour’s upcoming approach emphasizing health and safety, the European Tour model of putting events in a “cluster” with a community-focused theme offers a start contrast to the U.S. tour’s return the week of June 8th.

From the EuropeanTour.com story outlining the dates, venues (eh…) and “Golf for Good” theme.

The ‘Golf for Good’ initiative will be launched at the new ‘UK Swing’ in July and August, six weeks which will culminate in £500,000 from the European Tour being distributed equally between charities local to the tournament venues and charities chosen by the leading ten players in a mini Order of Merit which will run across the six tournaments.

Pelley felt compelled to explain the cluster in case the rest of Europe felt left out.

“Without question we have had to think differently about the remainder of our 2020 season which is reflected in today’s announcement. As golf’s global Tour, diversity is ordinarily one of our biggest strengths, but in this instance it has become one of our biggest challenges.

“Initially, therefore, based on the expert guidance we received, playing in clusters, in one territory, is the best option in terms of testing, travel and accommodation.

“I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank Betfred, Close House, Marriott, The Forest of Arden, Hanbury Manor, The Celtic Manor Resort and The Belfry for sharing our vision for this ‘UK Swing’ and we look forward to returning to tournament play in July with this innovative stretch of six events.

Still remaining to be lifted are travel bans that could throw a wrench in the rollout, though according to Iain Carter of the BBC, Pelley is confident the bans will be lifted.

The tournaments depend on a lifting of government quarantine measures affecting travellers coming into the UK. There is confidence this will not prove a barrier to the tour, which has seen no play since early March.

"In terms of the UK we are very encouraged and very optimistic that the hotels will be operational by the time we play at the end of July and that we will be able to get some dispensation for our players in terms of quarantine," Pelley added.

"And that is absolutely critical for us."

The sensitivity aspect in the return statement is admirable and in contrast to the PGA Tour, where purses have not been touched and charitable efforts have yet to be outlined (though undoubtedly will).

One tournament not mentioned: the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Brian Keogh with Pelley’s insistence it remains a priority event to reschedule and the various complications with firming up a schedule spot.

Here is the graphic accompanying the European Tour story: