U.S. Open(s): Probably Can Have Only As Many Spectators As They Can Park On-Site
/As California reopens and has seen a big decline in COVID cases, June 15th has been circled as the goal for full reopening of the state hosting the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. And as feared, it’s not the tournament site that’s of concern.
It’s the long shuttle rides for the venues that pose safety concerns.
“What we do know, and I think this is pretty much final, is that both in San Francisco and San Diego, we’re just not going to be able to shuttle people from distances,” Davis told Golf Digest. “It’s hard for us, because how do we even plan?”
Both venues are 36-hole facilities but with little parking space within walking distance and need to preserve the “other” 18’s for possible tournament infrastructure.
This year at Torrey, Davis said that optimistically the number for the total people on the grounds, including players, USGA officials and guests, media, corporate sponsors and a small handful of general admission fans would be no more than 10,000. He mentioned possible figures of 4,000 and 8,000, too. With those numbers in mind, the USGA has sent letters to various volunteer groups, such as hole marshals, that their services will not be needed. The idea is to reduce the number to the fewest possible critical jobs.
