Olympia Fields Country Club will be hosting the BMW Championship golf tournament Aug. 25 through 30, but there has been no decision on whether spectators will be allowed to attend the event.
Information from the Western Golf Association, host of the event, gave a new date for the event. It was originally scheduled for Aug. 18 through 23. In January, the Chronicle announced WGA was looking for volunteers to work the event.
In its updated information, WGA said: “The ultimate goal continues to be to conduct a safe and entertaining event while raising awareness and funds for the BMW Championship’s sole charitable beneficiary, the Evans Scholars Foundation.”
Golf caddies from local clubs have benefitted from the Evans Scholarship that covers tuition, room and board at select colleges.
Most recently, Homewood-Flossmoor High School 2020 graduate Jonathan Kriarakis, who caddied at Flossmoor Country Club, will use his Evans Scholarship at Northwestern University. H-F Class of 2019 Evans Scholarship winners were Michael Grupp and Madelyn Fitzgerald.
In its statement, WGA said, “The organization will continue to review new information related to COVID-19 made available by leading health officials and follow the recommendations of state and local officials throughout this process. Whatever direction the planning takes, the WGA is committed to creating a safe environment for all attendees, including players, spectators, volunteers and staff.”
The most recent golf event, Rocket Mortgage Classic part of the PGA tour, was played over the Fourth of July weekend in Detroit. Fans were not allowed as tournament spectators.