Madison,
14
April
2021
|
09:57 AM
America/Chicago

American Family Insurance Championship returns with spectator limits and other COVID precautions

Summary

Safety plan includes 5,000 attendees per day, required face coverings and seating changes.

The American Family Insurance Championship is back – and with preparations for up to 5,000 attendees per day on the 430-acre University Ridge Golf Course.

PGA TOUR Champions and the American Family Insurance Championship today announced their plan for this year’s tournament, scheduled for June 5-13 at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison.

The plan developed by officials from the PGA TOUR and American Family Insurance and approved by UW-Madison – which oversees and operates the state-owned University Ridge – enacts a series of policies and measures in accordance with local and state COVID-19 protocols. Those steps, among others, include:

  • Up to 5,000 attendees will be allowed on the grounds during tournament competition (June 11-13) including players, caddies, spectators, tournament staff and volunteers.
  • Face coverings will be required for all spectators, staff and volunteers unless actively eating or drinking. Eating and drinking will not be allowed within 10 feet of the spectator rope line. Concessions services, with limited menu options, will be available in selected locations on the golf course.
  • Public bleacher seating will not be available. Fans are encouraged to bring chairs and sit in ways that help ensure physical distancing throughout all 18 holes.
  • Sanitation stations will be located throughout the grounds, as will “safety ambassadors” to encourage attendee compliance with COVID-safety protocols.
  • The fan-favorite celebrity foursome, which has helped attract Saturday crowds of up to 25,000, will not be held this year but will return in 2022.

“The American Family Insurance Championship is committed to a 2021 event that is above all safe, and also allows us to achieve our ultimate purpose – which is to raise funds to help meet essential needs in our communities,” said Jack Salzwedel, American Family chair and chief executive officer.

“We’re thrilled about the return of the American Family Insurance Championship to University Ridge,” UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said. “The event has become a late-spring staple in our community, and we all missed it last year. I want to thank Jack Salzwedel, Steve Stricker and all who have worked to bring the tournament back in a manner that will be both fun and safe. I am looking forward to it.”

The American Family Insurance Championship has raised $10.2 million for American Family Children’s Hospital and more than 400 non-profits since its debut in 2016. When last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic, American Family reallocated its sponsorship investment, along with funds from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, to donate more than $3 million directly to charities.

“It’s exciting to have the American Family Insurance Championship back in action,” said tournament player-host Steve Stricker. “I know the players and I are looking forward to returning and competing in front of fans in Madison. But more importantly, the tournament will again give us the platform to raise money for charity and positively impact our community.”

“This event is more than just a professional golf tournament,” said Nate Pokrass, tournament director. “It’s about support of our community, by creating enjoyment and economic benefit for our state and deserving charities. While this year’s tournament will look different than 2019, we’re excited and grateful to hold this re-imagined and safe experience.”

The tournament COVID-safety plan was modeled after similar plans enacted at other PGA TOUR events and was reviewed by medical experts enlisted by American Family. The University Ridge 430-acre property has 1.4 million square feet of fan-viewing space, which mathematically could accompany approximately 50,000 spectators properly physically distanced. Recognizing not all that space would be used by spectators, out of an abundance of caution, championship officials decided on the 5,000-per-day limit.

Pokrass said championship officials will continue to monitor and adapt to local COVID-19 developments up to and throughout tournament week.

Tickets available for purchase May 11

New this year, tickets for tournament play – Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 – will be sold on a per-day basis. Military personnel, first responders and children 18 and under should visit amfamchampionship.com for special admission opportunities.

Fans who purchased and kept their tickets for the 2020 championship will be contacted directly by tournament officials to select their attendance day in 2021.

Tickets and additional information on ticket availability can be obtained online at amfamchampionship.com under the "Get Tickets" link.

Plans for associated tournament events

The June 11 championship concert at Breese Stevens Field featuring Little Big Town and the BoDeans has been canceled. All current concert ticket holders will be contacted by tournament officials and provided a full refund.

The UW Carbone Cancer Center Race for Research, a five-kilometer run/walk scheduled for June 5 on the University Ridge cross-country course, will not be held. Instead, participants can enter Race for Research virtual challenges in 2021, while fund-raising for the cancer research of their choice. For more information and to register for the race, beginning April 14, visit www.carbonesrace.org.

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About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised $10.2 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2021 championship will be held June 5-13 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship #AmFamChamp

About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.