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On episode 25 of the On The Green Podcast, I sat down with Michael Tothe, the tournament director of the Charles Schwab Challenge, for a quick check-in about this year’s tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.
Last year when I spoke to Michael, things were very different at the Charles Schwab Challenge compared to past years. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament went on without any spectators or corporate partners – it was a very quiet year to say the least. But now in 2021, the height of the pandemic is behind us. Michael and his team are more ready than ever to hit the ground running, especially because this year is the tournament’s 75th anniversary.
One major change is the fact the tournament will not sell any hospitality – there will be no build out – simply selling tickets is the top priority. But after a year of no spectators, they knew that they needed to try something new to get ticket holders even more excited to come back. One big thing that the tournament is doing differently this year is including food and beverage for every ticket holder – no matter their ticket category.
“It’s a different way of selling the golf tournament,” said Michael. “It’s more ‘boots on the ground’ than it is packing people in skyboxes and private venues – and the community has really embraced it.”
The excitement for this year’s tournament is sky high for not only the golfers, but for the city of Fort Worth. Michael’s goal is 10,000 people in attendance per day of the tournament. One major thing that will help Michael reach his goal is the area’s updated mask policy. If people have been vaccinated, they no longer need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors. And if you’ve had to wear a mask during a tournament in 2020 or enforce a mask policy at your own tournament, you know how big of a relief this truly is!
Michael has so many plans in store for this year’s Charles Schwab Challenge, so check out the full podcast episode above to dive deeper. Also, be sure to follow On The Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.