Page 37 - LVG&L Magazine Summer 2020

EVENTS

healthcare professionals, and also to conduct research to However, we are currently planning to have fans in attend-
discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care ance, and we are thrilled about that because the Las Vegas
and quality of life for children and families. community has really started to embrace and support us.
To quote from their official statement, “This mission is car- For sure, it will be different from 2019, from only having
ried out without regard to race, color, creed, sex or sect, digital tickets with our SeatGeek partner, to changing our
disability, national origin, or ability of a patient or family main entrance so social distancing protocols are followed,
to pay.” to featuring open-air skybox areas. Plus, there will be other
measures implemented to ensure the safety of all involved.
As I said earlier, we want to build confidence with everyone,
LVGL: Besides the pandemic, there are also societal jus- and we will do that.
tice issues being protested. What is the statement from
the Shriners Open about this?
LVGL: What are your expectations of field quality?
PL: We’re keeping all of that top of mind just as the PGA
TOUR is. We take direction from Commissioner Jay PL: We have focused intently over the last several years
Monaghan, and he and the PGA TOUR are taking it very in building relationships with the world’s best players, and
seriously. Early on, they had a moment of silence to honor 2019 really showed the rewards of those efforts. It is also
the victims and also bring awareness to it. The commis- important to note that we are still seeing our efforts of two
sioner also had a very nice conversation with Harold Varner years ago being rewarded. Plus, with each year that goes by,
III, and I know the PGA TOUR will continue to support in our base of talent improves with our high-quality champi-
ways they believe appropriate. I think it’s important for all ons and also our expanding list of Las Vegas-based players.
of us on the PGA TOUR and all of the events to do some- Our recent champion’s list of Las Vegas’ Kevin Na twice,
thing together so that we have the same message. I know Webb Simpson, Patrick Cantlay, and Bryson DeChambeau
the Shriner’s Hospitals wants to support this message as is very strong. Because of that, other top players want to
well. play here because when a field is strong, more world rank-
ings points are available. We are confident of another stellar
field also because of where we fall on the schedule after a
LVGL: The question everyone wants to know—and it is major and the Ryder Cup, and before the Asian swing and
probably difficult to answer as of July 1—but will there the Masters. We could have a strong international presence,
be fans allowed? and I think the top American players will probably be reluc-
PL: Since our event isn’t until October, there are a lot of tant to travel to Asia. We also have an amazing host city to
things that can happen between now and then, so it is dif- attract players, and a lot of hotel partners that continually
ficult to predict that answer on a daily and weekly basis. step up and help. That is huge for us, and we appreciate it.

www.lasvegasgolfandleisure.com SUMMER 2020 LAS VEGAS GOLF & LEISURE 35