Pro Golf: Marathon Classic releases patron protocols

The Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana released coronavirus safety protocols for patrons on Tuesday as the tournament gears up for players and fans in early August. The Marathon Classic, scheduled for Aug. 6-9 at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, is allowing spectators on site following recent approval from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. It will be the first LPGA tournament that will allow fans since the COVID-19 pandemic started escalating earlier this year. All attendees will be asked to review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's symptom questionnaire. All spectators and volunteers will go through thermal scanning prior to gaining access to the course; if the temperature reading is 100 or higher, the individual will be asked to stay at home and seek medical advice. The Marathon Classic also strongly encourages spectators to wear a mask. Attendees can bring their own mask or be provided one upon arrival. While out on the course, hole marshals will be assigned to walk within the competition ropes — through proper social distance from players and spectators — with the purpose of reminding guests to maintain six feet of separation at all times (families excluded). There will not be any bleachers on the site. Sanitizer dispensers and hand-washing stations will be placed throughout the property, autographs will not be permitted and all point of sale locations will accept credit card only, with no cash transactions. The Marathon Classic is the second of back-to-back tournaments in the Toledo area that will kick off the restart of the 2020 LPGA season. The LPGA Drive On Championship, a new three-day event that will take place without spectators, will be from July 31-Aug. 2 at Inverness Club in Toledo.