COVID forces cancellation of another LPGA tourney

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: The LPGA announced Tuesday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give will not be held in October. 

Meijer tentatively rescheduled the June tournament for Oct. 1-4 at Blythefield Country Club before ultimately making the final decision to cancel. The cancellation will allow for the ShopRite LPGA Classic, originally scheduled for May, to move forward in October.

The tournament will return to the Tour schedule in 2021 at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Mich. Additionally, the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer in Galloway, N.J., previously postponed from its May date, has been rescheduled for Oct. 2-4, the dates opened by the cancellation of the Meijer LPGA Classic.

The 2021 Meijer LPGA Classic will be held June 7-13. Additionally, Meijer has extended its relationship with the LPGA beyond 2021 with details to follow in the future.

"Meijer is committed to supporting our communities and the seventh Meijer LPGA Classic will be no exception once the time is right," Meijer president & CEO Rick Keyes said. "We know this event is an annual tradition for many families here in West Michigan, and while we are disappointed that this summer will feel different without it, we plan to continue supporting the community through this tournament in years to come."

Spectators who already purchased tickets to the tournament, and all its supporting events like the three-day Grand Taste Experience and the 5k Run & Walk presented by Kellogg's, will receive a full refund. Volunteer fees will also be refunded.

“Not playing the Meijer LPGA Classic is disappointing, but I am very excited that our partners at Meijer have extended their contract with the LPGA and that we’ll be coming back to Grand Rapids even further into the future,” said LPGA commissioner Mike Whan. “The flexibility and understanding from both Meijer and the leadership at ShopRite speak volumes to their dedication to our LPGA athletes and their charitable efforts. We look forward to visiting the Jersey Shore in October and continuing an incredible tradition of great championships and giving back to the local community.”

The Meijer LPGA Classic hosts a full field of 144 of the best women golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. Proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week's festivities – benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that stocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. The 2019 tournament alone raised $1.1 million for local food pantries through Simply Give. In total, the six tournaments have generated more than $5.2 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.