(Email from the USGA regarding the 2020 US Open cancelling all fans at Winged Foot due to the covid19 pandemic.  A real disappointment considering the Championship had already been postponed from June for the same reason. Remember, the anticipation to volunteer as a 19th hole marshal goes all the way back to February 2019 when I registered for the lottery selection process.)    


Hello, 

We hope this note finds you and your families well and enjoying your summer. 

Since making the decision in April to move the 2020 U.S. Open to September 14 – 20, the USGA has worked closely with local and state officials on a number of planning scenarios to conduct the Championship. In conjunction with New York State, the USGA just announced the 2020 U.S. Open will be played at Winged Foot Golf Club but without fans in attendance. While we are disappointed not to have our fans on-site at the U.S. Open, we believe this is the right decision and appreciate the support and guidance that we have received from our state and local health officials. Throughout this process, our focus has remained the well-being of everyone involved, and we are confident that this approach gives us the best opportunity to conduct the championship while ensuring the health and safety of our players, caddies, fans, volunteers, and local communities. 

Without question, one of our biggest disappointments is the impact on our volunteer requirements on-site at the Championship. While we would like to retain as many volunteers as possible, due to COVID-19 protocols, we will also need to significantly reduce our volunteer program and footprint. Only a limited number of volunteer positions will be needed. Therefore, all volunteer positions will be filled by the membership at Winged Foot Golf Club. 

As a result of the elimination of the Volunteer Program, you will have the option to keep your 2020 U.S. Open volunteer apparel package or receive a full refund of $185 (or $235 if you purchased an additional shirt).The volunteer apparel package, provided by Polo Ralph Lauren, includes two (2) logoed golf shirts, one (1) wind jacket, one (1) piece of headwear, one (1) lapel pin, one (1) water bottle and one (1) clear drawstring bag. If you ordered an additional shirt with your apparel package for a total of three (3) logoed golf shirts, that will also be included in the volunteer apparel package. The package has a retail value of approximately $350 and each piece of merchandise includes the 2020 U.S. Open official logo. The apparel package will be shipped out later this fall. 

To help us process your request, please fill out the form below by Friday, August 7th:
https://survey.usga.org/s3/2020-U-S-Open-Volunteer-Refunds-and-Apparel-July-2020 

Please note we CANNOT ship volunteer apparel packages outside of the continental United States and therefore will issue a full refund for all international volunteers along with those registered from Hawaii and Alaska. 

If you do not fill out the form by August 7th, we will assume that you would like to receive a full refund and will send that to you as soon as possible, via a check in the mail to your address on file. If you have a new shipping address, please update that in your volunteer profile as soon as possible. 

Again, we are disappointed that you will not be able to be with us this year, but we are grateful for your support over the last few months and hope you will join us at a future championship, in addition to joining us as we crown our national champion in September on our broadcast partner, NBCU. Be well and stay safe! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 2020usopen@usga.org.  

All the best, 
Jenna Harmer and the U.S. Open team