NY Times · Sep 9, 2020
How Golf Won a Bet the Coronavirus Would Not Squelch Its U.S. Open
Jeremy M. Lange for The New York Times
MAMARONECK, N.Y. — On a rainy day in mid-March, nearly 300 National Guard members in military fatigues arrived to set up a containment area in the New York City suburb of New Rochelle, one of the earliest coronavirus hot spots in North America.
Three miles away in the adjacent town of Mamaroneck, the United States Golf Association was getting ready to welcome 150,000 fans and the world’s best golfers to the 120th United States Open at Winged Foot Golf Club from June 18 to 21.
“At the time, you realize they’re trying to save lives and we’re just a golf event,” Mike Davis, the U.S.G.A. chief executive, recalled in an interview last month.