
Tucson, Ariz. (February 20, 2021) – The Tucson Conquistadores have been working closely for months with Pima County Health Department Officials and the PGA TOUR Champions in planning the 2021 Cologuard Classic, to be played February 26-28 at Omni Tucson National. Pima County Health Department Officials last night ordered that tournament spectators be limited to less than 200 fans per day (Friday through Sunday), therefore this year’s tournament will be played in front of select sponsors and a limited number of colorectal cancer survivors. In complying with the Pima County Health Department’s directive, tickets will not be available to the general public.
For the limited spectators, volunteers, tournament staff and media who attend the tournament, strict COVID safety protocols will be in place, including mandatory face masks at all times while on tournament grounds and thermal screening prior to entry. PGA TOUR Champions golfers, caddies, amateur golfers playing in the Jose Cuervo Pro-Am and TOUR staff will be required to take multiple COVID-19 tests upon arrival to Tucson and throughout tournament week.
“We respect the Pima County Health Department’s decision to limit fans and appreciate the open dialogue we’ve had with Dr. Theresa Cullen over the last several months,” said 2021 Cologuard Classic Tournament Chairman Dennis Caldwell. “Our disappointment that we cannot welcome thousands of golf fans to this year’s tournament is tempered by our commitment to the health and safety of our community. Our leadership remains dedicated to providing the best golf tournament on the PGA TOUR Champions while ensuring we maintain our commitment to supporting our local disadvantaged youth charity programs and
promoting colorectal cancer research and advocacy.”
To assist in meeting their charitable goals and raising funds for local charities, the Conquistadores have launched multiple fundraising efforts surrounding the tournament, including Birdies for Charity presented by Inde Motorsports Ranch and a Fan Cutout program that has raised more than $5,000. The Birdies for Charity program is designed to give charities an opportunity to generate contributions through flat donations or pledges based on the number of “birdies” (1-under par) made by PGA TOUR Champions golfers during the tournament. The tournament week cycle is inclusive of the Pro-Am days.
The best way for fans to catch 2021 Cologuard Classic tournament action is during Golf Channel’s coverage on
- Friday, Feb. 26 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. MST (tape delayed)
- Saturday, Feb. 27 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. MST
- Sunday, Feb. 28 from 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. MST
Fans who have purchased tickets to the tournament have the option of a full refund, rolling the credit over for tickets to the 2022 Cologuard Classic, or donating the funds to The First Tee of Tucson or The Tucson Conquistadores Foundation.
The Cologuard Classic, named after Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences’ noninvasive at-home colon cancer screening test for average-risk individuals 45 years or older, is now in its fourth year and 2021 marks the seventh year the Conquistadores have partnered with the PGA TOUR Champions. Bernhard Langer is the tournament’s defending champion. The 2021 tournament activities are scheduled to take place February 21-28 at Omni Tucson National Resort and will feature an 81-player field competing for a $1.7 million purse with $255,000 and 255 Charles Schwab Cup points for the winner. The no-cut format includes three days of competition (Friday-Sunday) with players participating in pro-am events on Wednesday and Thursday. Tournament proceeds benefit youth athletic programs in Southern Arizona and colorectal cancer research and advocacy. For information on the Cologuard Classic, please visit CologuardClassic.com.
ABOUT COLOGUARD
Cologuard was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences' prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. Cologuard is included in the American Cancer Society's (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). Cologuard is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use Cologuard if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. Cologuard is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. Cologuard performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. Cologuard performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.
The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again.
Medicare and most major insurers cover Cologuard. For more information about Cologuard, visit www.cologuardtest.com. Rx Only.
ABOUT PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS PGA TOUR
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.
All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.
ABOUT THE TUCSON CONQUISTADORES
The Tucson Conquistadores are the tournament management team that oversees the operations and the sales arm of the PGA TOUR Champions’ Cologuard Classic. Since their inception in 1962, the Conquistadores have contributed more than $36 million to local and national charities. The Conquistadores comprise of up to 60 active business and professional members, and a total membership of 220 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fundraising efforts include southern Arizona youth athletic programs, The First Tee Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com and www.Facebook.com/TucsonConquistadores.
Tournament Media Contact: Rob Myers, rob@rmprgroup.com, 602-317-6131