LIMITED FANS FOR OPEN AT TORREY

If you purchased tickets for 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in June, you’ll be receiving a full refund shortly.

It doesn’t mean spectators won’t be allowed at the event. A “limited number” will, the U.S. Golf Association announced Monday.

But they’ll have to repurchase tickets starting April 26 for USGA members ($36 to join), followed two days later by people who previously bought them (but only if you used an American Express card), followed two days after that to members of the USGA’s Victory Club (free to join). An email to ticket holders Monday said tickets will be available only for Thursday through Sunday and not practice rounds.

A USGA spokesperson declined to define “limited,” although last week Golf Digest

reported USGA CEO Mike Davis said there would be no more than 10,000 people per day on the grounds.

“We do not know what’s reasonable at this point,” said Jeff Altstadter, the USGA’s director of championship communications. “We’re hopeful that we would be allowed to have more people on-site, but we’re working with health and safety guidelines at this point.”

Unlike at Padres games, in-state ticket holders at the U.S. Open will be required to have proof of vaccination at least two weeks before the event or a negative COVID-19 test. For out-ofstate fans, vaccination two weeks prior will be mandatory.

“The verification process,” updated information on the USGA’s website said, “will be confirmed upon entrance to the championship

grounds. If (California residents) are unable to provide proof of vaccination or verification of testing, you will be in violation of USGA health and safety guidelines and will result in forfeiture of your tickets.”

The USGA did not specify the type of COVID-19 test or how soon before the event it must be completed. At the recent Masters tournament in Augusta, Ga., a negative test was required within 72 hours for most spectators and workers, and it had to be conducted on-site. Vaccination cards were not accepted.

Currently, spectator capacities at pro sporting events in California are dictated by a county’s risk status. San Diego is in the orange or moderate tier, which allows up to 33 percent capacity (but can increase to 67 percent if everyone is vaccinated or tested).

The colored tier system is scheduled to be discontinued

June 15, which is the Tuesday of U.S. Open week. There are practice rounds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; the four-round tournament begins Thursday and ends Sunday.

The state’s mask mandate, however, is expected to remain in effect, which limits food service because masks can be lowered to eat or drink only if at a stationary area. That means you can’t buy a hot dog and soda, then walk around the course with it.

Instead, food and drink purchases will be ordered using a mobile phone app, then picked up and, according to the USGA website, “consumed while seated within designated locations.”

The other factor limiting increased attendance is shuttling fans from off-site parking lots. In 2008, when a record 295,000 fans attended over the week, they parked at Qualcomm Stadium and rode packed buses to Torrey Pines.

Altstadter said a limited number of shuttles would be

available to transport fans from free parking areas across the street at UC San Diego’s Pangea garage if they don’t want to walk. Otherwise, fans can park on-site for $35 per day in the dirt lot at Torrey Pines Glider Port or use ride-sharing services.

The Masters allowed an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people on the course with no grandstands for the season’s first major. The PGA Championship next month at Kiawah Island, S.C., is expected to have about the same.

“Last year, we missed the energy that fans bring to our U.S. Open championships,” John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s senior managing director for championships, said in a news release. “We are grateful to our local and state health and safety officials in California to be in a position to welcome some fans back this year ... while working to maintain the health and safety of all involved.”