ATB Financial Classic put on hold

They’ll hold the victor’s cheque for at least a year, hoping then to cash in once again.

That was the reality after it was announced Friday that the 2020 Mackenzie Tour campaign has been cancelled in its entirety, leaving organizers of the ATB Financial Classic no choice but to do the same with its annual golf tournament.

“Working closely with the Mackenzie Tour — PGA Tour Canada, we fully support the decision to cancel the 2020 season,” said ATB Financial Classic tournament director Colin Lavender. “Our primary responsibility is the safety of the local community, and we feel like this is the best decision for everybody.”

A fixture on the golf schedule dating back to 2007 — with the last four being played at Country Hills Golf Club — the ATB Financial Classic was slated to be held Aug. 6-9, again at the scenic course in northwest Calgary.

But its 14th year has been beset by the pandemic.

“While we are disappointed that the 2020 ATB Financial Classic will not take place, we know it was the right decision to ensure the safety of the community and everyone involved with the event,” said ATB Financial VP of community initiatives John Windwick. “We are now looking forward to the 2021 ATB Financial Classic and continuing our long-standing partnership with the Mackenzie Tour and Linx Marketing.”

So, too, is the tour itself, knowing it can count on a return to Calgary.

“We’ve been very lucky with Calgary and, in particular, with our partnership with ATB Financial — they’re one of our longest, if not longest, serving partners if you date it back prior to the Canadian Tour prior to the Mackenzie Tour,” said Scott Pritchard, the circuit’s executive director. “Having a strong partner like ATB has been tremendous. And we’re always looking for partners like that.”