Events

Go to Bolton to experience LIV’s vision for the future of golf

The controversial tour will hold a three-day tournament at The International over Labor Day weekend.

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Labor Day weekend tournaments featuring some of the world’s best golfers became a budding Boston sports tradition with the Deutsche Bank Championship, which debuted back in 2003 and subsequently hosted events in 16 straight seasons. This year, pro golf returns to the area on those same days – but with the promise of a spectacle singaling a significant departure from what the PGA Tour used to put on at TPC Boston.

This September it’s the controversial LIV Golf tour that brings a collection of the planet’s elite men’s players to New England, specifically to Bolton, Mass., and The International.

Those players are expected to include Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and others who opted to sever ties with the PGA in favor of the Saudi-backed LIV – most after being presented with significant financial incentive to do so.

In total the field will feature 48 players, and they’ll compete in a much different format than fans of the PGA are accustomed to: Two days before the tournament, a draft will be held, through which 12 four-person teams will be determined. The next day they’ll play a Pro-Am, then they’ll play 54 holes over the course of Sept. 2-4, with shotgun starts sending players onto the course simultaneously.

As different as the competitive format is, LIV appears to be just as ambitious about changing the fan experience at its events. When Golf Week chronicled the happenings at a June event in Portland, its article was titled, “Hayrides, scripted answers, wild parties and clowns (real ones) — here’s what a week at a LIV Golf event is truly like” – and given the details therein, the headline isn’t purely clickbait.

“If you’re an avid fan who loves the game for the history and competition, these events likely won’t be for you,” Adam Woodward wrote. “But if you’re a general sports fan who loves festivals and fanfare, it’s possible this will pique your interest.”

For its inaugural season, LIV has taken measures to draw in those general sports fans. Grounds passes for the Boston event are $70 per day, or three days for $185. Veterans, active military, or kids under 16 are free, though, while students, teachers, first responders, medical personnel all receive a 25 percent discount. On the other end of the spectrum there are hospitality packages that grant access to certain clubs along the course, and offer all-inclusive food and drink opportunities.

Attendance is capped at 6,500, according to the permit granted to LIV by the Bolton selectboard, with that number including players, personnel, security, and fans. Parking is limited in the area around the course, but shuttles will be available from the Lancaster Fairgrounds. There will also be an area on-site for people seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights, according to USA Today.

No, Toto, we’re not in Norton anymore.