Staff file photo by Erin O. Smith / UTC’s Mark Wharton has been like college athletic directors everywhere this year in facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to finances, scheduling and other matters during the COVID-19 pandemic.University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic director Mark Wharton may or may not be able to keep the school’s fall sports calendar from being canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s mostly out of his hands. But unless our new normal – the wearing of masks, the generous usage of hand sanitizer, social distancing at six feet – is tossed aside by health officials as not being rigid enough between now and Aug. 25, Wharton will oversee the rescheduled 21st Annual Porky’s Open golf tournament presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee that Tuesday at Council Fire.
“The Porky’s Open is important to us financially,” Wharton said Friday. “But right now, it’s also important to see some of our fans again and do something together.”
Most people aren’t doing much together these days, and those who do are being strongly urged to follow CDC guidelines designed to protect them from COVID-19. In that sense, the Porky’s Open – which has raised well more than $1 million over the years to fund student-athlete scholarships at UTC – will have its own adjustments this time around.
For instance, golf carts will come with dividers. The event will be allowed to have a maximum of 100 people, including volunteer staff, which means foursomes will be limited. There will be no open bar or silent auction. Boxed food will be placed in the golf carts prior to participants arriving. Drinks will be served from a beverage cart by a volunteer wearing gloves. Winners will be announced via email by 5 p.m. on the day of the event rather than in person.