Wichita Open, NBC World Series aim to continue as scheduled, but situation is ‘fluid’
As the coronavirus or COVID-19 continues to sweep across the U.S., two of Wichita’s staple summer sporting events are holding firm for now.
The Wichita Open, a professional golf tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour at Crestview Country Club, is scheduled for June 18-21. That was still the plan as of Thursday.
“First and foremost, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Wichita Open Supporting Wichita’s Youth and our community will continue to be our No. 1 priority as we navigate the ongoing health crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic,” according to a statement from the tournament’s directors.
The Wichita Open will continue to monitor information from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control along with government agencies, the statement read. More information will be provided as it becomes available, according to the statement.
“This is obviously a very fluid situation that requires constant review, communication and transparency, and we – working closely with the PGA Tour – are dedicated to all three aspects,” the statement read.
March 17, the PGA Tour canceled all events through May 10, including the KC Golf Classic in Kansas City, which was scheduled May 4-10 at Blue Hills Country Club.
In downtown Wichita, the National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series is set to return to its now-updated home at Riverfront Stadium. Last year, the NBC World Series was at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium because of the demolition of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium downtown.
In 2019, the NBC World Series ran July 27-Aug. 10. Although there is no 2020 schedule posted to the NBC website, Tournament Director Kevin Jenks said the plan is still to play this summer.
“We are monitoring MLB, MiLB and in daily conversation with our leagues and teams,” Jenks said. “Looking forward to our 86th year and bringing baseball back to our fans.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Wichita Open, NBC World Series aim to continue as scheduled, but situation is ‘fluid’."