MIDLAND, Mich. (May 15, 2020) – Dow, Inc. (NYSE: DOW) announced today that the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (Dow GLBI) has been cancelled for 2020, and that planning has already begun for a 2021 return. Based on health and safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 global pandemic, Dow and tournament officials have concluded that the health risks of hosting such a large-scale event remain high.
“The decision by Dow and the LPGA to cancel was certainly not easy,” said Dow Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling. “We explored all available options, and the LPGA has been working with us every step of the way. We are convinced that moving toward planning an incredible tournament in 2021 is the right decision to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Our goal is to grow and improve each year, and we look forward to accomplishing that next year.”
One of the newest tournaments on the LPGA Tour, the Dow GLBI is a unique team-based competition that saw 142 of the best players in the world team up for the inaugural tournament. The event took home top honors as the LPGA Tournament of the Year in 2019 as well as accolades from several sustainability groups for their achievement as the first fully GEO Certified® sustainable tournament on the LPGA Tour.
“The Dow GLBI is so much more than just a golf tournament,” said Dow GLBI Executive Director Chris Chandler. “The event showcases the Great Lakes Bay Region on a worldwide scale and went to great lengths to positively impact our communities, including an estimated $12.7 million economic impact from the 2019 event. We want to thank each of our fans, partners, players, and volunteers. We can’t wait to work with you to build on the success of the inaugural tournament and come back better than ever in 2021.”
Dow and the LPGA entered a five-year agreement in 2019. In light of this year’s cancellation, the agreement will extend to 2024.
“Our tournament theme is ‘#TeamUp’,” said Chandler. “This speaks to the unique team-based tournament format, but even more so to the incredible teamwork by our 250+ partners, 1,000+ volunteers, fans, and businesses throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region in order to host an event of this magnitude.”
More than 600 volunteers had already signed on to assist with this year’s tournament. They will be contacted regarding how to obtain a refund and sign up for the 2021 event.
In addition to the Dow GLBI cancellation, the Eat Great Food Festival, originally scheduled to take place in Downtown Bay City on July 12 and 13, is also cancelled. Ticket sales for Eat Great have been suspended and current ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds.
For more information on the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, visit www.dowglbi.com.
About the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational
The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (Dow GLBI) is a new official LPGA Tour event held in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region at Midland Country Club. The Dow GLBI became the first fully GEO Certified® Tournament on the LPGA in 2019. The 72-hole, stroke-play tournament will feature 66 two-player teams competing in both foursomes and four-ball with a $2.3 million purse.
The week-long event features more than golf. It includes Eat Great, a two-day food festival featuring restaurants and breweries throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, an official LPGA Tour Pro-Am Tournament, STEM youth related programming, and leadership events. This inclusive event will offer free daily youth opportunities, affordable ticket prices, and free admission for kids 17 and under as well as past and present Military personnel.
Follow @DowGLBI on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or online at www.DowGLBI.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 109 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 36,500 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2019. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
About Midland Country Club
Midland Country Club has maintained a standard of excellence through its heritage since its founding in 1928. The Club was established to provide golf and other recreational and social activities for its members—which continues today! Located in the center of Midland, Michigan, the Club provides beautiful scenery, superb facilities and top quality service. Midland Country Club is thankful for each of its more than 750 members and the community for continuing to support the Club and is excited to host The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational! Learn more about Midland Country Club by visiting www.midlandcc.net.
About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.
The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.
Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram at @lpga_tour.
Media Contacts
Ben Tierney, Marketing & Communications Manager, Octagon
ben.tierney@octagon.com, 989.488.1118
