COURTESY OF DECC

hen the PGA Tour

Champions arrives in Richmond in late October for the Dominion Energy Charity Classic at the Country Club of Virginia ’ s James River course , the long journey through COVID-19 protocols and a combined season comes to an end . The Schwab Cup playoffs are back . The Dominion Energy Charity Classic resumes its place as the first of a three-tournament series that determines the 50-and-over age group ’ s preeminent postseason honor .

PGA Tour Champions officials announced in May last year that the 2020 and 2021 seasons would be combined and there would be no Schwab Cup champion until November 2021 . The three playoff tournaments were converted to regular-season events . A number of tournaments were played with no spectators .

One of those was the DECC where Phil Mickelson became the third player in PGA Tour Champions history to win his first two starts on the senior circuit .

The seniors will have played 36 combined-season tournaments leading up to the Dominion Energy , a 54-hole event with a 72-player field . At tournament ’ s end , 54 players advance to the TimberTech Championship in Boca Raton , Fla .

Despite last year ’ s uncertainty and issues , the tournament was a success according to executive director Steve Schoenfeld .

“ The best and most remarkable part of the 2020 tournament was that , even without spectators , the event was still able to help generate over $ 1.5 million for local area charities during a time when many were in great need . This was due to the

fact that many of our corporate partners , volunteers and Birdies For Charity organizations were still extremely supportive of the tournament ,” Schoenfeld said .

“ On the operational side , we , like many businesses and events , had to be extremely efficient , with numerous protocols in place to keep those who were permitted on site safe and healthy . Learning to operate certain areas of the event with fewer people and creating efficiencies across numerous areas will help us going forward .”

FILLING OUT THE FIELD Will Mickelson , who became the oldest player to win a PGA Tour major ( PGA Championship in May ), return to Richmond to defend his title ? Even though he has played only three PGA Tour Champions tournaments , he is easily in the top 72 in the Schwab Cup standings .

The DECC may attract him again because the PGA Tour schedule in October shows a three-tournament Asian swing that could be affected by the world pandemic .