By the Caribbean Journal staff

The PGA Tour and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company have announced the launch of a special, unofficial PGA Tour event in March 2018.

The tournament aims to support recovery efforts on the island, and will feature PGA Tour golfers, athletes and celebrities.

The tour also announced that the Puerto Rico Open will return as a four-day, official PGA Tour event in 2019 and 2020.

“The Puerto Rico Open has been part of the PGA TOUR for the last 10 years and our commitment to golf on the island has never been stronger,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Our hope is that this special event in 2018 will benefit Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts to the fullest extent, while reminding the world that Puerto Rico is a premier golf and travel destination.”

The PGA Tour said it “heavily considered all factors following Hurricane Maria to determine a course of action for the 2018 Puerto Rico Open and examined what would provide the greatest support and economic impact for the Island during this period of recovery.”

That means the Open is being reimagined for 2018 as a special, unofficial event.

“We are very pleased to have formalized an agreement with the PGA TOUR for the 2019 and 2020 Puerto Rico Open. Better yet, being able to host a special charity event this upcoming March is just what we need to show the world that the Island is open for Tourism, that we continue to be a premier destination for golf in the Caribbean, and that recovery efforts are moving forward, in alignment with Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s commitment to rebuild a better and stronger Puerto Rico,” said Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s Executive Director, José Izquierdo.

The event will be held at TPC Dorado Beach.

“The best way the Puerto Rico Open can serve the Island is by focusing our manpower this year towards hosting a special event that will benefit Puerto Ricans directly,” said Chairman of the Puerto Rico Open David H. Chafey. “Our goal is to facilitate raising no less than $500,000 to donate to 20 local non-profit organizations that provide services to our people. We are committed to helping Puerto Rico recover and will be ready to host a 2019 Puerto Rico Open.”