What Is 2020 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

Overview

The 2020 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational was a prominent event on the LPGA Tour calendar, marking one of the first tournaments to return after the tour’s suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Held in Midland, Michigan, the event combined individual and team competition formats, highlighting innovation in professional women’s golf.

As a newly introduced tournament in 2019, the 2020 edition continued its mission to elevate regional visibility and support for women’s sports through corporate partnership with Dow, a global chemical science company headquartered in the area. The tournament’s scheduling in mid-July placed it early in the LPGA’s revised season, drawing strong player participation despite pandemic-related challenges.

• July 16–19, 2020 was the official tournament window, making it one of the first LPGA events after a three-month hiatus caused by the global health crisis.
• The event took place at Midland Country Club, a par-72 course redesigned in 2018 to meet modern tournament standards and enhance spectator experience.
• With a total purse of $1.5 million, the tournament ranked competitively among LPGA events, with $225,000 awarded to the individual winner.
• Unique to this event was the dual-format scoring, where players competed simultaneously for individual honors and team standings based on two-player pairings.
• Dow Chemical Company served as title sponsor, committing $10 million over five years to support the tournament and community STEM initiatives in the Great Lakes Bay region.

How It Works

The tournament’s format blended traditional stroke play with an innovative team component, setting it apart from standard LPGA events and encouraging collaboration among competitors.

• Team Format: Each team consisted of two players who posted a combined score each round; the lowest team total determined the team winner. This encouraged strategic pairings and camaraderie.
• Individual Competition: Players also competed for individual honors using standard 72-hole stroke play; the lowest aggregate score over four rounds won the individual title.
• Pairing System: Teams were pre-assigned based on LPGA rankings and sponsor selections, with pairings announced prior to the first round to build narrative interest.
• Scoring Method: Both individual and team scores used cumulative strokes; ties in team standings were broken by best-ball performance on select holes.
• Prize Distribution: The $1.5 million purse was split between individual and team payouts, with $225,000 to the individual winner and $75,000 to the winning team.
• COVID Protocols: The 2020 event implemented strict health measures, including no spectators, regular testing, and limited caddie interaction, aligning with LPGA’s Return to Play guidelines.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2020 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational with other major LPGA events in terms of format, purse, and structure:

This table illustrates how the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational stood out in 2020 due to its hybrid format and regional focus, even as larger majors were disrupted. Its mid-tier purse and innovative structure made it a key test of adaptability during a challenging season.

Why It Matters

The 2020 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational had significant implications for the LPGA and women’s sports, demonstrating resilience and innovation during a global crisis. Its success helped normalize tournament operations under strict health protocols and spotlighted Midland as a capable host city.

• Revived the LPGA season after a pandemic pause, providing a safe model for future events with controlled environments and testing regimens.
• Elevated team dynamics in a traditionally individual sport, encouraging new fan engagement and strategic depth in player interactions.
• Boosted local economy in the Great Lakes Bay region by generating media attention and promoting Dow’s community investment initiatives.
• Highlighted gender equity in sports, with equal broadcast coverage and prize transparency compared to male counterparts during the same period.
• Advanced STEM outreach through Dow’s partnership, funding scholarships and science programs for girls in Michigan schools.
• Set a precedent for hybrid-format events, influencing future LPGA discussions on format diversity and fan engagement strategies.

By merging competitive excellence with social impact, the 2020 tournament became more than a golf event—it was a statement of progress and adaptability in women’s professional sports.