What Brookline Residents Should Know About 2022 U.S. Open Protocols

BROOKLINE, MA — During a virtual forum on Monday, March 14, Brookline town officials presented COVID-19 safety protocols, public-safety coordination and evacuation plans, and waste removal practices that will be in place during the 2022 U.S. Open, which The Country Club from June 13 to 19.

The forum was led by Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and speakers included Acting Police Chief Richard Allen, Deputy Police Superintendent Paul Cullinane, Public Health Director Sigalle Reiss, Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director John Sullivan, and Assistant Building Department Commissioner Paul Campbell.

The meeting was the second public forum to discuss logistics ahead of the U.S. Open Championship and seek public input. The first meeting was devoted to traffic and parking.

Acting Chief Allen reviewed event security and public safety coordination, highlighting partnerships with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Federal Aviation Administration.

“One of our goals for this event is to minimize the impact the event has in your neighborhood and to continue to provide the day-to-day services in order to maintain a safe community,” he said.

Chief Sullivan detailed fire and emergency medical services that will be made available, Director Reiss outlined health and safety protocols regarding food and beverage service, and Assistant Director Campbell shared that the Building Department will be overseeing construction and permitting of temporary structures to accommodate the tournament, patrons, and the media.

Eric Steimer, Director of U.S. Open Championships for the United States Golf Association, provided an overview of the tournament format. He thanked the Town of Brookline for its strong partnership throughout the planning process.

“The health and safety of the U.S. Open Championship, for both attendees and the surrounding community, remains of the utmost importance to the USGA and The Country Club,” Steimer said. “We certainly cannot put together or plan this Championship without the support of the Town of Brookline and all the wonderful work that all the various departments have done to really help us better understand what the concerns are within the town and what the concerns are for them from an onsite perspective. To be able to put all this together has been truly wonderful.”

Brookline has issued a permit that waives the Town Noise Ordinance at specified times to accommodate construction and breakdown at and around the Championship site. Details of the waiver may be found here.

The Town has created several online resources for residents who wish to stay informed about the Championship. The revamped Town webpage devoted to the U.S. Open is available here. To view the new Frequently Asked Questions webpage, click here.