As New Jersey reopens during the COVID-19 pandemic, live sporting events are slowly starting to make their return including the 100th New Jersey State Golf Association Open Championship at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly.

The status of the tournament was up in the air for a while, but after Gov. Phil Murphy cleared a path for live sports to return, NJSGA organizers decided to go ahead with the tournament.

“This is a very strange year and it certainly looked in April that we wouldn’t be having any competitive golf season, so we’re very excited that we’re able to get this milestone event in, but also our entire schedule,” says NJSGA president Eric Houseknecht.

The field consists of around 100 professional and amateur golfers from across New Jersey, including Knickerbocker’s own Bill Hook.

“I think it’s going to be quite strong. A lot of the college kids are in town and a lot of the local pros. We’ve got five Knickerbocker representatives in the field, so we’re very excited to have a strong showing from the club,” Hook says.

Hosting the 100th Open Championship is extra-meaningful for the country club because it also hosted the very first tournament in 1921.

“The history of this tournament is absolutely awesome. The people who have played in it, the people who have won it. It’s quite an honor to have it here and hopefully the participants will enjoy their state here the next three days,” says Knickerbocker president Jack Chimento.

One of the participants, Ed Whitman, says that he is enjoying being part of the centennial event. The four-time champion is playing in his 46th consecutive New Jersey Open.

“Very exciting. I played the 100th U.S. Open as well, so for me to play in the 100th U.S. Open and the 100Th New Jersey State Golf Open is personally a huge reward for me,” Whitman says.

The tournament runs Monday through Wednesday.