Golf’s governing body in Wales is urging caution before clubs consider reopening after the Welsh Government followed England in relaxing some lockdown restrictions on sport

WELSH golf clubs have been asked to wait until next week before considering opening for play for the first time in seven weeks.

They have been closed since the lockdown was introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic, which has now killed some 32,000 people in the UK.

And Wales Golf has recommended that its 142 affiliated clubs consider waiting until May 18 – next Monday – to ensure they have sufficient safety measures in place before considering reopening.

A Wales Golf spokesman said: “We would advise that clubs that do wish to re-open do not do so immediately – so as to ensure they have sufficient protocols in place to adhere to these guidelines, which we will be on hand to assist with.

“This would allow for a managed and co-ordinated reintroduction of golf across Wales from next Monday (May 18) at the earliest.”

The advice from golf’s governing body follows a relaxation in the COVID-19 lackdown rules by the Welsh Government, in Cardiff, on Tuesday.

That followed the English Government’s announcement on Sunday that golf clubs could reopen for play, from tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Welsh Government – which has refused to drop the “Stay at Home, Stay Safe” message adopted by all four governments in the UK at the start of the lockdown – responded to Boris Johnson’s controversial announcement by saying golf clubs COULD reopen, if they wished.

‘Failure to comply could lead to more closures of Welsh golf clubs’

But Wales Golf has appealed for a further delay. The spokesman added: “It is entirely at each golf club’s discretion as to whether they choose to open, and, if so, when they choose to do so.

“Wales Golf would urge all member clubs and golfers to comply with the regulations in a responsible manner.

“If clubs or members are found to be in breach of these guidelines, then it could lead to Welsh Government introducing measures that force golf courses to close.

“Wales Golf will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government towards the resumption of golf in Wales – when the conditions are right,” added the spokesman for the governing body in the principality.

The Welsh rules – unlike the English – insist golfers can only make up a two-ball by playing with a member of their own household – or face playing on their own.

Wales Golf staff are on hand to assist with implementing regulations and guidelines and ensuring any return to play can be conducted safely. Email office@walesgolf.org if you require help or advice.

The latest guidance from Welsh Government on leaving home to exercise can be accessed by clicking here .

The following information has been taken from the Welsh Government’s website and it helps explain in more detail the regulations in place.

Nefyn’s famous Old Course – the back nine on the Llyn Peninsula has some of the most spectacular views in the UK – can open its doors for play under the new rules

Will golf courses reopen?

“Under our guidelines, golf courses are not listed as a business or premise that must remain closed.
“The regulations state that exercise should be done locally, which means people cannot drive to exercise outside their local area; people also cannot exercise with anyone other than a member of their own household.
“More than two people congregating in a public place is regarded as a gathering, which is an offence under the regulations.
“We are continuing to prepare for the future, working with our partners and stakeholders.
“We would expect Wales Golf, working with the R&A and other UK governing bodies, to monitor the situation in England closely where golf will be permitted from May 13 and prepare detailed protocols for a potential partial resumption in Wales when the conditions are right.

•The protocols for playing golf in the UK under COVID-19 restrictions prepared by The R&A and the golf Industry can be seen here.

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Golfers have been given the green light to resume playing – on their own or with members of their own household ONLY, from May 13. Picture by ANDY HISEMAN / MAGIC HOUR

GOLF clubs in England can resume playing from Wednesday this week after Prime Minister’s address to the nation on relaxing some parts of the lockdown imposed to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

England Golf – the game’s governing body – welcomed the news allowing golf clubs to open for their members for the first time since March 23 when the Government introduced the ‘Stay at Home, Save Lives’ message to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.

But the relaxation of the rules allowing golfers to play with one other golfer – who does not have to be a member of their household group – does not yet apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Governments in the other parts of the UK have so far erred on the side of caution, using devolved powers to keep the ban in place even though it will be lifted in England from Wednesday, May 13.

An England Golf spokesman said: “It is important to stress that this remains an extremely difficult situation throughout the UK, and we are acutely aware that many lives have been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The effects of the virus will continue to be felt for a long time to come. As a sport we must work together to resume play responsibly – as, and when, the relevant Government determines it is safe to do so.

“We must ensure that the safety and well-being of everyone involved from golfers, to club staff and greenkeepers is maintained at all times.

“Golf clubs and golfers have observed the lockdown very well and must keep it up and act responsibly as play resumes.

“We recently provided documents giving guidance on operations and resuming play and golf clubs should consider this carefully as they restart their businesses.

England Golf, The R&A and other industry groups – including the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) – have issued guidance to help greenkeepers

“We also provided essential maintenance guidelines to help greenkeepers to prepare their courses for play.

“We fully appreciate the huge amount of expertise that exists within golf clubs throughout the country, and this best-practice guidance simply aims to achieve as consistent an approach as possible to protecting everyone.”

But while many people seemed confused by the change in the Government’s “Stay at Home” strategy, encouraging people to return to work wherever possible, the game’s rulers have stressed they are seeking guidance on other golf facilties, such as driving ranges after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech on Sunday night.

The Government clarified that the change in the rules did not restrict golfers to playing on their own – or just with a member of their own household – on Monday afternoon.

The publication of a 50-page Government document explained the new rules in full.

Advice sought on driving ranges

The spokesman added: “We are seeking further clarification from the Government regarding other golf-related facilities.

“The pandemic has already had a substantial impact on golf clubs and venues and the focus will soon turn to trying to recover from the crisis.

“As a group we will continue to do all we can to provide support and guidance in that effort.”

England Golf has been in discussions with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, to work with Government to promote safe golf.

They have worked alongside other groups from the sport including the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the British Golf Industry Association, the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA), the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), Ping, The R&A, IMG, the UK Golf Federation as well as the ruling bodies from the other Home Nations – Scottish Golf, Wales Golf, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union.

•England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson has written a series of updates to golf clubs and members during the COVID-19 crisis.

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CLIV

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club has agreed that Clive Edgington, from St George’s Hill GC, should continue as captain in 2020/21

E Edgington is to continue as captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2020/21.

Mr Edginton, a member at Surrey’s St George’s Hill – took office in September as captain for 2019/20.

But because of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, the club’s past captains have nominated Mr Edginton to continue in the role for another 12 months from September 2020.

It is only the second occasion since The R&A was founded in 1754 that a captain has served two successive terms.

The first was Major John Murray Belshes, who held the position in 1835 and 1836.

Mr Edginton said: “It is an honour to be captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and I feel very privileged to be asked to continue in the role.

“This is a difficult time for all of us in the midst of this pandemic but I am happy I can continue to serve the club as we look positively to the future.”

The new captain’s drive-in is normally held on the first tee at St Andrews Old Course, each September.

The incumbent then attends a number of high profile events around the world as an ambassador of The R&A, including The Open.

Mr Edgington will now be part of the presenation party when the Claret Jug is awarded at Royal St George’s after the R&A was forced to cancel the 149th Open, at Sandwich, in July, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Captain a ‘Halford Hewitt veteran’

BORN in Walton-on-Thames, Mr Edgington was educated at Malvern College and Oxford University.

He graduated in 1973 with a degree in law and was awarded his Blue for golf.

After a successful business career in the City of London, latterly as chief executive and then chairman of Tindall Riley, a specialist insurance management company, he retired in 2014.

The Weybridge club member has since been a non-executive director and is now a consultant to the Medical Defence Union.

Mr Edgington became a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1997.

He served on the Rules of Golf committee from 2000-4 and was its deputy chairman from 2002-4.

Clive was chairman of the amateur status committee from 2007-11 during which time The R&A and the USGA produced the first unified amateur status code.

He was elected to the R&A’s general committee in 2014 and became its chairman – and also of The R&A’s principal companies from September 2015 until September 2018.

Mr Edginton’s became a member at St George’s Hill at the age of eight.

He has served as a committee member, captain, director and trustee.

Clive has been club champion on four occasions and is a nine-time winner of the club’s scratch Gold Medal.

At various times he has also been captain of the South Eastern Junior Golfing Society, the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society, the Moles Golfing Society and the Old Malvernian Golfing Society, for whom he played more than 100 matches in the Halford Hewitt at Deal.

Sixty-eight-year-old Mr Edginton currently plays to a handicap of eight.

Clive is married to Debbie, who is a member of both St George’s Hill and The St Rule Club at St Andrews.

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The 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush generated more than £100million for the Northern Ireland economy according to a new study. Picture by The R&A

THE 148th Open at Royal Portrush generated more than £100 million of economic benefit for Northern Ireland, according to an independent study.

The Open, which returned to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, brought some £45million of new money into the province’s economy.

Northern Ireland also gained £37.3 million worth of marketing as a result of more than 5,400 hours of global television coverage.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “The 148th Open at Royal Portrush made history as the largest sporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland and generated a substantial economic benefit.”

The study was carried out by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) on behalf of The R&A.

An additional £23.7 million was identified by Tourism Northern Ireland in terms of “advertising equivalent value” for golf tourism in the region, from monitored media coverage across Ireland and internationally.

The SIRC study also concluded the Causeway Coast council area alone received a £26.21 million injection of new money from The Open.

“The return of the championship to Royal Portrush was eagerly anticipated and we enjoyed a hugely memorable week where we welcomed tens of thousands of spectators to an outstanding championship venue to witness Shane Lowry lifting the Claret Jug,” Mr Slumbers added.

John McGrillen, chief executive of Tourism Northern Ireland, said “The 148th Open was a ground-breaking event for tourism in Northern Ireland.

“Its success further demonstrates Northern Ireland’s ability to seamlessly deliver world-class events which have a very positive impact on the local economy.

“Behind the scenes a huge partnership effort across Government, Causeway Coast and Glens Council, PSNI, Translink and Tourism NI delivered an unforgettable week for players and spectators alike” added Mr McGrillen.

David Jackson, chief executive of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, said: “I am very proud of the role Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council played in The 148th Open.

“These figures confirm its hugely significant impact on our economy.

“Visitors to The Open were able to enjoy the unrivalled beauty of the Causeway Coast and the warm hospitality which our destination is renowned for.

“Research has shown the positive effects of hosting The Open will be felt for many years.

“I have no doubt the Causeway Coast and Glens will continue to capitalise on its experience as a world-class host of The Open.”

The 148th Open attracted 237,750 fans, an attendance record for a championship staged outside of St Andrews.

More than half of the spectators who attended The Open (57.6 per cent) travelled from outside Northern Ireland including visitors from elsewhere in the UK (20.2 per cent) and the Republic of Ireland (18.2 per cent).

From overseas, the figures were: –
•United States (11.1 per cent)
•Canada (2.3 per cent ) and
•Australia (2.1 per cent).

Eight out of 10 visitors told researchers they were more likely to visit Causeway Coast and Glens and Northern Ireland in the next two years as a result of their attendance at The Open.

Some 83 per cent of people who attended The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, in July, said they were more likely to visit The Giant’s Causeway Coast and Northern Ireland before 2021, as a result. Picture by Northern Ireland Tourist Board

The Open is golf’s original championship and its return to Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush for the first time in 68 years was a huge success, the organisers claimed.

A key aim of The R&A is to attract a younger audience, and more than 30,000 spectators under the age of 25 attended in 2019 – including 21,000 children under the age of 16, who were admitted free of charge under the long-running Kids Go Free initiative.

The study was commissioned by golf’s governing body The R&A and supported by Tourism Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

The figures relate to the week of The Open and do not include the additional economic benefit accrued in the years following the Championship.

Tickets for 2020 Open Championship at Royal St George’s selling out fast

Royal St George’s will host the 149th Open at Sandwich, in July, for the first time since 2011. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

THE 149th Open will take place at Royal St George’s from July 16-19 with many ticket categories – including the weekend – having already sold out.

Fans eager to attend the Championship’s return to the Kent links for the first time in almost a decade can only purchase tickets for the practice and the first day’s play after Friday’s tickets also sold out in the last few days of 2019.

Ticket and hospitality sales for Royal St George’s have been the fastest in the history of The Open with Championship Days on Saturday and Sunday as well as weekly tickets and weekend bundles having already sold out.

A limited number of hospitality packages are still available. Click here for ticket sales.

Darren Clarke claimed his first Claret Jug when the Open Championship was last held at Royal St George’s famous Sandwich links, in 2011.

Other past winners of the Open at Royal St George’s include Greg Norman (1993) and Sandy Lyle (1985), although none was more of a shock than when unknown American Ben Curtis pipped Thomas Bjorn and Tiger Woods to the Claret Jug in 2003.

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After a review involving elite amateurs and other bodies within the amateur and professional game, a new Rules of Amateur Status should be ready by January 2022 says the R&A and USGA. The current prize limit for amateurs is £500 in any one event

THE R&A and the USGA are conducting a review of the Rules of Amateur Status to make them easier to understand and apply.

The comprehensive evaluation is part of the continued joint effort to modernise the Rules of Golf by reducing complexity and ensuring they effectively guide how the game is played today.

Amateur golfers are currently restricted in winning prizes of more than £500 in any one competition, and can only play in professional golf events providing they wave their rights to prize money, before the competition begins.

More and more amateurs are testing the waters by playing in developments tours like the PGA EuroPro, the MENA, Alps Pro Golf and Gecko Tours to gain experience before taking the plunge and turning pro.

As part of a review process that began earlier this year, the governing bodies will seek the perspectives of different groups in the game as an integral component of the review process.

That will include elite amateur golfers, golf event organisers, national and professional golf associations, and other industry partners, including equipment manufacturers.

That will include the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) in the UK and Ireland, and the United States Professional Golfers’ Association, in the USA.

The aim is to provide the golf community with a modernised set of amateur status rules in late 2021, with the goal of an effective date of January 1, 2022.

R&A Rules director Grant Moir said: “We will be looking at the Rules of Amateur Status carefully and considering ways in which we can modernise them and bring them more into line with the way the modern sport is played.

“The code remains a fundamental framework for amateur golf and we will be listening to the views of players, officials and associations to give us a fully rounded view of how we can improve them.”

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director of governance at the USGA, said: “One of golf’s greatest benefits is that it can be played by all ages and played for a lifetime.

“It is our goal to ensure the fundamental concept of what it means to be an amateur golfer is clear and retained to promote fair competition and enjoyment for everyone, while still addressing many issues that seek to protect the game.

“This is a forward-thinking approach and engaging golfers is a key component of doing what’s best for golf.”

Hole-in-one rule to change in 2020

IN a separate move, with effect from January 1, 2020, The R&A and the USGA will introduce one change to Rule 3-2b of the Rules of Amateur Status, which regulates hole-in-one prizes.

The Rules will no longer limit the prize an amateur golfer may win when making a hole-in-one outside a round of golf, including “stand-alone” and “multiple-entry” hole-in-one events.

It is hoped the change will help to promote the game and cater to new audiences as well as eliminate unnecessary restrictions for event organisers, said a spokesman for The R&A.

According to The R&A, the purpose of the Rules of Amateur Status is to maintain the “distinction between amateur and professional golf and to ensure that amateur golf, which is largely self-regulating with regard to the Rules of Golf and handicapping, is free from the pressures that may follow from uncontrolled sponsorship and financial incentives.”

New Rule 3-2b will read as:–

“An amateur golfer may accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during a round of golf on a golf course.
“An amateur golfer may also accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during contests held outside a round of golf, including multiple-entry contests and contests conducted other than on a golf course (e.g., on a driving range, golf simulator, or putting green) provided in all cases that the length of the shot is at least 50 yards.”

•More information about the Rules of Amateur Status can be found by going to www.RandA.org and www.USGA.org

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Sky TV, which will broacast the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush (above), next week, has signed an agreement with the R&A to extend coverage of the world’s oldest Major until 2024. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

THE R&A and Sky Sports have extended the agreement for the award-winning live coverage of The Open through to 2024.

The Open, golf’s original championship and the only men’s major championship played outside of the United States, will be part of a comprehensive schedule of live golf shown by Sky Sports.

It will include more than 100 tournaments in 2019 with all four men’s majors, all five women’s majors and The Solheim Cup.

The announcement, extending The R&A’s relationship with Sky Sports for a further three years, means golf fans can look forward to even more great moments from the globally renowned championship, which returns to Northern Ireland next week for the first time in 68 years.

The agreement also covers the AIG Women’s British Open and the Senior Open, as well as The R&A’s prestigious amateur events including The Amateur and Women’s Amateur championships, the men’s Walker Cup and women’s Curtis Cup.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said, “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and is watched by many millions of viewers around the globe.

“Our partnership with Sky has helped us deliver BAFTA-winning coverage of The Open, and present the drama and excitement of the championship from the opening shot to the closing putt in a dynamic and entertaining way.

“We look forward to working with them to continue to improve and elevate the coverage of The Open and our other professional and amateur championships in the years to come.”

Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster said, “The Open is an iconic moment of  summer sporting brilliance and over the past three years Sky Sports has elevated the coverage to new heights.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with The R&A until 2024. We respect the history and traditions of The Open but know that together we can keep finding new and innovative ways to help tell its stories.”

Sky Sports first broadcast The Open in 2016 from Royal Troon, winning a BAFTA for its coverage across a dedicated channel which included the first tee shot live for the first time – and the hugely popular Open Zone delivering insight from the world’s top players on the practice ground.

Henrik Stenson triumphed over Phil Mickelson in an epic Sunday encounter in 2016.

The following year, Jordan Spieth produced a dramatic closing run at Royal Birkdale to lift the Claret Jug for the first time, including the long wait as he sized up his options after hitting his drive into the TV compound, which was not out of bounds.

Then at Carnoustie in 2018, Francesco Molinari, saw off the challenge of a stellar chasing pack, including Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, to become The Open’s first ever Italian Champion Golfer of the Year.

Sky Sports customers can enjoy live coverage in HD via Sky Q, while NOW TV lets viewers watch live sport online without a contract, making The Open easily accessible to anyone with a connected device.

NOW TV can be watched anytime, anywhere on the web or on over 60 devices with the mobile or tablet app.

The 2020 Open will take place at Kent’s Royal St George’s, in Sandwich, before it returns to St Andrews for the 150th staging of the event in 2021.

It was announced in February that Royal Liverpoool’s Hoylake Course would stage the 151st Open – eight years after Rory McIlroy claimed his first Claret Jug on Merseyside.

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