The R&A will use the COVID-19 Support Fund to invest £7million through the national associations and affiliated bodies in the UK. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN/ AMG PICTURES

THE £7million R&A COVID-19 Support Fund has been launched by the game’s governing body to help golf deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The fund will be largely aimed at national associations and other affiliated bodies in Great Britain and Ireland.

With the global pandemic leading to widespread temporary course closures and drastic reductions in domestic and international travel, many golf clubs and facilities are facing serious financial difficulties.

The fund is being provided to help The R&A’s affiliated national associations to support those clubs and facilities – although some of the money may be used for other activities key to the future health of the sport.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “The pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on golf and many clubs are facing dire financial situations through no fault of their own.

“Golf is in our DNA and we want to see the sport continue to thrive from grassroots right through to the top level on the professional tours.

“We have a responsibility to do what we can to help in such a crisis.

“The R&A Covid-19 Support Fund will enable national associations and other key bodies to provide support to some of their members.

“We know many challenges lie ahead but club golf is the bedrock of our sport and hopefully this fund will help to begin the process of recovery.”

The R&A is working with its national associations – including England Golf, Wales Golf and Scottish Golf – and other selected organisations on communications.

Each body is responsible for controlling and allocating its share from the support fund.

Open’s profits fund development

•The R&A reinvests the proceeds from the success of The Open – golf’s oldest Major championship – to grow and support golf around the world.

It already provides financial support to a wide range of organisations in addition to national associations, including the European Tour, the Ladies European Tour (LET), the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland and the Golf Foundation charity.

The 149th Open Championship, which was due to be held at Royal St George’s, in July, was cancelled last month – it has been reported that the R&A was insured against such an eventuality,

There has been widespread speculation on how hard the COVID-19 crisis has hit the finances of the European Tour, which has been forced to postpone or cancel more than four months’ worth of tournaments so far in 2020.

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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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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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Last month’s second Women and Girls’ Golf Week has helped boost grassroots participation says England Golf and The R&A. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

THE second staging of Women and Girls’ Golf Week proved another social media success across Great Britain and Ireland, as well as raising engagement and participation at club level, organisers have claimed.

The recent awareness week, timed to coincide with the AIG Women’s British Open at Woburn, generated more than 12 million Twitter impressions through its #WhyIGolf hashtag to surpass the 2018 campaign.

Women and Girls’ Golf Week was again delivered by England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and The Irish Ladies Golf Union, designed to unite the industry and promote and grow women and girls’ golf.

The R&A, the European Tour, the Ladies European Tour, the Professional Golfers’ Association and the Golf Foundation were also among the bodies supporting the activity.

The campaign told stories of women and girls involved in different areas of the sport, celebrating their successes and challenging perceptions.

Online content featured a theme for each day, including careers, volunteers, health, participation and performance.

More than 800 people contributed and were involved from across Great Britain and Ireland, as well as further afield, including Australia, Canada, the USA and Europe, most notably Germany and the Netherlands.

Campaign video content generated in excess of 274,000 views, while the most popular day was that dedicated to health and wellbeing.

The campaign was highlighted on Sky Sports during the AIG Women’s British Open, while other notable supporters included broadcasters Sarah Stirk and Naga Munchetty, and leading Tour professionals such as Georgia Hall, Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew and LPGA star Lexi Thompson.

Nick Pink, chief executive at England Golf, said: “Women and Girls’ Golf Week again proved a great success online, as we all look to inspire more females into the sport at all levels.

“From an England perspective, we saw a rise in the number of clubs engaged in the week – both from a supporting standpoint and those who ran specific women and girls’ activity during the week.”

Clubs across the Home Nations were heavily involved, promoting participation activities they are running for women and girls.

Dullatur Golf Club, in Scotland, celebrated the week with a popular ‘Putting and Prosecco’ night for women, while Borders club Peebles – whose junior membership boasts a third of girls – maintained their ClubGolf coaching activity for girls with a fun session.

At Stafford’s Ingestre Park Golf Club, 36 girls have been involved in the club’s Girls Golf Rocks programme over the last two years. They recently held a fun-filled girls camp together with Whittington Heath Golf Club.

Women and Girls’ Golf Week helped the club to place renewed focus on their activity, achieving strong early interest for their forthcoming ‘We Love Golf’ taster sessions for women and girls in conjunction with The PGA.

Ingestre Park’s assistant professional Ben Smith said: “We have been pushing women and girls’ golf strongly and Women and Girls’ Golf Week sat nicely for us to promote what we have coming up.”

Meanwhile, in the south west, Exeter Golf and Country Club’s series of #WhyIGolf social media video clips raised the profile, while a dedicated #WhyIGolf event was led by the club’s up-and-coming junior girl members.

Placing an emphasis on fun in a non-competitive and relaxed format, it saw 26 per cent of participants take out an academy membership.

Exeter’s golf director Darren Everett, who oversees a 160-strong female membership, said: “The young girls were brilliant and act almost like ambassadors for us.

“We have a slightly ageing membership so for the girls to help encourage more women to enjoy golf here – perhaps to meet new friends or achieve a release from work – is great.

“We work hard at promoting female and family golf and our #WhyIGolf event was another example.”

At Woburn, the Ladies European Tour provided behind-the-scenes guided tours to groups of girls from local clubs and counties to highlight the wide range of career opportunities in golf, while an all-female team of PGA professionals provided free lessons.

The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter was launched last year with the aim of inspiring an industry-wide commitment to a more inclusive culture, enabling women and girls to flourish and reach their potential at all levels of the sport.

This year’s Women and Girls’ Golf Week also built on the first-ever Golf and Health Week held in April, which again saw various golfing bodies working collaboratively to highlight the sport’s health benefits and reach an audience of more than 20 million via social media.

Women and Girls’ Golf Week also drew attention to the 2019 Solheim Cup – the match between the top women professionals of Europe and the USA, which takes place at Gleneagles next week.

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Lansberry (left) received his England Golf Coach of the Year Award from Richard Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA

BIRMINGHAM’S Aaron Lansberry puts the fun into golf for hundreds of youngsters – and it’s won him the England Golf Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by The PGA.

Lansberry, from Hatchford Brook Golf Centre, was recognised last night at the England Golf Awards 2019, sponsored by adidas Golf.

More than 400 guests at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel applauded him for the way he inspires youngsters to enjoy their golf and keep coming back for more.

The judges were bowled over by his passion for the game which creates a genuine love of golf among his hundreds of young pupils. “His impact on growing the game goes above and beyond his role as a coach,” they said.

Lansberry, who was also a finalist last year, said: “It’s lovely to win, it’s the cherry on the cake and it backs up all the hard work we do.”

He is supported by a team of five teenage volunteers who help him deliver sessions and by his girlfriend, Kirsty Wise.

In particular, she works with him on a new rewards system, which recognises both golf and life skills – and which was also a finalist for last night’s Innovation Award.

The youngsters are recognised with hand-made badges, which they wear proudly on their golf hats – and the couple are kept busy making them. “The kids are crazy for them, they’re bonkers for them!” said Lansberry.

The key to his success is fun and he’s always searching for new games to add enjoyment to his lessons. He trawls the internet and checks out other sports for ideas.

Lansberry said: “The kids are there for their leisure and they want as much fun as possible and to improve their golf at the same time.”

It’s a winning formula. One group of seven youngsters have been attending sessions since 2011 – and that’s typical. “Our retention rate is about 97 per cent,” added Aaron, who admits he also gets a lot from the sessions.

“It’s rewarding, it’s great. Some of those kids who’ve been coming for eight years now play for the county and at regional level. Others are just really passionate about playing, some aren’t particularly brilliant but they just love playing golf,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned that’s job done. They’ve got a hobby, something they really enjoy, they’ve made some good friends and everyone is happy. I feel lucky.”

The runners-up were:–

• Philip Akers from The Belfry, Warwickshire
• Stuart Disney from Mendip Golf Club, Somerset
• and Mark Johnson from Styal Golf Club, Cheshire

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