Wales Golf gives £250,000 fees holiday to clubs

Wales Golf is giving clubs a five-month affiliation fee holiday in a move that will cost the governing body more than £250,000.

The coronavirus lockdown is estimated to have cost clubs across the country around £5 million in lost revenue during the crisis, with more than 500 staff furloughed across the game.

Golf was allowed to restart on May 18 and Wales Golf chief executive Richard Dixon said: “We would like to congratulate golf clubs in Wales who have re-opened safely and within the Welsh Government guidelines.

“Also we understand there is financial difficulty for clubs across Wales as a result of the course closures from the Coronavirus crisis. So, we have decided to waive five months of affiliation fees to Wales Golf.

“The support from club members helps us provide the best possible advice and support for those clubs and to develop our sport for the future.

“Crucially, though, we took the decision to keep most of our development staff working full-time through this period to support clubs with assistance in closing courses, maintaining facilities, applying for grants, furloughing staff and then preparing for re-opening.

“However our costs in some areas, such as performance and championships, have been lower and we have also chosen to dip into our reserves to help clubs at this time.

“It is a relatively small gesture to each club, but one we thought important to make to show everyone is in this together trying to ensure golf in Wales comes out of this period in the strongest possible state.”

• Related: Rounds played in Britain take a huge hit as winter and lockdown bite
• Related: R&A to pump millions into club game coronavirus fight
• Related: Is this the secret to getting clubhouses reopened?

What do you think of Wales Golf’s decision? Have your say in the comments, or tweet me.

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