As the coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate, golf’s four governing bodies in the UK and Ireland – England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and the Golfing Union of Ireland – have set out their advice to clubs, and outlined how the virus will affect their championships in 2020, in a series of statements.
- Related: Will your club close during the outbreak?
- Related: How the outbreak has affected the professional tours
Scottish Golf statement regarding coronavirus
Scottish Golf continues to monitor developments of the Covid-19 Virus, including the impact that this will have on events that bring together groups of people.
With this in mind and following the latest Government advice, it is with regret that we have taken the decision to cancel the first three Scottish Golf National Championships of the 2020 calendar.
The cancelled events are:
- Scottish Boys’ Open Championship (North Berwick, 8-10 April)
- Scottish Girls’ Open Championship (Powfoot, 8-10 April)
- Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship (Royal Troon, 17-19 April)
While golf is a sport that allows players to exercise outdoor in the fresh air where the risk of contracting Covid-19 is low, Scottish Golf’s decision has been made recognising that these events all attract international fields, to ensure the risk to competitors, officials and spectators is minimised.
Scottish Golf will continue to respect government advice and work in partnership with organisations across the golf industry and more information about other National Championships will be communicated as this developing situation continues.
All entrants of the impacted events will receive a full refund and Scottish Golf will issue further guidance to those affected in due course.
We thank you for your understanding at this time.
What about grassroots?
In a statement issued on March 17, Scottish Golf said:
As we continue to follow the latest government advice on public gatherings, Scottish Golf has taken the decision to postpone all grassroots golf activity that falls under Scottish Golf administration with immediate effect.
The programmes impacted by this decision are:
- All Junior GolfSixes Leagues across Scotland
- All Girls Golf Hubs activity across Scotland
This decision has been taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that everyone involved in the game from players to coaches, volunteers and staff are protected from unnecessary contact.
Scottish Golf will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and will be in direct correspondence with those impacted by today’s decision as our response to the outbreak continues.
While Scottish Golf has taken this difficult decision, we would also like to highlight that golf is a sport that allows players to exercise outdoors in the fresh air where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low. All golf clubs should aim to keep their members and staff safe and well.
We appreciate that this is a very fluid situation and to support all clubs, we have set up a designated section on the Scottish Golf website to ensure our updates are easy to access. Click here to access the latest updates in response to COVID-19.
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Steve Carroll
