England Golf postpone all championships until July
All of England Golf’s championships and performance team events have now been shelved until July 27 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Among the high profile tournaments affected are England vs France at Ganton, the Brabazon Trophy at Sherwood Forest, and the English Women’s Amateur at Sheringham.
Last month, the governing body had postponed their tournaments until June, arguing they involved “large numbers of people travelling and working together to run a successful event, and we consider it impossible to ensure the safety and welfare of all concerned”.
Their AGM at Woodhall Spa, due to have been held on April 23, was also off and national participation events scheduled for the spring were also called off, as were World Handicap System workshops and course ratings.
Now, with the situation remaining uncertain, the following England Golf, and co-sanctioned events, have been postponed:
March 30-31: Golf Sixes, Centurion
April 29-30: Senior Series and Golf Captains, St Mellion
May 6-7: Senior Series and Golf Captains, Hesketh
May 12: Brabazon Trophy South qualifier, East Sussex National
May 12: Brabazon Trophy North qualifier, Hessle
May 9-10: England vs France, Ganton
May 11-15: English Senior Women’s Amateur, Peterborough Milton
May 17: England Golf Medal (south), Knowle Park
May 20: Golf Captains, Northants County
May 21-24: Brabazon Trophy, Sherwood Forest
May 27-31: English Women’s Amateur, Sheringham
May 28: England Golf Medal (Midlands North), Stanton-on-the-Wolds
June 3-5: English Seniors Amateur Championship, Luffenham Heath and Burghley Park
June 3-4: Senior Series and Golf Captains, Stowmarket
June 7: England Golf Medal (East), Colne Valley
June 16-18: English Senior Women’s Stoke Play, Abbeydale
June 17: Golf Captains, Broadway
June 21: England Golf Medal, Drayton Park
June 25: England Golf Medal, Brancepeth Castle
June 30: Golf Captains, Moortown
July 3-5: Logan Trophy, Sand Moor
July 7-8: Senior Series and Golf Captains, South Staffs
July 8: English Schools’ Team Championship, Woodhall Spa
July 14-16: McGregor Trophy, Heworth
July 21-23: English Girls’ Open Championship, Sandy Lodge
July 21-24: Carris Trophy, St George’s Hill
July 22: Golf Captains, Piltdown
England Golf said it remained their intention to try and re-schedule as many of the events as possible.
James Crampton, England Golf’s director of championships, said: “It is with regret that we have had to extend the list of postponed England Golf events as we all adhere to the expert advice and necessary measures now in place to combat the spread of coronavirus.
“All England Golf championships have now been postponed until week commencing 27 July. We will continue to regularly review our championship plans beyond this date.
“If possible, we aim to re-schedule some of our postponed events and will provide information as and when it is practicable to do so.
“There are a number of intricacies associated with championship golf which need to be considered well in advance of any event taking place and these, as much as golf courses being open for play, are key factors in our decision-making.”
England Golf added all entrants to events during this period will be contacted directly by the Championships department.
In line with some of golf’s other authorities, England Golf have offered advice on how to minimise the risk of infection from the virus, as well as issuing contact details for the coming months.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
