Coronavirus outbreak: Wales Golf statement
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
Wales Golf statement regarding coronavirus
Wales Golf is closely monitoring developments of the Covid-19 virus, with all events involving a gathering of people or travel now under strict review.
After the World Health Organisation officially declared this coronavirus a global pandemic, the mandate is clear for all governing bodies to make decisions based on communal health and safety.
“Our approach is to follow the guidelines set by the Welsh and UK Governments, and the advice which is laid out by Public Health Wales,” said Wales Golf chief executive Richard Dixon.
“We have circulated advice from the golf industry GCMA, BIGGA, PGA and R&A to clubs in Wales, following on from information from the Welsh Sports Association. We will continue to update that advice.
“At present it is our intention and plan to deliver all Wales Golf events and fixtures as planned, however with some minor adjustments as outlined below.
“Any decisions taken to postpone, amend or cancel events will taken after careful consideration and at the earliest opportunity to ensure minimal disruption.
“For instance with our championships we would hope to publish any relevant decisions at the closing date of entry. However this may not always be possible due to the ever changing status of the Covid-19 virus.”
The Boys Under-18 Wales vs Ireland Challenge Match on March 21-22 at Cardigan has been postponed.
The Wales Golf Championship season starts in the middle of April with the first events of the successful Ping Welsh Junior Tour in Mold, shortly followed by the second event in Milford Haven.
One of the next major events for Wales teams, the European Nations Cup in Spain in the middle of April, has now been cancelled.
The first major adult Wales Golf event is the Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play at Royal Porthcawl at the start of May.
Any competitor who is unable to or does not feel comfortable in travelling to a Championship will be entitled to a refund on their entry fees.
This continues to be a developing situation and Wales Golf will keep everyone fully informed of any changes to Championships in Wales.
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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.
