Picture by ANDREW GRIFIFN / AMG PICTURES
ENGLAND Golf have postponed all championships and coaching scheduled to take place up until early June as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
They include the Brabazon Trophy at Sherwood Forest and the first international match of the season between England and France at Ganton, which hosted the Walker Cup in 2003.
All England coaching for their men’s, women’s and junior squads – both at national and regional level – have also been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Top women’s events to be postponed include the English Senior Women’s Amateur at Peterborough Milton and the English Women’s Amateur at Sheringham, in Norfolk – both in May.
England men’s Seniors Championship which was due to be played at Luffenham Heath and Burghley Park, in Lincolnshire, in early June, has also been called off.
The following England Golf and co-sanctioned events are affected:–
- Golf Sixes – Centurion Club, St Albans, Hertfordshire 30-31 March 30-21
- Senior Series and Golf Captains – St Mellion, Cornwall, April 29-30
- Senior Series and Golf Captains – Hesketh, Lancashire, May 6-7
- Brabazon Trophy South Qualifier – East Sussex National, May 12
- Brabazon Trophy North Qualifier – Hessle, Yorkshire, May 12
- England v France – Ganton, Yorkshire 9-10 May 9-10
- English Senior Women’s Amateur – Peterborough Milton, May 11-15
- England Golf Medal (South) – Knole Park, Kent, May 17
- Golf Captains – Northants County, May 20
- Brabazon Trophy – Sherwood Forest, Notts, May 21-24
- English Women’s Amateur – Sheringham, Norfolk, May 27-31
- England Golf Medal (Midlands North) – Stanton-on-the-Wolds, Gloucestershire, May 28
- English Seniors Amateur Championship – Luffenham Heath, Rutland, & Burghley Park, Lincolnshire, June 3-5
- Senior Series and Golf Captains – Stowmarket, Suffolk, June 3-4
- England Golf Medal (East) – Colne Valley, Essex, June 7.
England Golf’s director of championships James Crampton said: “It is with regret that all England Golf events have been postponed until Sunday, June 7.
“Further information about potentially rescheduling some of these events for later in the year will be provided in due course.
“England Golf also recommends the postponement of all county and regional competitions during this time.
“While England Golf are encouraging golfers to continue playing the game, the intricacies associated with championship golf such as players travelling to events, staying in hotels and the additional personnel associated with the management of the events makes it impossible to ensure the safety and welfare of all concerned.”
All current entrants into England Golf events during this period of postponement will be contacted directly by the championship department with further information.
The decision has also been made to cancel all England Golf regional and national squad coaching sessions for men, women, boys and girls until further notice.
Individual coaching sessions can continue provided they comply with the stringent government and expert advice on social distancing, an England Golf spokesman said.
Events relating to championships and performance squads remain under constant review and timely updates will be issued via England Golf’s website and social media platforms, he added.
England Golf will continue to communicate any changes through our website, social platforms and via direct correspondence to their affiliated counties, clubs and golfers.
It is vital that everyone continues to follow best practice when it comes to dealing with the current outbreak of coronavirus.
