Wales Golf Asks First Minister For Courses To Re-Open
Wales Golf says it is difficult to understand the rationale for preventing people from playing the sport
Wales Golf says it is difficult to understand the rationale for preventing people from playing the sport
Wales Golf Asks First Minister For Courses To Re-Open
It was a hectic weekend in the UK with new Tier 4 restrictions brought in across London, parts of the south of England and Wales.
Initially it was feared that England's courses in those areas would close, and Wales Golf were quick to announce that its golf facilities would be shutting.
However, England's courses and driving ranges are staying open in Tier 4 regions, with new restrictions put in place, but Welsh clubs and golfers are suffering with facilities remaining closed.
That's why Wales Golf has written to the country's First Minister requesting that courses re-open during these turbulent times.
With England's courses open and the well-known mental and physical benefits the game offers, it does seem unfair on Welsh golfers and clubs.
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"In light of the clear benefits that golf offers to approximately 100,000 players across Wales, and the damage to golf clubs across the country that will be caused by a further period of closure, it appears counter-productive to require that golf courses close under the recently introduced Welsh Government level 4 restrictions," Wales Golf Chief Executive Richard Dixon wrote.
"It is notable that both the UK and Scottish governments, recognising the benefits described above, will allow golf courses to remain open under their own tier 4 restrictions.
"We understand and fully support the decision to allow people to exercise in large outdoor spaces such as parks.
"It is difficult, though, to understand the rationale for preventing people from playing the sport of golf through which participants also gain the benefits of exercise in large outdoor areas, with risks further reduced through the detailed Covid protocols which are already in place.
"In summary, golf is an outdoor sport and has established Covid secure practices in place.
"As such it is ideally placed to be played safely under lockdown restrictions to the benefit of thousands of people across the country.
"Wales Golf and the clubs that it represents are more than willing to continue to work with you to facilitate the re-opening of golf courses at the earliest possible opportunity.
"We hope that you will give this matter your urgent consideration."
Related: The best golf courses in Wales
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Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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