Coronavirus: Welsh golf clubs can reopen for 'local members'

Llanymynech Golf Club, which sits on the border, has 15 holes in Wales and three in England

Wales Golf has advised clubs they could reopen from Monday, 18 May.

The announcement follows updated guidance from the Welsh Government that some golf clubs could reopen in Wales for "local members".

Clubs have been shut during lockdown but the government has offered legal clarification that could see golfers returning to the fairways.

Under the easing of restrictions in England, golf courses will be reopened there from Wednesday, 13 May.

After comments in the Senedd and clarification on the Welsh Government website, Wales Golf has advised clubs they are "permitted to open if they so wish".

However, the sport's governing body in Wales is urging courses not to reopen immediately, in order to ensure they have sufficient protocols in place to adhere to guidelines and to allow for a "managed and coordinated reintroduction of golf across Wales from next Monday 18 May at the earliest".

It has also warned all member clubs and golfers to comply with the regulations in a responsible manner to avoid the Welsh Government introducing measures that force golf courses to close.

Wales Golf's update followed fresh advice from Cardiff Bay.

Speaking to the Senedd's Culture, Welsh Language and Communications committee, director of the Welsh Government's Culture, Sport and Tourism department Jason Thomas said he expects clubs could soon reopen.

"Legal clarification is that golf courses are not included on the list of businesses or establishments that must remain closed - they have never been on that list," said Thomas.

"It's been other measures in force that has restricted the ability of the clubs to open - travel measures etc, so we have clarified this on the Welsh Government website. Do they have to be closed? No."

Welsh Government response to the Covid-19 pandemic is currently that people should only drive to exercise if you have mobility issues and that you should remain "local" with no actual distance specified.

"Legally they don't have to be closed," said Mr Thomas.

"We have clarified that we do want to encourage people to exercise but exercise locally, so we are expecting a statement from Wales Golf imminently on the back of our clarification… because they may be minded to suggest to clubs that they can open so they can ensure that local members can play."

Conflicting guidelines

One course with particular interest in the differing stance of government in Cardiff and Westminster is Llanymynech Golf Club near Oswestry, where former world number one and Masters champion Ian Woosnam learned to play as a nine-year-old.

Fifteen of its 18 holes are completely in Wales with two in England. The fourth hole tees off on the Welsh side of the border with the green in Shropshire.

The secretary of Llanymynech Golf Club has said it will reopen on Wednesday, 13 May, when all greens - in both Wales and England - will be playable. The club will operate restricted hours (08:00-17:00 BST) and the club house will not reopen.

The club has released a statement expressing disappointment at "conflicting guidelines that hinder practical compliance by all of the public within the border areas".

The statement adds that, like many golf clubs around the UK, closure has put them in a precarious financial position.

It also points out that the club is affiliated to the Shropshire and Herefordshire Union of Golf clubs and the English Golf Union and therefore intends to follow their guidelines agreed with the (Westminster) Government to "allow a limited amount of golf to be played in a controlled and safe manner".