In light of the ongoing serious and escalating COVID-19 outbreak the Cornwall Golf Union has considered key elements of this crisis and the impact on our clubs and competitions generally. Our number one priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our community of golfers, clubs, volunteers and staff, ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy our great sport in a safe environment. The health of all is far more important than golf, and we trust you will do all that you can to help make your loved ones as safe as possible.

We have made the decision to postpone all CGU supported / advertised activities between now and (at this stage) the end of April.  This includes all Academy training events, the U12 Mini Tour, Junior and Men’s competitions and matches.

Affected competitions and matches are as follows:

U18 Boys v CLCGA Ladies Sunday 22nd March – Tehidy Park

County Squad Sunday 22nd March – Newquay

The Junior Champion Club Qualifier Monday 30th March – West Cornwall

Channel League Gloucestershire v Cornwall Sunday 5th April – Bristol & Clifton

U16 Boys v U14 Boys Monday 6th April – West Cornwall

SW Four Counties 7th-9th April – Exeter

U12 Boys v Tehidy Monday 13th April – Tehidy Park

A and B Team Preliminaries Sunday 19th April – Newquay

The U12 Mini Tour Sunday 19th April - Trevose

Seniors Winter OoM Rd 5 Monday 20th April – Launceston

A and B Team Preliminaries Sunday 26th April - Newquay

It is likely further postponements/cancellations will follow and we will advise on these in due course. It is likely all Channel League and Seniors Channel League matches for 2020 will be cancelled.

The Annual General Meeting of the CGU scheduled for 26th March 2020 is postponed. Clubs will be circulated separately on AGM matters directly related to the ongoing business of the CGU.

The proposed Forum of Cornish clubs scheduled for Wednesday 15th April 2020 at Tehidy Park GC is postponed.

All of these decisions have been taken in the interests of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider golfing community. We will continue to review the situation and agree the way forward beyond April in line with relevant advice. We are not experts in this field and our sole aim is to do the right thing ensuring we do not add unnecessarily to the spread of the virus.

England Golf yesterday published their response to the current position. England Golf have postponed all championships and performance team events and coaching scheduled to take place up until 7 June.

England Golf’s response also includes Guidance to Golf Clubs and Golfers. The full response can be viewed here

We need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines, updates and advice set out in detail by

Public Health England via their website and the World Health Organisation via their website

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus outbreak. It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19. All our efforts must be to protect those in vulnerable groups. It is difficult in all sports to recruit volunteers, there is the real danger with this situation that those volunteers could suffer more than others in the population, we will need them when this passes, so please think of them, think of your neighbours, loved ones etc and remember that together we must strive to still be here for when golf resumes in full, whenever that is.

This remains a very fluid situation and we will continue to take the lead from the government and public health authorities as well as England Golf when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

Whilst still adhering to official guidance we would encourage all our members to support their local Golf Clubs, and PGA Professionals as they find their way through this difficult and unique situation.