Pandemic is having an impact on new season’s tournaments
THERE have been enforced changes already to the Leicestershire and Rutland county golf union’s 2021 planned programme of inter-county matches and championships, writes Jennifer Prentice.
They all stem from the progress of the coronavirus lockdowns, but some deviations to the fixture list have been made to ensure most tournaments can be played as closely as possible to the schedule.
Two early season inter-county clashes against Warwickshire have both been cancelled.
They were due to be played on Sunday, March 28 with the firsts at Moor Hall and second team game set for Rothley Park GC.
James Billingham (Cosby) is the county first team captain, and Jay Sheridan (Lutterworth), the second team skipper.
Both are looking forward to heading their teams for the first time this season, after their first year as captains saw no inter-county matches or regional tournaments completed because of lockdown restrictions.
Only county championships went ahead – with some delays.
The county’s annual senior trial, due to be completed on Wednesday, March 31, has also been called off.
So has the county seniors match against the county lady vets. This was due to be decided at Ullesthorpe Court GC, but will now be rearranged.
And two more inter-county traditional friendly fixtures – against Staffordshire – have had to be cancelled.
They were due to be played on Sunday, April 11, with the first team clash away at Drayton Park and the second teams in action at Cosby GC.
The county seniors non-league match against Derbyshire scheduled for Beedles Lake on Wednesday, April 19, is also off and will be rearranged.
There is also a major change to the opening major county championship of the 2021 campaign.
This is the Spring Tournament for the Robin Fraser Trophy, widely regarded not only as the season opener, but which also serves as a selection event for the whole season.
Normally this World Amateur Golf Ranking event is played over 72 holes on two different courses and is always physically and mentally a tough test, but one in which leading amateurs can display their early form and catch the eye.
But the opening day on Saturday, April 24, due to be played at Market Harborough, from which the leading golfers qualify for the smaller field on the second day, will now be over 18 holes rather than two rounds.
Day two this year at The Leicestershire GC on Sunday, April 25 is still set for 36 holes and it retains its WAGR status.
Kevin Whitfield-Green, the county golf union director of tournaments, said: “It has been reduced to 54 holes which makes it more manageable to work within government and England Golf guidelines.
“But the postponed tournaments and matches will be rearranged as quickly as possible and we will inform everyone as soon as we can.
“The home venues for the cancelled matches will now be used for county first and second team squad afternoons.
“On Sunday, April 18, the county seniors have their match against the county ladies’ at Longcliffe”
As far as the county juniors are concerned, their season was due to get under way with the three-cornered Butt Trophy match against Bedfordshire and Norfolk scheduled at Glen Gorse on Wednesday, April 7 but this has been rearranged for August 24 at the same club.
But this season’s annual county golf union Schools tournament at Forest Hill has been cancelled.