New dates found for elite amateur events

The R&A have postponed three of their elite amateur events due to take place in June because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, writes Steve Scott.

The St Andrews-based governing body for amateur golf have agreed with the USGA that the Curtis Cup, due to be played between GB&I and the USA’s best amateur women golfers for the 41st time at Conwy in Wales on June 12-14, will be postponed to 2021.

In addition the Amateur Championship, scheduled for Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire Golf Clubs from June 15-20, and the Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on June 23-27 are being provisionally rescheduled to the week commencing 24 August.

“These plans are dependent on the situation with the pandemic and we will continue to monitor it in the coming weeks,” said an R&A spokesman.

Duncan Weir, the R&A’s executive director of golf development and amateur championships, said: “We have a responsibility to protect the health and wellbeing of the players and everyone involved in our events so it is the right course of action to take.

“We are grateful to all of the venues for their continuing support in these challenging circumstances and will update everyone involved with our plans.

“We continue to review our 2020 professional championships and the remainder of our domestic amateur season. Further information will be issued in due course.”

The 149th Open Championship itself, to be played at Royal St George’s GC at Sandwich in Kent, is still scheduled for July at present but is subject to ongoing review.