Disappointment as golf fails to earn reprieve from Boris Johnson

The group trying to earn a reprieve for golf when England goes into a month-long lockdown on Thursday has conceded defeat.

Courses in England will be forced to close tomorrow as part of a new lockdown after a bid to earn a reprieve for the sport failed. Picture: Getty Images

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf sent a letter to Boris Johnson on Tuesday in an attempt to persuade the Prime Minister to allow golf continue during the new lockdown.

That was co-signed by leading administrators, including England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson, the R&A's executive director David Rickman and PGA chief executive Rob Maxfield.

The plea came on the back of a petition calling for golf to be handed a reprieve garnering more than 250,000 signatures, but the bid has fallen on deaf ears.

A statement read: "The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf has conceded that there is no more that can be done to persuade the Government to alter its position to allow golf to continue during the upcoming lockdown and the Government position will remain.”

The Group’s Chair, North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey, said: “Unfortunately, unlike the lockdown earlier this year, the Government has decided to take a different approach despite golf having demonstrated it can meet the necessary requirements of the upcoming lockdown to continue to be participated in safely.

“By playing in pairs, closing clubhouses and maintaining the socially distancing rule changes already implemented, the sport could continue to be enjoyed by the 3m participants across the country.

"When you look at the facts, it actual poses less risk than, say, walking with a friend, which is something people will be allowed to do, in closer proximity without the oversight that golf clubs provide.

“Obviously the Government has difficult decisions to make at this time but when you consider significant mental and physical health benefits of golf, and that it is a sport that is enjoyed by such a wide range of people, we are naturally disappointed they have taken the position that it has.

"There is still time for this to change and we remain available to all Ministers and Officials to explain how golf can be played under the upcoming Bill or to answer any questions they may have.

“I would also like to thank the golfers who signed the petition that will now be debated in Parliament, and those who contacted their Member of Parliament making clear the case for golf.

"Colleagues from across the political spectrum spoke to me about the volume of correspondence they received; it was a quite a monumental movement of people in a very short space of time.

“As was made clear in our letter to the Prime Minister, the golf industry is convinced that golf can be played safely in these times, and all involved in the All-Party Parliamentary Group reiterate our pledge to work with government to provide it with the evidence it requires to allow golf to return.

“Industry members involved in the APPG met this morning to discuss what the steps the sports should take over the coming weeks to ensure it comes back in an even stronger position once it gets the green light to return.

"So, we look forward to welcoming golfers, old and new, back to the fairways once the measures are lifted, so they can all enjoy the significant benefits that

playing golf brings.”

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