Europe's Staysure Tour cancels 2020 schedule over health fears

'Decision was not taken lightly' says head of over-50s circuit

Paul Lawrie, last season's Staysure Tour Rookie of the Season, with the circuit's head, Mark Aspland. Picture: Getty Images

The Staysure Tour, Europe’s seniors' circuit, has announced the cancellation of its 2020 season.

The decision was taken "following consultation with the tour’s membership and the Tour’s Medical Advisers based on the additional risk associated with the age demographic of the players and the complexities of staging events across multiple territories".

All 2020 playing exemption categories will be extended to the 2021 season.

Mark Aspland, head of the circuit, said: “This decision was not taken lightly, but we feel it is the most responsible course of action.

"It follows consultation with all of our stakeholders, and also taking into account feedback from our players around the complexities of international travel at the current time.

“While professional golf is slowly returning with the necessary safety protocols, we have to recognise the additional risk associated with the age demographic of the Staysure Tour membership, alongside the challenges of implementing the requisite health strategy across the multiple territories we play in."

The 2020 schedule had only been confirmed up until the end of June.

The decision means Paul Lawrie will have to wait until 2021 to defend his Scottish Senior Open title, having landed his breakthrough win on the circuit at Craigielaw last year.

The call has also left 2018 Scottish Amateur champion Euan McIntosh facing a lengthy wait to make his debut on the tour after securing a card at the Qualifying School earlier in the year.

“As professional golfers, we all want to be out on the golf course competing again," said DJ Russell, chairman of the Staysure Tour Tournament Committee and a member of the European Tour’s Board of Directors.

"However, these are truly unique circumstances caused by a global pandemic.

“We had to acknowledge the age demographic of the Staysure Tour players presents additional associated risks.

"We are therefore supportive of this difficult but responsible decision to cancel the 2020 Staysure Tour season."

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