The North of Scotland Ladies' County Championship has been postponed until 2021 due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The North of Scotland Championship is open to all County members from Aberdeenshire, Angus, Northern Counties and Perth & Kinross. This year it was due to be played from 28-30 July 2020, at Blairgowrie Golf Club (Rosemount).
Last week, with no end to the lockdown in sight and with the safety of all involved an absolute priority, the decision was taken to cancel the event.
Perth & Kinross will remain responsible for running the championship. Discussions are in progress with Blairgowrie Golf Club about hosting the event in July next year.
The North Division Inter-County Jamboree has also been postponed until 2021.
The North Division County Jamboree has been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The North Division Jamboree winners 2019
Aberdeenshire, Angus, Northern Counties and Perth & Kinross, were due to battle it out at Monifeith Golf Links from 13 to 15 June 2020. The aim, as normal, would have been to win the North Division Jamboree and secure a place at the Scottish County Finals. But, then these are not normal times.
This week, with no end to the lockdown in sight, the North Division Captains made the inevitable decision to cancel their Jamboree. Both the South and West Divisions have already done so. And, unless there is better news soon, the East Division is almost certain to follow.
The Perth & Kinross Ladies' County Team, who won the North Division Jamboree at Ballater last year, will now have to wait until next year to defend their title.
The 2021 Solheim Cup will not be moved even if 2020 Ryder Cup is postponed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 17th Solheim Cup is scheduled to be played from Tuesday 31 August to Monday 6 September 2021 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
There has been speculation that the 2020 Ryder Cup, due to be played from 25 to 27 September, could be pushed back to September 2021, if fans are not allowed to attend this year because of coronavirus restrictions.
LPGA commissioner, Mike Whan is, however, adamant that the 2021 Solheim Cup will not be moved.
"Nothing drowns out a Solheim Cup. We wouldn’t change our Solheim Cup if the Ryder Cup changed theirs" "There are a lot of big events in men's golf that make us kind of side step, whether it's the Masters or the Players Championship, that has so many hours of TV, we try to not play during some of those weeks." "But the Solheim Cup will be just fine no matter when it's played or where it's played. I've said many times it's the greatest spectacle showcase in women's golf and we'll be just fine in 2021."
Catriona Matthew, who led Europe to a sensational win by 14½ to 13½ at Gleneagles last year, has been reappointed as the European Solheim Cup Captain for 2021.
Scottish Golf has asked Karin Sharp, their current Chief Operating Officer, to lead the organisation with immediate effect.
Following on from yesterday's shock announcement about the departure of Scottish Golf CEO, Andrew McKinlay, Scottish Golf issued out a further statement this morning.
Eleanor Cannon, Chair of Scottish Golf said:
“The Board and Executive Team have had to make very tough decisions in order to focus on ensuring we are in a sustainable position going forward when courses reopen. With many clubs feeling the financial strain, which in turn has had a knock-on effect on our income, we have prioritised expenditure accordingly. Now more than ever we need strong leadership backed up by robust actionable plans. I am very pleased to announce that The Board has invited Karin Sharp to lead the organisation with immediate effect, from her current role as Chief Operating Officer. Karin has outstanding operational pedigree gained through various leadership roles within RBS where her career spanned 23 years, predominately in their Corporate & Commercial Banking Division. She joined Scottish Ladies Golfing Association in November 2013 as Chief Operating Officer and, following the amalgamation in 2015, has ultimately continued in the same role for Scottish Golf."
"Karin will continue to be supported by Iain Forsyth the Scottish Golf Chief Commercial Officer. Iain has more than 30 years’ commercial leadership experience working in the golf industry. Both Karin and Iain have voluntarily decided to take a 20% pay cut for the foreseeable future." "Scottish Golf continues to be in active dialogue with Scottish Government, sportscotland and the R&A on the up to date guidance and advice relative to the current health and economic crisis." Eleanor Cannon stated that Scottish Golf has had to make "some very tough decisions" to remain sustainable amid the coronavirus crisis. In addition to yesterday's shock departure of CEO, Andrew McKinlay, it has reduced "a significant number" of their staff through the government furlough scheme. Earlier this month it announced that all it's remaining events and performance programmes for the 2020 had been cancelled. Something the other three home nations have so far avoided.
As part of an effort to support its 575 member clubs, Scottish Golf has also issued out a "financial health check survey" to gather information about the impact of Covid-19 on Scottish Clubs.
Karin Sharp said: "This detail will directly contribute to, and significantly inform, our ongoing dialogue with Scottish Government in relation to the struggles faced by golf in Scotland. This information is crucial. To enable us to represent the situation accurately and effectively, I urge all clubs to complete the survey at the earliest opportunity."
Scottish Golf announced tonight that Andrew McKinlay has taken the decision to "step aside" from his role as Chief Executive Officer.
Andrew McKinlay, who had previously worked for the Scottish Football Association, has been in the role for just over two years.
His shock departure comes as Scottish Golf's member clubs are desperately looking to their governing body for some leadership and support during the coronavirus crisis.
The full statement from Scottish Golf reads as follows:
"We are living in unprecedented times and, as we are all very well aware, sport has no immunity to the impact of COVID-19. Scottish Golf, like all businesses and indeed golf clubs across the country, is having to assess its business model. The governing body has had to make some very difficult decisions regarding income and expenditure, to ensure sustainability in the current circumstances. "To this end, our Chief Executive, Andrew McKinlay, has decided that he should step aside in order to help the organisation come through this situation. He leaves having worked with the team on a revised structure that will be fit for purpose when we emerge from the national lockdown."
"Eleanor Cannon, Scottish Golf Chair: On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Andrew for his contribution to Scottish Golf over the past two years. He brought a wealth of experience to what can be a pressurised role." "He has helped take the organisation forward and has now taken a very difficult decision at this challenging time. I thank him for doing so and wish him the very best for the future.” "Andrew McKinlay: It has been a privilege to lead this fantastic organisation and, I am grateful to Eleanor and the board for the opportunity. Above all I am indebted to the team at Scottish Golf for their commitment in implementing the objectives to take the game forward towards a sustainable and, indeed, prosperous future.”
"Eleanor Cannon, Chair, Scottish Golf"
Bereft of any sport to cover during the current pandemic, Scottish freelance sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter turned to his two dogs, Olive and Mable for inspiration. The result is a brilliant piece of canine commentary.
The Dog's Breakfast Grand Final
The tag line on the twitter video - "I was bored"
Game of Bones
11 days later - "Some sports are slower. More about strategy."
Originally from Troon on the west coast of Scotland, Andrew Cotter is a freelance sports broadcaster. He mainly works for the BBC and is one of their leading commentators on Golf, Rugby, Tennis and Athletics. BBC Radio 5 sports fans will be familiar with his west coast lilt and gentle wit.
He was driving down to Cardiff to cover the Wales v Scotland Six Nations match when the Welsh Rugby Union called the game off due to fears about the developing Coronavirus situation. Within an hour of turning his car around The Masters had also disappeared from his work calendar. Other events quickly followed including the The Boat Race, the Olympics, Wimbledon and The Open.
On the weekend he should have been commentating on The 2020 Boat Race, he tweeted out the first of his hilarious videos about his dogs Olive and Mable. A second video followed on what should have been the first day at The 2020 Masters. The videos went viral.
Determined to keep busy during the lockdown, he has also started up a new podcast called The Pepper Pod with European Tour pro Eddie Pepperell. "A golf podcast born out of the strange time we live in." It's worth a listen.
In these uncertain times, a little bit of Scottish humour and broadcasting skill goes a long way.
The R&A has postponed The 2020 Senior Open due to the continuing threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senior Open, which is Europe’s only Senior Major Championship, was scheduled to take place from 23 to 26 July 2020, at Sunningdale Golf Club.
In a statement issued by the R&A last Tuesday, Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, the Executive Director of Championships said:
“We have made the decision to postpone The Senior Open Presented by Rolex following discussions with all stakeholders and with public health and wellbeing the absolute priority. We will continue to investigate alternative options to host The Senior Open later in the year if at all possible and will make an announcement in due course.”
With The Open already cancelled, the AIG British Women's Open, at Royal Troon from 21 to 23 August, is the only professional championship left on The R&A's original schedule for 2020.
The European Tour has decided to postpone The Scottish Open due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which is one of eight Rolex Series events in 2020, was scheduled to return to The Renaissance Club at North Berwick, from 9-12 July.
Earlier today, European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, released an "Update on European Tour events". The statement confirmed as follows:
1. In consultation with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and Rolex, the European Tour has postponed the Scottish Open. Discussions about the possibility of rescheduling the event are ongoing.
2. The BMW International Open and the Open de France have both been cancelled.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Woman's Open, due to be played at The Renaissance Club at North Berwick from 13-16 August 2020, remains unaffected for now.
It's the second weekend in April, and we should all be settling into our sofas to watch The 84th Masters at Augusta - The first men's major of the year.
Instead, the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed The 2020 Masters at until November 12-15. Frustrating I know, but thankfully the BBC and YouTube have got some Masters golf to view. Check out the following options:
"Tiger Woods Roars Again" on BBC 2 this Sunday at 17:00 BST
Presented by Eilidh Barbour, the hour-long programme briefly charts Woods' rise to greatness, the fall that followed, the final surgery on his back and his return to glory with last year's sensational Augusta victory. "Final-round Broadcasts at the Masters"on YouTube, 1968 to 2018
Not a Tiger fan or want to see a bit more? No problem, all the final-round broadcasts from 1968-2018 have been gathered together in a single YouTube playlist, just click on the link below: https://Final Rounds broadcasts at the Masters - YouTube
My choice?
That's easy. I'll be settling down to watch The 1986 Masters, one of the most exciting final rounds in Masters' history. Forty-six year old Jack Nicklaus chasing Tom Kite, Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros. He couldn't could he...
The 84th Masters is back on the calendar for 2020.
Due to be held this week, The 2020 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club, in Georgia, was postponed last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club released a statement that the championship would be rescheduled to 9-15 November 2020.
Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Sadly, the decision was made to cancel this year's Augusta National Women's Amateur. The event was due to be held at Augusta National the week before The Masters. All who qualified for the event will be invited in 2021, provided they remain amateurs.
To read the full statement from the chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, click on the link below: https://www.masters.com/2020Masters
The 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, San Fransisco, has been rescheduled to 3-9 August 2020.
Due to be played in May, the PGA Championship was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is still scheduled to be played from 22 to 27 September at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
The R&A has decided to cancel The Open Championship in 2020 due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The 149th Open will now be played at Royal St George’s from 11-18 July 2021 and The 150th Open at St Andrews from 10-17 July 2022.
The R&A's remaining professional and amateur championships for this year, including the AIG British Women's Open at Royal Troon in August, are all under review. Updates will be given of any further changes. To read the full statement from The R&A click on the link below:
https://www.randa.org/The-Open-in-2020-cancelled
The 120th US Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club, New York, has been rescheduled to 17-20 September 2020.
The US Senior Open & US Senior Women’s Open Championships In addition to the postponement of the US Open, the USGA has made the decision to cancel both the US Senior Open and the US Senior Women’s Open Championships for 2020. To read the full statement from the USGA click on the link below: https://www.usga.org/2020-US-Open-Championship
The R&A have announced that, due to COVID-19, they have postponed this year's Curtis Cup and Women’s Amateur Championship.
Both the Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and the Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire are being rescheduled to the week commencing 24 August 2020.
In agreement with the USGA, the Curtis Cup is postponed until next year.
