Welsh golfers of all abilities will be able to play in the first ever Wales Golf Festival, which is to go ahead on a re-arranged date in October.
The ambitious original plans for a five-day festival have inevitably been changed because of Coronavirus, but three events will be held after all on the weekend of October 24 and 25 at Celtic Manor Golf Club.
Part of the festival will be a new mixed gender club competition at Celtic Manor, with men’s and ladies competitors playing off the same tees under the World Handicapping System.
The launch of the Wales Golf Festival Weekend is an initiative designed to offer competitive golf for a wide range of golfers across Wales that otherwise may have limited opportunity within the current Wales Golf Championship calendar.
“The festival will be a two-day, three event structure celebrating the inclusivity of golf within the host venue and the National Governing Body in a competitive yet fun environment,” said Wales Golf championships manager David Wilson.
“The first day will be for disability golfers and a team competition. The second day will see the Curtis Cup Legacy Mixed Gender Medal, the first event in Wales using the new World Handicapping System and an exciting new development seeing even competition for men and ladies.”
Wales Golf director of development Hannah McAllister added, “Having a fun competition for people of all abilities is a really important part of the Wales Golf plans going forward.
“We were disappointed not to be able to hold the festival as it was originally planned, but we are delighted to be able to hold the events we can in a safe and secure manner over the two days.”
Day 1 – Saturday 24th Oct
Disability Championship (AM) – Running for any golfer in Wales who is either a member of a club or registered with an associated scheme at Wales Golf. Maximum of 9 holes, minimum of 3, on a modified scoring format all handled by Wales Golf. Wales Golf Inclusivity Ambassadors Mike Jones and Stewart Harris are invited to attend and compete. Separate sections for different disabilities, as well as an overall winner.
Golf Sixes (PM) – A cup competition for all Welsh club teams who had entered the leagues in 2020 to take place, along with a trial for an adult version of the competition, with a minimum handicap requirement for players.
Day 2 – Sunday 25th Oct
Curtis Cup Legacy Mixed Medal – Run as a pilot and specifically for Celtic Manor GC members, a mixed gender medal from the same tees along with the inaugural event in Wales using the new World Handicapping System.