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21 December 2020

Rt Hon MS for Tŷ Hywel Bay CF99 1NA

An open letter to the First Minister of Wales:

Dear First Minister,

Throughout the course of 2020 and the multiple lockdowns that have been implemented, the game of golf has been able to clearly demonstrate that it could be enjoyed in a COVID safe way, which is why it was one of the first sports to be able to return once the initial restrictions were relaxed over the summer.

The Professional Golfers’ Association has more than 220 Members across Wales – all of whom have worked tirelessly to ensure the highest possible standards have remained in place since that time to keep all participants safe.

As one of the custodians of golf we therefore urge the Welsh Government to reconsider the closure of courses during the latest lockdown and fully support the efforts of to reverse this decision.

It is worth noting that golf courses in and have remained open even as those two countries moved once again into Tier 4 restrictions, confirming the ability of golf to operate safely during the pandemic.

Both The PGA and Wales Golf contributed to a report prepared by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf that makes a compelling case for the sport’s exclusion from restrictions.

The average golf course covers a 60-hectare space, which on average would see only 96 people on it at any one time, which makes it the perfect setting for people of all ages and abilities to get their daily exercise in an extremely safe environment. We appreciate that there are often misconceptions about who golf is accessible to, but the reality is that there are over 3m people who regularly play the game in spanning all abilities, age groups, backgrounds, genders and faiths.

Whilst we agree that certain measures will have to be adopted, such as closing clubhouses, these should not be seen as prohibitive to allowing play to continue. Golf clubs have already embraced a raft of changes with the vast majority offering online booking services, having pre-scheduled arrival times to eradicate contact with other people and rule changes which ensure players stay socially distanced.

In view of the undeniable health and mental wellbeing benefits that golf offers to a significant proportion of the country, we would ask that you consider exempting it from the new restrictions. Should either you or any of your team require any further information, we are available to offer this at your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Maxfield Chief Executive

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