Sadly, following the First Ministers announcement on Wednesday 16th December 2020, Builth Wells Golf Club will close at 6.00pm on Friday 25th December (Happy Christmas!) for a minimum period of 3 weeks. The closure will result in the clubhouse, Pro Shop and golf course closing.
Wales Golf press release as follows:
COVID-19 Statement
17th December 2020
Dear Secretary / Manager
Higher-level restrictions to come into force to control coronavirus
The First Minister announced on the December 16, the Higher-level restrictions will come into force to control rapidly accelerating coronavirus rates across Wales. The full statement can be found here.
The current conditions mean that the whole of Wales will move into alert level 4 in the new Coronavirus Control Plan
The new restrictions will apply to all of Wales.
We have had confirmation from the Welsh Government today (December 17) that Golf Courses will need to close from 6 pm on Christmas day.
All non-essential retail (this includes Professional Shops, click and collect is still allowed), close contact services and all leisure and fitness centres will close at the end of trading on Christmas Eve.
All hospitality premises will close from 6 pm on Christmas Day. After this licenced premises can run a takeaway and delivery service only between 6 am and 10 pm.
Tighter restrictions on household mixing, staying-at-home, holiday accommodation and travel will apply from December 28, after the five-day Christmas period.
The Welsh Government will review the data and intelligence informing which alert level of restriction should regularly apply, with a formal review every three weeks.
The alert level four information can be found here.
The Welsh Government regulations will be updated here. Please check back later today.
The Government’s frequently asked questions will soon be updated on this link
The Guidance for tourism and hospitality will be updated here. Please check back
Note from our CEO – Richard Dixon
I would like to thank all our Welsh Clubs for the excellent work you have been doing in helping to keep our sport, golfers and communities safe. By continuing this effort, we will put golf in a strong position to return as soon as it is safe to do so.
We are disappointed that Golf clubs face closure during tier 4 restrictions (equivalent to a lockdown/ firebreak). However, we will continue to work hard behind the scenes and have today issued the following statement clarifying Wales Golf’s position:-
Statement
Wales Golf feels there is a strong case for golf courses to remain open alongside public parks and playgrounds under Tier 4 restrictions and continues to work with the Welsh Government to make this point.
We totally understand the wider concerns, but golf is a sport that can be played safely outdoors while providing exercise. The whole golf industry has adapted to the restrictions imposed to ensure people’s safety, developed significant operational experience and established COVID secure practices, including rule changes and other mitigation measures that meet the Hands, Face, Space directive.
The health and wellbeing benefits of playing golf are well documented in scientific studies. Leaders in public health, public policy and sport from across the globe recognise that golf tackles physical inactivity and contributes to the prevention of a range of non-communicable diseases.
Combining the undeniable benefits golf offers to a significant proportion of the country, and the steps taken that ensure golf is a sport that can be played safely, it is ideally placed to be able to be played safely under lockdown restrictions.
Our colleagues in the golf industry around the UK are also united in pushing these messages. We want to assure golfers in Wales we are representing them at the highest levels.