By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman Newspaper
While there is no word yet on The Open, the R&A has announced the postponement of one of its upcoming big amateur events and the rescheduling of two others due to the coronavirus crisis.
The 41st Curtis Cup, which was due to be played at Conwy in North Wales on 12-14 June, has been rescheduled to 2012 in agreement with the USGA, with revised dates still to be fixed.
Meanwhile, the Amateur Championship and Women's Amateur Championship have both been switched from June to the week commencing 24 August.
The Amateur Championship is set to be held at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire while Kilmarnock (Barassie) is due to host the Women’s Amateur Championship.
Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development and Amateur Championships at the R&A, said, “We have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the players and everyone involved in our events so it is the right course of action to take.
"We are grateful to all of the venues for their continuing support in these challenging circumstances and will update everyone involved with our plans.”
A fortnight ago, the R&A said it was "proceeding as planned" for both The Open at Royal St George's and the AIG Women's British Open at Royal Troon but, at the same time, was "considering contingency options".
It is believed an emergency meeting was held last week about The Open, with the likelihood it will be postponed due to the fact the building operation for the world's oldest major would normally be about to start around this time of the year.
The Masters and the US PGA Championship have already been postponed by Augusta National Golf Club and the PGA of America respectively, while it is believed the same decision has been made by the USGA regarding the US Open.
