R&A cancels Curtis Cup and reschedules Amateur Championships

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.

Royal Troon will host The Open Golf in 2023

The 152nd Open will be played at Royal Troon from 16-23 July 2023. 

A century after hosting golf’s original major for the first time, the battle for the Claret Jug will return to Royal Troon in 2023 for The 152nd Open.

The famed links course in South Ayrshire will play host to its 10th Open, celebrating 100 years since the Championship first came to Troon in 1923.

THE R&A AND THE USGA ANNOUNCE PROPOSED CHANGES TO MODERNISE RULES OF GOLF

1 March 2017, St Andrews, Scotland and Far Hills, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have unveiled a preview of the proposed new Rules of Golf, as part of a joint initiative to modernise the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.

The online release of this preview begins a six-month feedback and evaluation period during which all golfers worldwide can learn about the proposed changes and provide input before they are finalised in 2018 and take effect on 1 January 2019.

The announcement follows a comprehensive review process that began in 2012 with a working group of key R&A and USGA Rules administrators, professional tour officials and other Rules experts. While the Rules are revised every four years, this is the first fundamental review since 1984, and was established to ensure the Rules fit the needs of today's game and the way it is played around the world. 

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, "Our aim is to make the Rules easier to understand and to apply for all golfers. We have looked at every Rule to try to find ways to make them more intuitive and straightforward and we believe we have identified many significant improvements. It is important that the Rules continue to evolve and remain in tune with the way the modern game is played but we have been careful not to change the game's longstanding principles."

"We are excited and encouraged by the potential this work brings, both through the proposed new Rules and the opportunities to use technology to deliver them," said Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status for the USGA. "We look forward to an ongoing conversation with golfers during the feedback period in the months ahead."

The proposed 24 new Rules, reduced from the current 34, have been written in a user-friendly style with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, bulleted lists and explanatory headings. The initiative also focuses on assessing the overall consistency, simplicity and fairness of the Rules for play.

The Rules are currently delivered in more than 30 languages, and the proposed wording will support easier translation worldwide. When adopted, the Rules will be supported by technology that allows the use of images, videos and graphics.

Highlights of the proposed Rule changes include:

• Elimination or reduction of "ball moved" penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is "virtually certain" that he or she did so.

• Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.

• Relaxed rules for "penalty areas" (currently called "water hazards"): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.

• Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.

• Relying on player integrity: A player's "reasonable judgment" when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.

• Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of "ready golf" in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.

• Simplified way of taking relief: A new procedure for taking relief by dropping a ball in and playing it from a specific relief area; relaxed procedures for dropping a ball, allowing the ball to be dropped from just above the ground or any growing thing or other object on the ground.

A series of materials have also been prepared to explain the proposed Rule changes and provide background on the initiative. Found on randa.org and usga.org/rules, they include:

•  Overview of the Rules Modernisation Initiative: goals, proposed changes and process for implementation in 2019

• Draft New Rules of Golf for 2019: the full text of proposed Rules 1-24 and Definitions

• Draft Player's Edition of the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Written from the perspective of "you" the golfer, this shorter version covers the most commonly used Rules and is meant to be the rule book golfers will use when finalised and adopted in 2019

• Explanation for Each Major Proposed Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Short summaries of each major proposed change

• Summary chart of major changes

• Videos and Infographics: Visual explanations of the proposed Rules.

Golfers are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit feedback online via worldwide survey technology that can be accessed at randa.org or usga.org/rules from now until 31 August 2017.

The feedback will be reviewed by The R&A and the USGA in establishing the approved final version of golf's new Rules. These are due to be released in mid-2018 ahead of a 1 January 2019 implementation. Social media users can also follow the discussion using #GolfRules2019.

Players are reminded that the current 2016 Edition of the Rules of Golf remain in force when playing, posting scores or competing, until the new Rules are officially adopted by The R&A and the USGA in 2019. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.   

NEW LOCAL RULE ELIMINATES PENALTY FOR A PLAYER WHO ACCIDENTALLY CAUSES A BALL TO MOVE ON THE PUTTING GREEN

8 December 2016, St Andrews, Scotland:

The R&A and the USGA today announced the introduction of a new Local Rule that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.

The Local Rule will be available for any committee in charge of a competition to use starting 1 January 2017. It will be adopted by The R&A and the USGA in all of their championships, qualifying competitions and international matches.

David Rickman, Executive Director - Governance at The R&A, said, “For the past several years, as part of The R&A and USGA’s Rules Modernisation initiative, we have considered the penalty for a ball that is accidentally moved on the putting green. Both Rules Committees agreed that it needed to be changed and decided that in this particular case it was important to act now, through a Local Rule, rather than wait for the next overall set of revisions to the Rules of Golf.”

Thomas Pagel, Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status at the USGA, said, “Eliminating this penalty responds to the concerns we have heard from both golfers and committees about the difficulties in applying the current Rules when a player accidentally causes a ball to move on the putting green. This change is a good example of the type of Rules Modernisation changes we hope to implement after completing our fundamental review of all of the Rules. We are looking for ways to improve the Rules by making them easier to understand and apply.”

The Local Rule has been welcomed by all of the major Tours worldwide, and the PGA TOUR, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America and the Masters Tournament are among the golf organisations that will implement the Local Rule for all future events, beginning 1 January 2017.
If a Committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended:
“Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.
The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.
Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”
For more information about the new Local Rule, including explanatory diagrams, videos and a detailed question-and-answer document, please visit www.RandA.org.

CHANGES to the DECISIONS on the RULES OF GOLF

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR THE FULL LIST OF AMENDMENTS

From January 1, no relief allowed from divot hole or repaired divot hole
By RON MENZIES

As usual, half way through the four-year life of an edition of The Rules of Golf, the R&A has published a new Decisions Book. This contains some 30 new decisions and amended versions of further 49 revised decisions which come into effect on January 1, 2010.
Many of these merit detailed consideration only by serious students of the rules, budding referees and quiz masters and require a thorough knowledge to understand their complexity. However, there is one change that will require immediate action by many club committees and the awareness of all golfers.
New decision 33-8/34 now removes the authority for a committee to make a local rule “providing relief without penalty from a divot hole or a repaired divot hole (i.e. filled with sand or seed mix).”
At least half the golf clubs in Scotland have such a local rule and these must be withdrawn immediately before any qualifying competitions for handicap purposes can be played.
Such a local rule contravenes Rule 13-1 which states that a ball must be played as it lies and has generally not been used in professional and major amateur competitions.
It is often mistakenly believed that this rule protects the golf course. If relief is given or indeed demanded from a seeded divot hole, a second divot hole is created and requires repair, leaving two seeded divots holes.
If the ball is played from the original hole it may require repair but only one hole remains.

Golf becomes an Olympic Sport

From the R&A WEBSITE --- SEE THE R&A VIDEO --- CLICK HERE
After an absence of more than a century, golf will return as an Olympic sport in 2016 along with rugby sevens following their approval by the International Olympic Committee membership during the IOC’s 121st Session.

They will be part of the Olympic Programme in Rio de Janeiro, which last week was selected as the host city for 2016 Games by the IOC. Golf was last an Olympic sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, when the United States and Canada were the only two competing countries.

“We are elated that the IOC membership has accepted golf as an Olympic sport, and look forward to seeing the world’s best golfers compete for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee, which has coordinated golf’s Olympic bid. “We thank the IOC for its support, and also congratulate rugby sevens for its inclusion in the 2016 Games.”

Votaw and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A and joint secretary of the International Golf Federation, were accompanied by professionals Padraig Harrington of Ireland, Michelle Wie of the United States and Suzann Pettersen of Norway, as well as 16-year-old (British) Amateur Champion Matteo Manassero of Italy, for a final presentation to the IOC prior to the vote.

“We are extremely grateful that Padraig, Michelle, Suzann and Matteo were able to join us to help communicate the genuine interest world-class players of all ages share in golf becoming an Olympic sport,” Dawson said.

Golf and rugby sevens were recommended for the Olympic Programme by the IOC Executive Board in August following an extensive review process involving seven sports that were vying to be added to the 2016 Olympic Games. Although they emerged as the finalists, both sports still required final approval today by a majority of votes cast by the members of the IOC.

“In addition to those golfers who will have an opportunity to compete as Olympic athletes, we are excited for the national golf federations that will reap the benefits from today’s decision in terms of growth and support within their countries,” Dawson said. “This is a very significant day for golf.”

Leading up to today’s final vote, golf and rugby sevens emerged from a year-long evaluation that included formal presentations by the seven sports, the submission of a Detailed Questionnaire and responses to questions raised by both the IOC Programme Commission and the IOC Executive Board. The IOC Executive Board announced its recommendation of two sports following a meeting in Berlin, Germany on August 13.

“We strongly believed that golf deserved to be added to the Olympic Programme and felt that we presented a compelling case to the IOC,” Votaw said. “We have received unprecedented support from international golf organisations throughout this process, as well as from the world’s top-ranked men and women players, which was critical to our success. We also stressed the universal nature of golf, with 60 million people playing the sport in more than 120 countries.”

Based on player feedback, the IGF has proposed a format of 72-hole individual stroke play for both men and women. In case of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff is recommended to determine the medal winner(s).

The IGF also has recommended an Olympic field of 60 players for each of the men's and women's competition, using the Official World Golf Rankings as a method of determining eligibility. The top-15 world-ranked players would be eligible for the Olympics, regardless of the number of players from a given country.

Beyond the top-15, players would be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.

Current world rankings from both the men’s and women’s games show that at least 30 countries would be represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions, from all continents, under this proposal.

Kilmacolm's Colin Brown is to be the new Captain of the R&A

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has announced Colin M Brown as Captain for the year 2009 – 2010.
Each year the Past Captains meet to confer upon the nomination and the announcement was made today at the Club’s May Business Meeting. The new Captain will assume office later this year following the traditional driving in ceremony on Thursday 24 September 2009.
Colin Brown joined The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1994. He served on the Finance Committee from 2000 – 2005 and is currently Chairman of the Membership Committee and a member of the General Committee. He is a past Captain of Kilmacolm Golf Club and, in 2001, captained Prestwick Golf Club in its 150th anniversary year. He plays to a handicap of 7.
Educated at Glenalmond College, he is a Chartered Accountant and has retired following a career in stockbroking and investment management. He is a former Chairman of the Scottish Stock Exchange and is a Deputy Lieutenant of Renfrewshire.
Resident in Kilmacolm, Colin is married to Patricia, also an ardent golfer, who is Vice Captain of Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association. They have three adult children all of whom attended St Andrews University.

Report and photo courtesy of the R & A Website

The R&A Publishes revisions to the Rules of Golf Book

The R&A, golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship, today publishes revisions to the world’s most widely read rule book, The Rules of Golf, and extends its sponsorship arrangement with Rolex to 2012.
Golf has 34 playing rules and in 2008, 28 have been amended to a greater or lesser extent. All changes are agreed, jointly, by The R&A and the United States Golf Association, and can be characterised as improving clarity or reducing penalties to ensure that they are proportionate. They are effective from 1 January 2008.
Of the more significant changes, the most likely to be encountered by golfers in regular play are: revised Rule 12-2 allowing a player to lift a ball in a bunker or water hazard for identification purposes. There is a consequential change to Rule 15-3, which introduces a penalty for playing the wrong ball in these circumstances.
Revised Rule 4-1 reduces the penalty for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes per round.
In match play, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred, with a maximum penalty of two holes per round.
Revised Rule 19-2 reduces the penalty for the accidental deflection of the ball by the player, his partner, their caddies or equipment to one penalty stroke in both match and stroke play.
Commenting on the revisions to The Rules of Golf, R&A Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman said:
“We always aim to make the Rules readily accessible to golfers worldwide and the simpler, clearer language of the 2008 edition is designed to make them easier for players to use.”
“The introduction of a Quick Guide to The Rules at the front of the Rule book will, we hope, encourage players to carry a Rule book with them on the course and to refer to it, when necessary."
Rolex sponsored the 30th revision of the Rules of Golf in 2004 and have renewed their commitment to supporting the publication through to 2012.
The R&A is planning to produce 4 million copies of the rule book in English while Golf Unions affiliated to The R&A, reproduce the Rules of Golf under license in more than twenty five other languages, ranging from Arabic to Thai.
Companion publications to The R&A Rules of Golf, Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008 - 2009 and Golf Rules Illustrated 2008 are published next month (November 2007) by Hamlyn and are available from The R&A, high street and online bookstores.

Copies of the new R&A Rules of Golf will be distributed free of charge to golf clubs around the world and can be requested or downloaded from The R&A website: R&A Website