R&A reveals £7 million funding to ease golf club struggles

The R&A has confirmed that £7 million of funding will be made available to golf clubs and authorities facing "serious financial difficulties" in Great Britain and Ireland as a result of the coronavirus lockdown. 

An R&A COVID-19 Support Fund has been set up in order to help golf clubs financially recover from being closed down for a period of two months due to the lockdown. 

"The fund will be largely aimed at national associations and other affiliated bodies in Great Britain and Ireland," read the R&A's statement about the new COVID-19 Support Fund.

"With the global pandemic leading to widespread temporary course closures and drastic reductions in domestic and international travel, many golf clubs and facilities are facing serious financial difficulties.

"The fund is being provided to help The R&A's affiliated national associations to support those clubs and facilities, although some of the money may be used for other activities key to the future health of the sport."

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England reopened golf courses last Wednesday, while Wales and Ireland both resumed golf today. 

Scotland is expected to be given a green light to reopen its golf courses when the next set of lockdown restrictions are revealed on Thursday May 28.

R&A chief executive, Martin Slumbers, said: "The pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on golf and many clubs are facing dire financial situations through no fault of their own.

"Golf is in our DNA and we want to see the sport continue to thrive from grassroots right through to the top level on the professional tours. We have a responsibility to do what we can to help in such a crisis.