Top regional golf champs cancelled

With the growing concern around COVID-19 in the region, the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA) has followed in the footsteps of many other sporting associations and has cancelled the 2020 Caribbean Classic, Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships, and the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships.

The CGA, in a letter through its president Sydney Wolf to its member associations on Monday, stated that the health, safety and well-being of the players, their families, volunteers and staff at the various championship venues were the top priority.

Wolf said it was a tough yet necessary call to make based on what was happening around the region and the globe.

“While the decision did not come easily, the CGA believed that it was the right call to make, and players who have already registered for the Caribbean Classic which was scheduled for the Dominican Republic in May will be refunded,” said Wolf.

President of the Jamaica Golf Association, Peter Chin, told The Gleaner that the cancellation was understandable, with the Caribbean Amateur Championships scheduled for this summer.

“With the uncertainty surrounding this pandemic, it was best to put off the tournaments. We don’t know when we will get through this and so safety first is paramount. I know it is going to be disappointing, especially for our juniors who were already selected to go the junior championships,” said Chin.

With social-distancing protocols enforced across the island, several golf courses have scaled down their operations, allowing accessibility only on the weekends.

In the meantime, the CGA has called on the golfing community to continue to take the necessary precautions relating to the avoidance of the COVID-19 virus and to remain safe.

-L.A.