A hole lot of confusion: Golf course straddling English and Welsh border will reopen

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The government announced earlier this week that as long as social distancing guidelines are obeyed golf courses in England will be allowed to open on Wednesday (13 May).

Now a golf club that straddles the English and Welsh border has decided to reopen, despite the different lockdown rules in each country.

Llanymynech Golf Club prides itself on being the only dual country course, with its holes split between Powys in Wales and Shropshire in England.

But this novelty has led to confusion as Boris Johnson announced earlier this week that lockdown measures in England will be lifted differently to those in Wales.

The PM said people in England will be able to play golf again from Wednesday (13 May), but the Welsh rules don't follow suit.

The club, which is located between the towns of Welshpool and Owestry, says it will reopen in-line with the measures that were announced in England.

A spokesperson said: "We have many difficult decisions to make as a golf club in order just to survive without having to deal with governing bodies that fail to agree on suitable, sensible guidelines that not only protect the public, but the very existence of sporting clubs."

The golf course has 15 holes in Wales, 2 in England and 1 that spans both countries, with players teeing off in Wales and putting in England.

The club say that the majority of its 470 members are based in England and the coronavirus lockdown has already left their financial situation in a "precautious position".

The club say they followed the correct guidance from the Shropshire and Herefordshire Union of Golf Clubs and the English Golf Union whilst making the decision to reopen.

They said: "This we feel is the best course of action for our club and its members and allows golf to be played within the current restrictions highlighted in the Prime Minister's statement."

"The English Golf Union guidelines agreed with the Government are a comprehensive set of rules that will allow a limited amount of golf to be played in a controlled and safe manner."