EGU make changes to its National Championship
The English Golf Union is to change the format of its English
Amateur Championship from 2007.
The move, which will introduce 36 holes of qualifying, will
bring it in line with most other national championships including
the Amateur Championship.
There will be no change to this year’s championship
at Burnham and Berrow, which is straight match play from round
one on Monday 31st July. But from the 2007 event at Royal
St George‘s in Kent, players will be required to play
two rounds of qualifying with the leading 64 players and ties
proceeding to the match play knockout stages.
The EGU is acutely aware of the circumstances of those players
who have a job of work and who may take a whole week off for
what could be just one competitive round of golf.
Explaining the reasons for the changes, Ray Saunders, Chairman
of the EGU’s Championship Committee, says: “We
have had the players at the forefront of our minds when deciding
on these changes. In recent years there have been an increased
number of withdrawals. When asked, those players have quoted
the expense of taking time off work, the cost of accommodation,
the uncertainty of how far they might progress in the competition
and the travelling involved when the outcome could be an immediate
exit after the first morning.”
Saunders added’ “The change to a qualifying stage
will give them and the EGU an added advantage. The players
would get two practice rounds and 36 holes qualifying and
would therefore feel involved in the championship even if
they fail to reach the match play stage, while we would be
able to accommodate more players.”
Introducing a qualifying competition would enable the EGU
to increase the field from the current 256 to 288 and may
enable those players nearer the handicap limit of two to gain
entry. Those players above scratch have failed to get into
this year‘s event.
The two round qualifying requires the use of a second course
and supporting Royal St George’s in 2007 will be Royal
Cinque Ports at Deal which has graciously agreed to participate
for the qualifying rounds.
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