ENGLAND TO CHANGE CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

QUALIFYING STROKE-PLAY ROUNDS INSTEAD

OF STRAIGHT INTO MATCH-PLAY

The English Golf Union is to change the format of its English mateur hampionship from 2007. The move, which will introduce 36 holes of qualifying, will bring it in line with most other national championships including the British amateur championship. 

It will be interesting to see if the Scottish Golf Union follows the lead of our neighbours across the Border.

There will be no change to this year’s English championship at Burnham and Berrow, which is straight match play from round one on Monday July 31. 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.