The 2018 Wales Golf Championship Season will see a number of changes across its events designed to increase both competition & participation. The following alterations will come into affect from next year.
The Welsh U16’s & U14’s Championships
Previously named the Boys U16s & U’14s, these events have been extended to accept girls for the first time, meaning the Champion of these events may now be either male or female. Separate gender prizes and trophies will also be on offer at the Championships.
Handicap limits will be altered slightly to 20 (U16’s) & 28 (U14’s).
Gillian O’Leary, Director of Performance, welcomed the news. “Following the success of the Ping Welsh Junior Tour, this change now offers national competitive golf within Wales to all junior golfers, at all stages of their development.”
The R&A 9 Hole Championship
Changing from last season, clubs with a 9 hole rated SSS will now be able to run a 9 hole competition within their club leading to a national league table, with the top 2 teams once again qualifying to play in the Grand Final at Carnoustie Golf Club, just days before the playing of the 147th Open Championship.
With full details to follow in the coming weeks, being sent to all clubs across Wales, Ashton Bradbury (Chairman of Championships & Rules, Wales Golf) remarked “The ambition of the R&A and Wales Golf alike is to promote this format to clubs across Wales. I am delighted we will now have the chance to see this event run directly within our clubs so helping to raise the profile of 9 hole competition golf”
Handicap Allowances
With changes to the CONGU handicapping system coming into effect in 2018, a number of Wales Golf Championships will see alterations in the handicap limits for competitors:
| Championship | Old Handicap Limit | Handicap Limit from 2018 |
| Wales Golf Medal & Bowls | 36 | 54 |
| Australian Spoons | 36 | 45 |
| Centenary Greensomes | 36 | 45 |
| Seniors’ Greensomes | 28 | 45 |
| Ping Mixed Foursomes | Men 28, Women 36 | All 36 |
| Junior Tour U14’s | Boys 28, Girls 36 | All 36 |
| Jubilee 3’s | 36 | 54 |
| Ladies Cups | 36 | 54 |
Championship Manager David Wilson said “These changes are designed to give all golfers across Wales the chance to compete in Championships should they wish to.”
“The increased limits to CONGU Competition Handicaps should mean more golfers are in a position to compete on a level playing field and we look forward to seeing this at our Championships from next season.”
More details of the changes to CONGU from 2018 can be viewed here
Full details of all changes will be available on the Wales Golf website in the new year, along with the opening of entries in early 2018.