A number of junior golf competitions in Wales in 2018 will be gender neutral for the first time, the governing body has announced. Girls and boys will not be segregated into separate events, although there will still be male and female prizes. The move is part of a series of changes to championship golf in Wales aimed at increasing both competition and participation.
As a result, the previously-named Boys U16 and Boys U14 Championships will now be called the Welsh U16 and U14 Championships. Gillian O'Leary, Director of Performance, said: "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."
Handicap allowances will also increase across a range of Wales Golf events next year in conjuction with changes to the CONGU handicapping system. 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."
