Marstons Cornish Festival becomes victim of lockdown restrictions

PGA West’s popular seasonal curtain-raiser, the Marstons Cornish Festival, has fallen foul of Covid-19 for the second year in succession and been cancelled due to the enforced closure of hotels.

The three-day festival was due to be staged at a trio of venues – Trevose (above), the Point at Polzeath, and Bude and North Cornwall – three weeks after March 29, the date given by the government for golf courses to reopen.

However, government restrictions regarding the opening of hotels and self-catering accommodation will remain until May 17 at the earliest. And therein lay the problem for Festival organisers.

“Although play would have been possible,” explained Robert Moss, PGA West regional manager, “many of the 400-plus players travel a long distance to take part and need to stay overnight.

“As that won’t be possible, it is with a heavy heart we’ve have had to cancel the festival for the second year running.

“It's a big disappointment for all concerned - the players and venues. We would like to thank them all for registering to play or agreeing to host the event, especially Bude and North Cornwall the late replacement following St Enodoc’s withdrawal."

Meanwhile, next year’s festival will be staged from April 20 – 22 but the venues have yet to be confirmed.

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