DURHAM County Golf Union has moved, following the lead set my many other sports, to suspend activities until late April at the earliest.

In a statement released by the Union on Friday morning, it stated that the suspension due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic will include Championships, Competitions, Education Seminars, Course Ratings, Talent Coaching and any other meetings/activities at which groups of golfers or volunteers are present.

That suspension will be up to April 25 initially, although that could change and will be continually reviewed in the coming weeks.

Durham County Golf Union Juniors, Seniors, Captains Society, Schools Golf Association, Lady Veteran’s, Past Captain Society and the North Durham Union are all affected.

An announcement from England Golf was released earlier in the week, suggesting that golfers can still hit the fairways provided precautions are taken. There will be a greater look into those precautionary measures taken by clubs in Monday’s The Northern Echo.

A statement from Durham read: “We will continue to monitor updates from National Bodies and Government Health Organisations in order to share information and best practice for the benefit of the golfing community in Durham County.

“We advise and encourage clubs and golfers to regularly visit both County and England Golf websites and their social media channels for further updates on an ever-changing situation.”

The R&A is undertaking a “comprehensive evaluation” of its plans to stage The Open Championship and AIG Women’s British Open.

Three major championships - the Masters, US PGA Championship and ANA Inspiration - have already been postponed, while a total of 11 European Tour events have been postponed or cancelled.

The Tour announced its GolfSixes Cascais event had been cancelled and the postponement of the Made in Denmark tournament, which had been due to take place from May 9-10 and May 21-24 respectively.

The R&A hope to stage The Open at Royal St George’s from July 16-19 and the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Troon from August 20-23, but were considering “contingency options.”