R&A takes stance against Russian invasion of Ukraine, bans entries from Russia and Belarus

The R&A is the latest international sports governing body to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine, with the Scotland-based golf organization announcing it would decline entry to any golfer from Russia or Belarus, which has supported the war that broke out last week.

The R&A – which operates the British Open and several other professional and amateur events – also plans to contribute to a humanitarian aid fund and offer support for the Ukrainian Golf Federation, which on its site lists five golf clubs inside Ukraine.

The R&A acknowledged that it expected to have had no entries this year in its championships from Russia or Belarus, making it largely a symbolic gesture of support, but it joins the International Olympic Committee and the International Golf Federation in banning athletes from Russia and Belarus.

From the R&A’s site:

“We have considered the situation in the context of our direct responsibilities for governance, for staging golf events and for developing and investing in the sport around the world.

• The R&A fully supports the recommendations of the IOC and the International Golf Federation in excluding Russia and Belarus from international team championships.
• The R&A is not currently expecting entries from Russian or Belarusian golfers in scheduled R&A-qualifying events, championships or international matches in the upcoming season, professional or amateur.  In the event that we were to receive entries, we would decline.
• We are reviewing the implications for matters such as international rankings and the World Handicap System.
• The R&A will contribute to a humanitarian aid fund and we will offer direct support to the Ukrainian Golf Federation.”