Amateur golfers face drug testing
Players at the World Amateur Team Championships starting in Stellenbosch on Thursday have been reminded that drug testing is to be carried out by the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport.
Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and David Fay, executive director of the United States Golf Association, have expressed their “sincere hope” that none of the competitors will breach the International Golf Federation’s anti-doping policy.
Players will be advised that they have been selected for Doping Control on completion of their round and, if at all possible, the captain of their team will be present at the time of notification.
In the event of a positive test the case will be reviewed by the Anti-Doping Committees of the IGF and sanctions imposed.
With two scores out of three to count each day, if one competitor commits a doping offence they will be disqualified and the team result recalculated, while if more than one in a team tests positive the team will be disqualified.
Any competitor taking or wishing to take, for a legitimate medical reason, prohibited medication should have submitted details in advance of the event.
A record 70 teams are taking part. Scotland are represented by US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay, George Murray and Scott Jamieson, England by Oliver Fisher, Jamie Moul and Ross McGowan, Wales by Nigel Edwards, Rhys Davies and Llewellyn Matthews and Ireland by Rory McIlroy, Simon Ward and Gareth Shaw.
