David Pinnick, head of delegation of Team GB, has rubbished reports that the size of the squad competing at July’s Maccabiah Games has been hit by mass pullouts.
Concerns were raised this week after the men’s open golf squad was halved in size with one of the withdrawals a former medal-winner. But plans to send a ladies and junior boys team remain intact.
Pinnick said: “The men’s open team is struggling and I cannot be certain about our chances of sending this team at the moment.”
He confirmed that there are “additional but no hidden costs” associated with the sport. “These are not new,” he said. “Golf has always been the single most expensive sport to stage in Israel and includes the hire of Israel’s principal golf course in Caesarea.
“There are bolt-on costs including green fees and the golfers are given the option to upgrade their accommodation, at a cost, if they want to.”
GB is still looking for low handicap golfers to supplement both the men’s open and men’s masters teams.
Looking at the squad overall, Pinnick said: “Our numbers are holding up remarkably well at the moment with more juniors and more female athletes than ever before. With around 120 days to go our target of 500 for the whole delegation remains a realistic one.”