GLEN GORSE GOLF CLUB Men s & Ladies Handicap & Competitions Committee Conditions of Competitions Rule 33--1 1. Introduction Competitions will be played under the Rules of Golf as published by R&A Rules Limited and the USGA, including Local Rules made by the Gent s & Ladies Handicap and Competitions committees of Glen Gorse Golf Club. The Committee s have no power to waive a Rule of Golf (Rule 33-1). 2. Competition Entry 2.1 The Committees will set up competitions on the BRS Tee Time Booking System (TTBS), with starting times left to the choice of each competitor. The President, Vice-President, Hon. Treasurer, Gents Captain & Vice-Captain, Ladies Captain & Vice-Captain, and Chairperson of the Men s and Ladies Handicap Committees, Course Chairman together with the respective Handicap Committee members administering the competition will be pre-entered, subject to the respective Handicap Committee members being restricted to two tee times for each of the Men s & Ladies Handicap Committees. At the discretion of the Men s & Ladies H&CC Chairman, these times may be increased for Men s & Lady Captain s Day and Gents Invitation or any other competitions where the administrative duties justify the same. 2.2 The Committee will determine the FIRST and LAST starting time. 2.3 All competitions, with the exception of the Gents Invitation, Seniors Opens and the Mixed Open (which will open four weeks and a day before), will normally open on the TTBS two weeks and a day before the competition. The ladies exceptions will be the Lady Captain s Day, Ladies Opens, Ladies Fur & Feather and these will be at the discretion of the Ladies Committee. 2.4 For all competitions, unless otherwise stated, the TTBS opens in the Clubhouse on Fridays at 7.00pm and, online at 9.00pm. A pre-entry system will be available to members at least 30 minutes before the TTBS opens for bookings. When the TTBS opens in the Clubhouse, a H&CC representative will supervise the pre-entry system and members called out may then book their preferred starting times or use the Waiting List facility (if enabled). Information on this facility is in Section 5 of the Competitions and Priority on the Course policy document and the separate Members Information Sheet. 2.5 Members may only enter other members names if they know they can play. If a member fails to play in a competition, the member who entered the name(s) may also be subject to a two competition disqualification (see Breaches of Etiquette (a) Failure to play). 2.6 The TTBS will normally close at 9.00am on the Friday prior to a weekend competition. 2.7 Any times that are not booked in GENERAL PLAY and COMPETITION TIMES on the Thursday prior to the competition can be converted from general play to competition and vice versa. Priority will go to those on the waiting list if times are converted from GENERAL PLAY to COMPETITITON.
3. Competition Groups (Rule 6-3b) The maximum number of competitors for each tee time allocated shall be shown on the TTBS. 4. Slow Play (Rule 6-7) 4.1 A player must at all time play and move between the green and next tee without undue delay. The Committee, in an attempt to prevent slow play has under Rule 6-7 note 2, laid down some guidelines. They include maximum periods of time allowed to complete a stipulated round. The following pace of play guidelines, therefore, should be observed: Single Medal Single Stableford 4BBB Medal 4BBB Stableford : 4 hours : 3 hours and 50 minutes : 4 hours and 10 minutes : 4 hours and 5 minutes 4.2 Discontinuing Play for Refreshment (Rule 6-8a) Players may enter the Festival House for refreshment during a round, without penalty. However, they must not unduly delay either their own play or that of their opponent or any other player. "The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee has established. Between the completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play." (Rule 6-7) Therefore, if the 13th tee is not clear, stopping at the Festival House until it is cleared is allowed. If there is a gap, players must not linger at the Festival House, refreshments being consumed whilst "on the move". Should players not wish to take refreshments, then normal etiquette applies, and they should ask the group in front before proceeding to the 13th tee. However, players should not expect to play through as long as the group in front is keeping up with the group ahead of them. As a general reminder, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Players reported for failing to adhere to this clause will be written to for an explanation. If the Committee determines that a player has breached Rule 6-8a, the player will be disqualified from the competition and may incur a one or two competition ban. 5. Suspension of play due to a dangerous situation (Rule 6-8b) When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately, mark the position of their golf ball and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If players fail to discontinue play immediately, they are disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7. The signal for suspending play immediately due to a dangerous situation will be a prolonged note of the siren. (The signal to resume play is two short notes of the siren, repeated. The signal to discontinue play (for the day) is three consecutive notes of the siren, repeated.)
6. Players Other Responsibilities 6.1 Time of starting (Rule 6-3a) Players must start at the times laid down by the Committees as shown on the TTBS. (See also 2.2 as to not teeing off before a competition). Players are reminded that they may not tee off before their allocated tee time. If a competitor arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, (which will be determined by the Pro s Shop), the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Otherwise, the penalty for breach of this Rule, including starting before the time on the TTBS, is disqualification. If the Committee determines that exceptional circumstances have prevented a player from starting on time, there is no penalty. 6.2 Failure to return cards (Rule 6-6b) After completion of the round, competitors should check their score for each hole and settle any doubtful points. They must ensure that the marker has signed the card, sign the card themselves and return it to the Committee as soon as possible. Competitors should note carefully that the penalty for breach of Rule 6-6b is disqualification. 6.3 Requirement to enter score into computer (This is not a Condition of Competitions under the R&A Rules, but it is a Club Regulation R&A Decision 6-6b/8 refers.) To assist in the administration of competitions, the Committees requires competitors to enter their scores into the computer terminal(s) in the Clubhouse as soon as possible after completion of the round. Any competitor failing to comply with this regulation may be subject to the disciplinary sanction provided in clause 7.2a below. 7. Breaches of Etiquette Any player reported for a breach of etiquette will be written to by the Committees, who will consider the player s response (if any), e.g. extenuating circumstances to be taken into account. The Committee will then inform the player of its decision. 7.1 Failure to play 7.1a Failure to play in a competition in which a member has entered may be considered a breach of etiquette. 7.1b In the event of extreme weather conditions, competitors may, with the agreement of their fellow competitors, pay the competition entry fee and withdraw from the competition without penalty, with no handicap adjustment. Non-payment will result in the competitor(s) being disqualified from entering the next two competitions due to open on the TTBS. 7.1c After the TTBS has closed a competition, if a competitor finds that they can no longer take part, it is their responsibility to inform the Pro s Shop at the earliest opportunity, giving the reason for their inability or unavailability to play. A competitor failing to observe this courtesy may be disqualified from taking part in the next two competitions due to open on the TTBS. They will also be required to pay the entry fee for the missed competition. Failure to pay the appropriate fee will result in continued disqualification from further competitions. 7.1d Any member dissatisfied with the Committees decision has the right of appeal by writing to their respective Handicap and Competitions Committee.
7.2 Failure to enter scores Failure to enter hole-by-hole scores into the Clubhouse computer terminal(s) at the end of a round is a breach of clause 6.3. A competitor failing to comply may be disqualified either from taking part in the next competition due to open on the TTBS, or any other event that the Committee may specify. 7.3 Failure to complete a stipulated round (No Returns) 7.3a All players who enter a competition are expected to return a score. Those that do not, receive a 0.1 increase in accordance with clause 20.4 of the CONGU UHS. If the Committee is of the opinion that the player is deliberately building a handicap, the cards can be refused and disciplinary action applied by way of suspension of handicap (clause 24 CONGU). 7.3b Failing to complete the round can and does have an important bearing on Competition Scratch Score calculations. A CSS that does not truly reflect the average play on the day has repercussions for those competitors who might well have their handicaps adjusted (cut or increased) inappropriately. 7.3c The respective Handicap Committees monitor all No Returns and maintain records of players who persistently walk off the course whether it is because of bad weather, slow play or any other unacceptable reason. The Chairman/ Secretary can as a matter of routine, write to all those competitors who do not complete a stipulated round and for those who appear to be making this a regular practice, are empowered to disqualify them from entering one or more future events, in addition or as an alternative to suspension of handicap (see 7.3a). 7.4 Incomplete Cards 7.4a The Committee has an obligation to ensure, so far as possible, that all cards taken out in qualifying competitions are returned to the Committee, including incomplete cards. The Committees, therefore, requires that all cards be returned whether complete or not. (Clause 6.2 above refers.) It also expects that every competitor who enters for an 18-hole qualifying competition intends to complete the round. 7.4b The purpose of applying a Stableford point calculation under clause 19 of the CONGU UHS is to reduce the impact of extremely bad scores on a hole or holes in stroke play qualifying competitions. It has, therefore, now become much more important to record as many scores as possible in a round (the only exception being the one or two holes which necessitated the submission of a nil return). 7.5 Mobile Phones (including pagers and similar devices) Unless being used as a Distance Measuring Device strictly in accordance with the Local Rule, these may not be used anywhere on the golf course (including on practice days if applicable), by players or caddies for making/sending or receiving calls or texts, except in cases of emergency. Any player found to have breached this condition may be disqualified. 8. Weekday Medal and Stableford Competitions The Committees will determine the number, frequency and timing of any weekday competitions.
9. Competition Entry Fees 9.1 The Gent s Handicap and Competitions Committee will determine competition entry fees for male/mixed competitions. Entry fees for ladies will be as agreed from time to time by the Ladies Section. Entry fees will be clearly shown on the TTBS. The level of competition entry fees charged will be reviewed on a regular basis. 9.2 Members with inactive handicaps playing in qualifying competitions for handicap purposes only will be required to pay an entry fee and may enter and win any 2s competition run by the Professional. 9.3 Members on trial/introductory membership will be required to pay the entry fee for any weekday qualifying competition they enter. 10.1 Male competitions 10. Prizes for Club Competitions The prizes and distribution will be decided by the Handicap & Competitions Committee and subject to entries. All winners will be notified by the office as to their win and what they wish to do with it as per Competition Process. 10.2 Female competitions Vouchers and other prizes will be as agreed from time to time by the Ladies Section. 11. Deciding Tied Scores In the event of a tie in any stroke play competition, excluding the (men s) Club Championship and the Scratch Cup, and any of the Ladies Section competitions that require a play-off to determine the winner, the following local rule will be applied: Best total gross scores over last 9 holes deduct 1/2 handicap If still tied, last 6 holes deduct 1/3 handicap If still tied, last 3 holes deduct 1/6 handicap If still tied, 18th hole deduct 1/18 handicap If still tied, then card match from the 1st hole will apply less 1/18 handicap. For the purposes of multi-tee start competitions the last 9 will be holes 10 18, last 6 will be 13 18 etc. 12. Trophy Presentations The Club will retain trophies until the season is complete. The respective Captains will make the presentations at the Trophy Suppers, which traditionally take place in October. 13. Membership Participation in Competitions 13.1 All full members, unless otherwise disqualified, are eligible to enter all of their respective gender and mixed competitions, subject to having paid their subscriptions, which are due on 1 November annually. Participation by 5-day and 7-day restricted weekend play members is subject to any restrictions in force from time to time as shown on the annual subscription invoices and the Club s Competitions and Priority on the Course policy.
13.2 Members with a NON COMPETITIVE handicap are not permitted to participate in weekend competitions, other than for handicap purposes only, and they are only permitted to enter the competition from 9.00am Thursday before the weekend competition is due to take place. For weekday competitions they can enter when the competition goes live, but they are entering for handicap purposes only, and are never able to win a prize. Members on trial/introductory membership may participate in weekday qualifying competitions only. Any restrictions on participation will be shown on the TTBS for each competition. 13.3a Juniors with handicaps of 9 (boys) / 12 (girls) and below can enter the majority of weekend competitions when the competition goes live to full members, and are eligible to compete for all the main prizes. There are some exceptions to this (e.g. the Gents Invitation) which will be notified on the TTBS. 13.3b Junior s with handicaps 10-18 (boys) / 13-23 (girls) can enter the majority of weekend competitions on the Monday before the competition is due to be played and can compete for divisional prizes only (if there are times available). Juniors in these handicap brackets cannot compete for the main prize. There are some exceptions to this (e.g. the Gents Invitation) which will be notified on the TTBS. 13.3c Junior s with handicaps 19-28 (boys) / 24-36 (girls) can enter the majority of weekend competitions after 9am on the Thursday before the competition is due to take place. These bookings must be made through the professional shop with the approval of the professional. Juniors in these handicap brackets will be playing for handicap purposes only and will not be eligible to win any prizes. 13.3d Junior s whose handicaps are 9 (boys) / 12 (girls) and below can enter the Fur & Feather competitions the Monday after the competition goes live to full members. All juniors must partner an adult in these competitions 2 juniors cannot play together. Juniors whose handicaps are higher than this are not eligible to play. 13.3e All juniors must play with an adult in all weekend competitions. 13.3f In weekday events, only juniors with handicaps of 18 (boys) / 23 (girls) and below can win main prizes. Juniors with higher handicaps can enter and play for junior prize. Subject to entries. 13.3g Junior girls with active handicaps up to and including 36 are eligible to compete in the EWGA Medals for the EWGA Club Medal awarded annually. 13.4 University, armed forces and country members are not permitted to play in any of the trophy, knockout, Fur and Feather or Captains /President s Days (unless invited to do so by the respective Captains/President). Play in other competitions is allowed, on payment of a green fee (at the rate agreed by Council), as is play in Open Competitions on payment of the visitor s green fee. GGGC C of C 29/10/2015