H.M. KING LEOPOLD III CHALLENGE 2017 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS The Challenge will be played by teams of 4 players of the same nationality, with at least 55 years of age and a maximum Exact Handicap of 18.0. If a player has an Exact Handicap higher than 18.0, his Playing Handicap will be determined using an Exact Handicap of 18.0. Each country is allowed to enter 2 teams, unless the Committee agrees otherwise. Each player has to be member of a golf club affiliated to his Federation or Union, and must be a member of his Senior Golf Association. If a player wishes to be part of a team of a different nationality, the above conditions will apply (affiliated member in that country). A substitute player may be designated under the same conditions as above. The national captain is responsible for his teams and Handicaps. Handicaps certificates or access to national website could be requested. FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION The competition will be played by teams in Stableford. There will be two rankings, one in net Stableford and the other in gross Stableford. The H.M. King Leopold III Challenge will be attributed to the team with the best net Stableford ranking. A prize will also be attributed to the team with the best gross Stableford ranking for which a new trophy has been created. The format of the competition will be : 1 st day Four-Ball at the Spiegelven Golf Club 2 nd day Greensome at the Royal Limburg Golf 3 rd day Single at the Spiegelven Golf Club Each team will designate 2 pairs of players that will remain unchanged for the first two days. For the net Stableford competition, the Handicaps will be adjusted to EGA standards, i.e: - Four-Ball: each player receives 90% of his Playing Handicap - Greensome: The partner with the lower playing handicap receives 60% of his playing handicap and the partner with the higher playing handicap receives 40% of his playing handicap. Both figures are added before rounding. This final figure (= the playing handicap of the side) is rounded (0.5 upwards). Handicap strokes are to be taken according to the handicap stroke index. For the first two days, all the scores will be retained. For the last day in singles, the three best individual scores will be retained. The team who scores the highest total points (7 cards) will be the winner. The courses will be played from the yellow tee markers (men front tees). Starting times for all players will be drawn up by the Committee and posted on the official notice board. For the last day, the starting times will be based on the results of the first two days, the best results starting the last. The Committee will ensure that two pairs from the same Association do not play together. 1
LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF THE COMPETITION Local Rules The following Local Rules together with any additions and/or amendments published by the Committee at the competition venue will apply. The Local Rules of the host clubs do not apply. 1. Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: When a player s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. This Local Rule applies only when the player s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental. Note: If it is determined that a player s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced. 2. Out of Bounds (Rule 27-1) a) Beyond any wall, public road, fence or line of white stakes defining the boundary of the course. b) On or beyond any white line defining the boundary of the course. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies on or beyond this line. When both stakes and lines are used to indicate out of bounds, the stakes identify out of bounds and the lines define out of bounds. 3. Water Hazards (including Lateral Water Hazards) (Rule 26) Water hazards are defined by yellow stakes or yellow lines. Lateral water hazards are defined by red stakes or red lines. When both stakes and lines are used to indicate a water hazard, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines define the hazard margin. Note: Dropping Zones for water hazards: Where there are dropping zones for water hazards, a ball may be played under Rule 26-1, or a ball may be dropped in the dropping zone nearest to where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard under penalty of one stroke. When dropping a ball in a dropping zone, the dropped ball must not be re-dropped if it comes to rest within two club-lengths of the spot where it first struck a part of the course, even though it may finish outside the boundaries of the dropping zone or nearer the hole. 4. Abnormal Ground Conditions (Rule 25-1) Interference by a hole, cast or runway made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird with a player's stance is deemed not to be, of itself, interference under Rule 25-1 5. Ground Under Repair (Rule 25-1) a) Any area encircled by white lines. b) Any area encircled by blue lines or blue stakes: play prohibited. 6. Immovable Obstructions (Rule 24-2) a) White lined areas adjoining any areas defined as immovable obstructions are to be regarded as part of the obstruction and not ground under repair. b) Landscaped garden areas surrounded by an obstruction are part of the obstruction. 2
7. Protection of trees Staked trees and plantations surrounded by a plastic sleeve, plastic tube or wire mesh: if such a tree or plantation interferes with a player s stance or the area of his intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b (Immovable Obstruction). If the ball lies in a water hazard, the player must (1) lift and drop the ball in accordance with Rule 24-2b (i), except that the nearest point of relief must be in the water hazard and the ball must be dropped in the water hazard, or (2) the player may proceed under Rule 26. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Local Rule. Exception: A player may not obtain relief under this Local Rule if (a) interference by anything other than such a tree or plantation makes the stroke clearly impracticable or (b) interference by such a tree or plantation would occur only through use of a clearly unreasonable stroke or unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. 8. Stones in Bunkers Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies). 9. Embedded Ball Through the Green Through the green, a ball that is embedded may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. Note: A ball is embedded when it is in its own pitch-mark and part of the ball is below the level of the ground. A ball does not necessarily have to touch the soil to be embedded (e.g. grass, loose impediments and the like may intervene between the ball and the soil). Exceptions: A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if: 1. The ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely-mown. 2. Interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Local Rule makes the stroke clearly impracticable. Penalty for breach of Local Rules 2 9: Two strokes 10. Distance-Measuring Devices A player may obtain distance information by use of a distance- measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3. Penalty for breach of Local Rule 10: Two strokes. For subsequent offence: Disqualification *** 3
Conditions of Competition 1. The event will be played under the R&A Rules of Golf and the approved Local Rules. The only authorised balls and clubs will be those that are in conformity with the specifications stated in Appendix II and III of the Rules of Golf. 2. The EGA Handicap System as adopted by the Royal Belgian Golf Federation will be of strict application for all players in the net ranking. The Playing Handicap of a golfer holding a CONGU Exact Handicap will be calculated as follows: Playing Handicap = CONGU Exact HCP + (CR Par). 3. Pace of Play: when a group is late, a player must pick up his ball when, on this hole, no Stableford point can be scored any more or when, on this hole, the number of strokes already played by him is such that he cannot improve the score of his partner for the hole. Penalty for breach of condition: one stroke. Second offense: two strokes. Subsequent offense: disqualification. 4. Transportation: Golf carts and other forms of transportation are not permitted. In order to save time (e.g. lost ball), a Rules Official may allow a player to ride with him in a golf cart. Note: The Committee will authorise players presenting a doctor's certificate to use a golf cart (if available). In this case, the doctor s certificate must be attached to the registration form 2. Penalty for breach of condition: Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: four strokes (two strokes at each of the first two holes at which any breach occurred). If a breach is discovered between the play of two holes, it is deemed to have been discovered during play of the next hole, and the penalty must be applied accordingly. Use of any unauthorised form of transportation must be discontinued immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. Otherwise, the player is disqualified. 5. A mobile phone should always be switched off in order to avoid distracting the other players. The use of mobile phones by a player, caddie or team Captain on the golf course is not recommended. However, in case of emergency or danger (for medical reasons, etc ) or to call the tournament office if a ruling is needed, a mobile phone may exceptionally be used. - Use of a mobile phone to ask for or give advice in breach of Rule 8-1: two strokes. For subsequent offence: disqualification (Rule 14-3). - Use of a mobile phone as authorised by the Rules but distracting other players: First offence: the player is guilty of a breach of etiquette and should switch off his mobile phone. Subsequent offence: the player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette and the Committee may impose a penalty of disqualification under Rule 33-7. 6. In the event of a tie, the team with the best aggregate scores for the last day shall be the winner. Should a tie still exist, the team with the best scores for the last nine holes, then the last six, then the last three and finally the 18 th hole will be the winner. In case of a tee start on the 1st and on the 10th, the "last nine holes, last six holes, etc." is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc. If a tie still exists the winner will be decided by lot. 4
7. Suspension of play due to a dangerous situation. When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a 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 and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he is disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7. Penalty for breach of condition: Disqualification Note: The following signals for suspending play are used: - Discontinue Play Immediately: one prolonged note of siren - Discontinue Play: three consecutive notes of siren, repeated - Resume Play: two short notes of siren, repeated PRIZES The King Leopold III Challenge Trophy will be presented by the A.R.G.S.B, to the country whose team is the winner of the net competition. A trophy has also been created for the winner of the gross competition. Individual prizes will be presented to the members of the first three teams in net ranking and to the members of the first team in the gross ranking. The player with the best gross score on the third day of the competition will receive the Pate Challenge presented by the American Senior Golf Association. In case of tie, see Condition 6 above. COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE COMPETITION Members : The President of the A.R.G.S.B. The Captain of the A.R.G.S.B. Rodolphe Gyselinck, Referee in charge of the Competition Godfried Benijts, Member of the Committee of the A.R.G.S.B. GENERAL INFORMATION Office of the A.R.G.S.B.: Drève de la Vannette, 2 B-1410 Waterloo Phone/fax : 00 32 2 358 44 30 Email: argsbgolf@hotmail.com Royal Limburg Golf : Golfstraat, 1 B-3530 Houthalen Phone : 00 32 89 38 35 43 Email : limburggolf@telenet.be Spiegelven Golf Club: Wiemesmeerstraat, 109 B-3600 Genk Phone : 00 32 89 35 96 16 Email : info@spiegelven.be 5