General Competition Rules

Contents

GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

SUMMARY OF COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

BARCLAYS CUP

CAPTAINS DAY

CAPTAINS DRIVE IN

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

CHRISTMAS FOURSOMES

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

COLIN HERMES MEMORIAL CUP

DIRECTLINES STABLEFORD

DOWNTONS TROPHY

FOUNDER MEMBERS TROPHY

GERRY RUSSELL MEMORIAL TROPHY

HUGH MARTIN TEXAS SCRAMBLE

INVITATION TROPHY

JIM PREECE MEMORIAL TROPHY

JOHN & ANNIE HOFTON MEMORIAL TROPHY

Junior Championship

Junior OPEN

MIDWEEK MEDAL & STABLEFORD

MIXED OPEN BETTERBALL

MIXED OPEN GREENSOMES

MIXED GREENSOMES CUP

MIXED GREENSOMES KNOCKOUT

MONTHLY MEDAL & STABLEFORD

NEW MEMBERS COMPETITION

OAKS CHALLENGE

PAIRS CUP

PRIORITY VASE

SPRING VASE

SUMMER ECLECTIC

SUMMER LEAGUE

SUNSET PAIRS

US MASTERS

US OPEN

WINTER ECLECTIC

WINTER LEAGUE

YELLOWBALL

AMENDMENT HISTORY

GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this book is to explain the Rules which apply to all Club Competitions (excluding those competitions organised by the Ladies and Seniors Section) and specify the Conditions which govern these.

These Rules apply to all competitions and are intended to be read in conjunction with the Conditions applicable to individual Competitions.

GENERAL RULES (APPLICABLE TO ALL COMPETITIONS

Competitions will be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf 2012 - 2015 aslaid down by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrew's.
A member shall not be eligible to play in a club Competition unless his/her subscription has been paid
Any player, pair or team not registering and paying competition fees before teeing off will be disqualified.
All starting times allocated for members in Club competitions must be strictly adhered to
Players late on the Tee: Rule of Golf 6-3a applies.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-3a:
If the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, 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 is disqualification.
A player who has not been appointed as an official marker or is not participating in the competition is not allowed to play with other competitors in a club competition. If he/she does so then the competitor(s) will be disqualified.
Any member failing to turn up without prior notice for any Club competition or match will be banned from all competitions,including competitions already in progress, and matches, for a period of 28 days, beginning on the day after his non-appearance. However, the banned member may appeal to the Competition Secretary. Any appeal will be considered by the Golf Committee, and the member notified of the result as soon as possible. This decision will be final. Any ban will NOT apply to Open competitions.
No member shall enter other members in competitions without their prior knowledge and permission. Offenders will be banned as per Rule 7 above. The ban will NOT apply to the member(s) who was/were not aware he/she/they had been entered.
Unless otherwise stated within the individual competition conditions, entrants for competitions must hold a “Competitive” handicap as defined by CONGU.
In the event of a discrepancy between the individual competition conditions detailed within this book and the conditions of play publicised on the entry sheet, the conditions of play published on the entry sheet will prevail.

Completion of Scorecards: All players must ensure the following details are recorded on their scorecard prior to return
Name of Competition
Tee Time
Players Name (Surname & Initials)
Players ID number
Playing handicap of player(s)
The Gross score for each hole must be recorded in the relevant column
(i.e. A for singles - A/B pairs – A/B/C/D team competitions)
The card must be signed by player & marker.

Failure to comply with the above requirements may result in disqualification from the competition.

All cards must be returned as soon as possible after completion of the round (Rule of Golf 6-6b).
6-6b Signing and Returning Score Card
After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-6b:Disqualification.
Competed scorecards will be retained by the Committee for a period of 3 months after completion of the competition.
The 2s sweep is a separate competition. In the event of a disqualification, recorded 2s will still count, provided the card is handed in as above and is signed by both player and marker. Players with non-competitive handicaps are eligible to enter and win prizes in the 2s Sweep.
Motorised carts will only be allowed in competitions if a medical certificate can be provided. The use of the Motorised Cart is limited to the player with the medical certificate. Any fellow competitor may not ride on the buggy or place their clubs thereon during play.
The use of motorised carts in Open competitions will be allowed on request without a medical certificate.
Distance Measuring Devices. In all competitions a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 14–3, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
Notes: -
a)Trolleys with a distance-measuring capability may be used provided any other features, which are non-conforming, are disabled (e.g. ‘taped over’ or switched off).
b) Multi-functional devices such as mobile phones with a distance measuring application may not be used, unless the application is restricted to “distance only” and the device does not have any other “non-conforming” features or applications.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE: Disqualification

Unless a minimum of 16 players take part in any competition it will be declared null and void, and any entry fees paid will be refunded. A minimum of 8 players per division is required for any competition to be run in 2 divisions.
In the event of any dispute the final decision will be made by the Golf Committee

SINGLES COMPETITIONS

There should be no more than 3 players per Tee Time

PAIRS COMPETITIONS

Markers. As an absolutely last resort, a Pair is permitted to play in competition without a marker. Players must note the fact on the card (“NO MARKER AVAILABLE”) and the facts made known to the Committee as soon as possible after completion of the round. Any perceived abuse of this rule will result in its withdrawal.

STROKEPLAY (MEDAL/STABLEFORD) COMPETITIONS

Ties in competitions will be decided on countback (Nett scores*) as follows:-
36 hole competitions:- over the last 18, 9, 6, 3, 1. hole(s)
18 hole competitions:- over the last 9,6,3,1 hole(s)
last holes are defined as the last holes on the card, irrespective of the order in which holes are played.

*In the case of gross competitions countback will be based on Gross Scores
MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS

Closing dates set for all competitions published by the Competition Secretary must be strictly observed. Extensions to the published closing dates will be considered by the Committee on a case by case basis, and may be granted only in exceptional circumstances.
Each player/pair are equally responsible for arranging his own match in consultation with his opponent.
If difficulties are encountered, each player/pair must offer three dates to play the tie. If an arrangement satisfactory to both players cannot be made, the facts are to be reported to the Competition Secretary as soon as possible. He will decide the tie based on evidence of the efforts made by both players to reach an agreement. If, for whatever reason, the tie has not been played by the closing date, it may be decided by the toss of a coin, but only if both parties agree. If not, both players will be disqualified.
If a match is all square after 18 holes, extra holes must be played in “Sudden Death” format, starting at the first hole played.

WINTER RULES DEFINITION

A ball lying on any “closely mown area” through the green may, without penalty, be marked, lifted, cleaned and placed within six inches of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole. If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, a penalty of one stroke will be incurred.

‘Closely mown area’ is any area mown to fairway height including paths etc through the rough.

A ball embedded in its own pitch mark “through the green” (i.e. anywhere except in a hazard or on the green) maybe marked, lifted, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole at no penalty.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole

Stroke play – Two strokes

SUMMARY OF COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

/ Gentlemen / Ladies
FULL 7 DAY / 5 DAY / COUNTRY / COLT / JUNIOR / FULL 7 DAY / 5 DAY / COUNTRY / COLT / JUNIOR
Barclays Cup / X / X / X / X
Captain’s Day / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Captains Drive In / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Champion of Champions / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Christmas Foursomes / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Christmas Spirit / X / X / X / X
Colin Hermes Memorial Cup / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Directlines Stableford / X / X / X / X
Downtons Trophy / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Founder Members Trophy / X / X / X / X / X / X
Gerry Russell Memorial Trophy / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Invitation Trophy / X / X / X
Hugh Martin Texas Scramble / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Jim Preece Memorial Trophy / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
John & Annie Hofton Memorial Trophy / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Junior Championship / X / X
Junior Open / X / X
Midweek Medals & Stablefords / X / X / X / X / X
Mixed Open Betterball Medal / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Mixed Open Greensomes / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Mixed Greensomes Cup / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Mixed Greensomes Knockout / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Monthly Medals & Stablefords / X / X / X / X
New Members Competition / X / X / X / X / X
Oaks Challenge / X / X / X / X / X
Pairs Cup / X / X / X / X
Priority Vase / X / X / X / X / X
Spring Vase / X / X / X / X
Summer Eclectic / X / X / X / X / X
Summer League / X / X / X / X
Sunset Pairs / X / X / X / X
US Masters / X / X / X / X
US Open / X / X / X / X
Winter Eclectic / X / X / X / X / X
Winter League / X / X / X / X
Yellowball / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Competition: /

BARCLAYS CUP

Sponsor: / BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Gents in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country Members
Colts
Juniors
Format: / Match Play over 18 holes
Tees: / White
Handicap Limit: / 18
(Holders of handicaps above 18 may enter but must play off 18)
Handicap allowance: / FULL difference of Playing handicap
HANDICAP STATUS: / Players must hold an COMPETITIVE handicap on the closing date for entries
Entry Fee: / As published
Prizes: / Winners
Names on Board & Trophy
Winners & Runners Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES:
Competition: /

CAPTAINS DAY

Sponsor: / None
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Gents & Ladies in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country members
5 day members*
Colts
Juniors**
* 5 day members will be required to pay a weekend guest fee
**junior members must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / Captains Discretion
Tees: / Gents – White / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36
Handicap allowance: / Captains Discretion
(Dependant on Format)
HANDICAP STATUS: / Captains Discretion
Entry Fee: / None
Prizes: / Captains Discretion
NOTES:
Competition: /

CAPTAINS DRIVE IN

Sponsor: / NONE
Date Played: / 1st Saturday after Club AGM
Eligibility : / Gents & Ladies in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country members
5 day members*
Colts
Juniors**
* 5 day members will be required to pay a weekend guest fee
**junior members must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / Captains Discretion
Tees: / Gents – White / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36
Handicap allowance: / Captains Discretion
(Dependant on Format)
HANDICAP STATUS: / Captains Discretion
Entry Fee: / None
Prizes: / Prizes to be awarded by the incoming Captain
NOTES:
Competition: /

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Sponsor: / PETER NEWELL
Date Played: / 1st Weekend in October
START TIME: / Day 1:
Day 2: / As per Entry Sheet
Highest Nett scores first/Lowest Nett scores last
Eligibility : / GENTS & SENIORS SECTION
Winners of individual stroke play events played off White Tees and nominated pairs events (as per list below), played between 1st October and 30th September
LADIES SECTION
Winners of Individual stroke play events as decided by the Ladies Committee.
Note:- 5 day members qualifying as per above are eligible to participate but will be required to pay a weekend guest fee for each day if necessary
Format: / 36 holes Medal
Played over 2 days (18 holes per day)
Only the top 50% Nett scores and ties qualify for Day 2
Tees: / Gents – White / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36
Handicap allowance: / FULL
Ladies receive 4 additional strokes
HANDICAP STATUS: / All players MUST hold Competitive Handicaps
Entry Fee: / None – Entry by Qualification only
Prizes: / Winners
Names on Board & Trophy
Winners & Runners Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES: / Winners of the following Men’s Competitions qualify for the Champion of Champions Competition:

Monthly & Midweek Medals/Stablefords (Divisions 1 & 2)

Christmas Foursomes

Christmas Spirit

Direct Lines

Gerry Russell

Spring Vase

Sunset Pairs

US Masters Overall (Gross)

US Masters Overall (Nett)

US Masters Round 1 (Gross)

US Masters Round 1 (Nett)

US Masters Round 2 (Gross)

US Masters Round 2 (Nett)

Pairs Cup

Barclays

Competition: /

CHRISTMAS FOURSOMES

(Daily Mail Foursomes Qualifier for Gents Only)
Sponsor: / Boustons of Bromyard
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Gents & Ladies in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country Members
Colts
Juniors*
*Any junior pair must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / 18 holes Foursomes Medal
Tees: / Gents – White / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36*
*The limit of 36 is applied prior to addition of 4 extra strokes for ladies (see handicap allowance below)
Handicap allowance: / ½ combines playing handicap
Ladies receive 4 additional strokes (prior to calculating TEAM allowance)
HANDICAP STATUS: / Holders of non-competitive handicap may enter but are not eligible for prizes and will be excluded from the published result
Entry Fee: / As published
Prizes: / Winners
Names on Board & Trophy
Winners & Runners Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES: /

Highest placed Gents only pair qualify for Daily Mail Foursomes.
Junior members are not eligible for Daily Mail Foursomes qualification (as per rules and conditions of Daily Mail Foursomes competition)

Competition: /

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Sponsor: / Ron Millward
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Gents in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country Members
Colts
Juniors*
*any junior pair must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / Pairs Better Ball Stableford
Tees: / White
Handicap Limit: / 28
Handicap allowance: / ¾ Playing Handicap
HANDICAP STATUS: / Holders of non-competitive handicap may enter but are not eligible for prizes and will be excluded from the published result
Entry Fee: / As published
Prizes: / Winners
Names on Board & Trophy
Winners & Runners Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES:
Competition: /

COLIN HERMES MEMORIAL CUP

Sponsor:
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Mixed Pairs from the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country members
Colts
Juniors*
*Any junior pair must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / 54 Hole Stableford
Round 1 & 3 - Greensomes
Round 2 - Better Ball
Using Pars and Stroke Indexes from Mens Card
Tees: / Gents – Yellow / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36*
*The limit of 36 is applied prior to addition of 5 extra strokes for ladies (see handicap allowance below)
Handicap allowance: / GREENSOMES
0.6 (lower handicap) + 0.4 (higher handicap).
Ladies receive 5 additional Strokes before calculation of team allowance
BETTERBALL
¾ of PLAYING HANDICAP.
Ladies receive 5 additional Strokes before calculation of allowance
HANDICAP STATUS: / Holders of non-competitive handicap may enter but are not eligible for prizes and will be excluded from the published result
Entry Fee: / As published
Prizes: / Winners
Names on Board & Trophy
Winners & Runners Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES:
Competition: /

DIRECTLINES STABLEFORD

Sponsor: / LYNN MORGAN
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Gents in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country Members
Colts
Juniors*
*junior members must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / Individual Stableford
(Played in a Single Division)
Tees: / White
Handicap Limit: / 28
Handicap allowance: / FULL
HANDICAP STATUS: / Holders of non-competitive handicap may enter but are not eligible for prizes and will be excluded from the published result
Entry Fee: / As Published
Prizes: / Winner
Name on Board & Trophy
Winner & Runner Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES:
Competition: /

DOWNTONS TROPHY

Sponsor: / DOWNTONS LIMITED
Date Played:
Eligibility : / Gents & Ladies in the following categories
Full 7 day members
Country Members
Colts
Juniors*
*junior members must be accompanied by an adult member
Format: / 4 person Team Stableford (any combination)
Best 2 scores on each hole to count
Using Pars and Stroke Indexes from Mens Card
Tees: / Gents – White / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36*
*The limit of 36 is applied prior to addition of 4 extra strokes for ladies (see handicap allowance below)
Handicap allowance: / FULL
Ladies receive 4 additional Strokes
HANDICAP STATUS: / Holders of non-competitive handicap may enter but the TEAM is not eligible for prizes and will be excluded from the published result
Entry Fee: / As Published
Prizes: / Winners
Name on Board & Trophy
Winners & Runners Up
Prizes to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES:
Competition: /

FOUNDER MEMBERS TROPHY

Sponsor: / ROSENDALE CRYSTAL
Date Played:
Eligibility : / All members (Gents & Ladies) who joined the Club prior to 31st December 1990 and are still members.
Note: - 5 day members are eligible to participate but may be required to pay the appropriate green fee where competition is played on a weekend.
Format: / Individual Stableford (Non Qualifying).
To be run simultaneously as separate Gents and Ladies Competition
Each Gender to use own Pars and stroke Indexes
Tees: / Gents – Yellow / Ladies - Red
Handicap Limit: / Gents 28 / Ladies 36
Handicap allowance: / FULL
HANDICAP STATUS: / Holders of non-competitive handicap may enter and are eligible to win prizes.
Entry Fee: / As Published
Prizes: / Gents Winner
Trophy plus Prize to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
Ladies Winner
Trophy plus Prize to be awarded by Committee at Presentation Evening
NOTES:
Competition: /

GERRY RUSSELL MEMORIAL TROPHY