MANCHESTER & DISTRICT LADIES’ GOLF ASSOCIATION

2017 PRESIDENT –MRS AUDREY BIRD – BURY GOLF CLUB

BELL CUP TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS

1. Teams for all rounds shall consist of seven players, all of whom must have an Active Handicap.

2. The names of the teams must be submitted to the opposing Captain 30 minutes before the first match commences. There is an upper handicap limit of 26 (not necessarily genuine) CLUBS MUST PLAY THEIR LOWEST HANDICAPS AVAILABLE and must play in order of handicap. Trolley pullers must not be a lower handicap than any of the players. Any player not present 30 minutes before the first tee-off forfeits her match unless there is a reserve present, but reserves may NOT be substituted after the first players have teed off. Any player without her current handicap certificate or playing off a higher handicap than that to which she is entitled will be disqualified. A current master computer handicap printout is acceptable.

Single figure players participating in the Semi and Final Matches must have competed in at least two earlier rounds.

3. Players who are members of more than one Club may only play for their HOME Club in this competition, and this applies to caddies and trolley pullers who should be members of the same club. HOME Club being defined as where the player’s handicap is maintained.

4. The personnel of each Club’s team may be changed in each round but on the Finals Day a Club may only play two reserves who must be nominated by the morning of the match.

5. The winning team in each match shall be the one that secures the greatest number of individual wins. Matches shall consist of 18 holes. In the event of a tie in any individual match the players shall continue to play until one or the other wins a hole, strokes being given as in the first round. Players meet on full difference in handicap as per CONGU regs.

6. The Draw will be made at the Annual General Meeting. A date will be given at the head of each round by which date all matches in that round have to be played and Clubs whose matches have not been so played are liable to be scratched. The President shall fix the date and the course for the Semi-Final and Final, which will be played on the same day.

7. The Club whose name appears first of each couple on the draw sheet shall be the HOME club and must contact their opponents and offer three dates, one of which should, if possible, be a weekend or evening on which matches can be played. A Courtesy practice roundmust be offered to a maximum of 9 players, all of whom must be Home Club Team Members.Contact for each Club’s first match must be made by the end of January and dates confirmed by the end of February.

The Preliminary/First round, as drawn at the AGM, shows home matches. After that round the course for subsequent matches shall be that of the Club which has played the least number of matches at home, irrespective of how this appears on the draw sheet. In the case of the home draws being equal, then a draw shall determine on which course the match will be played. Should a club not be able to reach an agreement, the Challenging Club must notify the Bell Cup Secretary who will then request the President to fix a date and venue for the match. Should either or both Clubs fail to keep this appointment, such Club or Clubs shall be disqualified from the Tournament. The quarter finals will be played on neutral courses selected by the Bell Cup Secretary.

8. In the event of it being impossible to complete a match on the day fixed, if four matches have been completed the match must be suspended and continued on another day, at separate times if necessary, within one week or before the end of that particular round, whichever is the sooner. Any player unable to play during this time forfeits her match. If fewer than four matches have been completed, the match must be abandoned and replayed on another day with a new team if necessary.

9. The Tournament shall be played under the R&A Rules of Golf and LGU Rules and Regulations. Should the Challenging Club’s course be undergoing alterations which necessitates the playing of a hole or holes twice, or if they have more than six temporary greens in play on the day fixed for the match, the said match shall be played on the course of the opposing club. Should similar conditions appertain on their course the match shall be played on the course of the Challenging team.

10. WINNERS of the match in each round must IMMEDIATELY advise the BELL CUP SECRETARY of the results, returning to her the form supplied to the Challenging Club.

11. The Club whose team wins the Final shall hold the Cup until the Final of the following year’s competition and the Club shall receive a memento. The Runner-up receives the Ashton-under-Lyne Salver to hold for one year.

12. Ride on buggies are allowed providing the player produces a current medical certificate, this to be received by the Bell

Cup Sectretary in advance of play. The certificate applies to the current year only. Approval of the host club must be

given. The buggy is for the sole use of the player, her caddy and the player’s equipment.

The use of a buggy is entirely at the player’s own risk and she must have personal insurance cover.

13. Caddies are NOT allowed on the greens. Gentlemen, professional golfers or professional caddies are NOT allowed.

All enquiries regarding the BELL CUP to be made to THE BELL CUP SECRETARY,

Mrs J Collins

5, The Stables, Tabley House, Tabley Lane, Knutsford WA16 0HA

Tel: 01565 331653 Email:

JANUARY 2017