The extended closure of the course due to snow has brought all winter competitions to a halt and it is not yet known when the course will re-open. The gents committee met earlier this week to review the situation but until the course becomes available for play it is difficult to identify the most appropriate solution. At this time the intention is to run the winter league in its current format although it may be necessary to reduce the number of counting cards. The number of cards will be decided towards the end of the winter season and will be related to the number of weeks that the course has been available for play. Once the course re-opens it may be possible to give an estimate of the relevant number of counting cards but that estimate will be based on there being no further extended closures of the course. The number of counting cards will not exceed the number of full weeks (Sunday to Saturday) that the course has been available for play.
The knockout competitions require some further thought. While it is hoped that sufficient playing time will be available for members to arrange ties, it may be necessary to alter the format of the latter stages of these competitions. While no final decisions have been made, one suggestion currently being considered is to play the competitions to the quarter final stage and thereafter all qualifiers will take part in a one round competition (format to be decided) to decide the winners. This might not be necessary for all competitions and the most likely competition where an amended format might prove necessary is the singles given the number of entries. As the situation is very fluid at the moment, once the course re-opens please do not play any quarter final ties in knockout competitions without first consulting a committee member.
The committee will keep members updated and suitable notices will be posted in the clubhouse.