GENT'S COMPETITIONS - RULES AND CONDITIONS

 

                        STRATHMORE GOLF CLUB              

COMPETITION FORMATS AND RULES

MEDAL PLAY / STROKEPLAY

White Monthly Medals are drawn in handicap order of 2 divisions, Gold – +7.0 to 12.4, Silver – 12.5 to 28.4.

All Saturday Medal competitions are played from either White Tees or Yellow Tees. Saturday competitions are played in three balls. (dependent on numbers) Each ballot is decided through a random draw from the start sheet, except Monthly Medals which are drawn in handicap order.  The prizes and sweeps on Saturday competitions outside the Monthly Medals will be decided in one division (Plus to 28.4)

STABLEFORD

Stableford is a scoring system used in the majority of the senior gents competitions and a few of the gents competitions.  Rather than counting the number of strokes taken, it involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole.  Under Stableford rules, the objective is to have the highest score.  The number of points awarded on each hole is determined based on comparison of the number of strokes taken to a fixed score, usually par. This fixed score is then adjusted in relation to the player's handicap.  Once players have taken two strokes more than the adjusted fixed score, they may abandon the hole and move on to the next, as it is then not possible to score any points on that hole.  The fixed score would be adjusted as per the stroke indexes (SI) of the holes, starting at the lowest stroke index 1 hole, through to the highest, stroke index 18. For example, a 12 handicap golfer would increase the fixed score on holes indexed 1 through 12, a 24 handicap player would increase the score by two on holes indexed 1 through 6 and by one for the rest, and a plus handicap player would reduce the fixed scores starting at the stroke index 18 hole.

 

Points Scored

Strokes taken in relation to the adjusted fixed score

0

2 strokes or more over (double nett bogey) or no score recorded

1

1 stroke over (nett bogey)

2

Same number of strokes (nett par)

3

1 strokes under (nett birdie)

4

2 strokes under (nett eagle)

5

3 strokes under (nett albatross)

6

4 strokes under (nett condor)

 

LEITFIE LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

This competition is played over the 9-hole Leitfie Course on the week prior to the Captains Drive In.  A trophy will be awarded in the Scratch and Handicap sections for the best scores over 18 holes.  The handicap allowance for this competition is 50% of the current Handicap Index. 

 MATCHPLAY – DOUBLES (Fourball Better Ball)

In this format the lowest handicap player concedes strokes to the other three players calculated on 90% of the difference between the playing handicaps.

 

MATCHPLAY – SINGLES

In this format the handicaps will be full handicap difference.

 

MATCHPLAY FOURSOMES

In this format, handicaps are calculated as, half the difference of the combined playing handicaps of each side.

 

SUMMER LEAGUE (CATLAW TROPHY)

The Summer League is played as a Strokeplay Competition throughout the season. There is a White Tee League, and a Yellow Tee League.  They run from April to September, from Sunday to Friday and is for your best 10 cards throughout the season. The four players with the best 10 cards will then go through to a Knockout Competition to decide the winners.

 

72 HOLE STROKEPLAY – Scratch & Handicap Trophy

This competition is a strokeplay competition and is played on four Saturdays, two in April and two in May.  The Scratch and Handicap trophies will be awarded to the players returning the lowest four aggregate scratch or handicap rounds. 

 

BALLANTYNE CUP

This competition is a mixed event and is played as a Stableford format.  Gents will play from the White tees, receiving the full handicap allowance, the Ladies will play from the Red tees and will receive their full handicap plus 1 stroke as an adjustment for the difference in Course Rating.  The winner of the trophy will be the player with the highest Stableford score.

 

TEXAS SCRAMBLE

This is a team game for 4 players or sometimes 3 players.  The handicap allowance for this game is 1/10th of the combined playing handicaps for 4 players and 1/8th of the combined handicaps for 3 players.  All players tee off on all holes, the team decide on which ball to play for the second shot.  All players play a shot from with 12 inches of where that ball lay.  When the ball is on the putting surface all players play from where the ball came to rest.  A ball will be placed on the fairway and putting surface and dropped in hazards and all other areas through the green.  Where the team is 4 person a minimum of 3 tee shots are required from each player, where the team is 3 players a minimum of 4 tee shots are required.  Depending on the competition specific rules it may require that 1 of the tee shots is at a par 3 hole.


 

BOGEY COMPETITION

A Bogey competition is a form of strokeplay in which play is against a fixed score.  The scoring is in effect playing matchplay against the course.  Players will take their strokes at the allocated SI for the course.  If a player scores better than nett par they are 1 up, if they score a nett par the hole is halved, if they score more than a nett par they lose the hole and is scored as 1 down.  The winner of the competition is the player who has scored the most up on the course.

 

MID SUMMER STROKEPLAY

This competition is a Stroke play Competition and is played on the Saturday between the two rounds of qualification for the Club Championship / Tankard Trophy.  The draw will be random.  The winner will be the player with the lowest nett score.

 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP / TANKARD QUALIFICATION

The Club Championship and Tankard Trophy are a qualification competition over two rounds, on two consecutive Saturdays.  Following the two rounds of qualification the top 6 Scratch scores will go forward for the Club Championship seeded draw with the top 2 receiving byes to the Semi-Finals. The top 8 Net scores (not including the top 6 Gross scores) will go forward to the Tankard Trophy seeded draw.  From the two draws the players will play Matchplay in the concluding rounds.  The Club Championship Final will be played over 36 holes from the Blue Tees and the Tankard Trophy Final over 18 holes from the White Tees.

The best 8 Net scores from the Yellow Tee Championship Saturday Qualifiers will go forward to the seeded draw to play Matchplay in the concluding rounds. Yellow Club Championship Final will be played over 18 holes.

 

INTER CLUB MATCHES

Inter club matches can range is size from 8 person teams to 12 person teams.  The match will take the form of a 4 Ball Better Ball Matchplay, whereby the lowest handicap player concedes strokes to the other three players calculated on 90% of the difference between the playing handicaps.

 

 RONNIE STEPHENSON MEMORIAL TROPHY

The Ronnie Stephenson Memorial Trophy is a Stableford Competition.  Play will be from the Yellow Tees and all players receiving their full handicap.  The winner of the trophy will be the person with the highest stableford score.  

 

GEORGE BLACK MEMORIAL TROPHY

The George Black Memorial Trophy is a Strokeplay Competition.  The draw will be random from the start sheet.  The winner of the competition will be the player with the lowest nett score.

 

PETER TINKER TROPHY – SENIOR'S TROPHY

The Peter Tinker Trophy is competed for by the senior golfers.  The format will be a Strokeplay competition and played from the Yellow Tees.  The playing groups will be decided by a random draw.  The winner of the trophy will be the player returning the lowest nett score.

 

NICK FARR TROPHY – SENIOR'S TROPHY

The Nick Farr Trophy is a competition for senior gentlemen and is played as a strokeplay event.  All players will play from the Yellow Tees.  The scratch and handicap trophies will be awarded to the players returning the best scratch and nett scores.

 

TAM BENNETT TROPHY – SENIOR'S TROPHY

The Tam Bennett Trophy is a competition for members of the senior section.  The format for the competition will be Strokeplay and play will be from the Yellow Tees.  The winner of the trophy will be the player with the lowest nett score.

 

CAPTAIN'S CHARITY SWEEP

Each year the Gent's Captain chooses a charity to promote for the year.  The competition is Strokeplay and played from the White or Yellow Tees.  The playing groups will be decided by a random draw.  The entry to the competition requires an additional fee of £1.00.  The winner of the competition will be the player returning the lowest nett score.

 

 PRESIDENT'S CUP

The President's Cup is a mixed event and is played as a Stableford competition.  Gents will play from the White tees, receiving the full handicap allowance, the Ladies will play from the Red tees and will receive their full handicap plus 2 strokes as an adjustment for the difference in CSS.  The winner of the trophy will be the player with the highest Stableford score.  Following completion of the golf a two-course meal will be served to all competitors

 

ENDURANCE TROPHY

The Endurance Trophy is a competition which is played over 36 holes, one round teeing off in the morning and the second round teeing off in the afternoon.  The competition is a strokeplay event and played from the White Tees.  The draw for the competition will be by handicap order.  The winners of the trophies will be the players returning the lowest scratch and nett scores.  Players can opt to play one round for handicap purposes, they can elect to play either in the morning draw or the afternoon draw.  Should they opt to play in the afternoon the pairings in the draw will be changed to reflect the handicap order rule.

 

LOCAL CHARITY MEDAL

Each year the committee chooses a local charity in which to support.  The proceeds from the competition will be presented to the local charity.  Entry into the competition will require an extra £1.00 from all competitors as a donation to support the charity.  The winner of the competition will be the player returning the lowest nett score.

 

CAPTAIN'S DAY

Captains Day is a Strokeplay event with one tee priority.  The winner of the competition will be the player with the lowest nett score.  Following completion of the golf a meal will be served to all competitors.

 

GENT'S INVITATION DAY

This event is where members are encouraged to bring along a fellow gent as a guest to play as a pair in a Strokeplay event.  Players will play as a pair under the 4 Ball Better Ball format, all players will receive their full handicap.  The winners of the day will be the pair with the lowest nett score.  Following the round of golf players are encouraged to stay and enjoy a two course meal.  Guests will receive courtesy use of the course for the day.

 

 SPRING MEETING

The Spring Meeting is a Strokeplay competition which offers a trophy for both the best scratch and handicap score.  Play will be from the Blue tees and a random draw will decide the groupings for the tee times.  The winners of the trophies will be the players returning the best scratch and nett scores.

 

AUTUMN MEETING

The Autumn Meeting is a Strokeplay competition which offers a trophy for both the best scratch and handicap score.  Play will be from the Blue tees and a random draw will decide the groupings for the tee times.  The winners of the trophies will be the players returning the best scratch and nett scores.

 

4 CLUB CHALLENGE

The 4 Club Challenge is a competition which is non-counting towards handicap. There is a competition listed on the gent's fixture list which will be played from the White Tees and played as a strokeplay format. 

The competition for the Senior golfers will be played from the Yellow Tees and played under the Stableford format.  The common theme in the competitions is that players can only use 4 clubs of their choice in which to complete the round.  If a player chooses a putter it will be considered as one of their four clubs. 

 

TRANSCO CUP

The Transco Cup is only open to the players who have won a monthly medal during the season.  This competition will be played along side the DWAM and played as a strokeplay event from the White Tees.  The winner of the trophy will be the player returning the lowest nett score.

 

DWAM (Didn’t Win A Medal)

The DWAM is played in conjunction with the Transco Cup and is open to all players who failed to win a monthly medal throughout the year.  The DWAM will be a strokeplay competition and played from the White Tees.  The winner will be the player returning the lowest nett score and will receive a bottle of malt whisky as the prize for the competition.

 

SUMMER ECLECTIC

The Summer Eclectic is a season long competition and is taken from each player who completes a round from the White Tees.  The competition is a scratch event with the best score for each hole being recorded.  The player with the lowest gross eclectic score will be the winner.

 

ORDER OF MERIT

The Order of Merit is a points based competition played for over the season.  Points are awarded for the finishing position of a player in the qualifying competitions.  The competitions are, All Monthly Medals – April to October, Spring Meeting, Mid Summer Strokeplay, Club Championship Qualifying Rd 1 & Rd 2, President's Day, Endurance Trophy Rounds 1&2, Autumn Meeting and October White Tee Bogey. 

The points will be awarded as follows, 20 points for 1st down to 1 point for 20th .  The player with the highest number of points at the end of these competitions will be the winner.

 

RACE TO STRATHMORE

The Race to Strathmore is a points based competition played for over the season.  Points are awarded for the finishing position of a player in the qualifying competitions.  The competitions are, Monthly Medals – April to October, Ballantyne Cup, 72 Hole Strokeplay Rounds 1-4, Ronnie Stephenson Memorial Trophy, Club Championship Qualifying Rd 1 & Rd 2, Captain's Charity Medal, Local Charity Medal, George Black Memorial Trophy.  

The points will be awarded as follows, 20 points for 1st down to 1 point for 20th .  The player with the highest number of points at the end of these competitions will be the winner.



 

                        GENERAL NOTES FOR THE ATTENTION OF PLAYERS

Slow play in golf is a common complaint across the country with some rounds taking more than 4½ hours to play.  All players have the responsibility to challenge slow play both within their group and on the course.  Players should keep up with the group in front and NOT just ahead of the game behind.  If a group loses a clear hole they should invite the following group through.  A two ball would have priority over a three ball and they have priority over a four ball.

 

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR GOLF AND PLEASE LOOK AFTER THE COURSE FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF OTHERS BY REPAIRING PITCH MARKS AND RAKING BUNKERS

 

PLAYERS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER PLAYING READY GOLF

“Ready golf” is not appropriate in match play due to the strategy involved between opponents and the need to have a set method for determining which player plays first. However, in stroke play formats it is only the act of agreeing to play out of turn to give one of the players an advantage that is prohibited. On this basis, it is permissible for administrators to encourage “ready golf” in stroke play, and there is strong evidence to suggest that playing “ready golf” does improve the pace of play.

When “ready golf” is being encouraged, players must act sensibly to ensure that playing out of turn does not endanger other players.

“Ready golf” should not be confused with being ready to play.  The term “ready golf” has been adopted by many as a catch-all phrase for a number of actions that separately and collectively can improve pace of play. There is no official definition of the term, but examples of “ready golf” in action are:

  • Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options.
  • Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait.
  • Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play.
  • Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball.
  • Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line.
  • Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a greenside bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker.
  • When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot.
  • Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off.