Abandoning part way through competition round

[GG26]

A few weeks ago I played in a Golf Pairs competition at Sandwell Park where the pair we were playing alongside walked up to us after finishing the 12th hole and advised that they had had enough and were just going to go for a drink. Put us down for six blobs for the remianing holes they said. They hadn't been playing well and we had just been caught in a rain shower, but I found that attitude unacceptable when they had the responsibility to mark our card. They also said that they would explain this to the organiser back in the clubhouse, but they did not. As an aside, I also explained to the organiser that they had not been putting out (using gimmies for short putts) and one of them on firing the ball deep into some woods, just dropped a ball where it went in and said he'll take a one shot penalty. I guess that's a risk in these competitions, but I've played in several and the first time I have seen such a blatent disregard for the rules.

A week later we played in a club senior pairs open at Kenilworth (well organised and a parkland course that's worth a visit). Forecast was not great and we did get wet, but the pair that were allocated to play alongside us just didn't turn up or tell the club. Second round in a week where we did not have a marker.

As we were midfield in both comps the organisers accepted our scores, but I suspect that it would have been different if we had been in the prizes.

Have anyone else come across similar and what sanctions should be considered, especially to those who walk off mid-round?

 

[irip]

What they have done is not acceptable in any way.

The problem with issuing sanctions is they would just turn round and say one of us is injured (or both) and cannot carry on.

All you hope is that in general folk are decent and are there to play the course and enjoy the day.

I wonder if you could have called the clubhouse would they have sent a marker out for the rest of your round?

This would at least stop any complaints if you had finished in the prizes.

 

[D-S]

I’ve seen a few Prima Donnas simply not turn up on the tee for the and round of a 36 hole scratch comp after a poor first round without telling anyone (on one occasion two from the same group stranding the third until we split groups up to ensure he had a partner). We informed their clubs and the County of their unacceptable behaviour.

 

[D-S]

What they have done is not acceptable in any way.

The problem with issuing sanctions is they would just turn round and say one of us is injured (or both) and cannot carry on.

All you hope is that in general folk are decent and are there to play the course and enjoy the day.

I wonder if you could have called the clubhouse would they have sent a marker out for the rest of your round?

This would at least stop any complaints if you had finished in the prizes.

You’re right re finding a marker, but what an imposition on the committee and the stranded pair: also not the easiest thing to do in a hurry.

 

[irip]

You’re right re finding a marker, but what an imposition on the committee and the stranded pair: also not the easiest thing to do in a hurry.

Yeah I totally agree.
I just couldn’t think of another option in this situation.
Also it may not be possible depending on who was available at the time.

I also imagine the pair continuing would need to stand aside and let other groups through and then be stuck behind groups who would be slower due to playing 4 balls vs 2 balls.

 

[GG26]

What they have done is not acceptable in any way.

The problem with issuing sanctions is they would just turn round and say one of us is injured (or both) and cannot carry on.

All you hope is that in general folk are decent and are there to play the course and enjoy the day.

I wonder if you could have called the clubhouse would they have sent a marker out for the rest of your round?

This would at least stop any complaints if you had finished in the prizes.

At Sandwell Park it was organised by Golf Pairs, so not the responsibility of the club.

At Kenilworth I went back to the clubhouse to ask if the other pair had signed in, but with a shotgun start there simply wasn't time for them to do anything. If the pair that didn't turn up had called the club beforehand that would have at least given them a chance to find a marker

 

[IanMcC]

A few years ago at a 'prominent North Wales course', my wife and I were entered in a mixed 4BBB Open. There was light drizzle.
Our playing partners, whom we didn't know, were at the course. Once we met them, they said they were not playing, as they had a long drive home and didn't want to get wet!!
If I had started speaking I would probably have been banned from the course, so I simply walked away.
The comp organisers could not provide a marker, and were not prepared to let us play without a marker.
We went home, very angry.

 

[irip]

A few years ago at a 'prominent North Wales course', my wife and I were entered in a mixed 4BBB Open. There was light drizzle.
Our playing partners, whom we didn't know, were at the course. Once we met them, they said they were not playing, as they had a long drive home and didn't want to get wet!!
If I had started speaking I would probably have been banned from the course, so I simply walked away.
The comp organisers could not provide a marker, and were not prepared to let us play without a marker.
We went home, very angry.

That is mental.
At the very least I would expect the club to offer to let you play even if not in the competition.
At best let you play but not in the comp and refund your money.

As for the pair that let you down they need their name spread about other clubs to deny them playing in opens

 

[Imurg]

We had an England Golf Seniors event coupled with an iGolf one the other week.
The weather was poor and I was asked to be on standby to be a marker should there be any withdrawals.
Fortunately there were the right amount and they were able to pair everyone up so I wasn't needed...good job too, the weather was abysmal

 

[Bazz]

A few weeks ago I played in a Golf Pairs competition at Sandwell Park where the pair we were playing alongside walked up to us after finishing the 12th hole and advised that they had had enough and were just going to go for a drink. Put us down for six blobs for the remianing holes they said. They hadn't been playing well and we had just been caught in a rain shower, but I found that attitude unacceptable when they had the responsibility to mark our card. They also said that they would explain this to the organiser back in the clubhouse, but they did not. As an aside, I also explained to the organiser that they had not been putting out (using gimmies for short putts) and one of them on firing the ball deep into some woods, just dropped a ball where it went in and said he'll take a one shot penalty. I guess that's a risk in these competitions, but I've played in several and the first time I have seen such a blatent disregard for the rules.

A week later we played in a club senior pairs open at Kenilworth (well organised and a parkland course that's worth a visit). Forecast was not great and we did get wet, but the pair that were allocated to play alongside us just didn't turn up or tell the club. Second round in a week where we did not have a marker.

As we were midfield in both comps the organisers accepted our scores, but I suspect that it would have been different if we had been in the prizes.

Have anyone else come across similar and what sanctions should be considered, especially to those who walk off mid-round?

Not the question but you'd never think a good course like Sandwell would be located where it is.

 

[GG26]

Not the question but you'd never think a good course like Sandwell would be located where it is.

Agreed re Sandwell. The recent one that sticks in my mind is Silloth-on-Solway which I played a month ago. The course itself is great, but it feels like you are driving into an industrial area.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Something I have pondered.
What is the difference, in principle, not in practical, for a 4-person team to have no maker and a 2-person team to have no marker?

 

[nickjdavis]

Something I have pondered.
What is the difference, in principle, not in practical, for a 4-person team to have no maker and a 2-person team to have no marker?

None in reality but perhaps the only thing I can think of, is that it is maybe considered easier for 2 people to collude in some skullduggery than it is for 4 people.

 

[Billysboots]

Absolutely unacceptable. At the very least one of the pair should have walked the last six holes and marked your card. I’d have been absolutely fuming if a pair walked in like that. It’s just shocking etiquette.

 

[Voyager EMH]

None in reality but perhaps the only thing I can think of, is that it is maybe considered easier for 2 people to collude in some skullduggery than it is for 4 people.

But there is more chance of finding a cheat in 4 people than in 2.
And one is all it takes for "skullduggery" to be occurring.

Two honest people is more likely than 4 honest people.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

But there is more chance of finding a cheat in 4 people than in 2.
And one is all it takes for "skullduggery" to be occurring.

Two honest people is more likely than 4 honest people.

Hmmm, the last sentence is not reflecting the reality though.
The behaviour to be avoided here is collusion to be dishonest, IOW, all participants agreeing to be dishonest. That being the case, I suggest that two colluding is more likely than all four agreeing to cheat.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Hmmm, the last sentence is not reflecting the reality though.
The behaviour to be avoided here is collusion to be dishonest, IOW, all participants agreeing to be dishonest. That being the case, I suggest that two colluding is more likely than all four agreeing to cheat.

Why does it need collusion?
One player could do something untoward without collusion and might this go undetected.

There is an assumption that the 4-person team will be honest.
Why can the same assumption not be made with regard to 2-person team - in principle.
I can see no reason - in principle.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Why does it need collusion?
One player could do something untoward without collusion and might this go undetected.

There is an assumption that the 4-person team will be honest.
Why can the same assumption not be made with regard to 2-person team - in principle.
I can see no reason - in principle.

I understand that we are talking about returning scores, which should be honest, in the absence of a marker, I.e. self marking.
Hence collusion.
If talking about individuals playing in four balls or two balls , then I agree with you.

 

[Skytot]

A few years ago at a 'prominent North Wales course', my wife and I were entered in a mixed 4BBB Open. There was light drizzle.
Our playing partners, whom we didn't know, were at the course. Once we met them, they said they were not playing, as they had a long drive home and didn't want to get wet!!
If I had started speaking I would probably have been banned from the course, so I simply walked away.
The comp organisers could not provide a marker, and were not prepared to let us play without a marker.
We went home, very angry.

Shocking treatment ..
Conwy any chance ?

 

[Voyager EMH]

I understand that we are talking about returning scores, which should be honest, in the absence of a marker, I.e. self marking.
Hence collusion.
If talking about individuals playing in four balls or two balls , then I agree with you.

I do not see collusion as an issue for the difference between 4-person team and 2-person team with regards to having no marker.
Collusion might happen between 2 of the 4-person team with the non-colluders not noticing the wrongdoing.

Anything untoward is an issue.
I see no difference, in principle, between 4 and 2 person teams with no marker with regards to the possibility of wrongdoing.
If any difference at all in reality - I think 4 unmarked players is more likely to have something untoward happening - though this difference will be fairly small.