Competition No Shows - what to do?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

As new to the forum I may well post a repeat so please direct me to the old post if I do.

Anyway...two rather separate - though related questions.

Scenario - week past on Saturday - wet, windy day in middle of Olympics, and we have our August Medal. Lots of no shows. My three ball all turned up. Three ball behind us became a singleton so we made two twos, then the next group found they were a two ball - so singleton joined them and back to two three balls. All in all a mess.

So lots of two balls in the middle of three balls creates a bit of a shambles with groups rearranging themselves - splitting up - moving times etc. And despite all that we inevitably get two balls up the back of three balls. Bound to happen - nobody's fault. Three balls getting grumpy about being pressed by two balls - two balls trying not to press but then getting pressed themselves as soon as they have a problem finding a ball etc. grump, grump, grump, moan.

And of course those 'no shows' take a place another member might have used. But no advance warning given so no time to find a replacement?

So what to do? Black ball 'no shows' from next medal or comp? Three strikes then out of next three? What do you do at your place?

Besides - is a club within it's rights to 'ban' a player from a competition as a result of such an infringement? Can a member demand to be allowed to play in a club competition?

 

[dufferman]

Since then, has anyone given any excuses? I think it's too easy to say 'the dog dies' so it's only fair they didn't show?

 

[Fader]

At my club they have a policy where you have to call in the night before at the latest to cancel a tee time so that the pro can then call in reserves if available to fill the times.

If anyone no shows its an automatic 3 comp ban, in the summer means most likely a missed month of competitive golf, in the winter can be longer. If there is a valid reason e.g emergency for no show, proof has to be provided before the committee who then decide on case by case basis.

 

[Monty_Brown]

Have them publicly executed. They won't do it again.

Drop outs happen everwhere and I think it needs to be taken in context of when, if at all they notify anyone.

Day before: stuff happens, fair enough to drop out.

Morning of comp: bit lame and probably because they don't fancy the forecast and 0.1 back on the hcp, but again, if they tell the club, they can move things a bit, so no ban.

Straight no show, with no call to club: rude, discourteous. I would agree with a ban for enxt comp, unless a good excuse can be given and proved within reason.

Three no-shows in a year: see original answer.

 

[duncan mackie]

Have them publicly executed. They won't do it again.

Drop outs happen everwhere and I think it needs to be taken in context of when, if at all they notify anyone.

Day before: stuff happens, fair enough to drop out.

Morning of comp: bit lame and probably because they don't fancy the forecast and 0.1 back on the hcp, but again, if they tell the club, they can move things a bit, so no ban.

Straight no show, with no call to club: rude, discourteous. I would agree with a ban for enxt comp, unless a good excuse can be given and proved within reason.

Three no-shows in a year: see original answer.

pretty much our approach, although the straight no-show would be a £10 fine to the Captains Charity and we would then suspend repeat offenders from the next competition - rather than from their neck

 

[User 105]

We've had this problem recently at our place. There always was supposed to be a 1 match ban for a no show but it was never enforced. It's gradually got worse so now the committee are enforcing it.

Call in and cancel 24h in advance of your tee time or 1 match ban. Simples.

We had about 10 people banned last time and their names went on the board and on the website.

Not sure what we will be doing for repeat offenders.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Since then, has anyone given any excuses? I think it's too easy to say 'the dog dies' so it's only fair they didn't show?

Possibly - but a lot of dogs dying on a wet, windy day in the middle of the Olympics..?! I'm guessing couldn't be bothered is closer to the truth.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

BTW - I'm liking the 'hard line' being expressed - was kind of expecting a few 'well important business calls have to be dealt with' stuff ;-)

 

[Bratty]

At Westerham, we send a letter to any no-shows informing them that another non-attendance will see a ban from a month's comps, effectively a medal and stableford.

Generally works quite well, and I have, to my shame, incurred one ban in my 6 years there. And they still wanted me as Captain next year!

 

[fundy]

Our Comp secretary manages the tee times each comp (and does a brilliant job). From once tee times are posted we have a reserve list and cancellation list and tee times are juggled a little on the morning to fit in reserves and replace anyone who drops out. Works very well but obviously requires the time to be put in by our excellent comps secretary. You sign in with him in the clubhouse and he confirms your group and whether any changes to published. Also means on the rare occasion you arent able to make a comp so don't sign up and things change that you can usually get slotted in on the day

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

@Bratty - are there any issues about such bans - as in that they can be illegal in some way?

 

[Ethan]

This is the sort of thing that little dictators at certain types of clubs love - have the offender publicly flogged and he won't do it again.

Well, yes, but the offender is paying quite a bit a money to be a member of the club and shouldn't need to explain himself like a penitent schoolboy. I would never do this knowingly but it is possible to forget or have some other event overtake it, so any club that tried to ban me as a result could take the membership and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.

People who do this a lot get a reputation and will find themselves avoided on the timesheet.

 

[duncan mackie]

@Bratty - are there any issues about such bans - as in that they can be illegal in some way?

whilst not Bratty.....

firstly such procedures should be documented in the clubs conditions of competition
second, you aren't banning people from playing the course per se, you are effectively doing nothing more than running a competition that they won't be eligible for - in the same way as running a ladies comp, possibly a senior one (or junior!) etc

 

[LeeTurner]

The club rules allow cancellation up to the morning of the tee time but it is documented in the handbook that failure to cancel will result in a 3 week ban from all competitions. Failure to cancel for a team even within a sufficient time to enable replacements to be found results in a one month ban.
It's documented quite clearly so really no excuse although mitigating circumstances will always be taken into consideration.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to admit I've been a no show a few times this year because of the health of my mum. I always call the pro shop as soon as it opens on the morning if I haven't been able to pull out any earlier. It gives them a chance to call the reserves and give them time. I've made the club aware of the situation and to be fair to them they have been brilliant about it.

I have to be honest, I'm not overly fussed if people don't turn up. It's a game of golf and we're not competing for millions. If they don't fancy it or something crops out then so be it.

 

[Evesdad]

My issue with this is in the winter months when tee times are at a premium. I raised this at our club as I had taken my daughter up for a coaching session and arrived early, hung about with her doing some putting and no one teed off for 45 mins yet the booking sheet was booked solid on 8min slots!

We all have a life outside of golf, well some of us any way! But does it really take long for a quick call or email.

 

[Bratty]

whilst not Bratty.....

firstly such procedures should be documented in the club's conditions of competition
second, you aren't banning people from playing the course per se, you are effectively doing nothing more than running a competition that they won't be eligible for - in the same way as running a ladies comp, possibly a senior one (or junior!) etc

Duncan beat me to it. That is exactly the club's stance, and you're free to play the course at any time, other than for one medal and stableford.

It's not to do it to be petty or some sort of power trip, it's a genuine attempt to resolve a very thorny issue.

Whilst I'm not a lawyer, I can't see how you could fight it as "illegal" if it's a club rule and you've signed upu to them when you join?

If you don't like it, don't join Westerham. Simples.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Its endemic at our club, and as far as I'm aware there are no bans or anything in place.

Normally by the Saturday 8.00 till 10.45 are booked solid. In the footy season when I want to play early before going to the match in the afternoon, it's nigh on impossible to get a time.

Most people don'teven ring to inform the starter, although I have on the odd occasion I have cancelled. I have even heard of people using the capt and others as "blockers". As you can also have "friends" on the computer, some people can get 3 cards and book 3 whole slots for 9 people easily on the Tuesday afternoon before.

I estimate that on occasion 20+ can not turn up on a Sunday morning, all without sanction, stopping some people playing at all, who would have only played if they could have had early tee times.

 

[wookie]

Straight one month ban at our place for a no show.

Its got to be something very serious for you not to be able to to call in the morning to explain and obviously in these cases the ban would /should be lifted but otherwise I think its right.