Conditions of competition.

[backwoodsman]

Reading on here over the years, it's become apparent that "disputes" often arise in terms of how competitions are run - such as when is a card considered returned, or when is a competition considered closed, or who actually is the committee in terms of settling disputes over rules or procedure? So the question is; are these things that should be written down in a conditions of competition document? And if so, does your club have such a thing? (I'm pretty sure we don't)

Ps I realise rules section might not the right place for this, so Mods feel free to move as appropriate)

 

[rulefan]

The Conditions of Competition should certainly define when (and where) a card is considered to be returned.

When a competition is considered closed is covered by Rule 34-1b
A competition is closed when the result has been officially announced or, in stroke play qualifying followed by match play, when the player has teed off in his first match.

I see no need particular need to identify individual members of the committee. If it is not a standard internal club competition (where the committee is well known and details will have been published), the committee representatives will be readily identified by their presence (eg at registration or recording). Players do not need to know who they all are.

This from Appendix I Part B Conditions of Competition
Rule 33-1 provides, "The Committee must establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played." The conditions should include many matters such as method of entry, eligibility, number of rounds to be played, etc. which it is not appropriate to deal with in the Rules of Golf or this Appendix. Detailed information regarding these conditions is provided in "Decisions on the Rules of Golf" under Rule 33-1 and in "How to Conduct a Competition."

 

[duncan mackie]

It's a good question, and one that often gets addressed after a problem is experienced!

The above covers the keys, if the definition of committee in the rules themselves doesn't easily translate in you club then it's worth adding it to the COC. "The "Committee" is the committee in charge of the competition or, if the matter does not arise in a competition, the committee in charge of the course."

Ours are extensive; having been a comp sec previously, and getting involved in the rules side, I wasn't going to be involved with what should be (only what was!).

 

[rulie]

It's a good question, and one that often gets addressed after a problem is experienced!

The above covers the keys, if the definition of committee in the rules themselves doesn't easily translate in you club then it's worth adding it to the COC. "The "Committee" is the committee in charge of the competition or, if the matter does not arise in a competition, the committee in charge of the course."

Ours are extensive; having been a comp sec previously, and getting involved in the rules side, I wasn't going to be involved with what should be (only what was!).

When we run a formal competition, the Tourament Committee is named on the Notice to Competitors. It resolves any doubt over who is a "Committee member". Should add that the Tournament Rules Committee (a separate Committee, but will have common members) is also named on that notice.

 

[duncan mackie]

When we run a formal competition, the Tourament Committee is named on the Notice to Competitors. It resolves any doubt over who is a "Committee member". Should add that the Tournament Rules Committee (a separate Committee, but will have common members) is also named on that notice.

So what is the status of the tournament rules committee?

 

[rulie]

So what is the status of the tournament rules committee?

They are the only people authorized to provide rulings and information on the Rules. Players accepting such information from anyone else do so at their own risk.

 

[duncan mackie]

They are the only people authorized to provide rulings and information on the Rules. Players accepting such information from anyone else do so at their own risk.

So they are acting as referees on the course during competitions then?

 

[rulie]

So they are acting as referees on the course during competitions then?

Yes, that is the major part of their role. The roles also includes course marking, course set-up (tees and holes), pace of play.

 

[backwoodsman]

Thanks all.

The thing about the committee arises (for me at least) in that although we know who are the members of the Handicap & Competitions committee, we have no idea which of them - if any - are around on a given comps day, or how one gets hold of one of them?. So, for instance, if someone had had need to invoke rule 3-3, it's not at all clear to me how that person should proceed in order to resolve thing so they can submit their card. Do they hang around the clubhouse hoping to find a committee member by chance, or do they bung the card in the box with a note attached? It's that sort of thing i think needs to be made clear?

If anyone has a copy of their conditions that they are prepared to share, I'd be very interested to read them. You could send me a pm ?

 

[rulefan]

The problem is that 'elite' level (eg County) comps will have very formal CoCs published which are unlikely to be manageable at club level. The Committee will be seen and will probably have some method of identification (logod sweaters, caps badges etc). And will be in attendance.
Incidentally, not all referees will be on the committee but will be authorised to make rulings.

At the club, there may be different committees for comps run by different sections of the club, (Seniors, Rabbits, Juniors, Ladies etc). And the committee members are probably not around or on course playing.

We have appointed the pro to all our comp committees (fortunately he is pretty rules savvy) and if he can't resolve the problem he keeps the card until it cannot be sorted. If players come in after he has shut up shop, they leave the card in his post box with a 'Rules Query' note on it.

 

[Marc Cools]

So they are acting as referees on the course during competitions then?

Most of the time they are not.

- Definition of a referee : A "referee" is one who is appointed by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. He must act on any breach of a Rule that he observes or is reported to him. ...
- Technically you don't need to have any knowledge about the rules, just an appointment. But it helps if you know your rules to get appointed.
- R33-1 : duties of a referee may be limited by the committee. On the European Challenge Tour : referee may not apply rule 6-7 slow play. A committee member does that. Fines of 2.500 euro!
- In many clubs there is a fixed committee including the club captain. You never see them on the course except when they are playing in the competition ...
- A committee member must not be present during the competition. A phone call away is good enough.
- A referee is not as so a member of the committee.
There is a difference. A referee is like a manager. The committee is like the big boss.

 

[rulefan]

- A committee member must not be present during the competition.

I think you meant 'need not' or 'may not'.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Our "Conditions of Comps" are held in a folder which has all the Comps in

Each Comp has who is eligible to play , what format and which tees to use. For some comps there is also a prize breakdown. There is also a small summary online when someone is entering the Comp

Then if it's a Comp on one day - the players themselves are the ones that ensure that they play within those conditions - any disputes go first to the Pro Shop and then if not resolved to the HC/Comp Committee.

The main disputes are always around KO matches

 

[Marc Cools]

I think you meant 'need not' or 'may not'.

Need not! correct. English is not my native language and these are some of those little mistakes.

 

[Crazyface]

GOLF COMPETITIONS Rules

1. General Conditions.
a. All competitions must be played under the Rules of Golf as approved by the R&A rules.
b. Handicap Qualifying Competitions will be played according to the CONGU Unified Handicapping System. Members must conform to the conditions in Clause 8 of the CONGU regulations in respect of “Home” and “Away” scores.
c. On major competition days 2 and 3 balls have equal standing. 4 balls are not allowed prior to 2.00 pm, discretion lies with the Professional and Manager.
d. All competitions must be played from the teeing ground designated by the Competition Committee. This will be displayed on the sign on the first tee.
e. Competitors should play in twos or threes in Medal and Stableford competitions, unless any other arrangement has been sanctioned by the Competition Committee.
f. In pair’s competitions, competitors must have another pairing with them to ensure their card is marked independently.
g. Competitors have precedence over all the other players who must give way at all times, if they are delaying the group following them. If competitors cannot keep up with the pace of play they must allow the group behind to play through.
h. Timings are as follows :
i. The earliest start time for Club competitions unless notified otherwise will be 7.30am
ii. The acceptance of cards will cease 45 minutes after the last match has left the 18th green.
i. Members entering 36 hole competitions MUST play both 18 hole rounds. Members who only play 18 holes may be banned from entering that competition the following year.
j. Only full 7 or 5 day members are eligible to win any prizes in competitions.
k. Only Members who are 18 years of age and over will be allowed to enter the competition sweep and two’s club.
l. Junior members may enter competitions, but must have a current handicap not exceeding 28.
m. In all Club competitions starting times MUST be strictly adhered to. Failure to do so will necessitate recourse to the Rules of Golf.
n. Breaches of Club rules or the Rules of Golf should be reported to the Competition Chairman as soon as is practicable. Results are official when posted on the Club Notice Board.
o. If a phone is used as a Distance Measuring Device (DMD), the phone must not have any feature that, if referenced at any time during a round, might assist the player in his play (eg, anemometer, thermometer or club recommendation). Note: When accessing weather reports provided by a weather station through an application or internet browser, the player is not actively measuring or gauging the conditions. If the device contains other applications or features which, if used in a specific way, could assist the player in his play (eg camera, video camera or spirit level), the device is permitted provided such features are not used during a round in such a way that might assist the player in his play e.g., videoing swing to analyze fault or gauging green contours.

2. Conditions of Entry.
Members are deemed to agree to the following conditions:
Entry Procedure
They must ensure that:
a. Their name is entered on the competition sheet which will be put on the competition notice board at least three weeks before the competition.
For non drawn out competions (non Majors), entries maybe changed on the competition sheet up until the day before the competition.
ii. For drawn competitions (Majors):- no entries will be accepted after the draw has been made, and no changes to any drawn players tee times maybe made
Or :- Majors will be drawn out as four balls, anyone who wishes to enter after the draw has been made, can then add their name to any tee times that are available after the drawn tee times. It is then those players responsibility to ensure they have a fellow competitor to play with them to mark their card.
b. The correct entry fee has been paid before commencement of play.
c. Their card contains the following information:
1. Name and date.
2. Entry number.
3. Competition name.
d. They have registered their entry in the computer, either before or after completing their round. A failure to follow this procedure or v) below will result in the entry being revoked and all entry fees being forfeited; the score will not be acceptable for the competition and will not appear on the player’s CONGU handicap playing record.

On Completion of the Round
Before returning their card they must ensure that:
e. They have entered their score in the computer.
f. They have entered the correct gross score for each hole.
g. Their correct handicap has been entered (subject to Rule 6-2 of the Rules of Golf).
h. The marker has signed their card.
i. They have signed their card.
j. Their card is placed in the return box. A card is deemed to have been returned to the Competition Committee when it has been placed in the appropriate box.
Members will be subject to the Rules of Golf for failing to conform to conditions vi) to x) above. Their score for handicap purposes will be subject to the conditions of the CONGU Unified Handicapping System. A Member who defaults twice in the year may be subject to disciplinary action in which their ability to enter future competitions may be restricted for a period of time, to be determined by the Competitions Joint Committee.

3. Rights of Entry into Competition.
a. All competitors must have a CONGU handicap to play in any Club competition.
b. Any Members aged under 18, playing in medal and Stableford competitions, must play with a Member aged 18 or over. All male golfers with a bona fide CONGU handicap are eligible to enter all men’s competitions, regardless of their age, subject to section 28d below.
c. To obtain an official handicap, three marked cards must be submitted to the Competition Secretary. These cards must be signed by either a Member who has held a CONGU handicap for 12 months or a Member authorized by the appropriate Competition Committee.
d. Members may only enter competitions for which they qualify under the 7,6 or 5-day subscription levels.
e. Competitors without a competition handicap may enter strokeplay/stableford competitions, to use the card as one of their three marked cards, but are not eligible to win prizes or to enter to knockout competitions.

4. Matchplay Competitions.
a. It is the responsibility of the top player/team to contact the bottom player/team, to organize playing dates/times, within 7 days of the initial posting of the draw (for 1st round matches) or the completion date of the previous round. Three reasonable dates to play should be given. Due regard should be given to the playing restrictions of their opponents.
b. Competitors are not allowed to decide their match by tossing a coin.
c. Rounds of Matchplay events must be completed by the specified dates as indicated on the competition sheets. Failure to comply with this rule will mean the disqualification of one or both players/teams. It is the responsibility of the winner(s) of a match to ensure that their or their team’s name has been put forward.
d. Once a date and time has been agreed, competitors may book the time for the relevant day’s timesheet, up to eight days in advance, through the internet booking system.
e. In the event of players being unable to agree on playing dates they must contact the appropriate Competition Chairman to arbitrate.
f. Competitors agreeing on a time and failing to turn up at the specified time on the 1st Tee will have forfeited the match to the other competitor(s).
g. The results of matches must be recorded. Claims for a ‘walk-over’ must be notified to the appropriate Competition Chairman in writing before the final date for that round.
h. Matches finishing ‘all square’ must continue until there is a result. Evening matches should allow time for the completion of extra holes.
i. The final date for completion of each round as indicated on the draw sheet will not be extended under any circumstances unless amended by the appropriate Competition Committee.

5. Cancellation/ Disruption Due To Bad Weather
a. If it becomes necessary due to the Course being unplayable (ie thunderstorm or flooding) or the disruption so severe that all Members cannot complete in the time available, then the competition, if possible, will be rescheduled to the next available date .
b. If at all possible the competition will continue, with competitors being moved down the timesheet as necessary.
c. If the last competitors are playing so late that they could be finishing in the dark then they will be given 5 days to complete their round.
d. Anyone not finishing the round due to poor light conditions should mark their ball position and finish that round from that point within 5 days.
e. Competitors requesting very late start time should be aware of the problems which may be encountered and follow the above ruling.

6. Major competition prize winners ARE EXPECTED to attend the appropriate annual trophy presentation evening. If they cannot attend, they must state, in writing, to the competition committee, their reasons for not attending or forfeit any prizes due.

7. Grievance Procedure.
If a Member has a dispute/grievance or a problem relating to competition rules, a specific competition or disqualification from a competition:
a. They should register their dispute, grievance or problem in writing to the Manager or the appropriate Competition Chairman within two days of the competition results being posted.

 

[Crazyface]

This is what I've been working from to produce a set of rules for our club. Adding / changing / deleting to suit our place. Feel free to use.

 

[rulefan]

This is what I've been working from to produce a set of rules for our club. Adding / changing / deleting to suit our place. Feel free to use.

Oi !

That is taken from my earlier posting of the Conditions I wrote for my club a few years ago.

But any one please feel free to use and adapt as you wish.:thup:

 

[rulie]

Oi !

That is taken from my earlier posting of the Conditions I wrote for my club a few years ago.

But any one please feel free to use and adapt as you wish.:thup:

Most conditions of competition include penalty statements for breaches. I don't see any in that list?

 

[rulefan]

Most conditions of competition include penalty statements for breaches. I don't see any in that list?

No. The context was rather different when that was posted. These are in the Club 'Policy' files.
Our COCs as referred to in the RoG are virtually the same as England Golf are published on the notice boards..

 

[rulie]

No. The context was rather different when that was posted. These are in the Club 'Policy' files.
Our COCs as referred to in the RoG are virtually the same as England Golf are published on the notice boards..

What happens if the player does not enter his score into the computer before returning his card? Surely it's not a golf penalty.