Fourball Knockout - What Would You Do?

[ADB]

Just after a bit of guidance on arranging a fourball tie in the Summer knockout. We got through to the second round in late May and have to play the fixture before the end of July.

Our opponents contacted me on the 15th June and stated that they needed to play the tie before the 3rd July as one of them is off on holiday for the remainder of July (giving two free weekends available) - is this adequate notice? My FB partner works at the Glastonbury Festival which means he was out of action for the date proposed (29th June) by the oppos. We offered the 2nd July, but they cant do that so we are now in a situation whereby we may have to play 2 v 1, but who should play singularly?

Did they give sufficient notice, therefore I would have to play on my own on the 29th? They couldn't make our proposed date (2nd July) and have basically cut the available dates to play the tie by 3 weeks or so.....

Its our first year playing the knockout so don't want to cause waves, but what would other suggest?

I imagine this is a common issue!

 

[Fyldewhite]

There are usually rules along the lines of 1st pair must contact second pair and offer 3 dates within the timeframe. If not acceptable then an amicable date can be arranged but they have the right to claim match if this proves impossible. check what the rules are and maybe ask the organiser for an opinion?

Getting 4 regular golfers together at the same time at any point in the summer is an absolute nightmare. The very reason I don't play "doubles" D).

 

[fundy]

Most common way of organising these sort of ties is whoever is the "challenger" offers 3 dates , think they are being very harsh knowing they cant play for 3 weeks of the time to then offer you only one date.

No reason you should have to play on the 29th imo, and personally wouldnt be agreeing to, would be seeing if there is any way of finding a convenient date for both, and if that really has been exhausted then would see what your committee recommends in that situ. Otherwise I would probably try to agree both sides play with just one player, so at least its a fairer game

 

[guest100718]

What about evenings? You can tee off at 6 these days and still make 18

 

[ADB]

Most common way of organising these sort of ties is whoever is the "challenger" offers 3 dates , think they are being very harsh knowing they cant play for 3 weeks of the time to then offer you only one date.

No reason you should have to play on the 29th imo, and personally wouldnt be agreeing to, would be seeing if there is any way of finding a convenient date for both, and if that really has been exhausted then would see what your committee recommends in that situ. Otherwise I would probably try to agree both sides play with just one player, so at least its a fairer game

@ Fundy - Singles would seem fair....

They didn't actually offer three dates, just said to me we have to play by the 3rd so what can you do - the only 'formal' date they offered was the 29th.

@Paddy - appreciate that, but my partner is at Glastonbury until the 1st (and left last Friday) so he is just not around.

@FW - will see what the response is like from our oppos before I consult the Committee.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

IMO etiquette/rules around who contacts who for arranging matches is a can of worms. When your next round opponents are known just contact them asap to arrange. You can offer say 3 dates and make clear any 'no-no' dates - and your side of the road is clean. Don't wait.

In some ways you are also partly at fault as you were aware that your buddy couldn't play one weekend and weekday evenings close to the 'play-by' date. Things being left to the last minute as often is the case you should have chased them - in truth. Me and my mate have been in same situation. And he lost but made a good fist of it.

Sorry - notwithstanding rules etc matches are IMO joint responsibility. 2 vs 1 I think it is. Not good to escalate to Committee,

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

IMO etiquette/rules around who contacts who for arranging matches is a can of worms. When your next round opponents are known just contact them asap to arrange. You can offer say 3 dates and make clear any 'no-no' dates - and your side of the road is clean. Don't wait.

In some ways you are also partly at fault as you were aware that your buddy couldn't play one weekend and weekday evenings close to the 'play-by' date. Things being left to the last minute as often is the case you should have chased them - in truth. Me and my mate have been in same situation. And he lost but made a good fist of it.

Sorry - notwithstanding rules etc matches are IMO joint responsibility. 2 vs 1 I think it is. Not good to escalate to Committee,

Sorry SILH, I read it that SNW's partner is away for the end of this month - this still gives them a month to play the fixture? I personally wouldn't class that as close to the 'play-by' date, unless this fixture has been outstanding for a few months already! Not that 'last minute'. I would say the opponents are the cheeky ones, signing up to a comp with one of them away for a full month in the middle!

 

[ADB]

Sorry SILH, I read it that SNW's partner is away for the end of this month - this still gives them a month to play the fixture? I personally wouldn't class that as close to the 'play-by' date, unless this fixture has been outstanding for a few months already! Not that 'last minute'. I would say the opponents are the cheeky ones, signing up to a comp with one of them away for a full month in the middle!

Yes, the tie has to be played by end July - my partner cant make end June and one of them is away most of July.

Update - Just had an email suggesting singles or a coin toss so looks like singles it is!

SILH - take the point though, best to be on the front foot rather than waiting to be contacted.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Yes, the tie has to be played by end July - my partner cant make end June and one of them is away most of July.

Update - Just had an email suggesting singles or a coin toss so looks like singles it is!

SILH - take the point though, best to be on the front foot rather than waiting to be contacted.

If you play as singles, I would think that you still have to take all 4 handicaps into account when working out how many shots each person gets, and still have to use 3/4 handicaps.

 

[Foxholer]

If you play as singles, I would think that you still have to take all 4 handicaps into account when working out how many shots each person gets, and still have to use 3/4 handicaps.

That's my understanding too.

As if all players were actually there - so 3/4 diff from lowest handicap (who may or may not be playing).

Anything else would simply be a method of deciding who concedes - just like a coin toss.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Yes, the tie has to be played by end July - my partner cant make end June and one of them is away most of July.

Update - Just had an email suggesting singles or a coin toss so looks like singles it is!

SILH - take the point though, best to be on the front foot rather than waiting to be contacted.

Ah - sorry - yes - out for much of July is a bit of a liberty if they don't tell you asap.

In which case I think you have a good case for taking to competitions committee. Say you have offered 3 dates (or indeed 6 dates if you are so inclined) and they can't do any of them. It's then their problem not yours.

I had a similar issue this year in mixed foursomes. One opposition pair said they wanted to play matches Sunday mornings as that is when they like to play and when matches in this particular comp were often played - I said that I go to church Sunday mornings. I compromised. But it was quite clear that they weren't really interested in what I preferred to do Sunday morning and that I could just not go to church.

Changed days eh