Matchplay Championships @ Forest of Arden

[Deleted member 15344]

The problem is hobbit he has been going on great runs in big national comps for a number of years now and his handicap hasn't changed ( May have actually increased )

This appears to be more than just a couple months of good golf and getting cut as a result.

His ambition appears to be more about winning these comps as opposed to reducing his handicap

 

[chrisd]

Is it safe to say something a little counter to a lot of posts here?

I play pretty much every week, and enter every Q comp I can fit in - at least 2 a month.

Nov 38pts, 38pts, 40pts.
Sept 39pts, 38pts (Oct)43pts.
Aug(inc the Cooden trip) 42pts, 37pts, 37pts.

Started August off 6 and finished Oct off 4. It is possible for golfers to go on a good run and post some great scores... I've played pretty much every week for 40+ years, and always aimed to shoot as low as possible. My ambition has always been get the handicap as low as possible, and let the winning take care of itself.

Maybe he's a bandit, but maybe he isn't. A lynch mob might just be an injustice...

The thing is Hobbit, your post also proves why a lynch mob may not be altogether wrong!

 

[Hobbit]

The problem is hobbit he has been going on great runs in big national comps for a number of years now and his handicap hasn't changed ( May have actually increased )

This appears to be more than just a couple months of good golf and getting cut as a result.

His ambition appears to be more about winning these comps as opposed to reducing his handicap

You're not wrong. I recognise one of the guys on there, and know what his reputation is. I know that players actually withdraw after entering if they hear he's entered. So, equally, you're not wrong Phil.

The thing is Hobbit, your post also proves why a lynch mob may not be altogether wrong!

Hope you don't mean this for me Chris. My golf is as honest as the day is long! As an ex-handicaps Chairman I've dealt with this sort of thing in the past, and it wasn't pleasant.

 

[chrisd]

Hope you don't mean this for me Chris. My golf is as honest as the day is long! As an ex-handicaps Chairman I've dealt with this sort of thing in the past, and it wasn't pleasant.

Absolutely the opposite Hobbit. You play in every qualifying club comp and leave yourself at the mercy of the handicapping system so if OUR FRIEND doesn't do that, but enters competitions where a current, up to date and RELEVENT handicap isn't needed to win a prize that we would all dream of, then a lynch mob may be the only answer

 

[3565]

I think he was in the single Matchplay finals in Dubai in 2012, so it's not that they don't know him.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I wonder if Mr Hunt will allow him in the TT.

 

[LIG]

Golfcare have made an official statement on their Facebook page in response to the many comments

"As organisers of the event and having read with interest the comments regarding questionable handicaps we would like to respond to people’s concerns.

In a national competition such as ours, we recognise that the most important thing is to uphold and preserve the integrity of the event. We make strenuous efforts at all stages to ensure the efficacy of the competitors’ handicaps.

Firstly, we do not accept entries from individuals who have previously entered the event and who have been suspected of having an inaccurate handicap.

If we receive complaints throughout the qualifying rounds, we always make contact with the relevant golf club to check the validity of a player’s handicap. If we find irregularities, then the individual is disqualified immediately and banned from entering in future years.

We check and verify all handicaps at the Regional Final stage of the Championship. We do this by checking up to date handicap certificates, asking players to bring along evidence that their handicap was ‘active’ at the time of entering the competition as well as requesting that they provide a handicap record since the start of the Championship that year. For anyone who qualifies for the Grand Final, we then contact their golf club, again to check and verify all handicaps. In certain circumstances, we have gone as far as contacting the golf unions directly where there has been cause for concern.

With over 6,000 entries, it is impossible to police everyone who enters. This is ultimately the responsibility of the players’ golf clubs, golf unions and governing bodies.

We will take on board everyone’s comments and will work with other national golf competitions to share best practice and to help identify any handicapping issues.

At the end of the day, golf is about honesty and integrity. Should any individual who enters the Matchplay Championship decide to circumvent these characteristics, that is a great shame.

Finally, it should be noted that there are actually 40 winners, not just the five that pick up a trophy as the actual prize of our event is an amazing golfing holiday of a lifetime in Dubai."

Sounds like they did everything except google his name, which would have let them know what everyone else knows.....

Not too sure that they "did everything".

A very carefully worded statement... and the get out clause is para 6....
"With over 6,000 entries, it is impossible to police everyone who enters.This is ultimately the responsibility of the players’ golf clubs, golf unions and governing bodies. "

 

[chrisd]

Not too sure that they "did everything".

A very carefully worded statement... and the get out clause is para 6....
"With over 6,000 entries, it is impossible to police everyone who enters.This is ultimately the responsibility of the players’ golf clubs, golf unions and governing bodies. "

It's easy, you put a clause in to say that handicaps will be scrutinised after a certain point, so that, say, all regional winners will be checked and if it's found that they appear to be serial winners then further proof of their handicap record will be requested. Now someone who worded a statement as careful as theirs is surely capable of finding the right wording!

Oh ! They do say that ..... Mmmmmm do I believe them ??

 

[rickg]

GolfCare Matchplay have been listening to all the complaints on Forums, twitter, Facebook etc and have introduced Clause 6 into their rules of competition........

6. To help preserve the integrity of The Matchplay Championship, the organisers’ reserve the right to disqualify a player or players from the tournament (in any category) in the event that the tournament committee determines, in its absolute discretion, that a player’s handicap is inaccurate (ie. higher) when compared with their actual playing ability. The tournament committee will determine whether a player’s handicap is inaccurate by taking into consideration any or all of the following:

1) handicap history review;
2) previous tournament/competition results;
3) current sanctions from any other national golf tournaments or from any County or National golf administrative bodies;
4) judgement on the relevance of completed competitions within the past 12 months;
5) complaints which are in the public domain and any other handicap inconsistencies that are brought to our attention.

Under this rule, if the tournament committee decides that a player or players should be disqualified from the tournament, the player or players will be notified accordingly and the tournament committee’s decision will be final. Any decision is totally discretionary and no negotiation or dialogue will be entered into. In the event of one of the above decisions being enforced then the player or players will be offered a full refund of their entry fee should they so wish.

Fair play and a welcome addition, albeit too late, which needs to be copied by all the other national comps......it's not perfect but it shows they have taken it seriously.

 

[3565]

Yeah bit too late now, damage is done but it was fun reading both single and pairs post on their Facebook page kicking off.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

GolfCare Matchplay have been listening to all the complaints on Forums, twitter, Facebook etc and have introduced Clause 6 into their rules of competition........

6. To help preserve the integrity of The Matchplay Championship, the organisers’ reserve the right to disqualify a player or players from the tournament (in any category) in the event that the tournament committee determines, in its absolute discretion, that a player’s handicap is inaccurate (ie. higher) when compared with their actual playing ability. The tournament committee will determine whether a player’s handicap is inaccurate by taking into consideration any or all of the following:

1) handicap history review;
2) previous tournament/competition results;
3) current sanctions from any other national golf tournaments or from any County or National golf administrative bodies;
4) judgement on the relevance of completed competitions within the past 12 months;
5) complaints which are in the public domain and any other handicap inconsistencies that are brought to our attention.

Under this rule, if the tournament committee decides that a player or players should be disqualified from the tournament, the player or players will be notified accordingly and the tournament committee’s decision will be final. Any decision is totally discretionary and no negotiation or dialogue will be entered into. In the event of one of the above decisions being enforced then the player or players will be offered a full refund of their entry fee should they so wish.

Fair play and a welcome addition, albeit too late, which needs to be copied by all the other national comps......it's not perfect but it shows they have taken it seriously.

Wonder what the Trilby Tour do about it ?

Speaking to a mate who plays in it every year ( Hanbury Manor ) it appears that there was empty spaces in some of the areas this year and there was lots of talk about the player in this thread.

 

[rickg]

Wonder what the Trilby Tour do about it ?

Speaking to a mate who plays in it every year ( Hanbury Manor ) it appears that there was empty spaces in some of the areas this year and there was lots of talk about the player in this thread.

First time I've missed the TT in 4 years because of the protectors.......seeing some of the scores off 3/4 h/c, they don't do anything about it.....

 

[3565]

First time I've missed the TT in 4 years because of the protectors.......seeing some of the scores off 3/4 h/c, they don't do anything about it.....

From what I gather from llewell71 on this forum think he stated that Mr Muldoon got a hc reduction from the TT last year to 11. Think this is where the confusion is coming from as it was a TT chop to 11 and it's not his actual hc. I'm also led to believe that llewell71 got chopped by the TT couple years ago. So by the looks of it they do do something about it? Just a shame that with all these national comps available to play for the amateur that a minority is spoiling it for the majority.

 

[chrisd]

From what I gather from llewell71 on this forum think he stated that Mr Muldoon got a hc reduction from the TT last year to 11. Think this is where the confusion is coming from as it was a TT chop to 11 and it's not his actual hc. I'm also led to believe that llewell71 got chopped by the TT couple years ago. So by the looks of it they do do something about it? Just a shame that with all these national comps available to play for the amateur that a minority is spoiling it for the majority.

Yes but don't words like, horse, stable door, shut and bolted spring to mind. I applaud the fact that Golfcare are making an effort but sadly there will be plenty of other comps to enter where the organisers haven't considered the likelihood of this happening/ or don't care so long as they get a winner and loads of advertising for their product. Eventually the players will have no comps they can enter but, by then, they will have enjoyed many lovely (and expensive) free golf holidays at the expense of the fair guys who play off proper handicaps.

 

[Doh]

From what I gather from llewell71 on this forum think he stated that Mr Muldoon got a hc reduction from the TT last year to 11. Think this is where the confusion is coming from as it was a TT chop to 11 and it's not his actual hc. I'm also led to believe that llewell71 got chopped by the TT couple years ago. So by the looks of it they do do something about it? Just a shame that with all these national comps available to play for the amateur that a minority is spoiling it for the majority.

So that begs the question if the person we are talking about got cut by the TT on the evidence of his play why did he not inform his club by submitting his away cards to them.

 

[llewell71]

From what I gather from llewell71 on this forum think he stated that Mr Muldoon got a hc reduction from the TT last year to 11. Think this is where the confusion is coming from as it was a TT chop to 11 and it's not his actual hc. I'm also led to believe that llewell71 got chopped by the TT couple years ago. So by the looks of it they do do something about it? Just a shame that with all these national comps available to play for the amateur that a minority is spoiling it for the majority.

The trilby tour cut many people for there comp but don't make it public, in fairness to the Tt anyone that is having a great amazing score after 9 there clubs are then called yet again, they do there utmost to be fair, but I guess if someone makes it there target and cards just three cards and play on comps and play badly on purpose then what can you so about that! Golf is about integrity and honesty, surely the aim is to get as low as possible after all we battle against the course not anyone in particular but with a higher handicap than people should have then it makes the game so much harder!
Lets hope there is now a stake in the ground going forward all comps adjust to defeat the so called banditry! I'd be embarrassed if I was tom, I'm sure he is? Maybe he should go into hiding for a couple of years and come back off 28!!

 

[rickg]

Golfcare Matchplay on SS4 at present, (again at 01:00) if you've missed it.

Mr M in action......

 

[rickg]

Golfcare Matchplay on SS4 at present, (again at 01:00) if you've missed it.

Mr M in action...... just been described as the "short game wizard"

 

[quinn]

Golfcare Matchplay on SS4 at present, (again at 01:00) if you've missed it.

Mr M in action...... just been described as the "short game wizard"

Just watched it rick...6 birdies on the front 9 and a 4 pointer on the 18th. I'd be embarrassed to go in front of a camera after that, we all have a good round now and again but that's taking the piss.

 

[mashleyR7]

I saw his post match interview, it would be the 'proudest moment ever' if he won!