We all decided to walk off today...

[woody69]

I've sent a reply stating whilst I can fully accept and understand deterrents need to be implemented to prevent members from signing up for competitions and then dropping out at the last minute, due to the limited spaces available as outlined in the first paragraph, I fail to see what the issue is with walking off the course during a round and how this affects anyone else. When everyone in the playing group has decided they are no longer enjoying the round and EVERYONE is happy to walk in what exactly is the problem?

I decided to reply as I wanted to inform them that if the same situation arose again, I would do the same. I respectfully requested that the committee does not try and treat me like a naughty child for doing so and threaten me with disciplinary procedure's. Simple really.

Still waiting for a reply.

 

[Foxholer]

Pretty reasonable. A little tame perhaps - apart from stating that you would do it again!

As my last planned comment in this thread, I'd suggest that simply 'no longer enjoying the round' is not sufficient reason to walk off, but that the conditions were so bad that it was way past that!

It wouldn't be unreasonable, imo, to receive one of the 'black marks' - precursor to disciplinary action. I don't think the situation warrants such action, but hey-ho!

One last question. What does your withdrawal mean as far as future rounds of that comp?

 

[woody69]

One last question. What does your withdrawal mean as far as future rounds of that comp?

Well play was suspended and the course closed before most had even finished so they've just written off the whole round I believe. No idea if my DQing myself from that round means a DQ from the overall comp. In the circumstances I doubt it.... guess I'll find out soon. There communication on the outcome of the round hasn't been forthcoming!

 

[Foxholer]

Well play was suspended and the course closed before most had even finished so they've just written off the whole round I believe. No idea if my DQing myself from that round means a DQ from the overall comp. In the circumstances I doubt it.... guess I'll find out soon. There communication on the outcome of the round hasn't been forthcoming!

Now that's new information (I think)!

Could it be that the prat at the half-way hut was having a 'good' round and is peeved that you might have triggered the closure?

In any case, that makes the 'naught child' tone of the email even sillier!

 

[woody69]

They replied...

The committee have read your reply to our original email. We would like to make the following points with regard to the matters you raised ;

The rule concerning walking off the course is actually an R&A rule ( 6-8a ) so is obviously not something we have put in place and something we are duty bound as a club to implement as we have to abide by R&A rules in competitions. All we have done in our email is remind members of this.

You suggest that the course was closed so that a) we wouldn't have to re-arrange the competition and b) so that we could raise and keep the entry fee for each pair. This is an unwarranted accusation and incorrect. The competition would not have been re-arranged even if it had been cancelled before it started. In addition all members who were in the bar were returned their entry fee. All outstanding entry fees will be returned in due course to individuals including yours. As stated in the email only the club have the authority to close the course.

You are not being threatened with disciplinary procedures, they are in place for members who fail to turn up for competitions or repeatedly withdraw less than 24 hours before a competition starts.

It is a shame that you suggest you were being treated like a 'naughty boy' or that you believe that our action reinforces the 'bad' reputations of committees. This committee works tirelessly and without thanks or reward, to provide a pleasurable environment for all members. Part of our role is to enforce R&A rules and to ensure club regulations are adhered to. The Club regulations that have been put in place by previously elected committees ( democratically elected by members ).

So there was a rule that I was breaking it seems. 6-8a, however considering the penalty for breaching that rule is the player is disqualified, I was quite happy to do that. Part of me feels like I should reply though saying I wasn't aware of the rule and stand corrected though. Interestingly enough the person who replied was the same guy that had the problem...

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Maybe have a chat with the Captain or President or Golf Manager ?

 

[williamalex1]

As I said in post 7 they could penalise you, by also barring you from the next comp. I don't agree with that myself , buy it could happen.

 

[woody69]

I've thought about this a little more, looking back at the original email they sent and they stated that they request players do not walk off the course mid round, but then in his reply to my email he tries to claim they've said that as it's in the rules of golf. But the point of the rule is to ensure a player can't walk off and then restart later and claim to still be in the comp right? Well that's fair enough, we did follow the rules and accept our punishment of being DQ'd from the comp. He seems to be implying that it's an R&A rule that you MUST stay on the course!

 

[palindromicbob]

I've thought about this a little more, looking back at the original email they sent and they stated that they request players do not walk off the course mid round, but then in his reply to my email he tries to claim they've said that as it's in the rules of golf. But the point of the rule is to ensure a player can't walk off and then restart later and claim to still be in the comp right? Well that's fair enough, we did follow the rules and accept our punishment of being DQ'd from the comp. He seems to be implying that it's an R&A rule that you MUST stay on the course!

As you say there is a penalty if you do decide to discontinue play for a reason that is not accepted by the committee. You could also point out that they are stating the club are the only ones that can close the course but the committee have the power to suspend play!

If they are so duty bound to follow the rules set down by the R&A then simply point them towards rule 33-2 d. I'd also like to point out the part in bold italics. You were accepting the penalty for discontinuing play for reasons the committee did not agree with, but because they subsequently cancelled the round you are not actually penalized.

Course Unplayable If the Committee or its authorised representative considers that for any reason the course is not in a playable condition or that there are circumstances that render the proper playing of the game impossible, it may, in match play or stroke play, order a temporary suspension of play or, in stroke play, declare play null and void and cancel all scores for the round in question. When a round is cancelled, all penalties incurred in that round are cancelled.
(Procedure in discontinuing and resuming play – see Rule 6-8)

So the statement that only the club have authority is factually incorrect according to the rules of golf.

 

[Foxholer]

Cop-out!

Agree it's a Rule - You knew it was! And the consequence was? The DQ you were prepared to accept!

If they were merely pointing out the Rule, why did they not point that out in the original email, rather than merely 'respectfully suggest'-ing not walking off? And why only to the 4 of you (if that's all). Do they do the same for every Rule? Or those that could result in DQ (which is every one really)? They are contradicting themselves and digging holes for themselves - a further symptom of Committee-itis!

But the choice of whether to continue the dialog is up to you. I would - at least another round!

Opinion as to whether treat the condition/symptoms of Committee-itis, or merely accept it and ignore them (both the symptoms and the causes) is divided! I'm an advocate of some sort of (further) treatment, but intense treatment can cause as much grief as the condition itself - and there can be some nasty side-effects!

PS. Well done PalindromBob. Another inconsistency!

 

[Slab]

Also a little dismayed that your committee operates without thanks or reward

So no one ever thanks the committee during a prize giving, shocking!

And no one on the committee receives any reward whatsoever be it a priority on tee booking or a car park space or an extra guest, not even complimentary tea & biscuits during a comp day, nothing, nada, zip Disgusting!

The membership really needs to take a look at themselves

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Received this email from the committee yesterday. I believe it was a blanket email sent to those who walked off.

All,

The committee would like to remind all members who play in competitions of the protocol that must be followed at all times.

If you need to withdraw from a competition after the draw has been published you must ring the pro shop and request a cancellation number. Please be aware that members who withdraw from a competition less than 24 hours prior to the start on 2 occasions in a 3 month period will be subject to disciplinary procedures

In addition, whilst the weather last Sunday may have been extreme and some would argue that the course should not have been opened in the first place, the decision on whether the course is open rests with the Club. It is NOT the responsibility of any committee member to close the course for any reason. Given the competition on Sunday did go ahead, the committee would respectfully request that players do not walk off the course in the middle of any competition until such time as the course is officially closed or play formally suspended by a member of the club staff.

Kind regards,

The Committee

What a bunch of jokers. I still fail to see how, if all 4 players in the group make the decision to walk in how that affects anyone else. I can understand the need to put deterrents in to prevent players signing up for comps and then simply not playing seeing as a comp is often restricted in the number of people who can play, but considering this was the 3rd round of our winter comp and the pairs who did call it a day would be DQF and the conditions were rather extremem, I don't see what business it is of "the committee" to essentially force people to stay out on the course.

Myself and a group of others will be respectfully telling "the committee" to go do one quite frankly.

I would - a load of pompous nonsense

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would still be tempted to go back and suggest you walked off in the interest of health and safety and felt conditions were too wet and dangerous for you to feel comfortable playing in them. Argue that they later closed the course would vindicate it was unplayable and therefore dangerous by default and that it is a recreational activity and not your livelihood and you will not risk injuring yourself and being unable to work as a consequence

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I haven't walked off many times over the years - maybe only a handful. But me and a mate did once walk off half way through a medal as it had taken us as a 2-ball 2hrs50mins for nine holes and we couldn't stand it. Better things to do with our lives. Can't see that it made any difference to anyone. But I get why regular 'walk-offs' are unacceptable. Medal weekends you get folk who aren't that bothered about playing in the medal but want to play - and so take a medal tee-time. If it's a bit slow or weather turns a bit and they walk in then another group has lost opportunity to play - and that is when walking in is unacceptable. But difficult to police on an individual basis so best to just remind folk that walking in without significant justification during a comp is unacceptable.

That said threats and possible sanctions are OTT in my view unless it is becoming a regular occurrence at the club.

 

[delc]

I would still be tempted to go back and suggest you walked off in the interest of health and safety and felt conditions were too wet and dangerous for you to feel comfortable playing in them. Argue that they later closed the course would vindicate it was unplayable and therefore dangerous by default and that it is a recreational activity and not your livelihood and you will not risk injuring yourself and being unable to work as a consequence

As an ex club competition secretary, I should point out that walking off the course during a competition without a very good reason (such as illness, injury or dangerous weather conditions such as lightning) is considered bad form, because it may leave another player without a marker, and is also considered to be disrespectful to your fellow competitors. Many clubs do have sanctions for doing so and would probably issue a warning letter as a matter of course, but would be prepared to consider any mitigating circumstances if submitted verbally or in writing to a committee member.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As an ex club competition secretary, I should point out that walking off the course during a competition without a very good reason (such as illness, injury or dangerous weather conditions such as lightning) is considered bad form, because it may leave another player without a marker, and is also considered to be disrespectful to your fellow competitors. Many clubs do have sanctions for doing so and would probably issue a warning letter, but would be prepared to consider any mitigating circumstances if submitted verbally or in writing to a committee member.

Did you not read the thread!!!! The consensus was they all wanted to walk in and had the guy playing well decided to carry on the OP had already said they were prepared to stay out. I would say flooded walking areas and slippery conditions were as dangerous as lightning and anyone not feeling safe and comfortable playing in the conditions are entitled to walk off. As they closed the course later on would suggest there was good cause. It's only a game and I wouldn't risk losing money or facing sanctions for my sick history if I was to slip and injure myself in such treacherous conditions. Should one the four ball done exactly that, slipped and hurt themselves and sued, with the club deciding to shut the course later would your club have felt comfy with their defence that they had to stay out as its bad form to walk off in a comp?

 

[delc]

Did you not read the thread!!!! The consensus was they all wanted to walk in and had the guy playing well decided to carry on the OP had already said they were prepared to stay out. I would say flooded walking areas and slippery conditions were as dangerous as lightning and anyone not feeling safe and comfortable playing in the conditions are entitled to walk off. As they closed the course later on would suggest there was good cause. It's only a game and I wouldn't risk losing money or facing sanctions for my sick history if I was to slip and injure myself in such treacherous conditions. Should one the four ball done exactly that, slipped and hurt themselves and sued, with the club deciding to shut the course later would your club have felt comfy with their defence that they had to stay out as its bad form to walk off in a comp?

Generally speaking, being cold and wet, or having a bad round, is not a good enough excuse for walking off. As I said before, if the players felt that the course was unplayable or dangerous, they should have taken it up with the club committee rather than whinging about it on here! :mmm:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Generally speaking, being cold and wet, or having a bad round, is not a good enough excuse for walking off. As I said before, if the players felt that the course was unplayable or dangerous, they should have taken it up with the club committee rather than whinging about it on here! :mmm:

I would suggest you have a sneaky read of the rest of the thread :thup:

 

[delc]

I would suggest you have a sneaky read of the rest of the thread :thup:

I had already, and nobody seemed to look at it from the committees' point of view. Players not turning up for drawn competitions without any notice, or walking off the course for no particularly good reason, can cause all sorts of problems. If the OP is not happy with his committee, I would suggest that he stands for election at the next AGM, but I will warn him that it is not an easy job! :mmm:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

He walked off for a very good reason :thup: