3 MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS

3.1 ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

3.1.1. Able to comply with the conditions for each Matchplay Competition as listed on the entry form on the notice board.

3.1.2. Only Members of Elmwood Golfing Society with CONGU handicaps who meet the qualifications below may enter.

3.1.3. The Gents Singles and Gents Pairs are open to: Gents and Junior Boys with handicaps of 28 or less.

3.1.4. The Ladies Singles and Ladies Pairs are open to Ladies and Junior Girls with handicaps of 36 or less

3.1.5. Players must be willing and able to play at weekends.

3.2. HOW TO ENTER & FEES PAYABLE

3.2.1. Entry to all matchplay competitions will be by entering your full name on the entry sheet, completing an envelope, endorsed with the competition name, the competitors’ name(s) and enclosing the appropriate fee, and then posted in the competition box.

3.2.2. It is recommended that players write their contact telephone number beside their name(s) on the draw sheet so that players may contact one another to arrange their matches.

3.2.3. Players shall choose their own partners for pairs competitions unless otherwise stated in the entry conditions.

3.2.4. Only those competitors who have paid their entry fees will be included in the draw for that competition.

3.3. COMPETITION DRAWS

3.3.1. The draw for each competition will be made in the clubhouse on a date published in advance and will be by lot.

3.3.2. There will be no seeding other than in the knockout stages of the Club Championship (Scratch and Handicap). Seedings will be drawn in accordance with Appendix 1, Rules of Golf.

3.3.3. Draw Sheets will be posted on the Club Notice Board within five days of each draw.

3.4. ARRANGING MATCH DATES

3.4.1. The responsibility for arranging any match lies equally with all players.

3.4.2. The player making contact must offer their opponents three separate dates, two of which must be on separate weekends, before the closing date of the round being played.

3.4.3. If a time and date to play a match is agreed then non-appearance by one side will allow the other side to claim the match.

3.4.4. When the time and date has been agreed it may only be altered with the mutual agreement of both sides.

3.4.5. The result of a match must be entered on the draw sheet immediately after completion of the match. Failure may result in BOTH players/teams being withdrawn from the competition.

3.4.6. The closing date for each round will be stated on the draw sheet and will not be varied unless permitted by the Handicap Committee.

3.5. SUBSTITUTES IN PAIRS COMPETITIONS

3.5.1. A player in a pairs match may be substituted for another player after the draw but not after the side has played its first match in the competition. The substitute must not have been in the original draw for the competition and must meet the necessary competition qualifications listed above.

3.5.2. Once a substitution in a pairs match has taken place, the original player substituted, may take no further part in the competition.

3.5.3. In a pairs match, if one player of a side is not present at the appointed time, the match will start without that player. Should the absent player arrive after the start of the match, the player may join the match at the playing of the next hole. In a greensomes/foursome match play, the side whose player was late arriving will lose each hole until their fellow competitor arrives. In a four ball better ball format, a single player is permitted to commence the match play and compete for the hole.

3.5.4. Strokes received will be based on the lowest Handicapped player whether present or not.

3.6. FORMAT OF COMPETITIONS & HANDICAPS APPLICABLE

3.6.1. Singles – Match Play - Handicap allowance: The player with the lower handicap plays off Scratch. The other player receives strokes based on the full difference between their handicaps.

3.6.2. Pairs – Match Play - Four-ball better ball - Handicap allowance: The player with the lowest handicap plays off scratch. The other players receive strokes based on 3/4 of the difference between his/her handicap and that of the player with the lowest handicap. Note: If the player with the lowest handicap is not present for the match, strokes received are still based on his/her handicap.

3.6.3. Pairs – Match Play – Foursomes - Handicap allowance: The side with the lower aggregate handicap plays off scratch. The other side receives strokes based on ½ the full difference between the aggregate handicaps of the two sides.

3.6.4. In all competitions, strokes received will be taken according to the Stroke Index.
 
3.6.5. Players will play each match to their current handicap.
 
3.6.6. MIXED competition denotes gents and ladies unless otherwise stated on the competition entry sheet.

3.7. MATCH RULES

3.7.1. All gents/junior boys will play off the white tees. All ladies/junior girls will play of the red tees.

3.7.2. In the mixed pairs summer matchplay matches, the ladies will tee off on the odd holes and gents will tee off on the even holes. Failure to comply will lead to disqualification (Rule 10-1a)

3.7.3. A player in a singles match failing to arrive at the arranged time for a match will lose the first hole and if more than 8 minutes late will be disqualified.

3.7.4. The honour on the first tee will be in order of the draw i.e.: top drawn player tees off on first hole of match (Rule 10-1a)

3.7.5. Caddies may only be used in the final round.

3.7.6. The Committee may appoint a Referee for each final match.

3.7.7. In the event of a match being all square after 18 holes, extra holes will be played under the same handicap allowances until a hole is won (sudden death). Where play of the match commenced at the first hole, the first extra hole will be the first. If play commenced at any other hole, say the 10th, then the first extra hole will be the 10th.

3.7.8. Where play during a match was, by mutual agreement, suspended (e.g. illness, injury, prevailing weather conditions, darkness) the match shall resume at the point on the course where play was suspended. If play was suspended on completion of say the 7th hole, then play would resume on the 8th tee. If play had been suspended during play of the 7th hole, play would resume at that exact point.

3.7.9. In the event of a match being suspended, the match will only resume when mutual agreement has been reached on the day and time.

3.7.10. Where mutual agreement cannot be established the Handicap Committee will set a date and time by which the match must be completed.

3.7.11. The normal Rules of Golf will apply. Any disputes will be referred to the Committee.