Introduction

1. Entries & Fees
   
   1. Players shall choose their own partners for pairs competitions.
   2. Only those competitors who enter on or before the closing date specified shall be included in the draw for each competition.
   
   Entry fees must be paid on or before the closing date for entries. Instructions for the payment of entry fees shall be posted on the notice board and/or on the relevant entry form(s). Entries for which the fees have not been paid will be excluded from the draw.
   
   

2. Draws
   1. Draws shall be made by lot.
   2. Draw Sheets shall be posted on the Club Notice Board within seven days of each draw.
   3. Competitions with an entry in excess of 64 require 7 rounds. Each round will therefore coincide with calendar months e.g. Round 1 in April, Round 2 in May etc., up to and including the semi-final round.
   

3. Arranging Matches
   The responsibilities detailed below are complicated by the fact that tee times may only be reserved up to a maximum of 8 days in advance. The player responsible for making the offer of 3 dates to his opponent shall ensure that, at most, only one of those dates is within 8 days of the offer. The player responsible for selecting and booking the tee time must notify the opposition of his choice within the stipulated timeframe whether or not he has actually made the booking. If it has not been possible to make the booking at that point in time, he must inform his opponent accordingly and when the booking is subsequently made, he has flexibility of 30 minutes either side of the notified time, and must notify his opponent of the actual booked time at the earliest opportunity.
   
   To simply read through the following 3 sections (3a, b & c) and understand it straight off is a challenge. It is recommended that you look at the diagram and summary first on the KO Rules Summary page to understand the principles, and then refer back to this page for the detail.
   
   The following is worded as for a Singles Match but applies equally to Pairs Matches.
   
   1. Responsibilities of the TOP named player or pair in the tie:
      • Arrangement of the Match on a mutually agreeable date on or prior to the closing date for the round.
      • Where a mutual date and time cannot be readily agreed or arranged, the TOP named player shall, not later than 10 days after the posting of the Draw Sheet or the closing date for the previous round (period on diagram below), offer the opponent at least three dates for the playing of the match (2 of which shall be on separate weekends). The earliest date and latest date offered shall be at least 16 days apart.
      • Where the TOP named player is unable to contact the BOTTOM named player within the first 10 days (period on diagram), he must inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
      • Having offered 3 dates, in accordance with the 2nd bullet point above, where the TOP named player has not been informed of the tee time by the BOTTOM named player within a further 4 days - see period on diagram, (ie. not later than 14 days after the posting of the Draw Sheet or the closing date for the previous round), he must inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
      • In the event that responsibility for arranging the Match transfers to the BOTTOM named player (see Rule 4b 4th bullet point):
        • On being offered the 3 dates, the TOP named player shall select one of the dates, choose and book the teeing off time, and shall notify the opponent prior to 12 days before the closing date for the round (period on diagram).
        • If the BOTTOM named player fails to meet his deadline of making contact prior to 14 days before the closing date for the round (period on diagram), then the TOP named player must inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
        • If the TOP named player is unable to contact his opponent with this information prior to 12 days before the closing date for the round then he should inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
      • Ensure that published player contact details are correct (see handicap printout on noticeboard)
      • Players have a duty to make themselves aware of the date the Draw is posted and the closing date of rounds. Lack of knowledge of these dates and the consequent Match arrangement deadlines is no defence in a dispute.
      

   2. Responsibilities of the BOTTOM named player or pair in the tie:
      • On being offered dates by the TOP named player, the BOTTOM named player shall select one of the dates offered, choose and book the teeing off time, and shall notify his opponent within 14 days after the posting of the Draw Sheet or the closing date for the previous round (by the end of period on diagram).
      • Where the BOTTOM named player has not been able to contact the TOP named player with tee booking information by the 14 day deadline (period on diagram) he must inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
      • If the BOTTOM named player has not been contacted within 10 days after the posting of the Draw Sheet or the closing date for the previous round, he must inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
      • The BOTTOM named player is under no obligation to make 1st contact unless he is not contactable for the majority of the period within which his opponent must make contact. In this event, the BOTTOM named player must inform the Competition Secretary and his opponent within 5 days of the posting of the Draw or the closing date of the previous round (period on diagram). The BOTTOM named player then becomes responsible for arranging the Match:
        • The BOTTOM named player shall, not later than 14 days prior to the closing date for the round (by the end of period on diagram), offer his opponent at least 3 dates for the playing of the Match (2 of which shall be on separate weekends).
        • If the BOTTOM named player fails to meet this deadline then the TOP named player must inform the Competition Secretary accordingly within 2 further days (period on diagram).
        • If the BOTTOM named player is unable to contact the TOP named player he must inform the Competition Secretary within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
        • If the TOP named player fails to inform the BOTTOM named player of the booked date and tee time by the end of the stipulated timeframe (period on diagram), the BOTTOM named player should notify the Competition Secretary accordingly within a further 2 days (period on diagram).
      • Ensure that published player contact details are correct (see handicap printout on noticeboard)
      • Players have a duty to make themselves aware of the date the Draw is posted and the closing date of rounds. Lack of knowledge of these dates and the consequent Match arrangement deadlines is no defence in a dispute.
      

   3. Responsibilities of the Competition Secretary in a tie dispute:
      • If the published contact details of any player in a tie are incorrect or unclear then that player or pair may be disqualified.
      • Only the Competition Secretary or his appointed deputy has authority to disqualify a player/team and he will update the Draw Sheet accordingly.
      • If both TOP and BOTTOM named players/teams, having failed to make contact with each other, notify the Competition Secretary accordingly within the stipulated timeframes (, , & ) then the Competition Secretary must make every effort to put both sides in contact and get the tie played.
      • If the BOTTOM named player informs the Competition Secretary within the stipulated timeframe (), that he has not been contacted within the stipulated timeframe () and there is no contact from the TOP named player within the stipulated timeframe (), then the TOP named player will be disqualified.
      • If the TOP named player informs the Competition Secretary within the stipulated timeframe (), that he has not been contacted by the BOTTOM named player within the stipulated timeframe () regarding decision on date, time and booking of match, and there is no contact from the BOTTOM named player within the stipulated timeframe (), then the BOTTOM named player will be disqualified.
      • If the BOTTOM named player, having become responsible for arranging the Match ( & ), informs the Competition Secretary within the stipulated timeframe () that he has been unable to contact the TOP named player, and there is no contact from the TOP named player within the stipulated timeframe () then the TOP named player will be disqualified.
      • In the event that the BOTTOM named player has become responsible for arranging the Match ( & ):
        • If the TOP named player informs the Competition Secretary within the stipulated timeframe (), that he has not been contacted within the stipulated timeframe (), and there is no contact from the BOTTOM named player within the stipulated timeframe () then the BOTTOM named player will be disqualified.
        • If the BOTTOM named player informs the Competition Secretary within the stipulated timeframe (), that he has not been informed of the booked date and tee time within the stipulated timeframe (), and there is no contact from the TOP named player within the stipulated timeframe () then the TOP named player will be disqualified.
      • No extensions will be granted (subject to Rule 4e). In situations where, in the view of the Competition Secretary, responsibility for not completing a tie is shared equally then both players will be disqualified. Where the Competition Secretary decides that the balance of responsibility for not completing a tie rests with one player then that player will be disqualified.
      • If no result has been posted on the day after the closing date for that round and no query has been addressed to the Secretary, then both players will be disqualified.
      • Opponents may not agree to decide a tie by lot or by any means other than 18 holes of matchplay golf. If this happens then all players in that tie will be disqualified.

   4. The winner of each match is responsible for entering his name on the Draw Sheet. The winning margin must also be noted on the Draw Sheet. Failure to complete the winning margin will result in disqualification.
   5. If the course is closed at any time for any reason the Competition Secretary and the Committee may at their discretion extend the closing date(s) for any outstanding competition rounds.
   6. Every effort must be made to play the finals of Knockout competitions on the date shown in the diary. In exceptional circumstances the final may be played on a different date only if agreed by the Competition Secretary. The prizes will be presented on Presentation Night.
   7. If a player reaches more than 1 final, the Competition Secretary will decide which final should be played on Finals Day. The date of the other final will be decided by the Competition Secretary in discussion with the two finalists.
   8. If a player becomes aware that he cannot play in a subsequent round, or on Finals Day, he should scratch from the competition immediately.
   

4. Substitutes
   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 qualifications rules.
   2. Once a substitution in a pairs match has taken place, the original player substituted, may take no further part in the competition.
   3. Substitution in a Singles Knockout once the draw has been 'posted' is not permitted
   

5. Format & Handicaps
   1. Men's Singles Match Play: The player with the lower handicap plays off scratch. The other player receives strokes based on the difference between their handicaps in summer competitions and 3/4 difference in winter competitions, unless the individual competition rules state differently.
   2. Men's Match Play Four-Ball (better-ball): The player with the lowest handicap plays off scratch. The other players receive strokes based on 3/4 difference between their handicaps and that of the player with the lowest handicap. If the player with the lowest handicap is not present for the match, strokes received are still based on his/her handicap.
   3. Men's Match Play Foursomes/Greensomes: The side with the lower aggregate handicap plays off scratch. The other side receives strokes based on 3/8 of the full difference between the aggregate handicaps of the two sides.
   4. In all competitions, strokes received shall be taken according to the Stroke Index.
   

6. Match Rules
   1. All matches must start from the 1st tee.
   2. Unless otherwise stated, Matches will be played from the white tees unless they have been removed from the course, in which case yellow tees should be used.
   3. If both players in a team in a pairs match or one player in a foursomes match, arrives late but within 5 minutes of their starting time, they shall lose the first hole. Thereafter they shall be disqualified.
   4. Order of play from the first tee shall be decided by lot.
   5. The normal Rules of Golf shall apply. Any disputes regarding the Rules of Golf shall be referred to an Official Club Referee (match referee or Club Professional/Assistant Professional).
   6. The Committee may appoint a Match Referee for each final match.
   7. In the event of a match being all-square after 18 holes, extra holes shall be played under the same handicap allowances until a hole is won (sudden death). During 'sudden death', if both players agree that it has become too dark to continue, then the match must continue on another day or, if both players agree, decided by lot. This agreement may not be made during the play of an extra hole - only once that hole has been completed and the score remains all-square. If the decision is to continue on another day then the match shall resume at the point on the course where the match was interrupted.
   

7. Disqualification
   1. Any player who is no longer a member (subject to General Competitions Rule 1b) or whose handicap is suspended on the day a match is scheduled to be played, shall be disqualified.
   2. It is the intention that all final rounds shall be played. In the event of a player/side being unable to play in a final round through extended illness or injury or through being disqualified prior to the final or for some other reason, the Committee shall declare the final a walkover.
   

8. Appeals Against Decisions
   1. Any appeals against decisions made by a Referee in respect of the interpretation of the Rules of Golf and any disputes arising in respect of compliance with these Competition Rules shall be referred immediately to the Competition Secretary for resolution.
   2. Any appeals against decisions made by the Competition Secretary shall be made immediately in writing to the Club Secretary for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting. A decision by the Committee shall be final.

SVGC Committee
JG March 2004