Balmoral Ladies Branch Terms and Conditions of Competitions 2022-2023.

Eligibility

• All lady members and juvenile girls with a Handicap Index are eligible to play in all weekly competitions.
• Lady Captain’s Day –Five 18-hole qualifying competition cards from Sunday 22nd August 2021 until Friday before Lady Captain’s Day must be returned to qualify for Lady Captain’s Prizes. (2 x 9-hole cards are equivalent to one 18-hole card)
• There will be a nine hole competition on Lady Captain’s day and you must have Five 9- hole qualifying competition cards from Sunday 22nd August 2021 until Friday before Lady Captain’s Day to be eligible for the 9 hole prize.
• Members must have been a member of Balmoral Golf Club for 12 months prior to Lady Captain’s Day to qualify for Lady Captain’s Prizes, but all are encouraged to play.
• Club Matchplay competitions – there are handicap limits for most of these competitions and notice should be taken of these.
• Procedure for Entry to Competition
  • Book tee-times online or in the pro shop.
  • Ladies Competitions should normally be played as two/three balls.
  • Competitors should only play as a four ball in the following circumstances e.g.,- fourball better ball, foursomes or greensomes competitions,
    – in a joint competition (Charity Day),- or if the lack of light does not permit time for 2 two balls to get round.
  • Decide which competition you wish to play – 18 holes or 9 holes.
  • Two players in the 18-hole competition may play with one 9-hole player if necessary, but two 9-hole players should not join an 18 Hole player, unless one is willing to mark the 18 Hole card.
  • Competitors MUST enter all competitions run by the Ladies Branch in the pro shop. Ensure your name is entered in the competition book and pay the appropriate entry fee.
  • The following information must be on your card.
  • Your Name; Title of Competition; Date; Handicap Index (HI), Course Handicap (CH).Playing Handicap (PH) should also be included.
  • Please note Handicap Indices are updated daily. It is YOUR responsibility to ensurethat handicap information is correctly recorded on your score card.
  • Entry in the “Two’s” will be included in the entry fee for 18-hole competitions, there will be NO Two’s in the 9 Hole Competitions.
  • 18-Hole Alternate Day competitions are provided on the Sunday, if possible, prior to the main Tuesday competition.
  • A player may play in either competition but NOT in both.
  • If a player plays the Alternate Day they may not play again in Tuesday’s competition (9H or 18H)
  • If the competition is a draw, the tee-times and partners will be posted on the Fri-day/Saturday before the competition. For other competitions, a player should find her own marker.
  • If a player has to pull out of a competition please ensure name is removed from BRS so that the slot can be filled by another if needed.
  • The usual procedure for entry to the competition via the pro shop MUST be fulfilled.
  • World Handicapping Rules
  • Before each round, you must check your HI and calculate your CH and PH. Work out your maximum score at each hole. Once you’ve reached your maximum score you should pick up and record the maximum score for that hole (i.e. the score which will give you 0 stableford points). Handicap index adjustment is based on the Course Handicap. The Playing Handicap is used for Competition purposes.

Non-Returns are no longer acceptable under World Handicapping System and may result in a penalty. (R&A Rules/Handicapping/Committee Actions 7.1b)

Return of Scores / Cards

• Player’s name, Date • Competition name
• Handicap Index,
• Course Handicap / Playing Handicap

• Marker’s signature, • Player’s signature.

Failure to include ALL of the above information will result in disqualification.

• Cards must be marked and signed by another member.
• A marker does NOT have to be another lady member, but every effort should be madeto play with another lady member. If not possible, someone with knowledge of the rules of golf may mark the card.
• As in previous years, players should also record their own score on the card they aremarking
• At the end of the round, the marker must verify scores with the player and sign the card.
• The player must also sign the card.
• An incorrect Handicap may result in disqualification (Ref Rule 3.3b)
• An incorrect score may result in disqualification. (Ref Rule 3.3b)
• Enter your own score in computer, if available, or on the BRS App; it will total the netscore or allocate points if stableford. This must be done before leaving the course.Return of Cards

• Cards must be returned to Match and Handicap Box in Ladies locker room after scores have been uploaded and BEFORE leaving the course.
• Reasons why scores may be disqualified are available in the Guidance on the WHS Rules of Handicapping as applied within GB&I (Version 1.3; App. J. www.congu.co.uk
• Report any score queries to M&H Committee by email and mark on card, before close of competition (balmoralhandicapcommittee@gmail.com).

Draws for 9- and 18-Hole Competitions

• If you are not entered in the draw you cannot play in the competition.

• Draws will be on a Tuesday/Sunday and the tee-times for these will be arranged by the Ladies Committee. These competitions are indicated on the Fixture List.

• Enter your name in the appropriate ‘draw book’ (9H or 18H) in the locker room indi- cating AM, Midday or PM time slot, before 18.00 on the Friday prior to the Tues/Sun competition.
• Draws will be carried out that evening and tee-times will be posted on BRS Timesheet on Saturday.
• If the allotted time slot is unsuitable, it may be changed with the agreement of your playing partner/s.
• If withdrawing from a draw, it is ESSENTIAL that the member contacts her playing partner/s AND a member of Committee in charge of the Draw ASAP. (Names of Com- mittee members in charge will be at the top of the draw sheet
• Playing partners may NOT be changed. If playing partners have pulled out & a player does not have a marker, contact a member of committee as outlined above.
• In exceptional circumstances, if a player in the draw has been left without a marker and it is impossible to contact, committee member in charge, they may request to join the following group or to split it up, if necessary. The committee member in charge MUST be made aware as soon as possible after the round has been completed.
• To obtain a dispensation i.e. permission to play in the competition after the draw has been made contact the Hon Sec, Hon Treasurer or M&H Convenor only indicating pre- ferred timeslot. Each member will be permitted 2 dispensations in one season.
• Members are not permitted to join groups already allocated in the draw without per- mission of M&H Committee.
• Members playing in the 9-hole draw will not normally be joined with an 18 Hole pairing & vice versa.

Closure of Competitions

• Under WHS Rules, handicaps will be updated on the day of return of score, whether or not the competition has been closed.
• All competitions will be closed as soon as possible after the last players have returned their cards.
• Main day and Alternate day 18 Hole competitions will be amalgamated, and results published after the main day competition has been closed.
• The results of both 9-hole competitions will be amalgamated and results published on the Friday. The player with the best score over the week will win the Weekly 9-hole prize.
• In the event of a tie, the winner/s will be decided on a “count-back,” based on the scores for the last nine holes, last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole (or 9th hole for 9-hole competitions).
• The results of the competitions will be forwarded to the Ladies Hon Sec for distribu-tion by email.
• Course Closure

• If the course has been closed on the day of the competition before any member has started, the competition is abandoned.
• If only one or two players complete the round in a Medal competition this must count for the Medal Competition, but the Medal Competition will be re-scheduled to accommodate other players. If the Main Day is cancelled and cannot be re-arranged, the player in each Division with the best Net Score on the Alternate Day, is the winner of that Medal Competition. Similarly, if the Alternate Day is cancelled, the Main Day results stand.
• If the course is closed during a competition and less than 10 people have completed their round, the competition is abandoned (unless it is a Medal competition) and their entry fees will be refunded/held over for the next competition.
• If more than 10 people have completed their rounds, the competition will revert to an 18-hole competition; any Order of Merit competitions will be rescheduled.
• If any players have completed their round, (under acceptable scoring conditions) those scores will be acceptable for handicapping purposes. Incomplete rounds will not be acceptable scores and should not be entered into the computer.•
• Minimum Number of Competitors for Prizes to be awarded

• 18H singles

10+ competitors for 1 prize 20+ for 3 prizes
(For 20+ competitors there will be an overall winner & divisions winners/to be reviewed through the season)

• 18H Foursomes/Greensomes

10+ pairs for 1 prize 20+ pairs for 2 prizes

• Team events

5+ teams for 1 prize 10+ teams for 2 prizes

• 9H singles

10+ competitors for 1 prize 20+ for 2 prizes

(A player may enter 9H competition both days – better score taken)

Competition Formats

Stroke Play

• The total number of shots taken must be counted (gross score) and the Playing Handicap of the player subtracted from that total.
  e.g. Playing Handicap of 40
• Gross score 120 Subtract 40 Net score 80.
• The winner is the player with the lowest net score.
• In stroke (medal) competitions a score must be recorded for each hole of the round.
• The committee has introduced a maximum score in Stroke play competitions.(Rule 21.2)
• A player may pick up the ball or not hole out. If they do this, they will receive amaximum score for that hole.
• Maximum Score on: Par 5 – 11 shots / Par 4 – 10 shots / Par 3 – 9 shots
• Stableford

• Most, but not all, 18 Hole competitions in the fixture list are stableford.
• All of the 9 Hole competitions are stableford.
• For each hole there will be an adjusted par for your Playing Handicap.
• This adjusted par depends on the stroke index (S.I.) of each hole.

e.g.,

Par 4. S.I. 12     –    par for P H 40 is 6.

Par 4. S.I. 2     –       par for P H 40 is 7

Par 4. S.I. 12     –     par for P H 20 is 5

Par 4. S.I. 2      –      par for P H 20 is 6.

• Stableford points are awarded in the following way:

• The ball should be picked up when no points will be scored, and play resumed on thenext hole.
• All the points scored for the 9H or 18H competitions are totalled and the winner is the person with the highest total number of points.

Match Play

• A match consists of one player/pair/team playing against another over a stipulated round, usually 18 holes but may be 9/36 holes.
• In match play each hole will be won by one side, lost or tied (halved).
• A hole is won by the player: who completes the hole in the fewest (net) strokes,whose opponent concedes the hole, or whose opponent receives the general penalty.
• The match is won, when a player/side lead the opponent/s by more holes than remainto be played.
• If a match is tied after the final hole, the match is extended one hole at a time untilthere is a winner. It is played over the same course with the same shots allowed on the same holes.Singles Matchplay• The playing handicap (PH) is 100% of the course handicap (CH).
  • e.g. Player A Playing handicap 28 vs Player B Playing Handicap 36 Handicap difference is 8 shots
  Player A gives Player B 1 shot on the holes with S.I.1-8 (incl).Four Ball Better Ball Matchplay

• A team of two players, each playing their own ball vs another team of two players.
• The playing handicap is 90% of the course handicap. Shots for the three other playersare then taken from the player with the lowest Playing Handicap.Other Forms of CompetitionFour Ball Better Ball Stableford
  • A team of two players, each playing their own ball.
  • The Playing Handicap is 85% of the Course handicap.
  • The lower score for each team (adjusted for handicap) is the score for that hole. • The score should be recorded in the correct column (for that player).Foursomes
  • A team of two players playing the same ball.
  • One player must drive on the even holes and the other on the odd holes.
  • After the drive, they must play alternate shots until the ball is holed.
  • The Playing Handicap for the team is 50% of the combined team Course Handicaps.
  • This format may also be played as match play (same handicap allowance as above).Greensomes

• A team of two players playing the same ball.
• Both players drive at each hole and the better drive is chosen by the partners. Alternate shots are, then, played from there until the ball is holed. Player B must hit Player A’s drive and vice versa.
• The handicap allowance is 60% of the Lower Course handicap plus 40% of the Higher Course handicap.
• This format may also be played as match playThe shot allowance is the difference between the Greensomes handicaps.

Team of Three

• A team of three players.
• The Playing Handicap is 80% of the Course handicap for each player.
• Stableford competition.
• Best two scores at each hole but all three scores at the Par 3’s.
• Gross scores as well as stableford points MUST be recorded at each hole in correct column.
• Waltz

• Team of three players.
• The Playing Handicap is 90% of the Course handicap for each player.
• Stableford Competition
• 1st Hole – best score to count / 2nd hole – 2 best scores to count /3rd Hole – all three scores to count… the 123… 123…
• Individual handicaps, gross scores and stableford points to be recorded for each hole in correct column.Scramble

• 2 Ball Scramble – 20% of the combined Course handicaps
• 3 Ball Scramble – 15% of the combined Course handicaps
• 4 Ball Scramble -10% of the combined Course handicaps
• Each player drives: one drive selected; this is the ball in play. Others pick up
• Player, whose ball is selected marks the ball to one side and plays the ball as it lies.
• On the fairway- others place their balls within 6 inches not nearer the hole.
• In the rough – others drop their balls within one club length not nearer the hole.
• On the green – player whose ball is chosen marks one putter-head from the ball and takes their putt. Other players place their balls and putt in turn.
• No putting out unless stipulated by committee.
• The team score is the number of shots taken to get in the hole, i.e. 3/4 chances foreach shot.
• The committee may stipulate how many times each player must drive; if so, this should be noted on the score card.

Procedure for Entry to Club Matchplay Competitions

• There are 6 club matchplay competitions.
• There is an entry fee of £3 and an open draw for Seekers Shield and Rosebowl. • Members must qualify to enter the following matchplay competitions:

Breakie Cup, Brown Trophy, Paddy Cup and Club Foursomes.

Handicap limits:

Rosebowl

18-hole Matchplay Competition using the Red 18 Hole Tees
open to all handicaps but higher handicaps must play off a Handicap Index of 33.8 or less, (giving a Course Handicap of 36).

Seekers

9 Hole Matchplay competition using the Red 9 Hole Tees with the Final Round ONLY played over 18 Holes.

open to Handicap Indices of 33.3 and higher .

Breakie Cup

8 to qualify from stroke competition but must play off a Handicap Index of 33.8 or less, (giving a Course Handicap of 36).

Brown Trophy

4 to qualify from two divisions of a stroke competition

Division 1 Handicap Index 24.5 or less; Division 2 >24.6.
must play (in matchplay) off a Handicap Index of 33.8 or less, (giving a Course Handicap of 36).

Paddy Cup

but high handicap must play off a Handicap Index of 33.8 or less,

(giving a Course Handicap of 36).

Club Foursomes

8 pairs to qualify but high handicap must play off Handicap Index of 33.8 or less, (giving a Course Handicap of 36).

• Entry fees must be paid before first match is played.
• Both players are responsible for arranging the match (not just the top of the draw).
• All matches must be completed, and the WINNER should email the result to the M&HCommittee as soon as possible and, at the latest, by 22:00 hrs on the last day of theround. Failure to comply will result in the match being null and void.
• If possible, the result should also be posted on draw sheet.
• If a match has not been arranged before the last date all players must report to thefirst tee at 18:00 hrs on the last day.
• It is against the Rules of Golf to combine matchplay with any other competition.
• Current handicap indices apply for each round.
• N.B. Handicap Allowances for Matchplay Competitions are different from those forStroke/Stableford Competitions
• The handicap allowance is applied to the Course Handicap to calculate the Playing Handicap (See Rules 6.1 & 6.2):

Singles – full handicap allowance
Foursomes – 50% of combined team handicaps
Four Ball Better Ball -90% of the course handicap gives the playing handicap for each player, shots are then taken from the player with the lowest playing handicap.

Paddy Martin Order of Merit (OM) and 9 Hole Order of Merit (OM9)

• Sixteen 18-Hole competitions (designated OM on fixture list) and nine of the 9 Hole competitions (OM9) qualify for the respective Orders of Merit.
• For the Paddy Martin OM, points will be allocated for the first 12 players as follows;
• 15 points for 1st
  12 points for 2nd
  10 points for 3rd
  8 points for 4th
  6 points for 5th
  then descending by 1 point each time with the 10th player receiving 1 point.
• For the 9 Hole OM9, points will be allocated for the first 4 players as follows;
• 10 points for 1st
• 7 points for 2nd
• 5 points for 3rd
• 4 points for 4th
• After each OM and OM9 competition, the points will be updated, and the results posted on the noticeboard in the ladies’ locker room (if possible).
• Margaret Hobson Trophy

• The Margaret Hobson Trophy was donated by Mrs. Valerie Beers and her father James, in memory of her mother, who was a long-standing prominent member and Past Lady Captain of the Balmoral Ladies Branch.
• There are 9 competitions which qualify for this trophy indicated by MH on the fixture list
• The points are awarded for this trophy as follows;
• 12 points for 1st
  10 points for 2nd
  8 points for 3rd
  7 points for 4th
  then descending by 1 point each time with the 10th player receiving 1 point.
• The presentation of this Trophy will take place on the evening of the Frazer Shield.

Golf Ireland Silver and Bronze Medal Competitions

• These medals are awarded by Golf Ireland (GI) annually to each affiliated club. All GI Medal Competitions are Qualifying Competitions for handicap purposes.
• In Balmoral Ladies Branch, the Committee runs Medal/stroke play competitions for the Silver Medal (HI up to & including 20.0) and Bronze Medal (HI 20.1 & higher) Any, or all, of these competitions may be played in conjunction with a club stroke play com- petition, as authorised by the Committee for the period commencing 1st January and ending on the 31st December in the same year.Clubs are permitted to use maximum score form of stroke play in their Medal Competitions Rule 21.2.
• Terms of Entry
• On the day of a Golf Ireland (GI) Medal Competition a player must register her intention to compete by ensuring that her entry has been inserted in the competition entry list, manually or by computer as required by the Committee in the Terms of Competition.
• Minimum number of entries: Should only one player enter the competition her score must be recorded and count for GI Medal purposes.
• There shall be no compulsory draw or additional entry fee for players competing in the GI Medal Competitions. The Committee may make its own terms regarding draws, starting times and entry fees for any competitions played in conjunction with the GI Medal Competition.
• Alternate Day
  For those members who cannot play on the main Medal Day, the Committee has arranged an Alternate Day for all or some of the GI Medal Competitions, complying with the Rules of Golf. It usually takes place the Sunday before the main Medal day. Under no circumstances may any player compete twice in the same GI Medal Competition.
• The winners will be those who return the lowest aggregate of three Net Scores in GI Medal Competitions from 1st March to 31st July.
• For the Silver Medal all counting scores must be returned whilst the player has a Hand- icap Index of 20.0 or under and, for the Bronze, whilst she has a Handicap Index of 20.1 or above.
• The winning of a Silver Medal supersedes the winning of a Bronze Medal in any club in the same year.
• If two or more competitors tie, the winner shall be decided on the Net Score of the last 9, 6, 3 or 1 hole(s) of all 3 cards added together. If still a tie, play off in accord- ance with Section E of the General Regulations
• The medal winners (only) are eligible to play in National Finals. If this is not possible then a club will not be represented. The venue and dates for the GI Medal finals will be posted on the M&H Noticeboard

Summer Eclectic Tournament

• The Eclectic or Ringer tournament allows each player to improve on their initial 18 stroke score by substituting a better score each time they play in a subsequent competition throughout the season.
• Anyone entering the eclectic will have to update the sheet on notice board. Instruc- tions will be provided.
• There is a fee £3 to enter this competition and, this MUST be paid before the first stroke competition. Late entries cannot be accepted because of the nature of the competition.
• There will be a prize for the best GROSS Eclectic score and the best NET eclectic score at the end of the season.
• Birdie Tree

• This competition allocates points for each birdie or better, which the entrant achieves, throughout the season.
• 5 points for a birdie (1 under par)
  10 points for an eagle (2 under par)
  15 points for an albatross (3 under par)
• The entry fee is £2
• The winner is the person with the greatest number of points at the end of the season.
• All birdies are displayed on the Birdie Tree in the Ladies’ Locker Room.Both these competitions start with the Breakie Cup competition and conclude with the Silver Salver competition