Competitions Rules – Disqualification when score card is unsigned
 
Over the last few months we have had a number of issues around members being disqualified from the competition for not signing their score card. The basis for why disqualification occurs, the treatment for handicapping purposes and our process behind disqualification for this error is outlined below:
 
Rules:
 
The relevant Rules and Decisions are outlined below. For full details refer to the Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf books.
 

• Rule 6-6b: The player must ensure their marker has signed the card and then sign the card themselves.
• Rule 6-6c: Alterations to the card are not allowed once the card has been returned.
• Decision 6-6c/1: Defines when a card is considered to be returned.

 
Handicapping:
 
We handicap these cards as per the guidelines contained in the “GA Handicap System” booklet available from the Golf Australia website.
 
As per Section 10 (iv) Golf Australia recommend the score should still be counted for handicap purposes. As such the score will count as per normal, with the only variation being that the online golflink score will be shown with a red box around it, which represents being “disqualified with a score”.
 
Our process:
 

• Any player not signing their scorecard will be disqualified (Rule 6-6b).
• Alterations to the card are not allowed once it has been returned (Rule 6-6c).
• A card is considered returned as soon as it is placed in the box (Decision 6-6c/1).
• Any player being disqualified under these Rules and Decisions will be ineligible to win any competition prize with that score.

 
Although Decision 6-6c/1 does have an option which states that if a player remains within the scoring area they can make alterations to the card we use the second option within this decision which does not provide this ability to the player as we feel this is the fairest option for all players.

Generally unsigned cards are not found until the cards are sorted at the end of the day and as such anyone who plays later in the day and may still be in the clubroom when the error is found should not be able to alter their card after play as anyone who plays earlier in the day, and is not in the clubroom when cards are being checked, is not afforded this luxury.
 
Match Committee
Echunga Golf Club 

A new culvert near the first green which is has been cut underneath Dolman Road by the council has resulted in the need for the club to place a new drain for this water down the side of the fence line on the 15th hole. Members would have seen this new drain over the last few months, which in the interim period has been marked as ground under repair.

After considering the various options the match committee have decided to move the out of bounds fence in slightly so that the new drain is OUT OF BOUNDS. This will be marked by white posts and a white string line, matching most other out of bounds fences on the course. There is also out of bounds signage at this area. A diagram of the new markings is provided below.

The match committee made this decision based on trying to ensure the simplest and clearest solution is found. If the area is left as a drain relief would often need to be taken between the old out of bounds fence and the new drain by a right handed golfer, making this very awkward for the player. Whilst marking this area as out of bounds will slightly narrow the hole the match committee believes that the area lost is both (a) minor and (b) sufficiently off the playing line to have minimal impact on anything but a poor tee shot.

However as this area is now marked as out of bounds players are asked that should their ball be heading into this area they should hit a provisional ball off the tee if they are all unsure if their ball is in bounds or not.

Whilst the course has been holding up very well to the cold and inclement weather the match committee has decided to implement a temporary local rule for mud. This rule has been altered from previous years and is as follows:

Mud Rule (as at 26/6/16):

Any ball lying on through the green, with mud adhering to it, may be lifted, cleaned and placed within one card length, without penalty.
 
Process: The player must state to their marker that they intend to use the mud rule. The marker should, where possible, observe the player mark the location of the ball, clean it and replace it on the same spot. Once done so the ball is in play and cannot be lifted again.

Unfortunately due to the recent rains the general committee in line with recommendations from our ground staff have had to decide that carts are no longer to be used on the course by green fee players or members until further notice.

The latest details will be continually updated on the website.