The Match Committee, with the support of the General Committee, have decided that this summer we will revert to a one tee system. Whilst this may not suit some members the reasoning for this change is outlined below and as with all changes will be continually monitored to ensure it remains the most appropriate for as many members as possible.

The reason for the movement away from the two tee system is based on two reasons:

1. Over the past few years there has been a steady increase in the number of players entering the regular Saturday competitions. Previous years may have seen up to 150 or 160 for our Club Championship qualifying rounds (traditionally the busiest weeks), that number is now not uncommon on a regular Saturday competition.

2. The current two tee system is inefficient as it does not maximise the number of players on the course. This is due to the contrast between how long the tee is open (6:30 am to 8:00 am - 1.30 hours) to how long the tee is closed (8:00 am to 10:15 am - 2:15 hours).

As a result of the above issues the Match Committee completed an analysis of the available options and has decided to make the following changes:

1. The two tee system will not be implemented for the upcoming summer.
2. A one tee system will be in place with tee times commencing from first light, but no earlier than 6:00 am.

The benefit of these changes comes from being able to maximise the number of playing spots available which is very important given the increase in competition players. This ensures that the maximum number of players are able to use our course as early as possible on a Saturday.

The document attached below shows the various options, times, groups and numbers of players each scenario provides however the key difference that has lead to the change is that during the "early" stage of our current  two tee system the maximum number of players on the course is 96, which is achieved by 8:00 am. Under the proposed one tee system 96 players will be on the course by 9:00 am and after this the number of players on course under the two tee system does not exceed the proposed one tee system, given the inefficiencies mentioned above.

There are many other factors that come into play and the Match Committee is confident that these have been considered, however it is important to note that this change has been adopted to try and ensure that largest number of members is catered for.

There are also some other minor options that will be considered to further help improve the efficiency of our Saturday competition times and as with all changes the system will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure it remains appropriate.

Any members who have comments about this change are welcome to contact the committee via email at info@echungagolf.com.au

Tee time assessment document

The Saturday competition this week (27th September) will be a Pinehurst Competition as played on previous AFL Grand Final days, albeit without a shot gun start. This competition, sometimes called American Foursomes, is designed to be another fun competition that will not count towards a members handicap and has been scheduled by the match committee due to the recent coring of the greens.

The official rules are below and these rules, together with an example score card will be available at the club prior to play on Saturday.


PINEHURST

-         Pinehurst is a two player game and as such requires groupings of four (2 pairings of 2).
-         DO NOT register on the computer.
-         Pay at the bar as per a normal competition.
-         Only ONE card is required between pairs.

Rules:

• Pinehurst involves two players both teeing off on a hole and then playing their second shots with their partner’s ball. 
  
• They then chose which ball they prefer and play proceeds as per a normal Foursomes competition (alternate stroke). If Player B hit the second shot of the chosen ball, Player A will hit the next shot.
  
• The team’s handicap is determined by taking 3/8 of the aggregate handicaps of both partners.
  
• Marking the card is done by recording the stroke score taken on the hole. Cards should be swapped with the other pairing which you are playing with.
  
• All players are encouraged to make up a group of four as there will be no separate competition for anyone without a partner.
  
• Cards must be marked IN FULL as per the sample cards provided.
  

With the greens having recently been cored there are a few areas where players may have their ball finish in an aeration hole when putting on the greens. As such the match committee have implemented a temporary local rule to provide relief from these situations. The local rule is stated below. Players should note that it is envisaged that this local rule will only be in place until the greens have recovered from the coring process which will only be a short period of 2 to 3 weeks.

Temporary Local Rule:

CORE HOLES: On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that avoids the situation.

Penalty for breach of local rules: Stroke Play - 2 strokes. Match Play - Loss of hole.

With the greens having been cored this week the match committee has scheduled a Par Bisque competition on Saturday 20th September. This competition is simply a variation on a standard par competition that gives players the choice of which holes they use their handicap on, rather than being dictated by the holes stroke index.

It is meant to be a fun competition and whilst standard prizes will be given due to some issues with how it is implemented the score will not count towards a players handicap.

The official rules are below and these rules, together with an example score card will be available at the club prior to play on Saturday.

Rules of Par Bisque:

• Par Bisque is a variation on a standard par event, except the player can decide when and how many handicap strokes he or she will use on each hole.
• This decision is made AFTER completing each hole. The player informs their maker of how many handicap strokes they wish to use for the completed hole. Over the course of 18 holes the total number of handicap strokes used cannot exceed the players’ handicap.
• The handicap used and par score gained on any previous holes cannot be altered once the next hole is commenced. Any handicap not utilised by the end of the round is lost.
• Marking the card is done by recording the stroke score in the first column, the number of handicap strokes taken in the second column and the resultant par score of “+”, “0” or “-“ in the third column. At the completion of play the second column should be totalled and must not exceed the players’ handicap whilst the third column should be totalled and entered at the top of the score card as the players result.
  

The greens will be cored and sanded on Tuesday 16th September 2014. This process is a necessary part of looking after the greens and there are three main reasons it must be completed:

• Removal of thatch. This helps to stop the greens from becoming soft and spongy.
  
• Levelling the green. Coring and sanding helps to remove holes and damage that has appeared on the greens throughout the year.
  
• Aerating the green. This is vitally important as without doing this the greens will compact due to constant traffic, causing them to harden and potentially die.

Once again it will be a full on day requiring extra hands to assist in the ensuring as even a covering of sand as possible and we would like to thank the army of volunteers that come out each year to help the green staff complete this job.

In recent weeks the Match Committee has encountered a number of occasions where cards are not entered into the computer system, whilst also not being placed into the grade boxes. This is not only an annoyance for the match committee, as all cards are sorted through in an effort to find the missing cards, it can also have a major impact on the players handicap as it results in scores being entered into Golflink as "No Score - Not approved". 

Having 5 or more "No score - Not approved" scores within your last 20 live rounds will result in your handicap becoming "provisional" which means that it will no longer be valid and as such you won't be eligible to compete in ANY clubs competitions.

As such players are asked to do the following for EVERY competition they enter:

1. Enter all competition scores into our computer system via the touch screen kiosk.
2. Place your card within the applicable grade box, please take care to ensure you place your card within the correct box.
   
3. If you have been unable to complete your round for any reason, enter any completed scores into the computer system before stating the reason the round wasn't completed on the top of the card and placing within the grade box.

Note for stroke rounds:

The above issue is always more prevalent during stroke rounds as often players do not complete their round fully. However the system now includes the same "wipe" option for scores during a stroke round so scores can still be entered into the computer. 

The new handicap system also converts all competition scores to stableford scores automatically so even if you do not complete a hole in a stroke round you can still enter your scores and have your round handicapped. It may not win the club competition but it could still affect your handicap.

ie. G. Norman, playing off a handicap of 18 starts really badly as he is 12 over through 4 holes before losing a ball on the 5th and disqualifying himself. He continues playing and is only 5 over for the rest of his round. He enters all individual holes scores into the system, which converts it into a stableford score (in this scenario it would be a score of at least 34). This converts to a played to handicap which is in his best 8 and as such positively affects his handicap.

Whilst poor rounds are virtually inevitable doing the above will ensure that your handicap remains current whilst also assisting the match committee in quickly and easily winding up the club competition.

An initial error with the booking sheet meant that times were showing from 7:00 am with 7 minute intervals, rather than the standard 6:30 start and 8 minute intervals for the Monthly Medal Competition on the 9th September. This has now been adjust to a 6:30 am start on the online system with  bookings that had already been made moving forward. 

As a result all members are asked to carefully check their tee off time for the competition on the 9th September as it may have altered slightly, particularly if you play earlier in the morning. Those members who have booked for other members are also asked to let their playing partners know of any change in time.