2008 BCC Handicap Information
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Welcome Members! As we enter the 2008 Golf Season, the Golf Committee would like to provide you with some general information regarding Tournament Eligibility, and Rules for Match Play Events, the USGA Handicap System, and the adoption of a Tournament Handicap System for the upcoming Men’s Tournament Season. Tournament Eligibility A player must have 5 (five) scores posted in the computer in order to receive a USGA handicap and be eligible to play in BCC Tournaments, with 10 scores required for the Big B. Juniors who have paid the annual tournament fee are eligible for all tournaments except the Member/Guest and Big B events. All Tournaments will have Official Scorecards provided by the Pro Shop, including Match Play Qualifying and Individual Match Play Rounds (4-Ball, President’s Cup, and Club Championship). All Tournament scorecards must be signed, dated and returned to the Pro Shop. The Handicap Committee will ensure all tournament scores have been properly posted in the computer. Match Play Events Several tournaments during the season are multi-day or multi-week Match Play events, with a Qualifying round to determine the seeding of matches. All matches are to be completed on the scheduled date; players / teams can make arrangements to play a match before the scheduled date, but no match will be allowed to be scheduled after the scheduled completion date and must be started no later than 2 PM. (exception – full field rainout). Matches not played will result in forfeit. · 4-Ball– Two player teams compete in a match play format. After the qualifying round, the top teams will be seeded. During Match Play, players play off “Instant” handicap of the lowest handicap player, meaning lowest player receives no strokes. · President’s Cup– Single players compete in Match play format. After qualifying round, the top players will be seeded. During Match Play, play off “Instant” handicap of the lowest handicap player, who will get no strokes. · Club Championship– Players flighted by handicap and matches will be played over 2 consecutive weekends, both Saturday and Sunday (no exceptions). For Match play years, qualifying players will play over 2 consecutive weekends (no exceptions) USGA Handicap System
Attached, please find information regarding the USGA Equitable Stroke Control and additional guidelines for posting of scores to maintain a USGA handicap. Handicap Information – EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling golfers of differing playing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. It is useful for all forms of play, from individual stroke to match play. The System provides fair Course Handicaps for players regardless of ability, and adjusts a player’s Handicap Index up or down as one’s game changes. A basic premise underlies the USGA Handicap System – namely that every player will try and make the best score at every hole in every round, and post all scores, regardless where the round was played. Posting Scores Players should post all 9 hole, 18 hole, (home and away) scores promptly, including scores in both Stroke play and MATCH play, including Qualifying rounds for Match play events. The USGA requires players to use Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) when posting scores in order to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability. ESC sets the maximum score that a player can post on any hole, and requires a downward adjustment of individual hole scores that exceed the maximum allowed - (see Table)
Prior to posting a score, players may need to use ESC to adjust all individual hole scores, either actual or Most Likely, and compute scores for Holes Not Played (see below). 9- Hole vs. 18-Hole Scores 6 or less holes played - No Score should be posted 7 to 12 holes played - player shall post a 9 Hole score. 13 holes or more played -player shall post an 18 hole score (see Holes Not Played) Equitable Stroke Control is used when an actual hole score or a Most Likely hole score exceeds the maximum score allowed. · A Most Likely score occurs when a hole is started but not completed OR a stroke is conceded (match play). It is the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player’s best judgment, the number of strokes the player would need to complete the hole from the point the hole was stopped. · For Holes Not Played, the player should post a score for each hole, that is PAR plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on the hole(s) not played.
When posting scores into the computer, players have 2 options: - key in Total ESC-Adjusted scores, either 9 or 18 holes, or - key in Hole-by-Hole unadjusted scores, where the computer will automatically adjust each hole using ESC Players can ask any of the Golf Staff for assistance in posting scores or using ESC
Men’s Tournaments Handicap System The USGA Handicap System allows all golfers to compete fairly in scheduled tournament events throughout the year. While primarily an honor system, the USGA Handicap System relies on the accuracy of posted scores of each player, and in past years, the role of “policing” the posted scores fell to the Handicap Committee. For 2008, the Golf Committee has chosen to adopt a modified GAP Tournament Handicap System, a non-arbitrary way to adjust handicaps for players / teams that have continued success in tournaments. Players or Teams that finish in the top 4 Net places will be awarded points, and these points will be cumulative over a rolling 2-year period. In the event of a tie, each of the individuals or teams would earn the full number of points (i.e. tie for second place, both teams receive 3 points). There is no impact for Gross winners or Events (i.e. Club Championship).
Players accumulating more than 7 points will have their handicaps reduced by 2 shots. Two additional points earned by the player in this rolling two year period will result in an additional stroke being subtracted from their handicap, with 11 or more points resulting in a 4 stroke reduction.
It is important to note that this system was created to reduce only the tournament handicap and will not have a bearing on the player’s USGA handicap.
We feel the adoption of this Tournament Handicap System will remove much of the onerous burden of the Handicap Committee having to “police” fellow members for accuracy in posting of scores. It should have very little impact for the majority of the tournament players, potentially allow for more varied winners, which also helps to promote the spirit and camaraderie that our Club is known for. We are looking forward to a great 2008 Golf Season!
The Golf Committee |
