Islay Golf Club
Competitions – Terms and Rules
Contents – 1. All Competitions
2. Open Competitions
3. Club Competitions
4. Kildalton Cross Week
1. ALL COMPETITIONS
1.1. Rules of Golf – All competitions shall be played in accordance with the R&A Rules of Golf and such Local Rules and Conditions of Competitions as shall be published. Local Rules are clearly marked on the score card provided.
1.2. Amateur Status – All players must be of Amateur Status as defined by The Rules of Amateur Status.
1.3. Professionals restoring amateur status – Having ceased to work in their professional capacity and whilst within their 2-year period awaiting amateur status re-instatement, any past professional shall be allowed to play in all competitions upon obtaining a handicap that represents their prior professional standing and current playing ability following the submission of the requisite number of marked cards to the handicap committee.
1.4. Clubs and Ball – Conforming driver heads and golf balls must be used – an updated list of the equipment permitted is available on the R&A’s website – www.randa.org
1.5. Caddies – There are no restrictions on the use of caddies except any Junior event (U18’s) or where specified separately.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF TERMS – See Rules of Golf.
1.6. Result of a competition – The result of a match is deemed officially announced when it has been recorded by the Match Secretary. The result of a competition is deemed officially announced when the Trophy is presented to the winner or the
results published on the Club’s competition database (currently Master Scoreboard).
1.7. Decision of Ties – Ties for first place shall be decided on count back over the last 18, 9, 6, 3 or 1 holes. In the event of a tie in a match play event the first place shall be decided on a play-off over holes to be determined by the Competition Committee. If a further tie arises, first place will be decided over a sudden death play-off over holes to
be determined by the Competition Committee.
1.8. Inclement Weather – If in the opinion of the Competition Committee (or the Professional) it becomes impossible to play because of adverse weather conditions or other circumstances, the Committee may vary the conditions to the extent necessary to achieve a result within the time available.
In the event of thunder and lightning the Pro shop will signal a suspension of play for a dangerous situation with one long note of the Klaxon. This is the signal for everyone to mark their ball and evacuate the Course. People on the Course are responsible for their own actions in such a dangerous situation. If the weather improves (or the
circumstance allows) play will resume. If the competition is abandoned, there shall be no refunds of the entry fee and where possible the Competition Committee will re-schedule the competition for another date. If any player is unable to commit to the rescheduled date, the entry fee shall be refunded.
1.9. Trophies and Prizes – All trophies won by a player (s) will be held at the Club in the Trophy Cabinet. Unless otherwise stated, a player may not win more than one trophy in any competition. A player may only win a voucher in one category (Gross or Handicap). The highest value voucher will be awarded. Prizes will be awarded in SGU vouchers.
1.10. Transportation – Players must not ride on any form of transportation during any Club competition unless permission is given by the Match Secretary for the use of transportation on the grounds of a medical condition which has been confirmed in writing by a medical practitioner.
1.11. Dress Code – Players and caddies must wear standard golf apparel.
1.12. Health and Safety – The Machrie Hotel owns a defibrillator which is located at the at reception at the main entrance.
All players are expected to familiarise themselves with the fire exits. Should the fire alarm sound, all players must immediately vacate the hotel by the nearest fire exit and assemble at the practice chipping and putting area at the front of the hotel, until notified that it is safe to return.
1.13. Liability – Islay Golf Club cannot be held responsible for the loss of or damage to any personal items or equipment whilst on the premises.
1.14. Disputes – In all disputes the Competition Committee’s decision is final.
1.15. Speed of Play – Islay Golf Club encourage and promote “Ready Golf” with the aim to encourage faster round times to improve pace of play. Players should play when they are ready to do so. Ready golf does not apply in match play, but all players are expected to play ready golf in all other formats.
1.16. The Club reserves the right to refuse entry.
2. OPEN COMPETITIONS
2.1. Entry: Method and Fees – All entries must be completed and received by 9pm on the date entries close as per the schedule for each competition. Entry must be accompanied by payment by direct bank transfer. Entries without payment will not be confirmed. No entry will be included unless complete in every detail. Entries received after the closing date will only be considered if the maximum field size has not been achieved.
a) Entries will be made online using Islay Golf Club – Masterscoreboard. To enter
online a competitor must possess a WHS ID number and be a Member of a Golf Club affiliated to a Home Union or registered at an overseas Club. Unsuccessful entrants will be refunded in the same way that payment was made.
b) No entry fee will be refunded unless withdrawal is made before the closing date for entries.
c) All entries shall be subject to the approval of the Islay Golf Club Committee which reserves the right to accept, refuse or cancel without reason. The Committee’s decision will be final.
2.2. Entry: Handicaps – All players must be in possession of a WHS handicap with the appropriate level of handicap index at the time of entering or as relevant to the rules pertaining to each individual competition.
2.3. Withdrawals – If a player withdraws from an event before the closing date for entry a full refund will be given.
A player will forfeit their entry fee if:
a) they withdraw after the closing date or after the start sheet has been published (whichever comes first)
b) they fail to register at the registration desk on each day of the competition
c) they fail to appear on the tee at their appointed start time
d) having qualified to continue in an event, fails to do so*
*If a competitor withdraws from the competition before the cut is made the players score shall still be included in determining the cut mark.
2.4. Reserves – In the event that a competition is oversubscribed a reserve list will be maintained and managed by the Match Secretary. Should a place or places become available, reserves shall be invited to play in the order that they are listed.
In order to ensure a full field for any competition and at the sole discretion of the Match Secretary a reserve(s) maybe offered a place depending on whether they can be contacted irrespective of their position on the reserve list.
At the discretion of the Match Secretary where competitions require pairs/threes/fours, a substitution may be made for any team player in advance of the date of the competition or the first-round closing date.
2.5. Registration – Players must register in person (if a team event, the lead player may register) at the appropriate registration desk on the day of the competition and at least 15 minutes prior to their start time. Failure to do so will result in the player(s) forfeiting their place which will be offered to a reserve. The player(s) concerned will also forfeit their entry fee.
2.6. General conduct and Practice Round Regulations
a) From registration and through to the close of the competition or match (including practice days) players must conduct themselves accordingly to the provisions of rule 1.2 of the R&A Rules of Golf and must not act in a manner which might bring the game or the Club into disrepute.
b) During practice rounds one ball only may be played. A player may practice putting, but not chipping or bunker play, provided play is not unduly delayed.
Note: Trolleys must not be taken onto tees or between a greenside bunker and the green and/or onto the fringes of greens.
It would be appreciated if the making and receiving of telephone calls is done outside the Clubhouse and not on the Course whilst the competition is in progress, except for a genuine emergency.
2.7. Returning score card – A players score card is deemed officially returned when they have left the recording office/area (usually the 1891 Lounge, but not in every case). Note: Players must promptly return their score cards immediately they exit the Course or submit scores using the Club’s electronic score process as directed. In the event
of a team competition there must be two signatures to verify the gross scores recorded.
3. CLUB COMPETITIONS
3.1. Men’s Strokeplay Competitions – generally held on a Sunday (all year Round) and a Wednesday (Summer Months). On Sunday’s there are prescribed booking windows throughout the day which vary depending on the time of year. The Match Secretary will produce a ‘Start Sheet’ for Sunday competitions which will provide the exact time of play and the players in each group.
On Wednesday members may play in the competition at any time of the day. Members should get a playing partner(s) and book a tee time through the Machrie Hotel.
3.2. Men’s Strokeplay Competition Booking – Members book into Sunday competitions using Masterscoreboard. Booking opens at 9am two weeks prior to the competition and closes at 9pm two days before the competition.
3.3. Booking Closure / Start Sheet – When the booking closes, no further entries will be accepted for the competition. Once the start sheet is published, the groupings and tee times are fixed and cannot be altered.
3.4. Withdrawals – Players should give as much notice as possible if they intend to withdraw from a competition. Withdrawals on the day of the competition are only acceptable in exceptional circumstances.
3.5. Ladies Strokeplay Competitions / Booking – generally held on a Saturday at 12 noon (11am in the winter). There is no pre booking for ladies’ competitions with the draw being made 15 minutes before the first tee time on the day of the competition.
The ladies also run a Summer League competition which is organised on a week-to-week basis and generally played on a Wednesday.
4. KILDALTON CROSS WEEK
Kildalton Cross Week is a member’s competition which generally takes place at the start of August. The week consists of a number of competitions for all age groups.
The Match Secretary will notify members of the specifics of the week and the booking process.