2023 Guidelines

*indicates updates for 2023*

 

Every Lady 9ers member is expected to follow the established USGA Rules of Golf to the best of her ability during play in the league. Golf is, after all, a game of integrity and it is that integrity that makes our league fair and fun for everyone. It is every golfer’s responsibility to ensure all golfers follow the rules. Any rules question should be directed to the league President or the Pro staff.

  

 

 

FEES AND REGISTRATION 

Registration: For membership in the 9 hole League, the organizational fee will be $150, with a $20.00 discount for a returning members who register by March 1, 2023. Fees must be paid by check made out to the RHRLGC Lady 9ers or through VENMO @RHRLady-9ers. Please note that each member must have, or be working toward, an established handicap.  

 

Organizational Fees include:  

∙ GHIN membership which includes GHIN handicap fees 

∙ Administrative costs 

∙ Weekly prizes throughout the year and special tournament prizes 

∙ Meals, snacks, or hors d’oeuvres at various functions 

∙ Club Championship prizes 

∙ End of season prizes 

∙ RHRLGC Hole-In-One Pot: $5 from each member’s organizational fee will be placed in a hole-in one account. The hole-in-one winners will be paid out at the end of the season event. The amount in the pot will be divided among all hole-in-one winners, with a max of $200 for a hole-in-one. Any money left in this account will be applied to the end-of-season event or other club expenses. 

∙ Membership in Colorado Golf Association (CGA) which entitles members to receive CGA information and member benefits. 

 

TEE TIMES 

 

SCHEDULING TEE TIMES: League members can schedule tee times beginning at 6:00pm, 8 days prior to the day of play through Monday at 6:00 PM in Golf Genius. A Lady 9er may schedule a tee time for herself and 3 other league members. The Lady 9ers Board will consolidate the tee sheet in Golf Genius each week to fill in any available slots. This will be completed after the sign-up period and golfers will be notified immediately if their tee time has changed. Tee times will be opened to the public at the beginning and at the end of the Lady 9ers designated tee times.

 

CANCELLATIONS:  A Lady 9er may cancel her tee time in Golf Genius during the sign-up period with no penalty. If cancellations are made after 6:00 PM on Monday, the golfer will be charged the greens fee (at the discretion of the RHR Pro Shop), unless the golfer finds a member to sub and take her spot. League members are required to notify the league coordinator of their cancellation and the name of the replacement. No shows will be charged greens fees. Please do not contact the Pro Shop. 

 

WEATHER CONDITIONS: The staff at Red Hawk and the league President will determine if the course is unplayable for league play due to the weather. All league members will be notified by 2:00 PM on days that league play is cancelled. If the course remains open even though league has been cancelled, Lady 9ers who wish to play may do so but will not be eligible for prizes. This will not count as a playday. Red Hawk does not have a severe weather siren/horn for lightning, etc. A player on the course should use her own discretion in deciding to continue play. Rain checks, prorated based on the number of holes played, will be issued at the Pro Shop.

 

CHANGING LEAGUE TIMES: The staff at Red Hawk tries to keep our league times consistent; however, leagues will be moved on occasion when there’s an outside tournament scheduled. Every effort will be made to maintain the scheduled day, even if the times must be changed. Members are asked to be flexible and understanding.

 

SCORING 

 

Please read carefully!! GOLF IS A GAME OF INTEGRITY!! To uphold this integrity, please be certain that you turn in accurate scores.

 

*NEW FOR 2023 * To increase pace of play - A MAXIMUM score of 10 is to be recorded on any hole. If a 10 is reached, a golfer should pick up her ball, announce to her group that she is taking a 10, mark 10 on her scorecard and an X for putts. This golfer will be ineligible for a low putts prize, however, she will remain in consideration for game of the day, low net and low gross, as well as posting to GHIN.

              

SCORECARDS 

• All groups must use the Golf Genius live scoring app. One player from each foursome needs use the app. to keep score for all players in the foursome.
• Two scorecards from each foursome are required.
• The scorecards and Golf Genius must match and the scorecards must be legible.
• Gross score must be completed.
• Putts for every golfer on all holes should be recorded and totaled on written scorecards. The max. 10 stroke rule will negate this for some players
• All players must sign and date both of their group’s scorecards indicating they have reviewed and verified that it matches what was posted in Golf Genius.
• Once the cards are completed, golfers should place them in the proper envelope in the right-hand drawer under the GHIN computer in the hallway at Red Hawk. This must be done on the day of play.   
• All players in a group may be disqualified from the day's play if the cards are not completed as indicated above.

 

REPORTING SCORES

• Players must turn in scores each time they play in the league and on the day played. Golf Genius will post all scores to the GHIN system. Golfers should not post scores for league play during the regular season (May – September). GHIN will adjust for max score allowed.
• The League Coordinators will make all the calculations to determine weekly prize winners and post the names of the winners on the Golf Genius Lady 9ers online portal. 

 

Scorecard procedure and accuracy is crucial for play day prizes and your group may be disqualified if not completed correctly.

 

 

EXAMPLE PAPER SCORECARD:

 

 

 

 

 

CHIP-INS:  A golfer hitting a chip-in should assure that every chip-in is recorded on both scorecards. Prizes for all chip-ins will be awarded at the end of the season.

 

*NEW FOR 2023* CAN A GOLFER PICK UP HER BALL BEFORE HOLING OUT?: Yes. Once a player has 10 strokes on a single hole, she may decide to pick up her ball, write "10" on the scorecard for the hole(s) and enter "X" for putts. She will not qualify for any putting prizes, and will remain eligible for any other contests. 

 

HANDICAPS

• Three(3) 18-hole rounds or six(6) 9-hole rounds are required to initially establish a handicap index. A golfer’s handicap is carried over each year. For questions or clarification, call the League Coordinator or ask someone in the Pro Shop for help.
• Once a member has met the requirements to have her GHIN number activated, every round she plays, whether at Red Hawk or another course, must have a true score posted in the computer so an accurate handicap index can be determined and maintained.
• Consistently posting both good and bad scores is all a part of the “integrity” of golf.
• In essence, each player will have two handicaps – one is the Handicap Index, which is a calculated number stating that player’s potential playing ability on a course of average playing difficulty. The other is the Course Handicap that adjusts the golfer’s handicap to the relative difficulty of a specific course from a specific set of tees.
• When posting scores to GHIN outside of league play, actual scores (hole by hole) should be recorded. The new World Handicap System will automatically adjust scores based on net double bogey plus any handicap strokes received.
• Golfers can check www.GHIN.com to find their Handicap Index.

FLIGHTS AND TEES

• All Lady 9ers will play from, and record scores, for play from the Red Tees.  
• Flights will be determined by the golfer’s handicap.

 

WEEKLY AND YEAR-END PRIZES

 

To be eligible for weekly prizes, a player must have an established Handicap Index at Red Hawk.

• *NEW FOR 2023*: Flight ranges will be established based on golfer registrations at the beginning of the season and will not be changed. Prizes will be awarded at 30-35% of participants PER FLIGHT that week. The number of prizes throughout the year and the prize amount will be determined by the number of participants in the league and in each flight, as recommended by CGA. More prizes will be awarded in flights that have more golfers playing during a specific week. The prize structure will be consistent throughout the season.
• The awarding of weekly cash prize awards begins the first week of the season, May 3, 2023.
• After each four playable days of league play, any winnings will be deposited into the player’s RHR Pro Shop account in the form of cash credit.
• To be eligible for prizes at the end of the year, a golfer must have golfed in 1/3 of the qualifying playdays.
• The Board will determine the end of the year prizes, which may include payouts for birdies, chip-ins, low gross/low net rounds, ringer, participation, etc. 

 

PRIZE MONEY

 

All winnings in the form of cash credits will be placed in a member’s personal account at the RHR Pro Shop after every four play dates. At any time during the season Pro Shop credits can be used in the Pro Shop for merchandise, range balls, and for golf outside of league play, Monday through Thursday, at regular course rates.

• Members MUST spend the money from their accounts before December 31, 2023 or the money WILL BE FORFEITED.
• RHRLGC Lady 9ers have the benefit of a 10% discount on non-sale merchandise at the Pro Shop. It’s a member’s responsibility to inform the person behind the desk of her league membership.

 

HOLE IN ONE POT

$5 from each member's organizational fee will be placed in a hole-in-one account. The hole-in-one winners will be paid out at the end of the season event. The amount in the pot will be divided among all winners, with a max of $200 for a hole-in-one. Any money left in this account will be applied to the end-of-season event or other club expenses. 

 

 

 

PACE OF PLAY REMINDERS

 

Expeditious play is critical for league members playing on any given day as well as for the efficient operation of the course. Players should make every effort to keep their play, and that of their group, moving along.

• A 9-hole round should be completed in 2 ¼ hours or less.

• A golfer should spend no more than 20 seconds from the time she chooses a club to when she actually strikes her ball.
• Please play Ready Golf. 
• Each group should stay up with the group ahead of them.
• *NEW FOR 2023* There is a maximum of 10 shots for every hole.
• A provisional ball should be played if a hit ball might be lost or it landed in a penalty area. A golfer must announce her intent to hit a provisional shot prior to hitting it.
• No more than 3 minutes should be spent looking for a lost ball.
• Golfers are encouraged to arrive at the first tee 5 minutes before their assigned tee time.
• At the completion of a hole, golfers should move to the next tee box and mark scores for the previous hole.

 

If speed of play becomes a problem, a sequence of actions may be initiated. 

1. If a particular group is being slow, a member in one of the trailing groups should call the Pro Shop to request one of the Red Hawk staff be sent to encourage the group to move along more quickly.  
2. Should the same individual or group cause the same problem in subsequent weeks, a member of the Lady 9ers Board will speak with the offender(s) and an email reminder will also be sent to the offender(s).
3. The Board will send a warning to the offender(s) if the problem persists.
4. The RHRLGC Lady 9ers Board reserves the right to revoke any player’s membership.
5. This sequence of procedures was established so that playing in the league remains enjoyable for everyone.   

 

CLINICS AND MENTORING

 

Clinics and Lessons:

• To help improve play at all levels, instructional clinics will be offered by the RHR pro staff if league members request them.
• Clinics will be held if at least 4 members have signed up and paid for that lesson.
• The cost of a lesson will be determined by the instructor.
• A league member interested in initiating the process should contact the Lady 9ers President or League Coordinator.
• For individual or small group lessons, contact any of the pros in the Pro Shop at (720) 733-3501.

 

TOURNAMENTS

 

Georgia Esterline Memorial Member Guest Tournament:  This tournament is held in honor of Georgia Esterline, the founder of our league. It will be held on June 14, 2023, with a 5 PM shotgun start. Members and their guests (men and women) are invited to register for this event and enjoy this 9-hole golf event with dinner to follow. Course handicaps will be used although established handicaps are not required for participation. This tournament will be considered the event of the day and no additional times will be available for league play.

 

Golf Exchange: The Lady 9ers participate in a 9-Hole Golf Exchange with 5 other local ladies clubs; Spring Valley, Heritage Eagle Bend, Aurora Hills, Meadow Hills, and Lone Tree. On each scheduled Golf Exchange day, golfers who sign up and pay to golf in a specific Exchange will be assigned to a group of golfers from several different member clubs for golf in a creative, fun, format. After golf, there will be a light meal and prizes will be awarded. Please view the Golf Exchange page for specific dates and times.  

 

Club Championship: The Lady 9ers Club Championship will be held on three consecutive league days, August 16th, August 23rd, and August 30th. To be eligible for tournament prizes a member must have completed rounds in at least 1/3 of all the league playable events.  The best of 2 scores for each golfer will be their score for the Championship.  Sign up and fees will be handled the same as regular league play.

 

 

 

 

Members must register and pre-pay before the specified deadlines for any Lady 9ers tournament. No exceptions can be made. Payments for tournaments, except Club Championship, are by VENMO @RHRLady-9ers, or by check, made out to RHRLGC Lady 9ers and left with the completed tournament registration form at the Pro Shop or sent to the Tournament Coordinator as specified on the registration form.

 

ANNUAL EVENTS

 

A general membership meeting for all existing members and potential new members will be held in March 2023 at the Red Hawk Ridge Grill. Included will be a review of general league procedures, introduction and explanation of all new policies, welcome of new members, counseling potential members, recruiting volunteers, and answering members’ questions, along with soliciting suggestions and feedback. All league members are encouraged to attend, particularly those new to the Lady 9ers.

 

An end-of-season event will be held on the last day of play in September.  

 

GENTLE REMINDERS

 

• CELL PHONES: All members are asked to switch to vibrate or turn off cell phones during their round of golf as a courtesy to fellow golfers. A cell phone in each group may be used during league play to record scores in Golf Genius.

 

• GUESTS: Guests and spouses may not participate during the pre-, post-, or regular season league play days. These rules will be suspended for certain specified tournaments. 

 

• ALCOHOL: Alcohol CANNOT be brought to Red Hawk in accordance with the Colorado State Liquor Laws. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased in the grill and from the concession cart.

 

• SMOKING: As a courtesy, please refrain from smoking during Lady 9ers league play.

 

• RULES and PROCEDURES: Every Lady 9ers member is expected to follow the established USGA Rules of Golf to the best of her ability during play in Lady 9ers league play. A golfer’s signature at the bottom of the registration form signifies that she has read and agrees to following all rules guidelines, and by-laws set forth for the RHRLGC Lady 9ers. It is every golfer’s responsibility to help fellow Lady 9ers follow the rules. Any rules question or dispute should be directed to the Rules Chair, the league President or the pro staff.

 

• EMAIL ADDRESSES AND MEMBER PERSONAL INFORMATION: Membership information is provided for the sole purpose of Lady 9ers golf business. The league membership list MAY NOT in any way be shared with anyone outside of the league nor can it be used for promoting private business.

• All club information sent as an email should have “RHRLGC Lady 9ers” in the subject area.

 

• PRO SHOP DISCOUNT: All members of the RHRLGC Lady 9ers are entitled to a 10% discount on non-sale items in the Pro Shop. 

 

• PERSONAL ACCOUNTS: Prize money is placed into a personal account in the Pro Shop for a member to spend. Any money left in the account past December 31, 2023, will be forfeited.