THE SUSSEX COUNTY INTER CLUB HANDICAP

MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Sponsored By The Birchwood Motor Group

 

ENTRY FEE £90

The Competition

  1. Sussex County General Conditions and Local Rules apply in this Event.
  2. The format of the competition will be 4 ball better ball match-play.
  3. Each team will consist of 5 pairs.              
  4. Each pair in each team must comprise of 1 player from the Handicap Index range of 5.5 to 12.4 handicap and 1 player from the Handicap Index range of 12.5 to 20.4
  5. The Standard Handicap allowance for Four Ball Match Play in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping Appendix C will apply. Each player in a group receives 90% of their course handicap as their playing handicap. Any strokes received are calculated using the full difference taken from the lowest player. The lowest player will receive zero strokes.
  6. The result shall be declared on the number of matches won or lost. i.e. 3 and 2.
  7. In the event of a tie, in all rounds up to and including the quarter finals, the match will be won by the side finishing with the greater “holes up”. For example, a pair winning 5 and 4 would be regarded as 5 holes up. In the event of a match still being tied after that calculation, the away side would go through to the next round.
  8. Semi Finals & Finals (played on neutral courses) in the event of a tie after the holes up calculation, then any existing pair can be elected to play a “sudden death play-off” will take place as there is no away side to go through.              
  9. Play must be from the back medal tees.
  10. Clubs that have more than one course must use the main course for each match.              
  11. Players and caddies will walk at all times Transportation Policy (englandgolf.org)
  12. Order of play will be decided by Team Captains and must be exchanged at least 30 minutes before play.
  13. The home club will give the first tee honour to their opponents. In the semi-finals and finals, the Captains of the teams to toss for the honour.

Draw and Start Times

  1. Matches will be played on the same days as those designated for the Inter Club Scratch tournament.
  2. Play may commence at any time on the designated Saturday and the times must be by MUTUAL agreement.

The Plate Competition

  1. All clubs losing in the first and second rounds of the tournament will automatically be entered into the Plate Competition which will run in parallel with the main tournament.
  2. It is a condition of entry that clubs entering also enter the Plate if they lose in the first or second rounds.
  3. Any club not willing to play in the Plate competition should not enter the Handicap tournament.

 

 

The Semi-Finals and the Final

  1. In the event that a Club may be requested to host a Semi Final or the Final, Club Secretaries must ensure that the dates notified in advance for the Semi-Finals and Final are kept open in their Fixture Lists.  It is a Condition of Entry that a Club asked to host any round will do so.
  2. County officials will be delegated to attend the Final for the purposes of adjudication if required. Officials will not be supplied for earlier rounds.

Qualification

  1. Clubs must be registered on the WHS Platform and players all have a WHS Handicap Index to be eligible to enter this competition. Any team in breach of this may be disqualified.
  2. The Competition is a Match play Team Event.
  3. The Team representing your Club will consist of 5 pairs (10 players) who are members of the club.
  4. Players with a current WHS Handicap Index of (up to 5.4) and under the age of 18 on 1st January are not eligible to play in this competition.
  5. Teams may be changed for each round but no player may represent more than one Club in any one year.
  6. The Note to Rule 24.4a of the Rules of Golf will apply and each team may appoint one specified person as an advice giver.  The advice giver is the only person, apart from each player’s partner or caddy, authorised to give advice during play. If the advice giver is also playing in the competition they MUST NOT give advice as the nominated advice giver until they have finished playing.  Penalty for breach of Rule 24.4 is the General Penalty.

Other Matters

  1. Practice rounds – it is a condition of entry that the HOME club will allow a courtesy practice round from the designated competition tees to the visiting team. Arrangements for the practice rounds MUST be made in advance by the visiting team captain and the Home Club is requested to allow practice as convenient as possible to the visitors. The maximum number of players for a practice round is TWELVE which will constitute the team and possible reserves.
  2. Course Condition – Club Secretaries are requested to give reasonable consideration to course conditions and to state, with reasonable notice, whether their course is in fit playing condition. If necessary, the tie may be changed to the opponent’s course.         
  3. Storm Condition – in the event of severe storms, play may, at the discretion of the home club, be suspended immediately on the sounding of a previously notified warning signal.  Players should be advised of these signals prior to commencing play.                            
  4. Catering - the costs of catering should be shared by both teams for all ties, home and away, up to and including the Semi Finals.            
  5. Results - the Team Captain of the winning Club in each match, is responsible to ensure that the full and correct results are either e-mailed to the County office –countyoffice@sussexgolf.org over the weekend and /or text through to Emma Whitlock, on 07724916600 or the County office following the match.