Wharton Park Golf Club
Ladies Competition Rules

Introduction

This document contains the new criteria on eligibility for Trophy and Knockout competitions that was implemented on 01.04.2023.

This document sets out the general arrangements and rules for the running of  Ladies' Competitions at Wharton Park Golf Club (WPGC). It covers all competitions under the auspices of the Handicap and Competitions Committee (HCC) and those competitions run by the Ladies' Committee. The Appendix lists all the Ladies' Competitions concerned. Whilst all of the competitions are those played by Ladies most
aspects of these WPGC competition arrangements apply equally to the Men's, Seniors'
and Juniors' Competitions.

Responsibilities

The HCC is responsible for the arrangement and running of Ladies' Competitions, apart from The Ladies' Four Team Trophy Competitions: Spring Bowl, Summer Stars, Women's Hour Texas Scramble, Autumn Vase and, also The Bran Tub. Any dispute regarding the running of all other competitions shall be referred to the HCC whose decision shall be final. Individual Members are responsible for familiarising themselves with competition arrangements and rules and for acting in accordance with them.

Eligibility

All competitions run by the HCC at Wharton Park are only available to enter by golfers with an amateur status.

All single stroke play competitions (Medals & Stablefords) will be run as qualifying competitions for handicap purposes unless the playing conditions for such competitions cannot be provided. In such instances the competition will be deemed as a Non Qualifying Competition and as such will be declared prior to the start of the competition. All Foursomes, Greensomes, Betterball, Bowmaker (AM AM), Scramble and all Match play (Knock Out) competitions are Non Qualifying Competitions. 

All single stroke play competitions (Medals & Stablefords) are open to entry to all lady members without any age restriction. Only lady members with an official handicap index of 54 or less can enter a competition.

All entrants into any Ladies' Trophy individual Competitions and Knockouts (on the day of the draw) must have a WHS index and in addition they must have a minimum of 10 rounds recorded on their WHS record in the 12 months preceding the date of the competition itself including at least 3 qualifying competitions. The qualifying competitions must have been played at Wharton Park. These can be a mix of general play and qualifying competition
rounds. Rounds, either general play or competitions at other clubs contained in their WHS record played in the previous 12 months can be counted towards the minimum of 10, but do not count as "Qualifying Competitions" as required above.

All Knockout (match play) competitions are open to entry to all lady members without any age restriction. In addition, for the Knockouts, if an entrant fails to meet these criteria, they can still enter providing they top up their WHS record with sufficient rounds of the correct type before playing their first match or the first round deadline whichever comes first (in case they get a "bye").

Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the player(s) involved from that Knockout competition and a "bye" being awarded to their opponent(s).

The 1st player/team in the draw must provide their opponents with a minimum of 3 dates to choose from to play their match within 7 days of the draw being published on IG or by the 7th day after the "To be played by date" for the previous round for subsequent rounds. The 2nd player/team in the draw must then either agree to play on at least one of these dates or provide at least 3 alternative dates back to their opponents within 7 days of
receipt. In all cases a date to play the match must have been agreed by both parties within 14 days of the draws "To be played by date". Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the offending player(s). It is recommended that the Messages function in the My Golf section on IG or an equivalent electronic method is used to manage this as evidence may be required by the Golf Secretary if the process has not been followed to establish who will/will not be disqualified. Failure to provide sufficient evidence to the Golf Secretary on request will result in disqualification.

If after the draw for a Pairs Knockout has been completed a player is unable to play their first match due to unforeseen circumstances including failing to meet the entry criteria above then a replacement player can be used by the remaining player providing the replacement hasn't already entered the same competition. The replacement must meet the competition eligibility requirements. Any changes must be notified to the Golf Secretary by email to whartonparkgolf@gmail.com. No changes will be allowed after the first round matches have been played.

Competition Entry

For all Competitions apart from the 5 mentioned under "˜Responsibilities "˜ players must enter their chosen competition in the "Upcoming Competitions" on Intelligent Golf (IG). Any player withdrawing before the competition must remove their entry on IG and inform their playing partners. Prior to commencing their round players must Check In on IG.

Before commencing play in any competition the relevant entry fee must be paid in the "Upcoming Competitions" on IG. If the entry fee is not paid before play commences the competition entry will be excluded from the results but will be included for handicap purposes. The entry fee for Ladies' summer competitions is £4.00 and in the winter is £3.00. Entry fees for Trophy competitions will vary depending on the competition and the details will be available on IG. The 4 Ladies' Trophy Competitions already mentioned entry fee is £4.00.

Playing Arrangements including Starting Times and Playing Groups

All competitions are governed by the Rules of Golf as published by the R&A & USGA including those on etiquette, and by any permanent or temporary Local Rules. 

Playing arrangements are governed by the tee time on the IG and the course must be played in order starting at the first tee, unless otherwise directed by the Handicap and Competition Committee.

Marking of players scorecard in any competition can only be done by a fellow member (who doesn't necessarily have to be playing in the competition). A Junior may mark another Junior's scorecard providing the other Junior has a course handicap of 11 or below.  A member can only mark 1 scorecard in any competition.

All scorecards must include the players name, handicap, gross scores and markers signature.

Five day members may play in weekend competitions on payment of the appropriate green and entry fee. 

Returning of Scorecards

All scorecards for individual Stablefords & Medals must be for one player only and record name, gross score and handicaps (index, course and playing). Your scorecard must also be signed by yourself and your marker. Upon completion of play the completed scorecard must be entered onto IG. After the scores are entered they must be checked and signed for and a photograph of the scorecard uploaded. The photograph must be of the full scorecard and in focus. Incomplete or illegible cards will be disqualified. Scorecards must be returned on the day of the strokeplay competition.

If there is a technical issue with IG a photograph of the scorecard must be emailed to  whartonparkgolf@gmail.com by close of play on the day of the competition. The technical issue must be included in the email so that it can be reported to IG to be investigated. 

Any results entered without scorecards uploaded or emailed will be disqualified.

On completion of a match in all Knockout competitions the winner must enter the result in IG and/or notify the Competitions Secretary of the result so that the draw can be kept updated. The winner or winning pair must also write their name/s on the next round of the draw sheet which is on the notice board in the Ladies' locker room.

Abandonment of Competitions

See Appendix titled Abandonment of Competitions.

Decision of Ties  

In the event of ties in all 18 hole qualifying competitions places will be decided on count back under the guidelines of the R&A, USGA. 
In 36 hole events the tied competitors will play over a 3 hole loop (1st, 2nd and 18th), if still tied the 18th will be played until a winner is established.

In all Knock Out (match play) competitions if a match is all square after 18 holes then players will play off hole by hole until one side wins a hole.
The play off should start on the hole where the match began (1st tee). In a handicap match, handicap strokes should be allowed as in the stipulated round.

Notification of Competition Results

As soon as possible after the competition, the HCC (Competitions Secretary) will determine and publicise the result. This is usually done by email to all competitors.

Competition Prizes

A minimum of 3 or more players must play in a single stroke play competition for the main prizes to be paid.  If less than 3 players enter a competition it will be cancelled and all of the players entrance fees will be refunded and the cards will be recorded as General Play.

Ladies' Medal and Stableford Summer and Winter competitions will pay out prize money according to the tables below. There are no divisions for Ladies' competitions.

Ladies' Summer Medals and Stablefords 

( 1st April - 30th September )

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd
3-5	£8
6-10	£9	£6
11 and more	£10	£7	£5

Ladies' Winter Stablefords

( 1st October - 31st March )

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd
3-5	£6
6-10	£7	£4
11 and more	£8	£5	£3

In regular Medal and Stableford competitions, all entries pay 50p into the "2s'' Competitions and this will be paid out equally to all those ladies recording a 2 on that day. Should a lady have a Hole in 1 on that day then they will receive all of the "2s" money. If there are no "2s" or a Hole in 1 then the money rolls over to the next competition! Prize money for Medals and Stablefords will be paid directly onto the Levy Card. This also applies to all Club Competitions open to Ladies as listed in the Appendix, table 2.

The Ladies' four Team Trophy Competitions listed below which are the responsibility of the Ladies' Committee will pay out 75% prize money:

• Spring Bowl

• Summer Stars

• Women's Hour Texas Scramble 

• Autumn Vase 

The Bran Tub; is a fun competition whereby ladies do not pay an entry fee but instead donate a "˜Christmas Present' equivalent to £6 & then these presents are chosen in order of finishing positions.

Club Trophy competitions will pay out prize money equivalent to 85% of the competition entry fees received, less the entry money for the 2s (if applicable). 

Knock Out competitions will pay out prize money equivalent to 85% of the competition entry fees. The winner will receive a 70% pay out and the runner up 30%. 

Breaches of Competition Rules

Failure by a member to follow any of the WPGC competition rules, especially regular occurrence of carding no returns, non-entering of the competition and of completed scorecards into the IGCS will be subject to discipline which may result in the temporary suspension of eligibility to participate in future club competitions.

Ladies' Committee - March 2024

Appendix

1) Wharton Park Ladies' Competitions run by the Ladies Committee.

2) Club Competitions run by Handicap and Competitions Committee (where ladies may enter).  Please note: (C & Q) = Course Handicap and 3 Qualifying Competitions required previously.

1) Ladies' Competitions - Team
Spring Bowl Trophy Competition	3/4 Ball Texas Scramble, depending on numbers, % as per WHS Guidelines. Weekend (C)
Summer Stars Competition	Waltz, Course Handicap (100%) Weekend (C)
Womens' Hour Texas Scramble Trophy Competition	3/4 Ball Texas Scramble, depending on numbers, % as per WHS Guidelines. Weekday (C)
Autumn Vase Trophy Competiton	Greensomes 60% low course handicap + 40% high course handicap Weekday (C)
Christmas Bran Tub	3/4 Ball Texas Scramble, depending on numbers, % as per WHS Guidelines. Weekday (C)
12 Hole Pre-AGM Texas Scramble	3/4 Ball Texas Scramble, depending on numbers, % as per WHS Guidelines. Weekday (C)
Ladies' Competitions - Individuals
Lady Captain's Day Trophy	Individual Stableford, 95% Playing Handicap, or a different format decided by Lady Captain Weekday (C)
Paula Barrie Summer Merit Award	Weekend/Weekday (C)
Paula Barrie Winter Merit Award	Weekend/Weekday (C)

2) Club Competitions Open to Ladies
Captains' Drive In	4 Ball Texas Scramble, 25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest handicap Weekend (C, if all the team don't have C then they can enter but can't win)
Captains' Day	Individual Stableford, 95% Playing Handicap Weekend (C)
Frank Lester	Individual Stableford, Course Handicap, 3 clubs & a putter. Weekend (C)
Ladies' Club Championships 2 rounds over 2 days	Individual Medal, 95% Playing Handicap, Best Gross and 2nd Best Gross over 2 Days Best Nett over 2 Days Weekend (C & Q)
Ladies Wharton Park Cup 2 rounds over 2 days	Individual medal, 95% Playing Handicap Best Nett over 2 Days Best Nett Day 1 and Best Nett Day 2 Best Gross over 2 Days Weekend (C & Q)
CMS Cup	Individual Stableford, 95% Playing Handicap Weekend (C & Q)
Mid Summer Madness	4 Ball Texas Scramble, 25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest handicap Weekend (C)
Singles Knock Out	100% of the difference from lowest to highest course handicap Weekend/Weekday (C & Q)
Pairs Knock Out	95 % of the difference from the lowest to the highest course handicap  Weekend/Weekday (C & Q)
Mixed pairs Knock Out	Greensomes 60% low course handicap + 40% high course handicap. Weekend/Weekday (C & Q)