Wharton Park Golf Club

Men's and Senior Men's Competition Rules

Introduction

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

Responsibilities

The HCC is responsible for the arrangement and running of Men's and Senior Men's Competitions. Any dispute regarding the running of a competition 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, Stableford, and Bogey) will be run as competitions Acceptable for handicap purposes unless the playing conditions for such competitions cannot be provided. In such instances the competition will be deemed as a Not Acceptable Competition and as such will be declared prior to the start of the competition. All Foursomes, Greensomes, Bowmaker (AM AM), Scramble and all Match play (Knockout) competitions are Not Acceptable Competitions.

All Men's single stroke play competitions (Medals, Stableford and Bogey) are open to entry to all male members without any age restriction. For Senior Men's competitions the age restriction is 55 years of age or over. Only male or senior male members with a World Handicap System (WHS) handicap index can enter a competition. 

All entrants into any Men's or Senior Men's Trophy Competitions must have a World Handicap System (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 acceptable competitions. These can be a mix of general play and  acceptable 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.

Juniors may enter Men's single stroke play competitions providing they hold a WHS index of 54 or less. However Junior Members with a WHS index of 12 or more must play in a group which includes an adult competitor and/or at least 1 other junior with a WHS index of 11 or less.

All Knockout (match play) competitions are open to entry to all male members without any age restriction. For Senior Men's competitions the age restriction is 55 years of age or over. Only male or senior male members with a WHS handicap index can enter a Knockout competition. On the day of the Knockout draw all entrants must have a minimum of 10 scores recorded on their WHS record in the preceding 12 months including at least 3  acceptable competitions. These can be a mix of general play and acceptable competition scores. Scores, either general play or acceptable competitions at other clubs contained in their WHS record played in the previous 12 months can be counted towards the minimum of 10. In addition, if an entrant fails to meet these criteria, they can still enter providing they top up their WHS record with sufficient scores 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 draw/ "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 Secretary by email to whartonparkgolf@gmail.com. No changes will be allowed after the first round matches have been played.

No extensions beyond the "To be played by date" are allowed under any circumstances

The Men's Trophy Competitions are:

Captains Cup (Captain's Day)

CMS Cup

Men's Club Championship

Paul Wild Trophy

Wharton Park Cup

Men's Singles, Pairs and Scratch Knock Outs

The Senior men's Trophy Competitions are:

The Norris Trophy (Senior Men's Club Championship)

Senior men's Singles and Pairs Knock Outs

Competition Entry

For all Men's & Seniors Competitions 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 contact their playing partners to let them know. 

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 Men's weekend and midweek competitions is £5.00. The entry fee for Seniors Competitions is £3.00. Entry fees for Trophy competitions will vary depending on the competition and the details will be available on IG.

Playing Arrangements including Starting Times and Playing Groups

All competitions are governed by the Rules of Golf as published by the R&A and 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 Competitions committee

Marking of players' scorecards 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 is a Division 1 (Categories 1&2) player. A member can only mark 1 scorecard in any competition.

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

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

In Knock Out competitions all matches are to be played from the white tees. All players are responsible for agreeing the date and time of their respective match which must be played by the end date of the appropriate round. Failure to do so will result in all players being disqualified. Any excetptional extenuating circumstances should be referred to the HCC as soon as possible.

Returning of Scorecards

All scorecards 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 Knock Out 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 relevant notice board where applicable.  

Abandonment of Competitions

See "Abandonment of Competitions Appendix" document within the information section at https://whartonpark.intelligentgolf.co.uk/

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

In the Summer competitions a minimum of 8 or more players must play in a single stroke play competition for prizes to be paid. If less than 8 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. 

Men's weekend competitions will pay out prize money equivalent to 85% of the competition entry fees recieved. In the Summer prize money will be paid out in two Divisions. Division 1 will be for players with a handicap of 15 or less and Division 2 will be for players with a handicap above 15. Prize money will be paid out in each Division as per the tables below depending on the number of entries in each Division. A player can only win 1 prize.

Winter weekend competitions will only have 1 Division.

Men's Stableford (Percentage of Prize Money)

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Total of prize money
1-10	100%					100%
11-20	65%	35%				100%
21-30	50%	30%	20%			100%
31-40	40%	28%	18%	14 %		100%
41 plus	38%	24%	16%	13%	9%	100%

  Men's Medal (Percentage of Prize Money)

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Gross	Total of prize money
1-10	90%					10%	100%
11-20	60%	30%				10%	100%
21-30	48%	28%	14%			10%	100%
31-40	40%	26%	13%	11%		10%	100%
41 plus	38%	25%	12%	10%	5%	10%	100%

Men's Midweek Stableford competitions will pay out prize money equivalent to 85% of the competition entry fees in one Division. Prize money will be paid out as per the table below depending on the number of entries.

Men's Midweek Stableford (Percentage of Prize Money)

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Total of prize money
8-10	100%					100%
11-20	65%	35%				100%
21-30	50%	30%	20%			100%
31-40	40%	28%	18%	14%		100%
41 plus	38%	24%	16%	13%	9%	100%

Seniors competitions will pay out prize money in one Division. Prize money will be paid out as per the table below depending on the number of entries.

Seniors Competitions

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Total
8-10	£15					£15
11-20	£20	£10				£30
21-30	£25	£15	£10			£50
31-40	£30	£20	£15	£10		£75
41 plus	£35	£25	£20	£15	£10	£105

In all Men's and Seniors medal and stableford competitions a proportion of the entry fee (£1 for Men and 50p for Seniors) will be paid out equally to all those competitors recording a 2 on any hole on the day. Should a player have a hole in 1 on the day they will  be entitled to receive a bottle of spirit donated from the member's fund. 

Trophy competitions will pay out prize money equivalent to 85% of the competition entry fees received, less the entry money for the 2's (if applicable). The number of places paid out will depend on the number of players. Less than 8 players will pay out 1st place only, 10-20 will pay out 1st and 2nd, 20-30  players will pay out 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and so on to a maximum of 10 places.

Knock Out and texas Scramble competitions will pay out prize money equivalent to 85% of the competition entry fees.  Prize money will be paid out as per the table below depending on the number of entries.

Knock Out Competitions

Entries	1st	2nd	Losing Semi Finalists
8-20	70% of prize money	30% of prize money
20 Plus	45% of prize money	25% of prize money	15% of prize money

Texas Scramble Competitions

Entries	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
1-10 Teams	100% of prize money
11-15 Teams	60% of prize money	40% of prize money
16-20 Teams	50% of prize money	30% of prize money	20% of prize money
21-25 Teams	40% of prize money	30% of prize money	20% of prize money	10% of prize money

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 take part in future club competitions.

Handicap and Competitions Committee (HCC)

April 2025