Golf Competition Committee


Golf Competition Committee

Federacion Española De Golf

Dear Members,
The committees that form part of a club’s structure are basically designed to provide members with the opportunity to express their viewpoints and take part in club management.

In principle, there are no rules requiring a certain number of club committees, barring cases in which sports federations oblige member clubs to have a competition committee, as in the case of golf.

The number of committees in each club and their functions will thus depend on both the club’s nature and the fundamental concerns that drive its daily activities. Each committee is responsible for analysing services in its relevant area; committee members are encouraged to play an active role in the club’s social and golf activities, otherwise their opinion on the matters addressed by the committee will not have sufficient weight.
Committee decisions must be endorsed by the Board of Directors, particularly where they may affect operational or financial aspects that were not envisaged in the annual budget. Committee members generally represent the viewpoint of a group of members that is sometimes very small but not insignificant.
Each committee decision should be analysed in terms of its positive impact while ensuring that it will not have a negative effect on the other members.

For Golf, the Competition Committee is clearly the most relevant. The Spanish Golf Federation’s by-laws state that all clubs, associations and sports entities affiliated to the Federation must have a competition committee responsible for organising all events conducted at its facilities and must ensure strict fulfilment of the Rules and compliance with all instructions issued by the Spanish Golf Federation. This obligation derives from the Federation’s golf handicap control function, covering nearly all golfers in Spain, so that they may compete in different clubs or, at least, show evidence of their level.
The proper performance of this function is subject to the observance of all aspects of golf tournaments, from the correct registration of participants and course preparation to the submission of results to the Federation within a specified period. The Golf Federation even requires a club’s competition committee to have a minimum of four members representing, also at minimum, male players, female players, senior players, professionals, children and handicap control. Many clubs, based on the number of members, may make one man and one woman responsible for competitions held for senior players, or create a children’s representative role, or include a course representative to suggest improvements.
The person responsible for golf handicaps should be a referee, professional or experienced player  with good knowledge to the rules of golf; activities should be promoted by this person to disseminate and increase awareness of this controversial aspect of the game.

The Spanish Golf Federation provides affiliated clubs with a “Green Book” describing all the by-law-stipulated functions of a Golf competition committee (among others) and including enabling regulations for the activities related to these functions. The Federation also publishes a “Yellow Book” defining the Golf competition committee’s obligations as regards the application and modification of handicaps, this being the EGA (European Golf Association)’s handicap system. The course rating system is based on USGA (United States Golf Association) regulations. The most relevant rules are as follows:

12 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF FEDERATED CLUBS

12.1 Each Federated Club shall act as an Authority in the Control of Handicaps of all federated members, pertaining to the Club, except category-1 handicaps, which shall be subject to the Authority of the Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG).

12.2 The Federated Club is responsible for the correct application of the EGA Handicap System in the Valid Tournaments organised. If this requirement is not fulfilled the RFEG may withdraw the Club’s right to act as an Authority in the Control of Handicaps, or impose any conditions deemed fit.

12.3 The Federated Club shall appoint a Representative or Handicap Committee to ensure the fulfilment of the obligations stipulated in subsections 13, 20 and 22, and to guarantee the integrity of the EGA Handicaps assigned by the Club.

12.4 The maintenance of handicaps in accordance with the EGA Handicap System is the responsibility of the Federated Club. Any complaint or claim related to the application of the system that cannot be resolved in the Club shall be submitted to the RFEG, which may investigate the facts if deemed necessary. If, following such investigation, the conclusion is drawn that the Federated Club has not fulfilled its responsibilities, the RFEG shall instruct it to rectify the stance adopted. If no rectification steps are taken, RFEG may suspend access to the Database.

12.5 The RFEG shall hold, in its Database, handicap records for all the Club’s golfers, relating to the previous twelve months at least.

HANDICAP CONTROL

13. Rights and obligations of the Tournament Committee

13.1. The Tournament Committee shall send to the RFEG’s database a list of license numbers for all the players that will participate in each valid round, so that their Exact EGA Handicaps are known, and shall also ensure that all the scorecards for that round, including incomplete scorecards, are returned to the Competition Committee.

13.2. The Competition Committee shall ensure that it knows the Exact EGA Handicap of each golfer federated by the club in accordance with RFEG requirements.

13.3. The Competition Committee shall ensure that all the valid results, including those relating to incomplete rounds, are sent to the RFEG’s Database immediately after each valid round, and always within the following twenty-four hours.

13.4. The Competition Committee shall have the power to suspend a handicap pursuant to subsection 20 and to adjust a handicap pursuant to subsection 22, notifying the golfer accordingly.

13.5. The Competition Committee shall have the power to treat a round of a tournament as semi-valid (valid only for handicap reductions) before the start of the round, e.g. due to exceptionally adverse weather conditions.

22. Powers of the Competition Committee with respect to the game in general

22.1. Where the club’s Competition Committee considers that the Exact EGA Handicap of a club member is too high and does not reflect their current game, it shall reduce the Exact EGA Handicap by no less than one point, to the level deemed appropriate, observing the provisions of subsection 22.3.

22.2. Where the club’s Competition Committee considers that the Exact EGA Handicap of a club member is too low and does not reflect their current game, it shall increase the Exact EGA Handicap by no less than one point, to the level deemed appropriate, observing the provisions of subsection 22.3.

22.3. Where the club’s Competition Committee decides to reduce the Exact EGA Handicap of a category-1 player and club member, or reduce the Exact EGA Handicap of a category-2 player to that of a category-1 player and club member, the RFEG shall be consulted to approve or reject such reduction.

22.4. In order to decide whether the Exact EGA Handicap should be modified, the RFEG will consider all information available on the golfer’s game. Special consideration should be focused on:
1. Frequency of valid results submitted recently that are or are not in line with his or her Exact EGA Handicap.
2. The golfer’s performance in match-play golf and in other non-valid events.

22.5. The Competition Committee shall inform the golfer of any change to his or her Exact EGA Handicap pursuant to this subsection and the modification shall have effect when included in the RFEG’s Database.

22.6. The club’s Competition Committee may reduce the Exact EGA Handicap of a non-member, during a tournament, where there are sound grounds for believing that the handicap is too high. Any reduction under this subsection shall apply only during that tournament. The RFEG and the golfer’s club shall be provided with full details immediately.

Note. The Tournament Committee shall adopt the most rigorous stance possible with respect to a golfer whose game is improving considerably, and vice versa. The Rules of Golf approved and agreed by international bodies stipulate the obligations of a Competition Committee in relation to a tournament and the club’s permanent committee must be fully aware of them. Specifically, rule 33 states the following:

33-1. Conditions; Exclusion of a Rule

The Committee shall establish the conditions under which a tournament must be played. The Committee has no authority to exclude a Rule of Golf. Certain specific Rules governing stroke-play golf are so substantially different from those governing match-play golf that the combination of the two ways of playing is not feasible and is not allowed. Results of matches and scorecards submitted in these circumstances shall not be accepted. In golf by strokes, the Committee may restrict a referee’s functions.

33-2. The Course

a. Definition of bounds and margins
The Committee must precisely define the following:
(i) the course and out of bounds
(ii) margins of water hazards and lateral water hazards
(iii) areas under repair; and
(iv) obstructions and playing areas.

b. New holes
New holes shall be made on the day a stroke-play tournament begins and whenever the Committee deems fit, provided all the competitors in a round play to each of the holes located in the same position.
Exception: Where a damaged hole cannot be repaired in order to adapt to the definition, the Committee may make a new hole in a similar position nearby.
Note: When a single round is to be played over more than one day, the Committee may stipulate in the tournament conditions that the holes and tees may be located in different places on each day of the tournament, provided all the competitors play to each hole and each tee in the same position on the same day.

c. Driving range
Where no driving range is available outside the area of a tournament course, the Committee shall determine, if feasible, the area in which golfers may practice on a tournament day. On any day of a stroke-play tournament, the Committee must not generally allow players to practice on or to a green or from a hazard on the tournament course.

d. Impracticable course
If the Committee or its authorised representative considers that, for any reason, the course is not suitable for golf or there are circumstances that make correct golf impossible, it may, in match-play golf or stroke-play golf, order the suspension of play or, in stroke play, declare the game to be null and void, and cancel all results for the round in question. When a round is cancelled, all penalties incurred during that round are cancelled. (Game interruption and resumption procedure – see Rule 6-8)

33-3. Tee times and Groups
The Committee shall stipulate tee times and, in stroke play, organise the groups in which the competitors must play. When a match-play tournament is held over a long period of time, the Committee shall stipulate the time limit for each round. When the players are authorised to set the date of their match within those limits, the Committee shall announce that the match must be played by a specific time on the final day of the period, unless the players agree to hold the match on a prior date.

33-4. Table showing Application of Handicap Points
The Committee shall publish a table stating the order of holes in which handicap strokes (points) are conceded or received.

33-5. Scorecard
In stroke-play golf, the Committee must provide each competitor with a scorecard stating the date and the competitor’s name or, in the case of foursome or four-ball stroke play, the competitors’ names. In stroke play, the Committee shall be responsible for adding up scores and applying the handicap stated on the scorecard. In four-ball stroke play, the Committee is responsible for taking note of the best ball score in each hole and, during the process, for applying the handicaps stated on the scorecard, as well as for adding up the best ball scores. In bogey, par and Stableford competitions, the Committee is responsible for applying the handicap stated on the scorecard and for calculating the score for each hole plus the overall result or total score. Note: The Committee may require each competitor to write down the date and his or her name on the scorecard.

33-6. Tiebreakers
The Committee shall announce the form, day and time for deciding a tied tournament or a tie and whether it is to be played with or without handicaps. A tied match may not be decided by stroke play. A tie in stroke play may not be decided by match play.

33-7. Disqualification penalty; Committee’s discretion
A disqualification penalty may be waived, changed or imposed in exceptional individual cases, when the Committee deems fit. Any penalty below disqualification may not be rescinded or modified. If the Committee considers a player to be guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, a disqualification penalty may be imposed under this Rule.

33-8. Local Rules

a. Criteria
The Committee may establish Local Rules for abnormal local conditions provided they are consistent with the criteria applied in Exhibit I.

b. Exclusion or modification of a Rule
A Golf Rule shall not be excluded by a Local Rule. However, if a Committee considers that abnormal local conditions interfere with the game to the point that a Local Rule modifying the Rules of Golf is required, the Local Rule shall be authorised by the Spanish Golf Federation, which shall consult the R&A if necessary.

In short, a Competition Committee is much more than just a committee or club formed by friends (fun committee) who issue their own rules; it is a great deal more serious. It is a legal body functioning in accordance with European rules and regulations by which it must abide. For this reason, Los Arqueros Golf has always guaranteed the professional management of this Committee, including the presence of an experienced member with the necessary knowledge to oversee its proper functioning. If we also consider that we are in Spain, where all related regulations and official notifications relating to the Golf Federation are in Spanish, and that the member in question is a Spanish national, we may conclude that Los Arqueros Golf is operating correctly and has probably always had one of the Costa’s most professional Competition Committees. This is both a guarantee and an additional seal of quality for this Club.

“A nation without free elections is a nation without a voice, without eyes or arms.” Octavio Paz”

Yours Sincerely,
Ulf Svendsen
Golf Manager of Los Arqueros

 

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