Tournament Information

Master Conditions of Play (COP) – 2024 Tournaments

Note: This COP may be updated by Tournament Committee for each event. A link to this master COP will be communicated to all players via email in advance of the event, and ONLY the changes or additions will be highlighted in a summary.

CHECK-IN: All players should arrive at the course no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled tee-time for check-in with the starter. For Shotgun starts, check in should be 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Failure to check-in with the starter prior to starting your round shall result in disqualification.

SCORING: All Scoring will be via Golf Genius App utilizing the Digital Scorecard feature which provides for the Marker and Scorer to verify and digitally sign scorecards. Information on how to use the Digital Scorecard feature can be found here - Digital Scorecard Player Instructions - Golf Genius - YouTube. We encourage everyone to review the video. For Team Events, scoring will still be via Golf Genius App but only 1 person in the team needs to log in with either personal email or the Group GGID for the scoring.

CONDITIONS OF PLAY: Play will be conducted according to the worldwide Rules of Golf established by the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, and also the Rolling Hills Golf Club Local Rules

This includes, per Rule 1.2a, that all players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

Acting with integrity – by following the Rules, applying all penalties; and being honest in all aspects of play.
Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.
Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.
Players must rake/repair a bunker after playing from it
- Players who are observed by either by a marshal or a playing partner failing to rake a bunker after playing from it will be access a 2 Stroke Penalty for that hole and will be reported by the Tournament Committee to the RHGC Disciplinary Board for possible further action.

The below exceptions supersede the local rules of Rolling Hills Golf Club for the purposes of this Competition:

You must be a member in good standing of Rolling Hills Golf Club, reached the age of 17 years and have an active WHS Handicap Index. A member in good standing is a member that has paid all the required yearly dues for the current year (2024).
Local Rule 7 (Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball out of Bounds (E-5)) does not apply.
The maximum score anyone can have on a hole is 2 x Par plus handicap strokes (otherwise known as double net par). Therefore, if you are on a Par 3 and receive a stroke, your maximum score is 7 for that hole.

The Tournament Committee also is emphasizing the following rules for this event:

Mandatory use of the Golf Genius App for Digital Scorecards by all competitors during the event. All players and markers must certify scores BEFORE they leave the golf course.
Failure to tee-off at your scheduled time may result in disqualification subject to the Rule and the decision of the Committee. (Rule 5.3a)

The Committee in charge of the Competition reserves the right to:

Adjust the Playing Handicap of an entrant within the Terms of the Competition where there is evidence that the player’s Handicap Index does not reflect their demonstrated ability. Any adjustments or reviews will be coordinated with the Handicap Committee.

Tournament Rules Sub-Committee:

If you are in doubt of any rule or how to play, you are encouraged to play a second ball, record the scores for both balls, and the end of play, consult with the Tournament Rules Committee for a ruling before returning your scorecard.
You may contact the Tournament Rules Committee via the WhatsApp number updated and communicated for each Event)

FLIGHTS, HANDICAPS AND TEES: As communicated in the relevant email at the time of the Tournament

PRIZES: As communicated in the relevant email at the time of the Tournament

Tournament Policy

Eligibility
You must be a member in good standing, with an active GHIN handicap. All event participants must be of age 16 or higher to compete in all RHGC and SAGA Events on the date of the event. RHGC has a well-established Junior program for members under the age of 16.

Handicaps
With the advent of the World Handicapping System on January 1st, 2020, Handicaps Indexes will be locked for events on the Wednesday prior to the event. Tournament eligible scores will be posted by the tournament committee immediately after the tabulation of the results for the event. We encourage all members to abide by the posting rules for the new World Handicapping system and post their eligible scores immediately upon completion of their non-tournament round.

Starting Time
All players are expected to tee-off at their designated starting time. If the player arrives, at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7.

Penalty: The penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole to be played in match play or two strokes in stroke play. Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes is disqualification.

Suspension of Play
When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue playing immediately, mark their ball position and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.

Penalty: If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he is disqualified unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.

Scorecard
In stroke play, the Committee will provide each competitor with a scorecard containing the date, name, and handicap. In stroke play, the Committee is responsible for the addition of scores and the application of the handicap recorded on the scorecard. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that the correct hole by hole gross scores are recorded on the card, accuracy of the handicap and signatures of marker and player. If a player withdraws from tournament, “WD” should be noted on card, the reason for withdraw, and gross scores recorded for holes played.

In four-ball stroke play, the Committee is responsible for recording the better-ball score for each hole and in the process applying the handicaps recorded on the scorecard, and adding the better-ball scores. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that the correct hole by hole gross scores are recorded on the card, accuracy of the handicap and signatures of marker and player.

In bogey, par and Stableford competitions, the Committee is responsible for applying the handicap recorded on the scorecard and determining the result of each hole and the overall result or point’s total. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that correct hole by hole gross scores are recorded on the card, accuracy of the handicap and signatures of marker and player.

Decision on Ties

Match Play Competitions
A match that ends all square should be played off hole by hole until one side wins a hole. The play-off should start on the hole where the match began. In a handicap match, handicap strokes should be allowed as in the prescribed round.

Stroke-Play Competitions
In either a scratch or handicap stroke-play competition the winner will be determined on the basis of the best score for the last nine holes. If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, determine the winner on the basis of the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole. When this method is used in a competition with a multiple tee start, the “last nine holes, last six holes, etc.” is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc.

No Show
The RHGC Tournament Committee has instituted a policy to address the incidence of Members registering for Tournament competition and not showing up at their respective registered event or withdrawing from competition for reasons that are unjustified. The policy is designed with the objective of respecting the spirit of competition and the integrity of our tournament results, while also recognizing that considerable time and effort are invested by volunteers in organizing these events. The policy also takes into account that cancellations are sometimes necessary due to medical conditions, unexpected work-related issues, or other emergencies that cannot be avoided. The policy is structured in two parts: (1) the “No Show” policy, and (2) the “Unjustified Withdrawal” policy.

Notification
Competitors are required to notify the RHGC Tournament Committee of their withdrawal from a tournament prior to the start of the event. . If it is necessary to withdraw after the event closing time, competitors must contact the committee via an SMS text message. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a preliminary determination that the Member violated the No Show policy. The circumstances surrounding a Member’s inability to comply, such as verifiable medical injury, will be taken into account by the Committee in its final determination of violation. The No Show policy applies to ALL RHGC organized tournaments.

Tournament Directors' email: RHGCtournaments@gmail.com

Suspension:

First Offense	2 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from RHGC/SAGA Competitions*
Second Offense	4 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from RHGC/SAGA Competitions*
Third Offense	6 Month Ban from RHGC/SAGA Competitions*

(*) RHGC/SAGA Competitions defined as tournaments scheduled in the RHGC Tournament Calendar. The start of suspension from RHGC/SAGA Competitions is at the discretion of the RHGC Executive Board. All rulings are final.

Unjustified Withdrawal
An Unjustified Withdrawal may occur in cases where the Member withdraws during the competition due to poor play or lack of ambition to play or does not return their scorecard after completion of the competition. Incomplete scorecards will be given to the Handicap Committee for the determination of the final score. The suspension applies to ALL tournaments including open play format and any round of a multi-round competition.

Exception: None

Suspension:

First Offense	1 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from RHGC/SAGA Competitions*
Second Offense	2 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from RHGC/SAGA Competitions*
Third Offense	4 Month Ban from RHGC/SAGA Competitions*

Notification

No Show
Players will be notified of the penalty by e-mail immediately following the competition. The Player has 48 hours to dispute the penalty at which point the Tournament Committee will make its final decision and communicate back to the player via e-mail.

Withdrawal
The player will be notified of the penalty by e-mail immediately following the competition. The player has 48 hours to dispute the penalty at which point the Tournament Committee will ask the fellow competitors about the players' claim to withdrawal. The Tournament Committee will make its final decision and communicate back to the player via email.

Record Keeping

The following will be issued next to the player’s name in the tournament results based on the situation.

No Show (NS): If a player does not show up for tee time without contacting the Tournament Committee, it will be recorded as a No Show (NS).

Withdrawal (WD): If a player withdraws during the tournament, it will be recorded as a Withdrawal (WD).

No Card (NC): If a player begins the tournament, and for any reason fails to turn in a signed scorecard for a completed round, it will be recorded as a No Card (NC). It will also be considered under the Unjustified Withdrawal policy noted above.

Disqualification (DQ): If a player tees it up and commits a USGA Rules infraction during the course of play or unintentionally fails to sign a scorecard it will be recorded as a Disqualification (DQ).

- 2023 RHGC Tournament Committee

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