Monthly Medal Tournaments

For the 2024 Season (December 1, 2023, through November 30, 2024), there will be 12 Monthly Medal Stroke Play Tournaments. Each monthly tournament will be assigned a date within the RHGC Tournament Calendar. All Monthly Tournaments registration will be managed through Golf Genius. 

Please note the following changes for monthly medal tournaments as of June 18, 2023, as decided by the Tournament Committee:

• All Players: As done in recent Monthly Medal tournaments, handicaps will be reviewed before each tournament and adjusted by Tournament Committee, if needed, and communicated to the player(s). This to maintain the fairness of play to others and per the COP, “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.” The adjustment is for each event only and does not affect your regular GHIN H.I..  (Note: these reviews/adjustments will also be done in non-monthly medal tournaments, as determined by the Tournament Committee.)

• Monthly Medal Pairings: Will be randomly selected by Golf Genius. Each threesome (or foursome) will have players from different flights dependent on the number of people registered and will be assigned a tee time by Golf Genius.

• Monthly Medal Scoring and Certifying of Scores: All Scoring will be via Golf Genius App utilizing the Digital Scorecard feature which requires that the Marker and Scorer verify the scores at the end of the Round and digitally sign the scorecards.

• All Monthly Medal Players Must Report to the Tournament Scoring Table within 15 minutes of completing the Round and having certified their scores: This is to validate the  scores, assist with any discrepancies or problems, and to ensure that the scores have been properly recorded for the Monthly Medal Tournament in Golf Genius. Scores will then be marked electronically as checked and verified for the Monthly Medal Tournament, and will be considered final. The Monthly Medal Tournament Scoring Table will close 15 minutes after the last group has finished their round. Players with incomplete scorecards at this time will be disqualified.

Master Conditions of Play (COP) – 2024 Monthly Medals

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. 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.

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 (2023).
• 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: For the 2023 Season, the flights in all Monthly Medals shall be equally distributed based on the players' Handicap Index as of the Wednesday at 6 PM of the week of the Monthly Medal.

HANDICAPS AND TEES: The maximum playing handicap for both Men and Women will be 27.  Playing handicap is the Course Handicap adjusted for any handicap allowances or terms of the Competition.  It represents the actual number of stokes the player receives for the round being played.

Men in the A flight will play from the Blue Tees, while those in B to E flights will be off the White Tees. Women shall play from the Red Tees. 

PRIZES: Overall winners will be awarded as follows:

• Overall Low Gross – the lowest overall gross score for the Monthly Medal Tournament. Tie-breaking will be based on USGA Gross countback method.
• Overall Low Net – the lowest overall net score for the Monthly Medal Tournament. Tie-breaking will be based on USGA Net countback method.
• Low Net – 1st, 2nd for each Flight (A, B, C, D, E) for the Monthly Medal Tournament. Tie-breaking will be based on USGA Net countback method.
• Nearest to Pin (NTP) - Holes #4, 8, 11 and 14.  
• Hole in One - Any player having a Hole-in-one will be recognized by the RHGC and Tournament Committee.
• NOTE: The Low Gross prize can only be won by players in the A Flight (off of the blue tees for men), and the Low Net prize can only be won by players in B to E Flights (off of the white tees for men).

THE RACE TO THE HILLS: Points are awarded in December 2023 to September 2024 Monthly Medals based on final positions in your flight with bonus points for the Top 3 Overall Net places. Your best 6 results over the first 10 medals of the season will determine your total points.  The final two medals of the year will be the Playoffs for the Top 30 plus anyone within 20 points of the leader.

- 2023 Tournament Committee