Competition Rules | tlgcseniors

Senior Section 2024 Rules of all competitions, (modified July 2024).

The dates of all competitions are published in the club diary.

All competitions shall be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf of the R & A and with local rules as may be approved by the Executive Committee.

All paid up members of Thorney Lakes Golf Club who are 55 or over are entitled to join the Senior Section.

All members of Thorney Lakes Golf Club who comply with paragraphs 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of the Senior Section Constitution are able to enter the Senior's Championship and all other competitions arranged by the Senior Section.

Buggies will be allowed on medical grounds by agreement of the Senior Section Committee.

Each player is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their own scorecard and recording of scores on the computer. Scorecards incorrectly completed may result in disqualification.

The rules of all competitions will be governed by the Competition Secretary, in any matter of dispute the decision of the Competition Secretary will be final.

Competitions are open to all qualified Club members of senior age.

Eclectic

Played during the autumn and winter months as stated in the club diary off full handicap using the yellow tees.

All players must nominate a round to be part of the eclectic before the round commences and use an officially prepared card to be signed by both player and marker.

Each entrant will play a series of 5 rounds and best score for each hole over the series of 5 rounds will be recorded and the lowest accumulated score adjusted by full handicap for 18 holes will be the winner.

The player’s first round will be played, as far as possible, under stroke play rules but in order to speed up play, a competitor must record a score of 0 if s/he is unable to complete a hole. For the second and subsequent rounds players need only enter improved scores for each hole on the card.

The playing handicap used for this competition will be based on the player’s handicap as of 9.00am on the first day of November regardless of any changes that may occur between then and the completion of the competition.

All entries for this competition must be played during a Thursday roll up and competitors must nominate their desire so to do before they embark on their round, and they must collect an official Eclectic Card from the Competition Secretary (or other committee member if the Competition Secretary is absent). In the event of course closure the committee, through the Competition Secretary, may relax this last rule.

Medals

These are qualifying Stroke play competitions from the Yellow Tees, off 95% current handicap with prizes based on two divisions. The committee will determine the dividing point for the two divisions to provide equity (equal numbers) in each division. Entry and draw is organized on the day, as per roll-up. Players may be drawn to play off the 1st or 14th tee.

Entrants will be registered for the competition on the computer, after completion of the round, and then return the card to the members’ bar. It is the responsibility of each player to enter the score on the computer.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

Medford

A singles competition from the Yellow Tees off full handicap organised during the year as part of the Thursday roll-up. The draw is organized on the day as per roll-up.

Players may be drawn to play off the 1st or 14th tee.

The format is as follows:

Front 9 holes (1-9) Medal/Stroke Play – Gross score minus applicable handicap per hole. Back 9 holes (10-18) Stableford using applicable handicap per hole.

At the end of the round the Stableford points are deducted from the front nine Net score. The player with the lowest total wins.

There is no requirement to enter scores on the Club Computer for this competition.

Neil’s T.E.S.T (Timms End of Season Trophy)

This is a qualifying Stableford competition from the Yellow Tees, off 95% current handicap over two divisions. The overall winner will be the lowest score of the two divisions.

All players will start from the 1st tee.

Entrants will be registered for the competition on the computer, after completion of the round it is the responsibility of each player to enter the score on the computer and then return the card to the members’ bar.

A notice is posted on the senior notice board giving details of the competition. The draw will be made on the day of the competition as per a normal roll up. Players will go out in mainly three balls, four balls may be considered dependent on entry numbers.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

Order of Merit

The Order of Merit will be awarded to the player with the highest points score accumulated during the season from designated medal and board competitions. All designated competitions will be highlighted in the club diary. All Order of Merit Competitions will be played off the Yellow Tees.

In all designated competitions the overall winner (combined divisions) will be awarded 10 points, second place 9 points, third 8 points, fourth 7, fifth 6, sixth 5, seventh 4, eight 3, ninth 2 and tenth place 1 point.

Pairs Knockout

The Competition will be played during the summer months and final being played in or by October, on a date fixed and noted in the Club Diary. Matches can be played on any day convenient to and mutually arranged by the players, including during the Seniors Thursday session.

A notice is posted on the senior notice board giving details of the competition, closing date for entry and the entry fee. Pairs will be drawn one from each of the two divisions where possible.

Matches will be played off the Yellow Tees starting at the 1st hole as a “Four ball, Better Ball” with shots received being 90% of the difference between the lowest handicapped player’s COURSE HANDICAP and the COURSE HANDICAP of the other players as per the new rules as issued by the R & A.

If numbers allow, there will be a number of Leagues, each made up of four or five pairs, depending on the number of entrants. Each pair will play the remaining pairs in their league in standard Match Play.

Three (3) points will be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a half and no points for losing. The points awarded will be entered on to the Record on the Seniors Notice Board.

At the end of the Round Robin Section all points awarded will be totalled and the two pairs of each league scoring the highest number of points will automatically go through to the “Knock Out” stage. A number of highest third placed pairs may also go through. This will depend on the numbers participating to balance the draw.

In the event of a tie a count back on the accumulated winning margin throughout the league phase of the competition will be used. In the event that results remain tied the result between the respective tied pairs will decide.

All Round Robin Matches must be completed by the dates indicated on the League record sheet posted on the senior’s notice board. A card will be completed for each match showing holes won, lost or halved and after all players signing it, will submit it to the Competition Secretary. The winning team is to complete/update the results table on the Seniors notice board.

There is no requirement to register on the Club Computer for this competition.

In the event of enough competitors entering for a viable pairs competition but not enough for a League format then a straight knock out competition will replace the League format. Matches in this format to be played on or by the published dates. If any pair wishes to play on an earlier date to that published, then it is their responsibility to contact the other pair to see if a mutually convenient date can be found, if not then the match must either be forfeited or played on the published date.

Any extension to dates for matches to be played must be approved by the Competition Secretary in advance, but players should realise that this will only be given in exceptional circumstances.

Russian Stableford

This Competition is a pairs game played off the Yellow tees (or appropriate tee for winter).

The draw is organised on the day. Playing partner picked at random from roll up cards when sufficient numbers have arrived for a fair draw (this could amount to two or more draws taking place dependent on time).

Stableford points are awarded in the following manner. The points score on each hole for each player is multiplied together to give a combined score for each hole.

For example player A scores 1 point & player B 2 points, therefore score for hole is 1 x 2 = 2 or

2 x 2 = 4 or 0 x 1 = 0 or 0 x 2 = 0 etc, in these instances of no score player A would have been said to have shot his partner.

Senior Championship

This is a qualifying Stroke play competition from the Yellow Tees off 95% handicap over two rounds. The draw will be made prior to the start of each round after the players pay their entrance fee.
All players will start from the 1st tee.
Entry to, either round, of the Seniors Championship is determined by each player having played in a minimum of 4 qualifying rounds from the 1st March of the current year of the championship up to the week before the championship. A qualifying round is defined as playing, and completing the round, in either an official seniors’ Thursday roll up OR representing the seniors in a match against another club.
Players will play in mainly three balls, four balls may be considered dependent on entry numbers.
The overall winners whose names will appear on both the respective trophy and the respective honours board, will be the lowest nett score of all the entrants and the lowest gross score of the entrants over both rounds.
Entrants will be registered for the competition on the computer. After completion of the round it is the responsibility of each player to enter the score on the computer and to hand their completed and signed card to the competition secretary, or in his absence another committee member. for final checking.
In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary) of the second round will be used to determine placings.
Prizes will be awarded at the end of the second round with a prize for the best Gross score and the runner up in this category, and other prizes will be determined by Nett scores in each division.
Players will use the same handicap for Round 2 as they did for round 1.
Additionally, both rounds will be considered as separate competitions, and a trophy is awarded to the

lowest nett scores for each round.

Shambles

This competition is a team game played off the Yellow tees with each player receiving 85% of their playing handicap.

The draw is organised in advance as teams of four or three.

How To Play

Each member of the team takes a drive and then the team select one competitor’s drive off the tee, The position is marked. Then each player in any order, plays their own ball from that position and continue to play their own ball. Placing on fairway and dropping from rough as per R&A rules (except when course conditions dictate otherwise, when players will be advised before start of play). There is no restriction on the number of drives from any one competitor being used i.e., teams could use one player’s drive throughout the competition.

Scoring

Stableford points the best two scores to count for each hole.

All players to sign the score card.

Singles Knockout.

The Competition will be played during the summer months and final being played in October, on a date fixed and noted in the Club Diary. Matches can be played on any day convenient to and mutually arranged by the players, including during the Seniors Thursday session.

This competition is Match Play format played off the Yellow Tees and is a Non-Qualifying Competition.

A notice is posted on the senior notice board giving details of the competition, closing date for entry and the entry fee.

Depending on the number of entries, there will be a number of Leagues, each made up of four or five players, depending on the number of entrants. Each player will play the remaining members in their league in standard Match Play.

Three (3) points will be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a half and no points for losing. The points awarded will be entered on to the Record on the Seniors Notice Board.

At the end of the Round Robin Section all points awarded will be totalled and the two players of each league scoring the highest number of points will automatically go through to the “Knock Out” stage. A number of highest third placed players may also go through. This will depend on the numbers participating to balance the draw.

All Round Robin Matches must be completed by the dates indicated on the League record sheet posted on the senior’s notice board.

The format is Singles Match Play:

Nett scores on each hole are used to determine the outcome of each hole – win, lose or half.

Handicap allowance – 100% of difference between the lowest handicap player in the match and the other competitor. Signed cards to be handed to the competitions secretary and the winning player is to complete/update the results table on the Seniors notice board.

Player’s attention is drawn to Rule 30 of the Rules of Golf, which provides further specific guidance and interpretations that apply to Match play competitive play.

If numbers are not sufficient for a League format but are for a viable competition, then a straight Knock Out competition will replace the League format. Matches in this format to be played on or by the published dates. If any individual wishes to play on an earlier date to that published, then it is their responsibility to contact the other player to see if a mutually convenient date can be found, if not then the match must either be forfeited or played on the published date.

Any extension to dates for matches to be played must be approved by the Competition Secretary in advance, but players should realise that this will only be given in exceptional circumstances. If a knock out system is used then players eliminated in the first round or in their first match will be eligible for the Plate competition.

Start of Season Cup

This is a qualifying Stroke play competition from the Yellow Tees, off 95% current handicap over two divisions. The overall winner will be the lowest score of the two divisions.

All players will start from the 1st tee.

A notice is posted on the senior notice board giving details of the competition. The draw will be made on the day of the competition as per a normal roll up. Players going out in mainly three balls, four balls may be considered dependent on entry numbers.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

Texas Scramble

Texas scramble is a Stroke play competition and one or more may be organised during the year as part of the Thursday roll-up.

A draw will be organized prior to the event. Play will, as practicable, be in teams of four with as far as possible a high, medium & low handicap mix.

All players play a tee shot from the Yellow Tees. The team then chooses their preferred tee shot and marks the position of the ball. The following will then apply:

The ball is on the fairway – chosen ball played as it lies (unless winter rules apply), other balls played as preferred lie

The ball not on the fairway – Chosen ball position marked then played as it lies, subsequent players must drop ball within 6 inches of mark no nearer the hole.

Each player hits their next shot from the position agreed as above. This procedure is followed until the ball is holed. The total number of shots for the hole is then recorded on the card.

The team’s handicap is deducted from the total number of strokes taken, to give the team’s final score. The team’s handicap is is finalised by adding the members of the teams hanicaps together and if a team of 4 it is divided by 10 and if a team of three it is divided by 6.

All team members must sign the scorecard.

For teams of 4 four drives from each player must be used and the scorecard must show whose drive was taken at each hole. For teams of 3 then 5 drives from each player must be used.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

Three Club Competition

This is a single round non qualifying Stableford competition played from the Yellow Tees off 100% handicap in a single division.

The draw is organized on the day as per roll-up.

Three Clubs only are allowed including a putter if the player chooses to carry one.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

Traffic Lights

This single Stableford competition is played off the White, Yellow and Red tee’s and is organised as part of the Thursday roll-up.

The draw is organized on the day as per roll-up.

All members of the Ladies section are invited to play and the draw is organized on the day as per roll-up.

The format is as follows:

Holes 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 are played from the White Tees.

Holes 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 are played from the Yellow Tees.

Holes 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 are played from the Red Tees.

Ladies play the course off the red index and the Gentlemen play the course off the yellow index.

Players going out in mainly three balls, four balls may be considered dependent on entry numbers.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

There is no requirement to register on the Club Computer for this competition. Gentlemen use full Yellow tee handicap for the competition and Ladies handicaps will be adjusted to balance out the difficulty of using White and Yellow tees. If sufficient Ladies enter then there will be a separate ladies competition and they will use their normal handicap.

Winter Pairs

The Competition will be played during the winter months starting in November with the semi-finals and final being played in the following February, on dates which are fixed and noted in the Club Diary.

League Matches can be played on any day convenient to and mutually arranged by the players, including during the Seniors Thursday session.

Senior members are free to make their own pairings for this competition. A notice is posted on the senior notice board giving details of the competition, closing date for entry and the entry fee.

Matches will be played off the Yellow Tees starting at the 1st hole as a “Four ball, Better Ball” with handicaps determined as each player plays off 90% of their handicap and then strokes are taken accordingly from the lowest handicapped player.

There will be a number of Leagues, each made up of four or five pairs, depending on the number of entrants. Each pair will play the remaining pairs in their league in standard Match Play.

Three (3) points will be awarded for a win, One (1) point for a half and no points for losing. The points awarded will be entered on to the Winter League Record on the Seniors Notice Board.

In the event of a tie a count back on the accumulated winning margin throughout the league phase competition will be used. In the event that results remain tied the result between the respective tied pairs will decide. All Round Robin Matches must be completed by the dates indicated on the Winter League record sheet posted on the senior’s notice board. A card will be completed for each match showing holes won, lost or halved and after all players signing it, will submit it to the Competition Secretary. The winning team is to complete/update the results table on the Seniors notice board.

Players should be aware of possible trolley bans on the Lakes Course during the winter months

Yellow Peril

This Stableford competition is organised during the year as part of the Thursday roll-up.

The draw is organized on the day as per roll-up. Play will be in teams of three, individual handicaps apply.

All players play a tee shot from the Yellow Tees. Each team determines the order of play before the round starts, to identify the Yellow Peril (it is not necessary to use a yellow ball). The following format is to be used:

Player 1 plays the yellow peril on holes 1/4/7/10/13/16

Player 2 plays the yellow peril on holes 2/5/8/11/14/17

Player 3 plays the yellow peril on holes 3/6/9/12/15/18

At the end of each hole the score and points of the Yellow Peril is recorded plus the better of the other two scores. Highest team score wins.

In the event of a tie, count back over the back nine holes (then six and last three if necessary).

There is no requirement to register on the Club Computer for this competition

York Cup

This is a qualifying Stableford competition played over three rounds from the Yellow Tees over two divisions. The division will be determined by the handicap in use at the start of round 3 regardless of whether an individual misses round 3 or not.

All players will start from the 1st tee.

A notice is posted on the senior notice board giving details of the competition.

Each draw will be made on the day of each round.

95% of the current handicap on the day of each round to be used to calculate points scored. Handicaps adjusted during course of the competition will apply to each round.

The overall winner will be the player who has the highest combined score of the two divisions for the best two of the three rounds played.

In the event of a tie the winner will be decided by count back as follows: The higher score on the second counting round, not the second round played. Then the back nine holes (then the last six and last three if necessary) of the final qualifying round.

The entry fee for each round will include a prize pot for each round as well as the overall York Cup competition. Prizes for each round will be based on one division but prizes for the York Cup itself will be based on two divisions.

NB Order of Merit points will be available for each round.

General Comments

Ties (other than York Cup) will be decided on the last 9,6,3, or final hole(s) on the card. In the case of a 36 hole competition on the last 18,9,6,3, or final hole(s) of the second card.

​ Thorney Lakes GC Senior Section

Thorney Lakes GC Senior Section