League Play

We will be competing in a "points-based" scoring system, that we believe will lead to a more competitive league. The format will be head-to-head contest between the higher handicap players of the two teams (one point available per hole), head-to-head between the lower handicap players of the two-teams (one point available per hole), and combined team score per hole (one point available per hole). In the event of a tie (per hole), the point is split with half to each player/team. Each team has the potential to win 3 points per hole: one point to the winner of each head-to head match, and one for the combined team score (the possibility of earning the total of 27 points per night). This will also eliminate the need for a putt-off, since the two teams "could" be tied at the end of the night's round, and split the available points between the two teams. We believe that this will keep the match competitive to the end, since points can be earned for both players' scores all the way through to the ninth hole.

The schedule and paired matches will be done randomly through the software system we purchased. There will still be the luck of the draw for which teams you play throughout the year, how good they are versus other teams, and how both you and they play in your scheduled match (this is out of my control). Your team score card will be pre-printed and will indicate which set of nine (front/back) will be played each week. Please consult the weekly schedule and contact a person from the opposing team you’ll be playing.

NOTE: At the end of the match, at least one player from each team must sign the opposing team’s card to verify the scores.

League Rules

Our play will be governed by the U.S.G.A. rules of golf with the following exceptions:

1. Players MAY move the ball one club length in any direction, but no closer to the hole, to improve the lie with the following exception: The ball MAY NOT be moved from within a hazard without penalty; (i.e. water, sand traps or other marked hazards). It MAY be moved from the rough to the fairway, if within one club length.

2. If the ball is hit in the water or out of bounds, go to the last spot your ball passed over land or go to the point where your ball went out of bounds (or go back on the ball's line of flight), and drop another ball at that spot with one penalty stroke. Please use the ball’s “line of flight”, not horizontal to where the ball landed. Out of bounds does not lose stroke and distance, just the stroke.

3. Abide by all local course rules as designated on the scorecard and as posted by the signs on the course.

4. Pick-Up Rule: Any player who has not reached the green and has a score of more than 3 over par on the hole shall pick up the ball and cease play for that hole. The score card should indicate either an X or an F (for forfeit of that one hole). When the group reaches the green, the X'd player may place his/her ball at the furthest point on the green from the pin, and putt for "putting contest" purposes. If the hole is in doubt with both teams picking-up, the hole is considered a draw (half). Both score cards should indicate either an X or an F for that hole. The lowest handicap golfer in each group will be designated captain whose responsibility it will be to ensure compliance with this policy (pick up those players’ golf balls that have exceeded the maximum strokes if they do not). This is intended to speed up play and make the game enjoyable for all.

 

Handicaps

Any questions or concerns about the handicap system, scores, or match results should be brought to the attention of the League Committee members.

All scores and handicap info will be posted to the web site, but details are available upon request.

All players must play at least two weeks to establish a handicap. They will play scratch until a handicap can be established.

Players from the last year’s league will have their handicap rolled over to the current year. The 6 most-recent scores will calculate the player’s new handicap (player’s last year scores, plus current year “handicap round” scores).

Score Cards

1. During our handicapping rounds, make sure to place your first and last name on the scorecard you turn in. There will be a container in the clubhouse for our scorecards.

2. When league play begins, your card will be prepared for you. It will designate each player's handicap. The opposing team members and their information will also be printed on the card.

3. Record the actual score you make on each hole. DO NOT SUBTRACT THE HANDICAP. If you made an 8 on hole number one, place an 8 in the box for hole number one. If you pick up (three stroke rule), place either an X or an F on the card for that hole.

4. A player from each team should sign the card to verify the scores prior to turning in the scorecards.

5. Any scorecard that is missing will be counted as a forfeited match.

Cancellation of Play

Cancellation of play will first be at the discretion of the Golf Course Manager, and then by the Golf League Committee. Call and speak to one of the golf course pro shop personnel and ask if the league has been cancelled. You should arrive at the golf course prepared to play even if rain is likely. We will make every effort to play as scheduled. If a week is rained out, continue playing the prepared schedule. We will make up rain dates at the end of league play.

Weekly Awards and Prizes

Competition for prizes shall be conducted each league night. Examples are: Team and/or Individual low putts; Team and/or individual low net score; and Team and/or individual low gross score. Team Alternates may play for weekly prizes when appropriate (i.e. individual competition categories).

Playoffs / Best of the Rest

PLAY-OFFS:

At the end of the league's regular season matches, we will initiate a playoff system and take the top 8 teams (overall) with the most points. There will not be a "divisional system" as there was in previous years. This will eliminate teams being left behind that had better records than advancing teams that played in weaker divisions.

In the even of a tie between two or more playoff teams, the following scenario will be used (in this order) to break the tie:

1. Head-to-head record (Team who won the match wins the Tie)
2. Opponents Record versus the field (Team with higher opponent Win/Loss record wins the Tie)
3. Rock-Paper-Scissors (2 out of 3, but hopefully, it will never get to this)


BEST OF THE REST:

All teams not participating in the play-offs and teams eliminated in the first round of playoffs shall play in a "Best of the Rest" tournament during the weeks required to determine the league champion­ship. Teams must play two of three weeks to be eligible to win the "Best of the Rest." Lowest Net Score (scores minus handicaps) will win the Best of the Rest tournament.
 

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2009 Boynton Golf League

Regular Season Matches Start This Wednesday, April 29th

If you have not registered by now, it’s too late to enter the League, unless you want to be an alternate. Alternates can still register up to May 6th.
 
Thank you for your interest in joining the Boynton Golf League this year.  This year we have a total of 86 registered members and 38 teams.  This is the largest turn-out so far.
 
I have attached the updated Contact List and this year's Schedule of matches.  Please review your team's schedule information, and the contact information of the team you will be facing each week. The accuracy of this list will be very important as we move through the season.  
 
Because there will be so many teams out on the course, and I'm sure the first tee box will be packed for our first week, meaning it will be even more important to communicate with your opposing team prior to your match.  
 
Please make the effort to contact opposing team members to inform them of your expected arrival time and readiness for the match.
 
If you know you can't get there until later in the day (4:45 or 5pm), let your opposition know that ahead of time.  It will give your opposing team a chance to drink more beer, and you a better chance of whooping up on them!
 
If your team cannot make it to the course by 5:15pm (or at all), you will have forfeited the match.  
 
Please contact the opposing team so they aren't waiting at the course.  The remaining team will still have to go out, play their 9-hole round and post their scores.  They will be paired up in the software against two "ghost" players in order to earn points.
 
Rainy weather is a normal part of playing in this league during the summer months.  
Typically, if the course is open for normal play, our League will be playing.  There may be situations where we cancel the match as part of a "rain-out".  If I know for sure the course is closed due to too much rain from the previous day's weather, I'll try to send out an email informing everyone ahead of time.  
If you are not sure if the course is open, you can contact Winston Trails at (561) 439-3700.
No rain checks issued after the third hole.
 
Those scheduled matches that are deemed "rain outs" are made up at the end of the season, not the following week.
 
 

All Men playing from the Black Tees PLEASE let me know so I can use the correct slop etc.
 
Winston Trails has some scrub bushes 150 located within some of the sand traps, here’s how we are going to handle a ball in one of those bushes.
 
The local rules for the scrub are: The ball may be played within the scrub- no penalty, but it's a hazard and the club cannot be grounded.  If deemed unplayable, the ball may be moved within the sand trap-(the waste is considered the sand trap), one club length-no closer to the whole, incurring a one stroke penalty.
 
You play your own golf ball from Tee to Green.
Out of bounds (O.B.) is a one stroke penalty - move up, take your penalty stroke and drop your ball on line of flight from where it crossed O.B. (Lake etc)
 
You don't lose distance on O.B. shots, but must be line of site.
 
You get a one-club-length relief anywhere on the course with the following exceptions below:
 
 
1. You can't move the ball while in a sand-trap (play it where it lies).  Except within the scrub bushes- If deemed unplayable, the ball may be moved within the sand trap-(the waste is considered the sand trap), one club length-no closer to the whole, incurring a one stroke penalty.
2. You can't move the ball while in the water hazard (typically defined by longer grass).
3. You can't move the ball from O.B. back to the course's field of play.
4. You can't move the ball while on the putting surface, or from being "off the putting surface" to being "on the putting surface".
 
Note - in situation 2, if you think you can't hit the ball, take your penalty stroke and place the ball on the line of flight prior to where it went into the water hazard.  In situation 3, take your penalty stroke and place the ball on the line of flight prior to where it went O.B. (don't hit the ball while O.B.).
 
Additional Clarification - You can move the ball while in the fairway.  You can move the ball while in the rough.  You can "place the ball" in the rough (don't have to "drop"). You can move the ball from behind a tree one club length.  You can move the ball from the rough to the fairway or fairway to the rough one club length.
 
You cannot use a "TEE" on the course, unless you are teeing off.  You can't use a leaf (or anything else) to keep the ball on top of deep rough.

The 3-over par rule is still in effect on this course. For those who don't know, this rule is intended to eliminate anyone from struggling beyond the point of hopelessness.  If you are more than 3 over par for any given hole (7 on a par 3, or 8 on a par 4, or 9 on a par 5), pick up your ball, and write an X for that hole on your score card.  This process should be used by all golfers, regardless of their golfing ability, and is intended to speed up play. If you have 3 over on any given hole and not on the green yet just pickup up drop on the green and put it out to help speed up play.
 
This Wednesday, your score cards will be pre-printed with all team members’ names and handicaps on it.  They will be left at the Pro Shop, so please take your team's score card at the time of your paid nightly green fees.  Look for the "Weekly Contest" printed on each week's score card (probably Individual Low Putts for this week).
 
When you are done with your round, be sure to sign your opposing team's score card, and then turn it in to the big Green Box located in the.  We'll do the tabulations and post the results to the web site within a day or two.
 
If your team is short a player for a given week, you can either contact another team's "Alternate" to see if they are available, or else a ghost substitute will be used in the golf software to help you.  Alternate players can be used on any team, unless you are playing the team that the alternate is originally from.  Those teams on your Contact List that have 3 or 4 members are the ones with alternates. Additionally, there is a "Discussion Forum" link on our web site.  Alternates can either post their availability, or you can post your need for an alternate.  This is new from previous years, so try it out and let me know if this works for you.
 
The "Committee" members and I have agreed to allow some new players to post their second handicap score from the first regular season match.  Those new members may be listed on their score cars with a "0" handicap.  However, their Wednesday night score will be used twice, and they will have a handicap when the points are calculated (just so you know).
 
At the end of the regular season the top 16 teams (this depends on how many rain out days could be only the top 8 teams) who have accumulated the most points will be selected for a single-elimination Playoff tournament.  All other teams that did not make the playoffs are eligible for the Best of the Rest tournament, which is almost as rewarding (OK, so Best of the Rest = 5th Place = a Free Trophy).  It's still an opportunity to play more golf and have some fun before the end of the year.
 
After the Championship Playoffs and Best of the Rest tournament are complete, we will hold an Awards Banquet.  The banquet will consist of food, prizes, and trophies.  Your registration fee covers all expenses (except for the bar tab), so we hope you'll join us.  More information will be provided as the end of year gets closer.
 
In this e-mail I’ve attached a Summer Flyer from Winston Trails concerning a great summer value that they are offering only our League Members.
Another attachment is our member contact list (This is not posted on the web site for obvious reasons)
And one more attachment for the weekly parings (This is on the Web Site)
 http://www.golfweb.ws/10739/