BRT Verizon Golf League
League Rules
General Info
Schedule and Season
MVP Award
MIP Award
Post Season Playoffs and Championships
Tie in a Post-Season Playoff Match
Tee-Off Times and Location
Greens Fees
League Dues
League Officers and Rules Committee
Substitutes
Playing Rules
Rain!
Position Night
Team Captain Responsibilities
Regular Season Match Play Format
Scoring
Standings
Handicaps
Forfeits
League Tournament
Appendix A - League Officers
Revision History
League History: This golf league was established in early 1990's to allow fellow employees (CTCO, CTE, Alltel, Verizon) an opportunity
to play golf and to get to know other employees (that is why Verizon is still part of our league name). We started at Lehman Golf Course,
then Four Seasons, then WB Muni & Four Seasons, then WB Muni, and now we are at Blue Ridge Trail.
It is a ‘fun’ league and
is not company run, but is run and managed by its league members. The majority of the league members WERE fellow employees, but that is no longer
the case - and the majority of members are friends we acquired over the years. We welcome friends, family members, and spouses into the league (both for
membership as well as our sub list). If league membership must be limited for whatever reason (ie nbr of available tee times),
new members will be selected on a first come-first serve basis. It is the league’s intention to allow everyone interested the
opportunity to play golf and become a league member.
The golf league consists of two-person teams and individual substitutes. Each team must select a team captain. The teams are arranged in one or more divisions. The number of teams per division is limited only by the available tee times at each division’s course. Multiple divisions may play at different golf courses. Weekly matches between two two-member teams (from the same division) are scheduled after work hours, and under certain conditions, they may be rescheduled.
The league schedule is created and distributed after all teams and divisions have been finalized. The schedule consists of approximately 18 weeks (one match per week), and may vary from year to year. After the regular season, playoffs are scheduled for qualifying teams.
If there is a half-time tournament, it will be scheduled near the mid point of the golf league season. The tournament is usually flighted and includes green fees, dinner, and prizes. This tournament may replace the end of the season tournament (because the weather conditions are usually much nicer at this time of the year). The tournament does not effect the league standings or points.
At the end of the season, each division will have playoffs and a championship match. There is not a inter-division championship. The following awards will be given out (for each division):
Each player contributes points to a team’s match. The player with the highest average of points per match is awarded the MVP. Forfeits are counted as zero points and are included in determining the average points per match. Rounds played by substitutes (and the points they score) are not counted as rounds played by the player. The player must play a minimum of 10 regular season rounds during the current season in order to be eligible for the MVP award. In the event of a tie, both players will be awarded the MVP.
MIP Calculation
With the inception of the USGA-like scoring method, we will also use the USGA’s method for determining the Most Improved Golfer.
This method is (9-holes only):
NOTE: The player must be a former Golf League member (full-time or sub), and must have played at least 7 league rounds (regular season and/or playoffs) prior to the start of the current season in order to be eligible for the MIP award. The player must also play a minimum of 10 regular season rounds during the current season in order to be eligible for the MIP award. The player's established Golf League handicap index at the start of the current season will be used as the starting handicap index.
Post Season Playoffs and Championships
The league’s season is divided into halves. Seven (7) teams from each division will make the playoffs. See ‘Handicaps’ section for playoff handicap determination.
Playoff handicaps are the lower handicap between the end of the first half and the end of the second half. For example, if you qualified for the playoffs and your handicap at the end of the first half was 3, and your handicap at the end of the season was 6, then your playoff handicap will be 3 (the lower half-ending handicap).
Four (4) teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs based on their position in the standings. Teams that finish in first and second place in each half qualify for the playoffs. These will be the #1, #2, #3, and #4 seeded teams. The year-to-date points will determine which of these four teams is the #1 through #4 seeded team. The #1 seed will have the highest year-to-date points, followed by the #2 seed, #3 seed, and #4 seed. The #1 seed will get a first round bye. In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker will be implemented. If there is tie for seeding, a random draw will be made (with a representative from each team involved present).
If one or two teams finish in first or second in both halves of the season,
the remaining top four playoff spots will be determined by year-to-date points
(these teams are seeded AFTER the teams that made the playoffs based on position).
For example, Team 1 and Team 2 finished the first half in first and second
place, and Team 5 and Team 1 finished the second half in first and second
place. These three teams would be the #1, #2, and #3 seeded teams based on
year-to-date points. The #4 seed would be determined by taking the team with
the highest year-to-date points. If there is tie for seeding, a random draw
will be made (with a representative from each team involved present).
Three (3) teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs as wildcard teams. These teams will be determined by the highest year-to-date points. The highest year-to-date points will be the #5 seed, followed by #6 and #7. If there is tie for seeding, a random draw will be made (with a representative from each team involved present).
Playoff Picture (per division):
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Championship |
|---|---|---|
| #1 receives Bye | #1 vs worst seeded winner of Round 1 | Round 2 winners |
| #2 vs #7 | ||
| #3 vs #6 | Remaining Round 1 winners | |
| #4 vs #5 |
Tie in a Post-Season Playoff Match
If a playoff match results in a tie, the two teams involved must agree
on a resolution. The following are suggestions: 1 hole playoff, 9 hole rematch,
or a coin toss. BOTH teams must agree on the resolution. If no resolution
is agreed upon, a coin toss (with a representative from both teams present)
will decide the tie. If the teams decide to continue play (1 hole or 9 holes)
to decide the match, the match must be completed before the next scheduled
playoff round.
Tee-off times will be pre-assigned (see current year’s schedule). The tee-off times are created (pre-assigned) in an attempt to equally distribute
each tee-off slot to the available teams. If you wish to switch a tee-off slot with another team, check the schedule and contact the captain of that
team. Please try to be at the course and ready to play at least ten minutes before your tee-off time. If golfing for league play on a non-league scheduled
night, the course will require a reserved tee-off time. The team captain(s) is responsible for getting tee-off times for league play on non-league scheduled
nights.
Tee-Off Locations
Men will tee off from the White tee locations. Women will tee off from the Red tee locations. (New 2014): If you are 65 or older, you can tee off from the senior tees (usually Green or Yellow). NOTE: Senior golfers must be consistent on where they tee off from (either tee off from senior tees all season, or tee off from white tees all season).
All players must pay their own green fees. (See Appendix B for course specific
greens fees). If you play on a night other than your regularly scheduled
league night, identify yourself as an golf league member when signing
in and paying. The course’s green fee at the time you play will apply. Don’t
forget to save your receipt from the clubhouse. The course may have a starter
collecting the receipt on the first tee.
League dues are required from each regular golf league member. Substitutes
may be required to pay full or partial dues if attending the half-time tournament.
The golf league secretary is exempt from paying league dues. The money collected from dues is used to provide awards
(trophies, plaques, shirts, etc) for the league awards described in this document. In addition, league dues can be used to
help cover tournament costs: including, but not limited to, green fees, golf carts, tournament prizes and banquet dinner.
All moneys collected are non-refundable and will be spent on league-related expenses only. If a league member cannot
make the tournament, and they notify a league officer before the tournament is finalized, they MAY receive a partial dues refund.
The amount of the refund will be determined by the league officers, with the golf league treasurer’s advice.
Golf league dues are established to cover the above mentioned items for all league members - with the intention of ending the season with
a zero balance. In the event money is left over in the league account, this money will be carried over to the next year’s budget.
League Officers and Rules Committee
The league is governed by league officers. The league officers are nominated and elected by league members at the end of each golf league season. The league officers consist of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. If the league uses multiple golf courses and each course is not represented by the elected officers, the president may select a non-voting league member to represent the course at officer’s meetings. This non-voting course representative will be responsible for presenting any course-specific issues to the officers.
The league’s Rules Committee will be made up of the current league officers
and the three previous league presidents. See Appendix A for the current officers
and past presidents. Disputable issues, policies, etc. will be settled by
contacting one of the current officers who will take the item before the
full committee. The rules committee will then discuss and vote on a resolution
to the issue. In the event the rules committee consists of an even number
of members (due to various reasons, such as multi-term president), the league
members will nominate and vote on a Sgt. In Arms position. If required and
elected, the Sgt. In Arms officer will have voting privileges.
If a team member cannot make a match and cannot reschedule the match, substitutes must be used. When a sub (substitute) plays, match format and scoring are the same. If there are no available substitutes remaining, one can be used for more than one match (‘global subs’). The only exception is that a sub cannot play against themselves in the same match. The same substitute can play for both teams, but cannot be paired against themselves.
Beginning with the 2001 season, a substitute cannot play for both team
members on the same match night.
For example, Team 1 consists of Jane Doe and John Doe. Substitute John
Smith cannot sub for both Jane Doe and John Doe on the same night
for the same match. Team 1 either needs to get another sub, reschedule
match, or forfeit one of their players.
Substitutes cannot be used for playoffs or championship matches.
If a golfer cannot play on their regularly scheduled league night tee-off,
their opponent can force them to take a sub if the opponent feels they do
not want to reschedule for a different day. This decision is up to the golfer
that can make it for the regular scheduled tee-off time, not the golfer who
cannot make the regularly scheduled tee-off time. However, the golfers can
agree to play on a different day (before the match deadline), if the person
who can make the regularly scheduled tee-off time agrees to do so.
Only league members with established handicaps may compete in league events.
All play is governed by the Rules of Golf as approved by the United States
Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St.Andrews,
Scotland unless overridden by this league’s rules.
USGA Rules
Hole Maximum ('X's)
There is a maximum of 10 strokes per hole. Once a player lies 10, they should
pick up and card an 'X'. An 'X' cannot win the hole. If both players matched
against each other score an 'X', the hole would be split. An 'X' is counted
as a 10 for the player's gross score.
`X's should be marked on the scoresheet as `X's, holed out 10's should be
marked as 10.
Team Points and X's
If one player in a match scores an 'X', that team cannot win the team point
(regardless of who they are matched against or handicap strokes). If one
player from each team scores an 'X', the team point is split (regardless of
who they are matched against or handicap strokes). An 'X' is counted as a
10 for total team net score.
Gimmies
All putts must be holed out. There are no gimmies.
Lost Ball
Do not play a provisional ball. For a ball hit out-of-bounds or a ball lost
either in-bounds or out, a ball may be dropped at a point as close to where
it was thought to leave the boundary or as close as possible to where a ball
lost in play is thought to be (approved by a league member other than your
teammate). There is a one penalty stroke. For example, if your tee shot is
lost in the trees, drop a ball in play nearest the point where the tee shot
crossed the out-of-bounds boundary and entered the trees. Do not play the
ball from its original lie. This is to keep up the pace of play. The search
for a ball should only last until it’s your turn to hit. Please keep the
search for lost balls under 3 minutes.
Improving your lie (Sand Traps/Fairway)
A player may improve their lie a turn of the ball only, and only with the head of the club (‘winter rules’).
This does not apply to designated hazards, such as sand, water or trees. Also, if your ball lies on a cart path or in an unreasonable area,
such as a huge divot, burnt out grass, or ground-under-repair - you can move your ball (without penalty) to the closest reasonable lie that is
no closer to the hole.
Misc
B-Division ONLY: A whiff (missing the ball) does not count as a stroke.
A-Division ONLY: Whiffs will be counted as strokes, and all other USGA rules
will be used for strokes.
Substitutes and PlayOffs
Substitutes cannot be used for playoffs or championship matches.
RainOuts
The 'Position Nights' in the schedule will be used for make-up rounds of
scheduled play if a week is rained out. If the number of weeks that are rained
out exceeds the number of 'Position Nights' available, then each subsequent
week will be cancelled.
Partial Play RainOuts - If the league is not officially cancelled and
play begins but not all members get their rounds in due to bad weather, the
following will determine how we proceed:
If the course is open, you must play your match. If you do not show up or if you do not have a substitute, you will forfeit your match, unless both opponents agree to reschedule the match before the weekly score cards are due.
Etiquette
If you are playing slow, please let the group behind you play through. You
know you are playing slow if the entire hole if front of you is open and
the group behind you is constantly waiting for you to finish the hole before
hitting. When you finish a hole, move off the green area quickly so the group behind
you can continue to play. Mark your scores, etc. off of the green area. Replace all divots and fix all ballmarks on the greens.
Do not spend a lot of time looking for lost balls.
Notify your opponent or teammate when you cannot show up on time or will
be late. They can then let later groups tee-off if they are ready.
Byes
If there is an odd number of teams in a division, each team will have a
‘bye’ week. The team with a ‘bye’ will
automatically receive 15 points that week. The ‘bye’ team has a reserved
tee-off time and may choose to play a practice round.
Position Nights
At strategic points in the season, there are ‘position nights’. The matches
for positon night are based on the current division standings. If there are
ties at a certain position(s), the standings of the ‘tied’ teams from the
previous week will be used as a tie-breaker. The following pairings will
be made:
1st vs 2nd
3rd vs 4th
5th vs 6th
7th vs 8th
9th vs 10th
11th vs 12th
13th vs 14th
and so on....
If there is an uneven number of teams, the last place team automatically
gets 20 points and receives a 'bye'.
Team Captain Responsibilities
The team captain is responsible for contacting the opposing team captain on
the day of a scheduled match to confirm pairings. If unavailable to do so,
the other team member should contact the opposing team.
The team captain chooses which of the team’s two members will tally the scores with the opposing team’s representative after each match. The two captains should review and recalculate the score card for accuracy and complete the match totals pertaining to points won and lost. The score card must also be signed (attested) by both captions. If the score card is submitted via electronic media, such as e-mail, then ‘CC’ing (carbon copying) both captains will suffice as a signature and agreement to the contained score card. If the scores are in question, then do not sign the score card (or notify via e-mail ASAP if score card is submitted electronically). Bring a score card in question to a league officer ASAP for investigation after which it must be signed, making it official.
The team captain is responsible for contacting a league officer when a team member will not be present for league play. In these cases, arrangements must be made for an alternate playing date and/or a substitute must be named for the absent player(s).
Regular Season Match Play Format
If the course you are playing alternates playing the front and back nines, your score sheet (and schedule) will indicate which nine is to be played. If you are making up a match on a non-league night, you must play the same nine as the rest of your match - and you should get clubhouse approval to start on the back nine.
All regular season matches are a two-member team versus another two-member (in the same division). Pairings will be determined by handicap. The golfer from each team with the lower handicap will play against each other, and the golfer from each team with the higher handicap will play each other. If both team members have the same handicap, the team captain will decide the pairings.
A sample match pairing:
Player Handicap Player Handicap
#1 Tiger Woods 6 #1 Nancy Lopez 8
#2 Fuzzy Zoeller 14 #2 Greg Norman 8
Team 1’s lower handicap (Tiger Woods) would normally be paired with Team 2’s lower handicap player. Since both members of Team 2 have the same handicap, Team 2’s captain chose player Nancy Lopez to be paired against Tiger Woods. This leaves Fuzzy Zeoller to be paired against Greg Norman.
Team match play scoring is defined in the following section (Scoring). At the end of the match, the opposing captains should tally the entire match score. To ensure accuracy, score sheets must be attested to by each team captain. One of the captains must forward the score sheet to the league secretary the following workday. If a match is rescheduled, the match must be completed (and score sheets turned into the league secretary) one day before the next match is scheduled. This is the ‘match deadline’. For example, if matches are scheduled on Wednesdays, the rescheduled match must be completed (and score sheets submitted) before the next Tuesday. If a golfer is playing a rescheduled match without a member of their opponent’s team present, they must have another league member present to witness their score. The other league member should also be approved by the opponent prior to playing the round.
All scores must be turned in to the League Secretary by the ‘match deadline’
(described above). Missing scores will result in a forfeit, by both teams.
There are no exceptions. The prompt return of score sheets is appreciated
- so handicapping, pairings, and scoring can be completed for the next scheduled
match.
The scoring system awards 30 points per match. The scoring for each match will be done on an official golf league scoring sheet. This scoring sheet may be submitted/completed in hard copy (paper) or electronically via e-mail. A score sheet will be provided for each scheduled match prior to or before match day by the league secretary. After the completion of a match, players will transfer gross scores to the scoring sheet and determine the distribution of points. Each team captain will attest the match scores by signing the scoring sheet. If the score sheet is submitted electronically (via e-mail) then a team caption attests the score by being ‘CC’ed (carbon copied) on an electronically submitted scoring sheet without objecting to the electronically submitted score sheet before the next scheduled match. If a league member wishes to see a sample score sheet, please see the golf league secretary.
Players for each team are assigned to a #1 or #2 spot for the team at the bottom of the form based on the player’s current handicap. The player with the lowest handicap (on their team) is assigned to the #1 spot and the higher handicap player is assigned to the #2 spot.
The #1 player from one team is matched up against the #1 player from the other team. The #2 players are also paired against each other.
Each player’s current handicap is written to the right of the player’s match assignment - on their score sheet.
Handicap strokes are indicated on the more difficult holes for the player in each match with the higher handicap. This is done be first determining the difference in handicaps between the two players matched. The difference in handicaps is assigned evenly across the gross score row for the player with the higher handicap starting with the most difficult hole. This is repeated if the handicap difference is more than 9 strokes. The difficulty grade of each hole is assigned by the course and is on the score sheet and course score card. The lower the course handicap number, the more difficult the hole.
When the match is completed, the gross scores obtained by each player are transferred to the corresponding scoring boxes on the scoring sheet.
Points can now be awarded for each hole in the each match. One point is available for each hole. The point is awarded by comparing each player’s net for the hole (net for the hole is gross strokes minus any handicap strokes assigned to that hole). The player with the lower net for the hole gets one point. If the players have the same net, each is given 1/2 point. Assign points to all holes played. Total each player’s points for the nine holes and record it in the total box. Nine points should have been awarded for each match so far. If an electronic score sheet is used, it may automatically calculate the points for each match. It is the responsibility of each team to verify the score is correct. As we all know, software has a slim potential for errors.
Calculate each player’s net score by summing each player’s gross score for the nine holes and subtracting the player’s handicap. One point is given to the player with the lower net for each match (1/2 point to each player if they have the same net score). Add the net point to the total from the individual hole points to get the total points for each player in each match. At this point, 20 of a possible 30 points have been awarded.
The last 10 points are awarded based on team performance. Record each team’s total net for each hole in the Team scoring lines on the scoring sheet. Award points hole by hole in the same manner as individual match scoring. The last team point is given to the team with the lower team net (1/2 point to each team if they have the same team net score).
After all the points have been awarded, summarize the match results for
each team at the bottom of the form. Add up the points for each team to determine
the final results. As a check, add the points together for each team. If
the total is not 30, something was calculated incorrectly. The captain from
each team must attest that the match results are correct by signing the bottom
of the form.
After all scoring sheets have been submitted to the league secretary, the
points from each match will be compiled to produce the year-to-date league
standings. The standings will then be distributed to the league. Please
do not contact the league secretary requesting standings - when they are completed,
they will be distributed to all league members and substitutes.
The pairings for each match are determined by the player’s handicaps. The handicaps are recalculated after every week of regular season play, and after each match of post-season play.
NOTE: All players must have a handicap. If a player starts the season without an established handicap, then they will play as a scratch (0 handicap) player for their first round. New handicaps can be established prior to the league's season by playing 1 or 2 9-hole rounds (preferrably with an existing league member -though, not mandatory).
Post-season (Playoff) handicaps are the lower handicap between the end of the first half and the end of the second half. For example, if you qualified for the playoffs and your handicap at the end of the first half was 3, and your handicap at the end of the season was 6, then your playoff handicap will be 3 (the lower half-ending handicap). Playoff handicaps are recalculated after each playoff round using the playoff match score, plus the past scores from the half where the handicap was lower. Continuing with the prior example, if the player shot a 40 (and his/her team won), then the ‘40’ and the player’s past scores from the first half would be used to calculate the player’s handicap for the next playoff round.
The method used to calculate the handicaps is a USGA-like method. All USGA guidelines will be followed, with the following exceptions.
The USGA handicap formula uses a handicap index. This index is used to indicate a measurement of a player’s potential scoring ability on a course of standard difficulty. The potential scoring ability is measured by a player’s best scores and is represented as a number taken to one decimal place. These scores are identified by calculating the handicap differential for each score. The handicap index is calculated by taking 96 percent of the average of the best handicap differentials.
The handicap differential is computed from four elements: adjusted gross score, USGA Course Rating, USGA Slope Rating, and 113 (Slope rating of a course of standard difficulty).
The following method is used to calculate the handicap differential:
Step 1:
Apply Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) to the player’s gross score to determine the adjusted gross score for each round. ESC sets the maximum number of strokes that a player can post on any hole depending on the player’s course handicap. There is no limit to the number of holes on which ESC is applied to a player’s round. The following matrix is used for 9 hole handicaps.
4 or less double bogey
5 - 9 7
10 - 14 8
15 - 19 9
20 or more 10
Calculate the Handicap Differential
Hdc Differential
= ( (Adj.Gross score - USGA Course Rating) x 113) / USGA Slope Rating
Example 1: Course with USGA Course Rating of 70.3 (35.15 for 9 holes), Slope Rating of 124 and the golfer scores an adjusted gross score of 45.
Hdc Diff = ( (45 - 35.15) x 113) / 124
= (9.85 x 113) / 124
= 8.9762
= 9.0 (rounded to one decimal)
The handicap differential will be calculated for each player’s last 7 rounds (or less if the player has not played 7 rounds). We will take the 4 lowest handicap differentials from each player’s last 7 9-hole rounds. If the player has not played 7 rounds, the following matrix will be used to determine the number of handicap differentials are used to calculate the handicap index:
# of Rounds Played # of Handicap Differentials to be Used
7 lowest 4
6 lowest 3
5 lowest 2
4 lowest 2
3,2,1 lowest 1
Step 3.
The average of the lowest handicap differentials is then taken. The number of differentials to average is defined in above matrix.
Example 1: Player has played 7 rounds with the following handicap differentials calculated: 9.0, 7.2, 9.0, 9.9, 8.1, 9.0, 6.2
Since 7 rounds were played, the lowest 4 handicap differentials are averaged:
6.2 + 7.2 + 8.1 + 9.0 = 30.5
30.5 divided by 4 scores = 7.625
Step 4.
The average of the handicap differentials is then multiplied by .96 (96%).
Example 1: 7.625 x .96 = 7.32
Step 5.
Delete all numbers after the tenths digit, do not round off to the nearest tenth. The resulting number is the player’s USGA-like handicap index.
Example 1: 7.32 with deleted digits = 7.3 handicap index
Step 6.
Convert the player’s handicap index to the course handicap. This is accomplished by taking the player’s calculated handicap index and locating it on the Course Handicap Table. Once located, the Course Handicap Table will identify the corresponding course handicap. If the course does not have a USGA Course and/or Slope Ratings, a player determines the course handicap based on a Slope Rating of 113.
Example 1: Player has a handicap index of 7.3 on a course with Slope Rating
of 124.
The league has made provisions (e.g. substitutes and rescheduling of matches) to try to keep the number of forfeits to a minimum.
If a forfeit should happen, the method of scoring will be altered. The player who is playing (was matched against the forfeiting player) will receive an additional 3 strokes to their handicap. The round the player shoots is then matched against par. The person not playing ALWAYS receives 0 (zero) points. In addition, the team that has the forfeiting player ALWAYS receives 0 (zero) team points.
If one player from each team plays while the other member of each team forfeits, those playing are scored against each other (regardless of their handicaps). The other players get zero points. In this case (one player from each team forfeits), each team receives 0 (zero) team points (the maximum total points for this match is 10 points).
If only one person out of the foursome plays, the same method will be used-
and no team points will be awarded to either team.
President: Bob Gorda
Vice-President: Bob Gorda
Treasurer: Bob Gorda
Secretary: Paul Sedlak
Sgt at Arms: Mr.Brian Bukeavich
Past Presidents:
2007-present Bob Gorda
2006 Gary Leonard
2005 Gary Leonard
2004 Gary Leonard
2003 Mark Davies
2002 Frank Beier
2001 John Sorber
2000 Mick O'Donovan
1999 Frank Beier
1998 Matt Charney
1997 Dan Spak
1996 Steve Wohkittel
1995 Bob Shoemaker
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 4/12/2015 | Revised intro (on employee preference). Removed WB Muni & Four Seasons references. |
| 4/12/2015 | General clean up, removed obsolete info. |
| 2/18/2015 | RULE: Removed the lift, rake and drop rule for sand traps. BRT traps are in good condition and this is no longer necessary. |
| 4/1/2014 | RULE: Seniors (65+) can tee off from senior tees (usually green or yellow). |