Frequently Asked Questions
The Tournament Referee has compiled a list of his responses to 'frequently asked questions'. It is recommended that you take a copy of the Tournament Rules and these 'Frequently Asked Questions' to each of your round matches, in case of any queries while on the course.
WINTER CONDITIONS
Q: During the early months of the year we always have winter conditions in place. Is this acceptable?
A: It depends on the conditions. Our rules state that if winter rules are in force they should still allow for the fair and proper playing of the match. You MUST notify the visiting captain of any winter rules when arranging your match and unless he or she agrees to play the match under those rules (or the away course has similar conditions in force) then the away team can claim home advantage if any of the following apply:
a) Carrying a piece of Astroturf mat around and playing from it.
b) Generally dropping off the fairway in the semi rough or rough. The odd fairway is acceptable if it is for course maintenance purposes.
c) Generally teeing the ball up on the fairway. The odd fairway is acceptable if it is for course maintenance purposes.
d) Winter tees and greens are acceptable (maximum 6) as long as they do not manifestly alter the length of the course. In the case of winter greens these must be cut to an appropriate height and the holes MUST be regulation size.
Q: The home course has a trolley ban. Can the away course claim home advantage?
A: No, a club does not lose home advantage if there is a trolley ban. As Daily Mail Foursomes permits the use of caddies it is recommended that one be used if a player is unable to carry his/her own clubs.
Q: Nine of the home courses holes are closed. Can the away course claim home advantage?
A: In winter conditions up to nine holes can be closed as long as the nine that are open and to be played twice are using proper tees and greens. Remember too that the stroke index on the holes that are open may need to be adjusted to allow a fair spread of shot holes. If you are unsure about this please contact the Tournament Office.
Q: Are bucket holes acceptable?
A: No. Even if some temporary greens are in use the hole MUST be regulation size.
ELIGIBILITY
Q: Is there an age limit?
A: Yes. Players must be 18 or over on 1st January 2009 in order to participate.
Q: Are 5-day members eligible to play?
A: Yes. However bear in mind that many matches, particularly in the early rounds are played at weekends which may be a problem if you are drawn at home and select 5-day members.
Q: Is there a fee to enter the competition?
A. There is no entry fee for the Tournament, but courtesy of the course must be extended to visiting competitors when the match is played.
Q: Can players with an inactive handicap play in the competition?
A. No, players must have an active handicap.
Q. Is a player who is a member of more than one club permitted to represent one of them even if it is not their home club?
A. Yes. However players with multiple memberships can only play for one club in the same year.
QUALIFYING ROUNDS
Q: We usually hold a qualifying competition, however this year we haven’t been able to. What do we do?
A: Where it has not been possible to arrange a qualifying competition, a Club may nominate a pair to represent it in the tournament.
Q: We have had to re-schedule our qualifying competition and this now means we will not have a winning pair in time for the entry deadline. What should we do?
A: Register your entry on time and we will send the initial draw to the Club. It will then be up to the Secretary to pass on the first round details to the qualifiers as soon as the competition has been played. If it is not possible to play a qualifying event within two weeks of the entry deadline the Club should nominate a pair to represent it in the tournament.
ELIMINATING ROUNDS
Q: Can we elect to play all of our matches away?
A. No. It is a condition of entry that clubs must be able to host matches if drawn at home.
Q: We play three eighths of the difference in competing pairs’ handicaps in our club matches, why is this tournament half of the difference?
A: CONGU recommends that half of the difference should be used in foursomes match play.
Q: One of our winning pair has a 4-week holiday planned that effectively rules them out for the entire period allotted to play one of the rounds. Can anything be done about this?
A: Not really. As no extensions to the playing times for rounds can be considered it would be best for the Club to put forward a replacement at the start of the competition. No player substitutions are permitted after the first round match has been played.
Q. One of our players has sustained an injury mid-tournament and is unable to play a match. What can we do?
A. No player substitutions are permitted. If a player is unable to play due to injury or illness their club will have to withdraw from the tournament.
Q: We have contacted our opponents and they can only play at weekends, whereas we play all of our golf during the week. What happens in such circumstances?
A: In the early rounds, when it is not possible to play evening golf, the vast majority of matches take place at weekends and therefore it is essential that at least one weekend date is offered.
Q: In trying to arrange our match I have given numerous dates but our opponents can only play on the last weekend. What will happen if the weather prevents us playing on that date?
A: Whilst it is both desirable and advisable to give as many dates as possible, the objective is to find a date that is suitable for both clubs. If a match is not played on or before the last weekend the Tournament Director will decide, on the basis of availability which team will go through to the next round. No match extensions will be allowed.
Q: Must matches be played off Medal Tees?
A: Whenever possible matches should be played off Medal Tees.