The Matchplay Championship FAQs
How is the event structured?
The tournament has been split into four competitions:
- • Men's CONGU Active
- • Men's Pairs CONGU ‘Non Active’ & Strokes Golf Handicap
- • Mixed Pairs CONGU
- • Men’s Singles CONGU ‘Active’
For the purpose of the event, the UK is split into 8 regions: Scotland, Ireland, Yorkshire & North East, North West, East Midlands, Wales & West Midlands, South West and South East.
The initial rounds prior to the Regional Finals will be played on a knock out basis. At the end of the knock out stages, any teams remaining go through to one of two Regional Finals.
The Regional Finals will be a four ball better-ball Matchplay tournament, played at prestigious Marriott venues; Hollins Hall (North) and St Pierre (South) where competitors will compete against players from their own competition.
How do timings for the event work?
Up to 5 knockout rounds will be played before the Regional Finals. A deadline date will be set for each knock out round and matches MUST be completed by this date, otherwise teams will be liable for disqualification. These dates would normally be between 4-5weeks apart, but given that matches continue over the winter period, some deadlines will be more generous.
Provisional Dates:
1st Round = 22nd July 2011 - 11th September 2011
2nd Round = 26th September 2011 - 30th October 2011
3rd Round = 7th November 2011 - 18th December 2011
4th Round = 19th December 2011 - 29th January 2012
5th Round = 30th January 2012 - 18th March 2012
Northern Regional Final: April 2012
Southern Regional Final: April 2012
Grand Final : May 2012
Can you clarify the handicap ruling?
Handicap Rule & Requirements:
There will be a total of 4 events:
Men’s Pairs CONGU ‘Active’ – (A) Only for both players
Men’s Pairs CONGU and Strokes Golf Handicap - (A), (B) & (C)
Mixed Pairs – (A) & (B)
Men’s Singles - (A)
(A) CONGU ‘Active’ - - a current member of a CONGU affiliated golf club who has played in at least 3 handicap qualifying competitions between April 30th 2010 and June 30th 2011.
(B) CONGU ‘Non Active’ – a current member of a CONGU affiliated golf club with a handicap.
(C) Strokes Golf Handicap – a current subscriber to Strokes Golf Handicap who has entered a minimum of 3 cards between April 30th 2010 and June 30th 2011 (www.strokesgolfhandicap.co.uk).
Current handicap certificates must be taken to each match and shown to the opponents before the match commences. In the CONGU ‘active’ competition, these handicap certificates must show ‘active’ handicaps. If a competitor does not provide
a handicap certificate on the day of the match he/she must provide proof of handicap to the organisers within 48 hours of completion of the match if requested by the opponents.
No other handicap certificates are valid for entry into the events.
Current handicap certificates must be taken to each match and shown to the opponents before the match commences. If a competitor does not provide a handicap certificate on the day of the match he/she must provide proof of handicap to the organisers within 48 hours of completion of the match if requested by the opponents.
Where are the matches played?
Matches in the knock out stage are played either Home or Away within your own region, with the Player 1’s club deemed the Home Club for the purposes of the tournament. Every effort will be made to minimise travelling distance for teams drawn away. The post-code of the ‘Home’ course will be used as a reference.
How are the green fees handled?
In some cases home clubs will offer courtesy of the course to visiting players. Where green fees are paid, these shall be shared equally between the players.
How are the matches arranged?
Each pair/single receives notification of its forthcoming match by email with each team/individual being drawn either Home or Away. Player 1 on the entry form will be sent the names, contact numbers and venue of their opponent(s).
NB: Priority in getting Home Draws will go to teams notifying their result EARLY
What happens if I can’t complete the match within the deadline?
The Tournament Director has the right to disqualify any teams who fail to complete their match by the deadline date. Players should consult the Tournament Director if they have a problem. The Tournament Director may, in his absolute discretion, grant extensions to play matches. However, if the match has not been played by the end of the extension period (if any), the Tournament Director has the right to disqualify both teams/individuals or, at the option of both teams/individuals (who must agree to this), the Tournament Director may decide the match on the toss of a coin.
How are the handicap strokes worked out in the pairs competitions?
Players receive ¾ of the difference between their handicap and that of the lowest handicap player in the four-ball. Thus, in a four ball where one player plays off a handicap of 2 and the others each play off 18, each of the three 18 handicappers receives 12 shots (ie ¾ of the difference between their handicap and the 2 handicapper).
How do ladies take their handicap shots?
Ladies take their shots according to the Men’s Stroke Index. However, they also receive additional courtesy shots equivalent to the difference between the Men’s and Ladies Standard Scratch Score. Any such difference should be added to the lady’s handicap before calculating her ¾ difference.
Can I use a GPS system or a range finder?
During matches players may use devices that gauge or measure distance only. Use of a device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature etc) is prohibited and is in breach of R&A Rule 14-3. Penalty is disqualification.
Can I change my playing partner?
No changes can be made to a team’s players once their first match has been played. Any changes prior to this must be sanctioned by the Tournament Director.
Who informs the Organisers of the match results?
Once a match has been played, the winners are responsible for informing the Tournament Director of the result. Results should be emailed to: results@matchplaychampionship.co.uk
What happens if we have to cancel an arrangement to play a match?
Where an arrangement to play a match is cancelled within 48 hours, the opponent(s) may claim the match.
How do you determine the Home venue for a team?
You will be required to enter details of your home venue during the application process. Where players do not belong to a golf club but have a Strokes handicap, they may nominate a local course as their home club. The home club cannot be changed after the first round match has been played, unless expressly agreed by the Tournament Director.
Do we have to play at the nominated course?
Normally yes, but exceptional circumstances the venue for a match may be changed by mutual agreement between the two teams/individuals.
Which tees are the matches played from?
Whenever possible, matches should be played from the medal tees. However, in the event that this is not possible, matches should be played from the tees of the day ie. white or yellow tees for men and reds for ladies. Different tees can be used by mutual agreement between the two teams/individuals, and with the agreement of the club.
What happens if the match remains all square after 18 holes?
The match will go into extra holes starting at the 1st, with handicap strokes being taken in accordance with the stroke index on the card.
Note on Disqualification
Where players fail to comply with Rules of the Tournament or if teams/individuals are found not to meet the entry criteria, they shall be disqualified from the event. The Tournament Director’s decision shall be final and binding in all matters relating to the running of the Tournament.
What happens if we have to abandon the match due to fading light?
If, by mutual consent, the match has to be abandoned during extra holes due to fading light or unfit course conditions, the match shall be continued as soon as possible over 18 holes of the away team’s/individuals course, at a mutually convenient time/date. If a match has to be abandoned during play of the original 18 holes, the players shall resume from the point where the match was abandoned, in accordance with The Rules of Golf.
Winter conditions - During the early months of the year we always have winter conditions in place. Is this acceptable?
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 team/individual 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.
Winter Conditions - Nine of the home courses holes are closed. Can the away course claim home advantage?
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.’
How are disputes settled?
If agreement cannot be reached between two teams, the Tournament Director should be consulted and his decision shall be final.
Helpful Hints
- • Please check for any obvious anomalies with your draw (eg two men in the mixed).
- • If you’re struggling to get in touch with a pair and we have no more contact numbers, try their home club.
- • Do check your opponents’ handicap certificates BEFORE you play. You should bring these to ALL your matches.
- • Email your results where possible. If you email AND Fax AND Telephone it clogs up the system.
- • Don’t wait for your opponents to contact you. Take action and try to contact them. The sooner you all make contact the better.
- • Wherever possible, use e-mail rather than telephone for contacting the Tournament Office.
Tournament Office Contact Details
Email
General enquiries:admin@matchplaychampionship.co.uk
Results:results@matchplaychampionship.co.uk
Telephone
0845 305 8101
Tournament Office Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
Fax
0845 305 8100
Web
www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us via email in the first instance.