Match Play Guide / Rules
| BLANCHARD CUP* | Class | Seniors/Super Seniors | Oberman Cup | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | Registration is done at the time members pay their Men's Club dues. | |||
| Qualifying | No qualifying required for any events | |||
| Typical Field Size | 4 Divisions of 16 | 8 or 16 | 8 or 16 | 32 teams |
| Seeding | Blind draw | By Handicap | Blind draw | Blind draw |
| Prior year Division Winners seeded first | Prior year winners seeded by Prior EOY handicap | None | Prior Year semi-finalists seeded first | |
| Format | Match Play with 100% of course handicap | Match play, no handicap | Match play, no handicap | Better Ball with 100% of course handicap |
| Tees | *Blue | *By Class |
*Seniors: Blue |
*Blue |
| Must play from longest tee if using score for two events. e.g. If in Champs Class and want to use score for a Weekly event, must play Blanchard Cup match from Black tee. *White Tees for members whose age plus handicap index equals or exceeds 80--applies to all competitive events. Red tees for members whose age plus handicap index equals or exceeds 90. Course handicaps for tees used apply in net events. |
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| Putting | Putts may be conceded unless a player is using the event to post a score in a Weekly Men's Club event that requires that putts be holed out. | |||
| Sudden Death | All matches begin sudden death on 1st hole, or 10th hole as per starter instructions (continuous play may not be possible). Continue with same format. | |||
| Field Size | All entrants will be accommodated by expanding bracket size to 8, 16, 32, or four divisions of 16 players. First round byes will be given based on seeding. Members over 60 can sign up for both the Seniors or Super Seniors match play. | |||
| Tees | Champs: Black ; A & B Class: Blue; C Class: White. | |||
| Use of Handicaps | Blanchard Cup: The higher-handicapped player receives the difference in Course Handicap between the two players; the lower-handicapped player then plays from scratch. For the Oberman Cup, the Course Handicaps of the three higher-handicapped players are reduced by the Course Handicap of the lowest handicap player and these players receive 100% of the resulting differential. The lowest-handicapped player then plays from scratch. | |||
Rules
- Strict adherence to established deadlines is a must. The match should be played and posted to the Men's Club website no later than the evening deadline for the respective bracket (Sunday evening) .
- Both participants are responsible for proactively scheduling the match. As a courtesy, the higher seeded (lower number) member should take ownership to ensure match is decided on the golf course.
- If a match is unable to be played by the deadline, the Gentleman who feels more at fault should retire to protect the timeliness of the event.
- If no volunteer steps forward to retire, the Event Chairman on the Monday following the deadline will decide the player to advance through a single coin flip.
- Under extremely rare circumstances, if the participants would like an exception to the deadline to be considered, they must notify the Event Chairman prior to the deadline with a valid reason why there was not enough time to complete the match. In addition, the match must be scheduled within an immediate time frame. For example, "we are playing on Tuesday morning at 8:12." The Event Chairman will not consider the following weekend as reasonable or timely and will default to a coin flip to protect the event.
- The Event Chairman shall have final say on both the decision to grant (or not) an extension and to determine the outcome of the Single coin flip.
- This will ensure consistency and a better experience for all members.
Discussion
The Discussion is intended to provide further information as to the application and operation of the Rules. In reviewing this information, it should be remembered that the Rules were adopted because a previously consistent members’ complaint had been difficulty in scheduling and completing matches in a timely manner.
- We can all agree that difficult weather has impacted the playing of matches. However, weather, by itself, is not justification for an extension of the applicable deadline, even though the match could not be conveniently scheduled until the end of the allowable time. If competitors schedule a match to be played near the end of the deadline, they assume the risk of bad weather, unless the Club determines that all match deadlines should be extended.
- Playing in inter-club matches, by itself, is not justification for an extension of an applicable deadline. While we all want to compete in as many events as possible, we also need to be mindful that we should not over-commit ourselves. Likewise, a competitor only being available to play on the weekends or being out of town do not, by themselves, justify an extension.
- The amount of time requested for the extension, by itself, is not a relevant consideration under the Rules. If it were, short extensions would be automatic and the purposes of the Rules, negated.
- A request for an extension should address all elements of the Rules, including Rule 3's admonition that "the Gentleman who feels more at fault" should retire. While no one should be forced to retire, competitors need to recognize this fundamental obligation of their participation.
- Rule 5 states that extensions are permitted "under extremely rare circumstances." We can all agree that the Rules require members to proactively and diligently schedule and complete their matches; extensions should not be expected or assumed.
- Having extensions granted by subsequent potential opponents is not a process contemplated by the Match Play Rules. Such a process is not desirable as it will create situations in which matches seeking extensions will cajole or pressure subsequent potential opponents to accede to an extension. Those situations will be unfair to the subsequent competitors and will yield inconsistent results in affording extensions, depending upon the identities of the subsequent opponents.