NORFOLK COUNTY GOLF UNION
The Purpose and Aims of the County Union
The NCGU is a non-profit organisation which devotes its resources to the administration of amateur golf in Norfolk. Its work includes the assessment of courses for Standard Scratch Scores, handicapping, County Championships, Inter-county and Inter-club Match Play events, Junior Golf and Coaching opportunities, and provides advice and guidance on a wide range of golf related subjects.
It is a body dedicated to encouraging and promoting Male Amateur Golf throughout the County in a manner relevant to, and in the best interests of, its members whilst upholding the outstanding qualities of honesty, integrity and sportsmanship associated with the game of Golf.
The overall aim of the Norfolk County Golf Union is to promote, administer and encourage amateur golf throughout the County. This aim is fundamental to the health and future development of the sport at local level.
The Norfolk County Golf Union has the following individual aims ;
To encourage more people to play the game of golf regardless of age, gender or background.
To assist with the provision of opportunities for people to sustain their involvement and regularly participate in golf.
To help provide a safe and secure environment for junior and handicapped persons and to ensure that where-ever possible best practices are adopted at all affiliated clubs.
To increase the playing standards of golfers particularly those at Category One level to produce Regional and National Champions.
1.2 Subject to the over-riding authority of the Union, the government of the Union and disposal of its property and funds shall be vested in the Council consisting of the President, the Vice President, past Presidents, The County Captain, past County Captains, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, and the Union Representatives on the Council of the English Golf Union, subject to the proviso that if any Past President or Past County Captain fails to attend at least one duly convened meeting of the Council during a period of three consecutive years he shall, unless the Council shall for good reason otherwise determine, be deemed to have resigned his membership of the Council. In addition the Council shall have power to appoint, and co-opt as ex officio members of the Council the following officers: Junior Golf Delegate, Junior Golf Secretary, County Second Team Captain, County Match Secretary, Child Welfare Officers, Scratch League Secretary, the Honorary Secretary's Assistant, and any other officer the Council deems appropriate. At all Council Meetings eight shall form a quorum.
1.3 All Golf and Artisan Clubs in Norfolk shall be eligible for Membership, the former as Members and the latter as Associate Members.
1.4 Every Member Club may be represented at all General Meetings of the Union by the Captain, Secretary (or their nominees) and one other Club Member and every Associate Member Club by its Honorary Secretary or its nominee. Save as provided in Rule 1.6, all Clubs represented and the President, Vice President and Hon. Secretary or their nominees shall be entitled to vote at all General Meetings. The County President shall have a second or casting vote. Each Annual General Meeting of the Union shall be held during the months of March or April. A special General Meeting may be convened at any time on request in writing made by at least three Member Clubs. A clear fourteen days' notice of any General Meeting and the business to be transacted thereat shall be given to the Clubs who are for the time being Member Clubs or Associate Member Clubs of the Union, and only business of which such notice has been given shall be transacted. At all General Meetings twelve shall form a quorum.
1.5 The President, Vice President, the County Captain, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, the Union Voting Representative to the English Golf Union Ltd, the Immediate Past President and the Junior Delegate/Secretary shall constitute the Executive Committee of the County Union.
The President, Vice President, County Captain, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Voting Representative to the English Golf Union Ltd shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Union.
The Executive Committee is charged with ensuring that all Rules contained in the Constitution and all Regulations governing Championships, Competitions and Matches are complied with. At all Executive Committee Meetings four (4) shall form a quorum.
1.5.1 The Norfolk County Golf Union adopt and recognize the Anti Doping Policy and the Discipline and Grievance Procedure of the English Golf Union Ltd as currently in force and amended by the English Golf Union Ltd from time to time. The Executive Committee is authorised to deal with any breach of rule or discipline, and to impose sanctions upon any club, player or person deemed to have breached any rule or discipline. In the case of a club, such sanctions may include suspension or disqualification from participating in Union activities, including golf meetings and competitions. In the case of a player such sanctions may include suspension or disqualification from all or any County Golf Meetings or competitions. These to be set down in the conditions of play for the competition as follows.
a. In the event of a player failing to turn up the player is sent a letter by the County Secretary requesting reasons for his ‘no show’. The Executive Committee would then decide whether the reason was valid and if not a ban from the same event the following year would be issued.
b. In the event of a player turning up on the day, walking off the course and leaving the club without giving a valid reason to the official in charge of the competition, a letter would be sent by the County Secretary requesting reasons why. The Executive Committee would then decide whether the reasons were valid and if not such disciplinary action would be taken by the Executive Committee as it saw fit.
c. In the event of a player failing to play the designated holes of the competition, a warning letter would be sent stating that they had entered an 18, 36 or 72 hole competition, whichever the case may be, and should have completed the round unless retiring through injury. The Executive Committee would then decide whether the reasons were valid and if not such disciplinary action would be made by the Executive Committee as it saw fit.
Any Club, player or person brought before the Executive Committee for alleged breach of rule or discipline, if found guilty, has the right to appeal to the Council of the Union. An appeal must be lodged in writing not more than thirty (30) days from the date of the Executive Committee decision to impose sanctions.
1.6 The Annual Subscription payable by Member Clubs and Associate Member Clubs in any year shall be the amount determined at the preceding Annual General Meeting. In addition, all Member Clubs and Associate Member Clubs shall pay the annual subscription per member payable by this Union to the English Golf Union. For the purpose of this Rule, the term 'member' shall mean Male members paying a playing membership subscription.
All subscriptions shall become due on the 1st January in each year. A Club shall be considered in arrear if its subscription is not paid by the 31st March in any year and its membership of the Union shall cease and become void if its subscription is not paid by the 30th June. A club whose subscription is in arrear shall not be entitled to attend or vote at meetings of the Union nor its members entitled to take part in any Golf Meeting of the Union.
1.7 Any club wishing to resign its membership must give notice thereof in writing to the Honorary Secretary on or before the 30th November in any year otherwise the Club shall be liable to pay its subscription for the ensuing year.
Men members of Clubs belonging to the Union become 'Individual Members' of the Union and shall be entitled to a free ‘County Card’ on payment by the clubs of the Annual County Union Subscription which shall be fixed by the Council from time to time.
The County Card shall entitle the 'Individual Member' to one day's golf per annum on the courses of all member clubs, subject to reserved periods and days specified by the clubs, on payment of not more than 50% of the current Day Rate Green Fee.
Providing their Club participates in the Reciprocal County Card Scheme, ‘Individual Members’ are also entitled to obtain from their Club Secretary a Reciprocal County Card applicable to participating Clubs in the Bedfordshire, Essex and Suffolk Golf Unions which is also free of charge. Subject to prior arrangements with the Clubs concerned ‘Individual Members’ may play the courses on payment of up to 50% discount of the current green fee on any day with the exception of the periods and days reserved as stated on the County Card or Reciprocal County Card.
1.9 The Honorary Secretary shall record in a book kept for the purpose, correct Minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Council and of the Union and shall produce such books at all meetings.
The Honorary Treasurer shall record in another book or maintain Computer Records kept for the purpose of all the financial transactions of the Union for which he shall be answerable to the Council.
1.10 Council meetings may be convened at any time by the Honorary Secretary or on written request by any two members of the Council.
1.11 No Rule or Regulation of the Union shall be repealed or altered and no new Rule or Regulation shall be made save by a majority of two-thirds of the Club representatives and the three voting Council Members present at any General Meeting of the Union. Twenty-one day's notice of the proposed alterations shall be given to the Honorary Secretary who shall in turn give 14 days' notice to each Club belonging to the Union setting out the proposed amendment.
1.12 The recruitment of officials and coaches who are in receipt of an honorarium or fees must be carried out by the advertising of the position and a subsequent interview procedure of selected candidates. The selection panel will be decided by the President and the Executive Committee.
(A) County Handicap Foursomes for the Carrick and Thompson Bowls. 36 holes Handicap Stableford qualifying for the knockout section on the second day.
(B) County Amateur Championship. 72 holes stroke play. First day 36 holes stroke play, second day 36 holes stroke play limited to the top 20 players and ties after 36 holes. The Club Team Challenge Shield shall be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of this Championship. Clubs may enter any number of teams, each team consisting of three players.
(C) County Handicap Competition for the Geoffrey Burroughs Salver. 36 holes Stroke Play under handicap. The Club Team Handicap Shield shall be played for in conjunction with this competition. Clubs may enter any number of teams, each team consisting of three players.
No player shall be allowed to compete in both the County Amateur Championship and the County Handicap Competition in the same year.
(D) County Boys Championship for the Frank Brett Trophy. 36 holes Stroke Play open to boys who are under 18 years on the 1st day of January in the year of the competition.
The Club Boys Scratch Challenge Shield shall be played in conjunction with the Championship. Clubs may enter any number of teams, each team consisting of three players.
The Roper Cup, a 36 hole Stroke Play under handicap competition will be played in conjunction with the Championship . The winner will be the player with the lowest net score, other than the winner of the Championship.
The Derek Rains Trophy. The top 16 players in the Championship will qualify for this scratch knock out competition, played later in the same year.
A Boys Handicap Team Trophy shall be played in conjunction with the Championship. Clubs may enter any number of teams, each team consisting of three (3) players. The Club Team winning the Team Handicap Trophy with the lowest aggregate three net scores, will qualify for the English Junior Club Competition held annually.
(E) County Seniors Championship for the John McInnes Cup. 18 holes Stroke Play. Competitors to be over 55 years of age on the day of the Championship.
(F) Coronation Salvers. 18 holes Stableford Handicap foursomes competition open to Ladies, Gentlemen, Professionals and Assistant Professionals who are members of or attached to any Club Affiliated to the Union.
(G) Norfolk Open Championship for the Earlham Cup. 36 holes Stroke Play, open to Amateurs who are eligible to play in the County Amateur Championship, Professional and Assistant Professionals who are attached to any Member Club in the County and/or are members of the Norfolk Professional Golf Association.
(H) Henry Craske Memorial Salver. To be held for one year by the player returning the lowest aggregate score in the County Amateur Championship and the Norfolk Open Championship in each year.
(J) Norfolk Professional Championship for the Trafford Cup. 36 holes stroke play. When organised by this Union to be run concurrently with the Norfolk Open Championship. Open to Professionals and Assistant Professionals who are eligible to play in the Norfolk Open Championship.
(K) County Boys under 16 Championship. 36 holes stroke play open to boys who are under 16 years on the 1st January in the year of the competition. This Championship to be run in conjunction with (D) above, the County Junior Boys Championship. The winner of the Championship Trophy will be the player with the lowest gross score other than the winner of the County Junior Boys Championship.
A 36 hole stroke play under handicap competition will be played in conjunction with the Championship. The winner will be the player with the lowest net score, other than the winner of the County Boys Championship, the Roper Cup or the Under 16 Championship Trophy.
(L) County Boys under 14 Championship. 18 hole Stroke Play open to boys who are under 14 years on the 1st day of January in the year of the competition.
An 18 hole stroke play handicap competition will be played in conjunction with the Championship. The winner will be the player with the lowest net score, other than the winner of the Under 14 Championship Trophy.
(M) County Boys under 12 Championship. An 18 holes stroke play open to boys who are under 12 on the 1st day of January in the year of the competition.
A 9 hole stroke play under handicap competition will be run in conjunction with the Championship. The winner will be the player with the lowest net score other than the winner of the Under 12 Championship Trophy.
(N) Norfolk Order of Merit Scratch and Handicap Tables for the Smith & Pinching Trophy (Scratch) and the Frank Boswall Trophy (Handicap), a series of 18 hole and 36 hole scratch and handicap competitions for which points are awarded to those players finishing in the top ten positions and ties. The events comprising these Orders of Merit will be decided annually by the NCGU Executive Committee. The winners of the Smith & Pinching Trophy and the Frank Boswall Trophy will be the players with the highest number of points over the whole series of competitions either scratch or handicap. The players finishing in the top 12 positions of the Smith & Pinching Trophy are invited to take part in the Norfolk Amateur Scratch Match Play Championship for the Austin Brydon Trophy.
(O) The Norfolk Amateur Scratch Match Play Championship for the Austin Brydon Trophy in which those players finishing in the top 12 places in the Norfolk Order of Merit table (scratch) plus the holder, the Norfolk Amateur Champion, the leading amateur in the Norfolk Open Championship and the Norfolk Boys’ Champion are invited to participate. If a player qualifies in more than one category or is unable to participate due to unforeseen circumstances his place may be taken by the next player available from 13th place onwards in the Order of Merit (Scratch).
Open to one team of 4 players from each club affiliated to the County Union comprising the Club Captain and a Junior, a member in the 0-12 handicap range and a member in the
13-24 handicap range who qualified as the winners in those handicap ranges from a specified Club competition.
2.2 The Council shall have the power to fix the maximum handicaps that shall be allowed to competitors for all Competitions and to regulate the number of entries.
2.3 In the event of a tie in Championships to which Regulation 2.1, (B), (D), (E), (G),(J),(K),(L), (M) & (N) apply, the Championship will be decided on the last 54,36,18,9,6,3 and 1 holes, except (J) where prizes will be shared equally.
2.4 All entrance fees shall go to the funds of the Union and shall be fixed by the Council from time to time.
2.5 All entries are to be made through the Secretary of the Club of which the Competitor is a member, the Secretary in question shall certify that such entrant is qualified to compete, in accordance with the Regulations of the Union.
2.6 The course and dates on which any County Meetings are to be held shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting of the Union subject to the consent and approval of the Member Club on whose course the Union may decide.
2.7 Any expenses which any County Meeting may entail shall be borne by the Member Club on whose course the meeting is held. The Council be empowered to make 'ex gratia' payments to Clubs hosting County Union events, including County 1st and 2nd team matches. The rates of payments shall be fixed by the Council from time to time.
2.8 To be eligible to compete in the Meetings to which Regulations 2.1 (A),(B),(C),(D),(E),(K), (L), (M), (N), (O) and (P) apply, and to represent the County at any level a player must: -
(i) be of Amateur Status as defined by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
(ii) be a playing member or Secretary of a Member Club, or an Associate Member Club or must have been born in the County and be a playing member of a Club affiliated to any other County Golf Union.
(iii) not have taken part in a Golf Championship of another County Union or have represented another County Union at Golf since the 1st January of the current year.
2.9 All County Competitions shall be played to the Rules of Golf subject to any Local Rules of the Club on whose course the meeting is being held.
2.10 The Honorary Secretary of the Union shall be empowered to make all necessary arrangements for the County Golf Meetings with the Committee of the Club on whose course the meetings are being held.
2.11 The Executive Committee shall consider and adjudicate upon any point arising at any County Meeting. Four shall form a quorum.
2.12 The Committee shall arrange matches with other counties or other golfing organisations from time to time as at deems fit.
3. REGULATIONS FOR THE INTER-CLUB KNOCKOUT FOURSOMES COMPETITION FOR THE PETER MYHILL CHALLENGE TROPHY
3.1 Inter-Club Knockout Foursomes Competition open to Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union and to be competed for annually.
3.4 Matches to consist of 36 holes, unless previous to commencement, it is arranged to play 18 holes only. The final must be 36 holes.
3.5 Scoring will be by holes, not matches, the side winning the largest number of holes will be deemed the winner.
3.6 In a 36 hole match, after the first 18 holes played, the order of play and the composition of pairs may be altered as desired, but no new competitor be introduced. If for any reason a player cannot continue to play, the result of the match involved shall be as it stood at the last completed hole.
3.7 A Member of a Club is eligible to represent his Club in any of the matches played during the competition, provided the player has not represented another Club in competition in the same year.
3.8 The draw for the first round of the competition shall be made by the Competition Committee. In each round the first Club of each pair named in the draw shall play at home, unless altered by mutual agreement. In subsequent rounds the draw sheet will show which Club has the option of playing at home. It is the responsibility of the winning Team Captain or his nominee to notify the Honorary Secretary of the match result within 72 hours of the match being played. Failure to do so within the specified time will result in automatic elimination of that Club from the next round. The dates for playing each round of the competition will be confirmed at the preceding Annual General Meeting as at present. The final will be played on a neutral course to be determined by the Executive Committee.
3.9 Each match must be played on the date notified in the draw sheet, unless both Clubs agree to an earlier date. If the match is not played by the prescribed date, either or both Clubs may be scratched at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
3.10 In the event of a tie, there will be a 'sudden death' play off between a pair made up of any two players from each side.
3.14 If all matches have played 18 holes then the score at the 18 hole point will stand as the final score. If less than 18 holes has been played the match will be replayed. Any discontinuance of a match must be done in accordance with Rule 6.8 of The Rules of Golf and must recommence at the point where it was discontinued.
4. REGULATIONS FOR THE SCRATCH LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED BY EATON
GOLF CLUB
4.1 The league shall be open to all Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union and shall be competed for annually.
4.2 A Club may enter a maximum of two teams in the Scratch League Competition but players may only represent one of those teams in each season. Teams from the same Club will always be drawn in different Divisions of the Scratch League.
4.8 No player shall represent more than one club in any league season, and must be a bona fide member of the club represented.
4.9 The fixture list will be prepared by the Scratch League Secretary from information provided to him by the participating clubs.
4.9.1 The dates for the following year’s round of matches shall be agreed at the Union’s Competition Sub-Committee held in January annually and notified to all clubs with the Notice of the Annual General Meeting in the month of March prior to the competition year and be confirmed at that Meeting.
4.9.2 The fixture list will be prepared by the Scratch League Secretary in September each year, immediately following the end of August closure date for entries, from the entries submitted by clubs at that time.
4.10 Depending on the number of clubs entering, the League will be divided into Divisions with a maximum of four teams in each, as decided by the Executive Committee. The top team in each Division will qualify for the knock out semi-finals. The draw, venue and dates for the semi-finals and final will be arranged through the League Secretary. The winning team in the final will receive the Scratch League Cup, the runners up will receive the second and third place trophies.
4.11 In the Divisions, each Club shall play each other both home and away, in accordance with the prescribed dates agreed at the previous year’s Annual General Meeting and the fixture list notified and circulated at the start of each Scratch League Season.
4.12 The Captain of the home team shall send a completed result card to the Scratch League Secretary within a week of the match being played.
4.13 All matches to be completed within the fixture timescale. Matches not played by 31st August in each year, for whatever reason, will be declared NULL and VOID and no points will be awarded to either side.
4.14 As at Regulation 4.6 players must play in strict handicap order. It is permissible, however, to rotate the Order of Play provided this regulation is observed and play is continuous within the times of starting agreed by the clubs. Rule of Golf 6.3 shall apply.
4.15 Applications from Clubs to join the Scratch League and resignations from it are to be lodged with the Scratch League Secretary by the 31st August, if they are to be effective the following year.
4.16 In the event of ties Division qualifiers will be decided by the number of individual games won, in the event that these are also equal the team with the best results against counterparts, and if this is also equal then play-off matches are to be arranged by the Clubs concerned with the Scratch League Secretary.
4.18 The format for the semi-finals will be three-ball match play with three clubs making up each semi-final being drawn by lot by the Scratch League Secretary. In both semi-final groups, a player will play a match against each of the other two players involved in his group. The scoring system will be 1 point for a win, ½ point for a halved game and no points for a lost game. The team in each semi-final scoring the most points from all five players will progress to the final. In the event of a tie on completion of all games in either the semi-final or final, the 5th (fifth) member of each team involved will play extra holes in a sudden death play-off until the winner is determined.
5.1 Inter Club Junior singles knockout competition, open to all Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union and to be competed for annually.
5.2 Clubs to be represented by 4 players. Girls will receive or give the difference in the standard scratch scores as differential strokes.
5.3 Players to play under handicap - handicap limit Boys 28 and Girls 36. Each Club must play its team in strict order of handicap merit.
5.5 Scoring will be by holes, not matches, the side winning the largest number of holes will be deemed the winner.
5.7 A Junior Member of a Club is eligible to represent his or her Club in any of the matches played during the competition, provided the player has not represented another Club in the competition in the same year.
5.10 The draw for the first round of the competition shall be made by the Competition Committee. In each round the first Club of each pair named in the draw shall play at home, unless altered by mutual agreement. In subsequent rounds the draw sheet will show which Club has the option of playing at home. It is the responsibility of the winning Team Captain or his nominee to notify the Honorary Secretary of the match result within 72 hours of the match being played. Failure to do so within the specified time will result in automatic elimination of that Club from the next round. The dates for playing each round of the competition will be confirmed at the preceding Annual General Meeting as at present. The final will be played on a neutral course to be determined by the Executive Committee.
5.11 Each round must be played on the date notified on the draw sheet. If any match is not played by the prescribed date, either or both teams may be eliminated at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
5.12 To qualify all players must be under 18 years on the 1st day of January in the year of the competition.
5.13 It is a Condition of all County Team Competitions ( Rule 33-1 ) that only the Captain of the Club or his nominee may communicate with his Team Members once the match has started and then only in accordance with the Note to Rule 8 of the Rules of Golf. The nominated person must not be a Professional golfer. Failure to adhere to this Regulation could result in disqualification. See Regulation 15.
5.15 If all matches have played 9 holes then the score at the 9 hole point will stand as the final score. If less than 9 holes has been played the match will be replayed. Any discontinuance of a match must be done in accordance with Rule 6.8 of The Rules of Golf and must recommence at the point where it was discontinued.
6. REGULATIONS FOR THE INTER-CLUB KNOCKOUT FOURSOMES COMPETITION FOR PLAYERS WITH PLAYING HANDICAPS OF 10 TO 18 INCLUSIVE FOR THE WILFRED CULLINGTON TROPHY PRESENTED BY GREAT YARMOUTH AND CAISTER GOLF CLUB
6.1 Inter-Club Knockout Foursomes Competition open to Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union and to be competed for annually.
6.3 Players to play off their playing handicaps, with a playing handicap limit of 10 to 18 inclusive for players in their first match of any one year. If thereafter a player's handicap is adjusted so as to exceed these limits he would remain eligible to take part in the competition but would do so from his current playing handicap.
6.3.1 Any player whose handicap is between 19-24 may represent his club but must play off the maximum handicap allowable of 18.
6.4 Matches to consist of 36 holes, unless previous to commencement, it is arranged to play 18 holes only. The final must be over 36 holes.
6.5 Scoring will be by holes, not matches, the side winning the largest number of holes will be deemed the winner.
6.6 In a 36 hole match, after the first 18 holes played, the order of play and the composition of pairs may be altered as desired, but no new competitor be introduced. If for any reason a player cannot continue to play, the result of the match involved shall be as it stood at the last completed hole.
6.7 A Member of a Club is eligible to represent his Club in any of the matches played during the competition, provided the player has not represented another Club in competition in the same year.
6.8 The draw for the first round of the competition shall be made by the Competition Committee. In each round the first Club of each pair named in the draw shall play at home, unless altered by mutual agreement. In subsequent rounds the draw sheet will show which Club has the option of playing at home. It is the responsibility of the winning Team Captain or his nominee to notify the Honorary Secretary of the match result within 72 hours of the match being played. Failure to do so within the specified time will result in automatic elimination of that Club from the next round. The dates for playing each round of the competition will be confirmed at the preceding Annual General Meeting as at present. The final will be played on a neutral course to be determined by the Executive Committee.
6.9 Each match must be played on the date notified in the draw sheet, unless both Clubs agree to an earlier date. If the match is not played by the prescribed date, either or both Clubs may be scratched at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
6.10 In the event of a tie, there will be a 'sudden death' play off between a pair made up of any two players from each side.
6.13 If all matches have played 18 holes then the score at the 18 hole point will stand as the final score. If less than 18 holes has been played the match will be replayed. Any discontinuance of a match must be done in accordance with Rule 6.8 of The Rules of Golf and must recommence at the point where it was discontinued.
7. REGULATIONS FOR THE JUNIOR BOYS' SCRATCH KNOCKOUT MATCH PLAY COMPETITION FOR THE DEREK RAINS TROPHY
7.1 The top 16 finishers in the County Boys' Championship - regulation 2.1 (D) will qualify for the Derek Rains Trophy, a scratch singles knockout match play competition.
7.2 The draw will be made immediately after the completion of the Norfolk Boys' Championship, and played for later in the same year on a course to be determined by the Executive Committee.
7.3 Should any of the qualifiers be unable to play in this competition then the player that finished 17th qualifier will be invited to compete and so on.
7.4 In the event of a tie for the last qualifying place, it will be decided on the last 18,9,6,3 and 1 holes.
7.5 The draw will be 'seeded' in order of finishing in the Norfolk Junior Boys' Championship, finishing position ties decided as 7.4, thus 1 plays 16, 7 v 10, 5 v 12, 3 v 14, 4 v 13, 6 v 11, 8 v 9 and 2 v 15.
8.1 The League will be open to all Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union, and to be entered for annually.
8.3 Teams shall consist of five players. Girls will receive the difference in the Standard Scratch Scores as differential strokes. Teams to play in strict handicap order.
8.4 Matches to be played on a handicap match play singles basis over 18 holes. Played off full handicap difference. Maximum handicap for boys is 28 and girls 36. On top of their handicap girls receive differential strokes before the full difference is worked out. Boys to play from the white medal tees and the Girls from the red LGU tees.
8.5 No player shall represent more than one Club in any league season, and must be a bona fide member of the club represented. Where a Club enters two teams a player may only play in one team.
8.6 Points awarded - the away team winning 3 points, the home team winning 2 points and a halved match 1 point. In the event of a tie at the end of the season the total of all match results will decide the winner, if still a tie the matches between the tied Clubs will decide.
8.7 Depending on the number of entries, the preliminary rounds will comprise six leagues of up to four teams per league, if there are in excess of 24 entries the extra teams will be added to appropriate leagues. The semi-finals will consist of the winning six teams and will be played as three ball match play, each semi-final consisting of three teams drawn by lot. In both semi-final groups, a player will play a match against each of the other two players involved in his group. The scoring system will be one point for a win, ½ point for a halved match and no points for a lost game. The team in each semi-final scoring the most points from all five players will progress to the final. In the event of a tie on completion of all games in either the semi-finals or the final the lowest handicap player from the teams involved in the tie will play a sudden death play-off.
8.9 The NCGU Junior Committee will consist of the President, the Junior Golf Delegate and the Junior Golf Secretary.
8.10 Clubs to make arrangements by mutual consent, for each fixture, the home Club offering three dates. All matches to be completed by the end of the School Summer Holidays. Extensions to this date can only be granted by the NCGU Junior Committee. Any Club not completing a fixture will be held in default and the opposing team given the points. Any Club which defaults more than once will be deleted from the league and all previous results made void.
8.11 The home team will be responsible for returning the results of all matches to the County Junior Secretary on the form provided. All results must be returned promptly.
8.12 All decisions as to the interpretation of the regulations will be made by the NCGU Junior Committee, and their decision shall be final.
9. REGULATIONS FOR THE INTER-CLUB SENIORS KNOCKOUT COMPETITION FOR
THE CUP PRESENTED BY ALAN BARNARD
9.1 Inter-Club knockout foursomes competition, open to Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union and to be competed for annually.
9.3 Players to play off current playing handicap, with a limit of 24. Players with playing handicaps of 25 to 28 are eligible to play but off a handicap of 24.
9.5 Scoring will be by holes, not matches, the side winning the greater number of holes will be deemed the winner.
9.6 If for any reason, a player cannot continue to play, the result of the match involved shall be as it stood at the last completed hole.
9.7 A Member of a Club is eligible to represent his Club in any of the matches played during the competition, providing the player has not represented another Club in the Competition in the same year, and is over 55 years of age.
9.8 The draw for the first round of the competition shall be made by the Competition Committee. In each round the first Club of each pair named in the draw shall play at home, unless altered by mutual agreement. In subsequent rounds the draw sheet will show which Club has the option of playing at home. It is the responsibility of the winning Team Captain or his nominee to notify the Honorary Secretary of the match result within 72 hours of the match being played. Failure to do so within the specified time will result in automatic elimination of that Club from the next round. The dates for playing each round of the competition will be confirmed at the preceding Annual General Meeting as at present. The final will be played on a neutral course to be determined by the Executive Committee.
9.9 Each match must be played on the date notified in the draw sheet. If the match is not played by the prescribed date, either or both Clubs may be scratched at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
9.10 In the event of a tie, there will be a 'sudden death' playoff between a pair made up of any two players from each side.
9.13 If all matches have played 9 holes then the score at the 9 hole point will stand as the final score. If less than 9 holes has been played the match will be replayed. Any discontinuance of a match must be done in accordance with Rule 6.8 of The Rules of Golf and must recommence at the point where it was discontinued.
10. REGULATIONS FOR THE AMATEUR SCRATCH MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE TROPHY PRESENTED BY AUSTIN BRYDON
10.1 The top 12 finishers in the previous season's Order of Merit competition will qualify for the Austin Brydon Scratch Singles’ Match Play event plus the holder, the Norfolk Amateur Champion, the leading amateur in the Norfolk Open Championship and the Norfolk Boys’ Champion.
10.2 An invitation to take part will be sent to all qualifiers early in January with the Draw being made at the end of March. The Championship will be played over a weekend at the end of April at a venue selected by the Executive Committee.
10.3 Should any of the qualifiers be unable to play in the competition then the player finishing in 13th place will be invited to play, and so on.
10.4 In the event of a tie for the last qualifying place, it will be decided on the Order of Merit points scored in the last three events, and if still equal the last two and the last one.
10.5 The Draw will be "seeded" in order of finishing on the Order of Merit Table, the finishing positions being decided as in 10.04 above. Thus 1 plays 16, 7 plays 10, 5 plays 12, 3 plays 14, 4 plays 13, 6 plays 11, 8 plays 9, 2 plays 15.
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10.6 The qualifying player and their home clubs will be notified of the Draw by the Hon. Secretary, noted on the County Union website and whenever possible published in the EDP.
10.7 Any Entry Fee required will be decided, from time to time, by the Executive Committee.
10.8 In the event of a qualifying player having to withdraw after the Draw has been made, the player next in line will replace that player and fill the drawn position. There will not be another Draw.
10.9 The losing semi-finalists will play off for 3rd and 4th places.
10.10 The winner will receive the Austin Brydon Trophy and a County Union Voucher. The runner-up and the semi-finalists will each also receive County Union Vouchers. The values of the Vouchers will be as follows: the winner will receive 40%, the runner-up 30%, the 3rd placed player 20% and the 4th placed player 10% of the prize fund allocated.
11. REGULATIONS FOR THE SMITH & PINCHING ORDER OF MERIT SCRATCH TROPHY PRESENTED BY SMITH & PINCHING AND THE NCGU ORDER OF MERIT HANDICAP TROPHY PRESENTED BY MR FRANK BOSWALL
11.1 The Competitions are open to members of Golf Clubs affiliated to the Norfolk County Golf Union who comply with the handicap requirements.
11.2 The Competitions will be played in accordance with the Rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in conjunction with the Local Rules of the Club where the event is being played.
11.3 Entrants must hold an active CONGU handicap not exceeding twelve (12.4 exact) at time of entry.
11.4 Entries may be limited at the discretion of the Organisers. If entries exceed the limit set, players with higher exact handicaps will be eliminated by ballot as necessary.
11.5 A list of Start Times will be posted to competitors’ Clubs shortly after each competition closing date.
11.6 The entrance fee will be determined by the Norfolk County Golf Union Council from time to time.
11.7 Order of Merit points will be awarded as follows for both 18 hole and 36 hole competitions and competitors will be eligible to score points in both the Scratch and Handicap sections.
| Winner 100 pts |
2nd Place 85 pts |
3rd Place 70 pts |
4th Place 60 pts |
5th Place 50 pts |
| 6th Place 40 pts |
7th Place 30 pts |
8th Place 20 pts |
9th Place 10 pts |
10th Place 5 pts |
11.8 Entry money in the 18 hole competitions will be split with approximately 15% being retained by the County Union and allocated to the costs of the Amateur Scratch Match Play Championship, 25% approximately will be retained and shared equally between the top five places in the Final Order of Merit Tables for each Section and the remaining 60% approximately divided between the Scratch and Handicap Sections for awarding on the day in the form of vouchers to the top five winning players therein.
11.9 Vouchers will be awarded to the players filling the first five places in each Section although players may only receive the highest value voucher in the case of being in winning positions in both Sections.
| Winner |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
4th Place |
5th Place |
| 30% |
25% |
20% |
15% |
10% |
Where there are less than 30 entries the lower value vouchers may be omitted and their value added to the higher placed positions above.
| For Voucher Prizes: |
Vouchers will be awarded based on normally accepted countback rules. |
| For Merit Points: |
Points for all positions covered by the number of ties will be added together and divided equally amongst those players involved. |
11.11 It is a Condition of the Competition that only those brands appearing on the current list of Conforming 1.68” Golf Balls may be used. Penalty for unlisted brands – Disqualification.
11.12 Competitors are expected to respect the Rules on Etiquette and Dress Standards of the Host Club.
11.13 In the case of any dispute, the decision of the Organisers shall be final.
11.14 The events comprising the Scratch Order of Merit Table are three 18 hole competitions (venues to be arranged annually), the Deterding Cup, the Norfolk Amateur Championship, the Gold Coast Cup, the Caister Candelabras, the Norfolk Open Championship and the Royal Norwich Roger Trower Open. The events comprising the Handicap Order of Merit Table are as above with the exception of the Norfolk Amateur Championship and the Norfolk Open Championship but will include the Norfolk Handicap Championship.
12. NORFOLK CGU CENTENARY TEAM EVENT FOR THE TROWER ARMADA DISH
12.1 An Inter-Club Team Competition to commemorate the founding of the Norfolk County Golf Union on January 11th 1908 for the Centenary Trophy, the Roger Trower Armada Dish, named after Roger Trower, the popular and much respected County Secretary from 1983 until his death in 2006. The competition will be an annual fixture with each club in turn having the opportunity to host the event, based on the date of founding of each club.
12.2 The trophy will be competed for by teams of four male players from any of the clubs affiliated to the County Golf Union, comprising the Club Captain, two section winners, one each from Handicap Division plus to 12 and 13 to 24 (selected as detailed below) and a male junior member being the winner from a specified junior club event..
12.3 Each club will nominate a week-end Qualifying Medal Competition held during the months of June or July, from which the player with the best score in each of the specific two handicap sections plus-12 and 13-24 is nominated with the selected junior member and Club Captain to represent their club at the County final in the autumn of each year.
12.4 In the event that a section winner cannot attend, his place will be taken by the 2nd place runner-up in that section and so on. Similarly, should a Club Captain not be available then his Vice Captain or Club President will fill the vacancy. These changes must be notified to the Hon. County Secretary prior to the date of competition.
12.5 The Club competition results, detailing the first three players in each section and the junior player should be notified to the Hon. County Secretary by mid-July. Failure to advise these details by the stated date could eliminate that club from the Final.
12.6 The County Final format is a Four-Ball, Better-Ball Stableford, maximum handicap of 24 with a ¾ stroke allowance giving a maximum of 18 shots per round for any player. The team will play as two separate pairings, the Captain and Junior together and the two handicap section qualifiers together, each being grouped with a similar pair from another Club. The Club with the highest aggregate points total from the two pairs will be declared the winner.
12.7 In the event of a tie the result would be decided on a count back of the aggregate scores of both pairs using the last 9 , 6, 3, 2 or 1 hole (or front 9 on the same basis) should it be needed.
13.1 Entrance fees for the Peter Myhill Challenge Trophy, the Barnard Trophy, the Scratch League, the Cullington Cup, the Kenneth Smith Trophy and the Bass Trophy shall go to the funds of the Union and shall be fixed by the Council from time to time.
13.2 In all matches listed in regulation 13.1 - Myhill Trophy, Cullington Cup, Barnard Trophy, Scratch League, the Kenneth Smith Trophy and Bass Trophy - each Club will be responsible for its own expenses - meals etc, except at a final where the cost of each team's expenses for meals etc, plus two Club Officials from each Club will be met by the County Union.
14.1 Competitors are not permitted to smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear earrings or other visible pierced body jewellery.
14.2 Competitors are required to wear appropriate clothing at all times on the course, and not wear jeans, T-shirts, Trainers and reversed baseball type caps. Jackets/Blazers and ties will be required to be worn in the Clubhouse after play. No caddies are allowed.
15. COMMUNICATION AND ADVICE TO PLAYERS
It is a Condition of all County Team Competitions (Rule 33-1) that only the Captain of the Club or his nominee may communicate with his Team Members once the match has started and then only in accordance with the Note to Rule 8 of the Rules of Golf. The nominated person must not be a Professional golfer. Failure to adhere to this Regulation could result in disqualification. In Men's Team Competitions where caddies are allowed a caddie is permitted to give advice only to the player for whom he is the caddie and no other person.
All players who enter or represent their Club in any County organized competition will be required to have an Active Handicap.
17. CHANGES TO REGULATIONS OF COMPETITIONS
The County Executive Committee shall have the discretion to alter or change the regulations of competitions and agree a change of format subject to the circumstances prevailing at the time. All permanent changes to be subject to approval at the next General Meeting.
18. USE OF BUGGIES
The use of buggies will only be allowed in County competitions where the competitor has a valid doctor’s certificate. It should be noted that in a foursomes event his partner will not be allowed to travel in the buggy unless he too has a doctor’s certificate but it is quite in order for his clubs to be transported.
19. CHAMPIONSHIP CHAIRMAN
The Executive Committee will select a Championship Chairman for each event run by the County Union. The Chairman’s responsibilities will be the co-ordination of the event, both administratively and on course. The on course activities being course set up, course risk assessments and refereeing.
In all events run by the County Union all mobile telephones must be switched off whilst on the golf course and may only be used in the case of a medical emergency. Any player in breach of this rule will be disqualified.
