Challenge Cup Procedures
PRIOR TO MATCHES
1. Each club assigns Co-Captains for each team.
2. Each club will submit a signed contract from club with annual dues to the Treasurer. If a team is unable to renew its membership, the cup temporarily becomes a cup of 5 teams and the 1st place team in the following cup moves up and all cups act accordingly.
3. A “short cup” is deemed to be a cup with more than one team and fewer than 6 teams.
4. Co-captains must check with the designated Board Member on uniform color choice to avoid duplications.
5. Co-captains will inform team players of Challenge Cup procedures and match dates including Challenge Match dates.
6. Co-captains will make home club match date arrangements with club management and professional staff.
7. Course to be played must be at least 5000 yards long. If necessary, a combination of tees may be used.
8. Co-captains must attend the “Captains” meetings in February and in March and bring 8 copies of:
a. A computer-generated club list
b. The team roster
c. The line-up of players expected to play in each match
9. Co-captains will notify opposing Captain and host Captain of any line-up changes.
10. Co-captains will collect fees from each player and give one check to the host club.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
THE MATCHES
1. Each team shall play against each of the other five teams in the cup in Four Ball Match play better ball of partners format without handicap.
2. All play is pursuant to USGA rule. Any local rule deemed necessary must comply with Appendix 1 of the USGA Rules. Players should understand the rules of match play (Rule3.2, USGA Rule Book).
3. At least six team members must be available for a match. If only six play, player number five must play singularly against the opposing 5/6 team, and player six must play again the opposing 7/8 team.
4. If any player(s) is delayed enroute but expects to arrive in a reasonable time, she must notify her Captain through the hosting pro shop15 minutes before the scheduled starting time. Available players may begin the match and partners only can join the match in progress at the beginning of the hole. If no forewarning is received, the Captain shall change the lineup accordingly.
5. If the six player requirement is not met or if the team must forfeit, all points earned in matches already played by the team and its opponents shall be voided. Points in matches yet to be played shall also be voided, leaving the competition in that cup among only five teams. The TCCC Board shall decide the penalty of the offending team. That team is still responsible for that day’s expenses and required to host a play day.
6. The team listed on the left of the score card has honors on the first hole of play.
7. In each match, one point shall be awarded for each hole won and ½ point for a halved hole. Players should agree on points at the end of each hole.
8. A Rules person shall be present for each match. Any claim in a match shall be brought to the respective team captains who shall then present said claim to the rules person present immediately upon completion of play and before the results have been posted on the score board. (Note: Once the result of the match has been officially announced, a later claim may not be considered by the Committee unless it is satisfied that the opponent knew she was giving wrong information.)
9. In the case of inclement weather, at least nine holes must be completed by all participants for a match result to stand. No points will be awarded if a match is not completed. In an incomplete match (due to weather or darkness), holes not played shall be halved except when a penalty for slow play applies.
10 Captains shall sign and confirm results sheets with the opposing Captains following the matches and submit said sheets to the Results Chairwoman.
11. The TCCC will not allow the use by any player of any device that is designed to measure any conditions (wind speed, elevation, temperature, etc.) that will affect play. Any competitor who uses such a device will be in breach of USGA rules requiring disqualification. Standard GPS systems are permitted.
Course Length Requirements
Each course to be played must be at least 5,000 yards long. If necessary, a combination of tees may be used.
Slow Play and Pace of Play
Note: Your position on the course is behind the group in front of you and not in front of the group behind you.
In order to successfully continue our relationship with member clubs and play in a timely manner, every player must adhere to the following Challenge Cup guidelines for pace of play.
- All clubs shall provide pertinent information which will facilitate pace of play including accurate yardages on Par 3s, yardages to penalty areas (hazards) and maps/directions around the golf course.
- Players should note their starting and finishing times on their scorecards to be turned in to the Team Captains for place of play monitoring. Please write on the scorecard the time of the 1st tee shot and time of last ball holed.
- All matches must be completed in 4 hours and 30 minutes. Note: points will be halved for holes not completed in the allotted time.
- All scorecards must be turned into the scorer within 15 minutes after the allotted time. Note: one point from each team in the match will be deducted for each 5-minuted period over the allotted time.
- Each group must keep pace with the group ahead, and any group falling out of position must regain their position within one hole.
Requirements for Out-of-Position Pace of Play
If your match falls behind for more than one hole, you must follow these extra guidelines to regain your proper place on the golf course.
- Any match will be out of position if it reaches:
1. the tee of a par 4 and the green is clear
2. the tee of a par 5 hole and the preceding match is on the green.
- Play ready golf by abandoning the honor system and play your shot as soon as possible.
- When your partner is playing her shot, walk to your ball and take all possible clubs to play your next shot.
- Do not consult with your partner on any shot until you are on pace.
- Do not practice a putt.
- Failure to adhere to out of position guidelines may result in automatic loss of hole.
- If players fail to regain their position in the allotted time, a complaint may be filed and a slow play penalty may be assessed.
- Challenge Matches will be under the direction of the scheduling chair and assisted by representatives of the host club. They will be responsible for coordinating teams, locations, results, rules, rangers, play-offs, and all other details.
- The winning team in each cup below the first cup will challenge the last place team in the cup above for its position.
- To be eligible to play in a challenge match, a player must be listed on the roster.
- In the case of a cup of five prior to the challenge date, the #1 team in the next cup moves up and is thus challenged by the #2 team thereby preserving the challenge.
- The position of a withdrawing team is filled by moving up all teams in the order of last year’s final standing.
- All challenge matches will be played on neutral courses.
- Challenge Matches must be conclusive. In the case of a tie after 18 holes by the challenge teams, we will proceed using the playoff procedure under TIES. If after the four playoff holes or if unplayable to continue because of darkness as determined by the rules official without one club having won the challenge, the winner will be the club that is defending their right to remain in their present cup.
- If any team forfeits a challenge match, it shall forfeit its right to move up in a cup should a team withdraw. Any team forfeiting a challenge match will be placed in last place in their respective cup for the following season.
- Players 1-8 on the roster only may play on the first team.
- Players 9-16 are considered substitutes for the first team and comprise the second team.
- Players 16 and over are considered substitutes for the first and second team and make up the third team, etc.
Ties
1. In case of ties for 1st or 6th place, the last match in each cup, when possible, should be scheduled for the afternoon.
2. Ties for 1st place or 6th place will be broken with a “sudden death” playoff as follows:
Position 1 & 2 play off on 1st playoff hole, and if necessary –
Position 3 & 4 play off on 2nd playoff hole
Position 5 & 6 play off on 3rd playoff hole
Position 7 & 8 play off on 4th playoff hole
3. If the tie is still not resolved, then the tie is broken comparing the points received when each team played each other originally.
Rain Delay
1. In the event of rain just prior to, or during a match, play may be delayed for up to one hour, at the discretion of the club.
2. Resumption of play shall be with the intention of completing at least 9 holes or the entire match.
3. If play must be permanently suspended, All Players must have completed AT LEAST 9 holes in order for it to be considered a Match. The balance of holes shall be scored as halved.
4. These occurrences shall be resolved by the host club Pro Shop with the Team Captains, but it shall be the Rules Chairperson of the Cup who shall have the authority to resolve any complications.
5. There will be no rain date.
Complaint Procedures
The complaint in writing shall provide all details of the problem/complaint signed by two people and given to the rules person present. If no rules person is present, it shall then be submitted to any Board Member present or the host team captain if no Board Member is present.
The complaint shall be communicated to the Board as soon as possible but no later than the next day. The Board shall review the complaint, consult with those involved and gather any necessary information pertaining to the infraction.
The captains of the team (player) named in the complaint shall be notified, and the captains’ responsibility is to inform the player as an official warning.
If a second complaint is received, the player(s) shall be ineligible for the next match. If a third complaint is received, that player(s) shall be ineligible for the remainder of the matches scheduled that year. If no more matches are scheduled, said player(s) will be ineligible for the first two matches the next year. (Questions concerning rules are dealt with under The Matches.)
Challenge
Matches
Awards
The winning team in each cup will receive a trophy to be
kept at its club until the following year. Team members will receive individual
prizes.
Prize Committee members will determine any awards for a short cup. Any hole-in-one made during the matches will be recognized with a monetary award. Awards Day event will be at scratch and flighted in order of index.
PLAYER INFORMATION
1. All players shall have amateur status and unrestricted and full golfing privileges.
2. All Challenge Cup matches are $75 per person (light fare and tip included) and paid to team captains prior to or on the day of a match.
3. A dated and computer-generated list of the female membership of the club (listed low to high handicap order) shall be submitted at the March meeting.
4. A team roster chosen from the club membership listed in low to high handicap (minimum of 12 and reasonable maximum) also shall be submitted at the March meeting. Players will compete in this order throughout the matches. The line-up of players scheduled for each match is submitted also at the March meeting. It is the opposing Captains’ responsibility to insure the line-up procedures are met prior to play.
5. Any last-minute changes to the line-up should be reported in writing to the host captain(s), host pro shop, and the opposing captain(s).
6. Partners may change due to unforeseen circumstances, but players competing must be in order of low to high handicap. Players move up to fill a vacancy.
7. If any player competes in a match out of handicap order, all points in that match and any subsequent matches on that day will be defaulted.
8. Any competitor who is a member of two clubs must choose which team she will represent for the matches in any one season and maintain a USGA handicap at that course.
9. A player may play a maximum of five regular matches and a Challenge Cup match.
10. Any club with more than one team must submit one computer-generated club list with one roster and one player schedule for each cup.
11. TCCC golfers are representatives of their individual courses, shall act in an appropriate manner, and are expected to treat fellow competitors and employees of the host club in a respectful and courteous manner.
12. Any player exhibiting unacceptable behavior or decorum shall be reported to a Board member in writing on the Complaint Form. Following a Board review of the complaint, the alleged inappropriate conduct may result in an official warning, ineligibility for a subsequent match, or suspension.
Attire
Participants in Challenge Cup are expected at all times to conform to the dress code of the host club. Mini-length shorts or skorts are inappropriate golf attire. All participants are expected to wear a team shirt (the body of the shirt must be the same) and black bottoms.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones may be used to access online course guides, course notes, and to monitor weather conditions. Such use is prohibited to measure conditions for elevation changes, slope wind direction, or putting heat maps. The use of Golf Genius or other similar scoring platforms utilized by the Host Club is acceptable. Cell phones must remain in silent mode, and calls may be made only in the case of an emergency (ie, illness, accident or cart malfunction). Any violation interfering with play will result in a loss of a hole for the offending team. Note: Should a player experience a personal emergency prior to play warranting a return call, she must inform her Captain who shall inform the opposing Captain and all members of the foursome.
Should a competitor experience a personal emergency prior to play, she must inform her captain who shall inform the opposing captain and all members of the foursome about the situation. The competitor's phone should be placed in vibrate mode. Should the phone ring or be used during play, the penalty noted above shall be imposed if the use of the phone disturbs or interferes with play.