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Week 2 Pace of Play Update

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Thank you Metro Seniors

In our first two weeks we have seen very significant improvement in Pace of Play in every Division.

2016 Season averages for were:

  • Split Tee Starts – 4:49
  • Shotgun Starts – 5:13

Our first two weeks for 2017 were: Split Tee – 4:23     Shotgun – 4:30

Many factors including weather are part of this, but member awareness and focus on Ready Golf are the keys.

We still have a few slow tee groups.  The slowest Tee Groups are still a full hour longer than the fastest groups on some outings.  These slow groups still block several groups behind.  One player can slow down as many as 20 players behind.

Very encouraging are the times for Columbia, Aberdeen, Landings, and Dardenne.  The slowest to fastest times were closer together (20 to 45 minutes difference).  These were also relatively crowded courses.  Everybody was keeping up, staying together.

The table below is Times by Division for week 1 and 2.

Below (PDF file) is a more detailed summary of the Pace of Play Logs.  This includes the times for each tee group.  You can see your group time and how it stacked up with the field.  I have highlighted the “slowest” groups in YELLOW for each outing.  This is based on total play time and “Time Lost” against the groups ahead.

The groups in CYAN were blocked/slowed by the group ahead.

These summaries DO NOT have Member IDs. However, the full details with member identification has been shared with the Division VPs and the Pace Of Play Committee.

If your group was “slow” you may want to see what you can do to speed up.  Starting June 1, tee groups that are significantly and consistently slow will enter enforcement (warnings through expulsion if they do not improve.)

 

DIV Course/Conditions Date Players Min Time Max Time Avg Time
1 Emerald Greens, ST, Exc Cond 04/14/17 89 03:59 05:02 04:27
1 Columbia 50F, Rain, 90 Deg 04/21/17 39 04:05 04:48 04:29
2 Landings @ Spirit 04/13/17 92 04:04 04:33 04:19
2 Crystal Springs 52F, Dry, 90 Deg 04/21/17 76 04:05 05:02 04:33
3 Aberdeen Excellent Conditions 04/13/17 132 04:23 04:42 04:32
3 Orchards 04/20/17 107 03:59 04:53 04:20
4 Columbia SG, 55F, Dry, 90 Deg 04/13/17 107 04:20 05:05 04:43
4 Innsbrook, ST Exc Cond 04/20/17 99 03:30 04:30 04:10
5 Links Dardenne, 75F, Dry, 90 Deg 04/13/17 120 04:14 04:46 04:27
5 Belk Park 04/20/17 91 03:47 04:40 04:13

Download (PDF, 28KB)

 

Final Results – 1st 100 – Special Event

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We had another great day Special Event at Pheasant Run for the First 100.  It was a cool start with heavy dew on the greens – a real challenge judging the putts.  The day warmed, the greens dried, and everyone had fun.  We finished quickly – most players finished in about 4 hours.  By Noon, almost everyone had finished lunch and was on their way for the rest of the day,

71 members attended.  Unfortunately, we had several no-shows.  Perhaps they forgot?

Thanks to our volunteers for signup and final scoring.  Joe Lerch is using our computer system to generate professional scorecards.  Joe finished the scoring with the final results issued in lest than 18 hours.

Here are the results:

Download (PDF, 63KB)

Member Information – Rosters and More

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Now is a great time to check your personal information in our online rosters and to check the membership in you Division.  Look for new and old friends.

Here is a link to an illustrated guide to start using OurGolfStats.com.  CLICK HERE

To view the official rosters (by Division)

Visit OurGolfStats.com    (CLICK HERE)

Click on the LogIn (upper right side link)

Select your Division from the Metro Seniors drop-down list

Enter the password and submit.

You will then see the front page for your (or any) Division. with lots of options for reports.  Click on the Roster (#1).

You will then see the most recent information for you.  This includes your most recent Handicap Guide and Flight.    PLEASE HELP US by reviewing your Roster Information for accuracy.  If you change your email, phone number or address during the season, PLEASE tell us ASAP.

PLEASE CONTACT Membership Chairman, Dan Glenzy,  dglenzy@charter.net, with corrections or changes as needed.  We can’t contact you with wrong addresses.

New Members – your Handicap Guide will start following your first outing, but you will not have a Flight assignment, and official Handicap Guide for Flight Prize participation until you have recorded 3 official weekly outings.   So you can start Flight winnings on weekly outing 4.  Again, very important to check your roster information.

 

Water Hazards and Dropping Zones

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Update for Week 2 – April 20/21

No conforming Dropping Zones for these courses for Week #2

  • Division 1 – Columbia
  • Division 2 – Crystal Springs
  • Division 3 – Orchards
  • Division 5 – Belk Park

Innsbrook (Division 4) has 3 marked, maintained Dropping Zones

  • Hole #7 (left of lake)
  • Hole #15 (left of lake)
  • Hole #17 (left of lake).

We encourage the use of Dropping Zones as it can help improve Pace of Play.

When we have problems with Water Hazards (marked by Yellow Stakes), use of Dropping Zones may be allowed (see Section 17 below).

Section 17 – Water Hazards – Penalties and Carry Over Procedure
All players must attempt to hit their ball across water hazards marked by yellow stakes.
If a ball is in or it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard, the player may proceed with under one of the following options: :
A) proceed under USGA Rule 26-1 (water hazard rule) with penalty of one (1) stroke
B) If there is a conforming dropping zone, identified and clearly marked by the course, and announced before start of play to players as to the hole and location of the dropping zone player may drop a ball, under penalty of one (1) stroke, in the dropping zone.
C) Under penalty of three (3) penalty strokes, player may choose to drop a ball on the opposite side of the water hazard two club lengths from the margin of the water hazard, opposite the point where the ball entered the water hazard. Penalties are one stroke to come out of hazard, plus two (2) penalty strokes to carry across the hazard.

Most of our scheduled courses DO NOT have regular, marked. maintained Dropping Zones.   I am preparing a detailed summary for all our courses.

For this week’s courses (April 13/14) – Only Division 1 (Emerald Greens has marked/maintained Dropping Zones).

Landings at Spirit (Division 2) – No Drop Zones
Aberdeen (Division 3) – No Drop Zones
Columbia (Division 4) – No Drop Zones
Links @ Dardenne (Division 5) – No Drop Zones

 

For Emerald Greens (only 2 holes have regular drop zones)

Hole #2 – Par 4 – Drop Zone beside and to the left of the green
Hole #17 – Par 3 – Drop Zone at bunker near green

Note – there is NOT a regular drop zone for #18, although this may be “marked” sometimes. We cannot use a temporary zone.

 

Revised Tournament Rules 3-28-2017

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The Tournament Rules have been revised (3-28-2017) to include no penalty for hitting the flagstick while putting.

CLICK HERE for the latest version of the Tournament Rules that replace the Member Directory, page 13.  Print this out and attach to your Member Directory for the latest information.

This also required a revision to the full, detailed Policies and Procedures (3-28-2017).  CLICK HERE

 

Starters and Scorers – Instructions and Schedules Update

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ALL MEMBERS – Please remember we need everyone (including new members) in each Division to volunteer as Starters or Scorers each season.  The job is not hard.  We have simplified the instructions.  Starters and Scorers are really facilitators – handing out and collecting score cards and handling the Closest To Pin markers.

Scorers – We do ask that you assign the Scorer Finish Time accurately.  Then scan score cards for completion (all blanks full), and legibility (if you can’t read it, neither can we). If incomplete or illegible ask group to clean it up.  You don’t have to check math.  You don’t have marshal or policing duties.

The Pace of Play Log Sheets are new, but tee groups are responsible for completing their member IDs at registration and times and comments at scoring completion.  Should take less than a minute for each tee group.

MEMBER TEE GROUPS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SCORE AND TIME DATA AND ACCURACY, LEGIBILITY AND COMPLETION on Universal Score Card, Course Scorecard, and Pace of Play Logs.

The new checklists/instructions for Starers and Scorers have been updated.

Plus we have the current (3-28-17) Starter/Scores Schedule for Divisions 1 and 4 online.

All members and especially new members should look over the instructions.  If you know the process, registration and scoring will go faster and be more accurate.  CLICK HERE, for a step by step illustrated instruction for scorecards and Pace of Play Log sheets.

CLICK HERE for Starter Scorer Checklists and Division Starer / Scorer Schedules.

 

USGA Rules Changes Proposed

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Proposed USGA 2019 Rules

USGA has developed a number of rule changes that are out for review with a schedule to implement them as of January 1, 2019.  Some of these will help improve pace of play for everyone.

Golf Digest has “A comprehensive guide to the “New Rules of Golf”” – Click Here   This is a great summary of the proposed rule changes, simplified and illustrated.

PLEASE NOTE – These USGA rules are NOT in effect until 2019 as such are not part of Metro Seniors rules for 2017.    

Metro Seniors Rules 2017

Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf Association uses USGA rules, except where we make specific changes as listed in out Policies and Procedures and in the Tournament Rules Summary (page 13 in your 2017 Member Directory).

The Board has ruled that the we will immediately begin use of the flagstick rule – no penalty if your putted ball would hit the flagstick standing in the hole.  This is expected to help improve Pace of Play, reduced juggling of flagstick for ball off green and on green, faster ready putting.

The new flagstick rule is now being added to the Tournament Rules Summary (page 13 in your 2017 Member Directory).  A revised page will be available as soon final language is approved.

Future Metro Seniors Rule Changes – 2017 / 2018

The Rules Committee and Board have not had a complete review of all the proposed rule changes but will do so during the next months.  Where these simplify MSLSGA rules and meet the needs of our members, we will look at expedited implementation during 2017 and for the 2018 season.

Want to help – offer to join the Rules Committee, or consider running for a Board Position for your Division when they open.  Talk to your Division VP or Division Board representatives.

 

60 is Nifty Challenge – Registration Date extended to April 18

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None of the courses in the 60 is Nifty Challenge are scheduled for week 1 of the regular schedule, so the final date for registration has been extended to April 18.

You still have plenty of time to register, but time is running out.

Registration is through the Special Events form (online / credit card or paper / check) CLICK HERE