Newsletter

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

 

60 is Nifty – Hole Corrections for Member Directory

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We have two (2) hole corrections for the 60 is Nifty for your Member Directory (page 14).

  • Legacy – Par 5 – correct hole is #1
  • Spencer T Olin – Par 4 – Correct hole is #13

This was only in error on page 14 of your Member Directory.  Other posts and pages online were correct.

You can mark up your directory or if you wish, you can print out the following page to replace the version in your Member Directory.

60 is Nifty – Revision 3-26-2017

Download (PDF, 95KB)

General Membership Meeting – Reminder

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General Spring Membership Meeting

Tuesday, March 21, 1:00PM

Kirkwood Community Center on Geyer Road.

  • Get your Directory, Division Roster, and Discount Card
  • Meet up with friends
  • Meet new Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs
  • Updates on changes for 2017
    • Max 9 Stroke
    • Changes to Starter/Scorer
    • Sign-up for Starter / Scorer
    • Pace of Play Improvements and Focus
    • Sign-up for Special Events and 60 is Nifty Challenge
  • First Tee Donations (CLICK HERE)

2017 Board of Governors, Officers and Committees

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The 2017 Board of Governors, Officers, and Committees

These are member volunteers who are running your golf association.  Please take the opportunity to thank them for their efforts.  Our volunteers are a great group of guys focused on making the Association better every year.

We also welcome your participation.  Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization.  We need committed, talented members to help make things better.  Volunteer as a Starter / Scorer or to help with the tournaments.  Join a committee and use your organizational, leadership or technical skills.  If you have technology skills (or want to learn), we can use your help on the website, newsletters, and more.

Every year we have openings on the Board of Governors for each division.  Throw your hat into the ring to represent your Division (talk to your VP or any officer).

Talk with any Committee Chair about helping their committee.

Download (PDF, 29KB)

Metro Seniors Donate to First Tee in 2017 – Membership Meeting

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Looking for a way to make more space in your garage or basement?
Get those extra golf clubs and old but usable bags and even used (or new shoes) to the Metro Seniors Member meeting on March 21 and make a donation to First Tee.  Maybe you can even get a tax deduction for 2017 for your donation.
Metro St. Louis  Seniors Golf Association has scheduled for First Tee to take your excess golf gear for use with their charity program for kids.
First Tee will be at the Kirkwood Community Center about 12:15 – 1:00 on Tuesday March 21 – right before the annual spring meeting.  Get there early, make your donation, and meet friends at your Division Table before the meeting.  Parking gets full early.
Donations of clubs, bags (no alcoholic wording), balls, tees, ball markers and slightly used (or new) shoes will be accepted.
Want more information about First Tee – CLICK HERE
With the 2nd Swing Club Donation Program you can put any of your old equipment to great use and make a huge impact. The value of your used clubs and equipment is sent to us as a cash donation.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR EQUIPMENT DONATION:

First Tee has an online donation form that includes a detailed valuation for lots of equipment.  If you use their form, you can get a detailed tax valuation summary for your donation.

Click here to get started.

  • When completing the donation form, fill in our chapter name to ensure the donation is directed to us (there are 165+ chapters so this is important!).
  • If you have equipment to donate that you cannot find in the system, add it to your shipping box and make a note in the “notes” section of the donation form.
  • You can also donate golf balls, apparel, golf bags, range finders, etc. 2nd Swing’s staff will process the items and contact you about their donation value.
  • When shipping your equipment to 2nd Swing, please print your FREE shipping labels and include a copy of your donation summary in each box. The donation summary can be printed directly from the website or from your email confirmation.
  • A donation receipt will be sent to you within 3-4 weeks of receiving the donation. Our chapter will receive your donation within a month.

President’s Letter to Membership

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METRO SENIOR’S PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to Metro St Louis Senior’s Golf Association and the 2017 season! We have made some changes that will hopefully make the 2017 season more enjoyable and quicker. Some of the off-season changes are:

  1. Continued improvements to the two websites – golfstlseniors.org and ourgolfstats.com
  2. Expansion of the Play-It-Forward Initiative to allow ALL players to move up if they choose on every course AND all Special Events.
  3. A great slate of Special Events at Whitmoor, Annbriar, Pheasant Run, Missouri Bluffs, Woods Fort and Columbia Bridges in addition to the 25 weeks of regular weekly play.
  4. Addition of Acorns, The Legacy, Incline Village and Old Florissant; dropping of Quail Creek, Normandie, Mystic Oaks and the Hills at McKendree.
  5. Revision of The Policy and Procedures Manual.
  6. The ability to pay the regular dues via credit card.

Starting in 2017, we will be able to pay for all golfing activities via credit card, noting that over 60% of the golfers have availed themselves of this alternative. One of our major initiatives for 2017 will be Pace-of Play. 2017 improvements will include:

  1. The aforementioned Pace-Of Play Initiative. It is NOT, I repeat, NOT our intent to have play in 3 ½ hours or 5 hours. The goal is 4 ½ hours with no more than 15 minutes between completing groups. We will monitor slow groups and penalize them as appropriate. A KEY to completing your round in getting your green card immediately upon the completion of your round – do not go to your car first!
  2. We will once again offer discount cards for the ease of carrying and the ease of use. Please let us know of your usage of these cards.
  3. We are offering at least nine shotgun starts (all Special Events will be shotgun starts) with some divisions, probably 1 and 2, having even more.
  4. Another new initiative related to pace-of-play is that we will max your scores at 9 strokes, regardless of hole type (par 3’s, 4’s or 5’s). Our study indicated that this will not affect any money winnings or handicaps, merely speed up play – a win-win for all of us.

We will also be getting your opinions on many topics via surveys, so please take the time to complete them to make your voice heard. Unlike other elections, popular votes do win here.

This is the 45th year of Metro Seniors! It succeeds because of VOLUNTEERS, new ideas and our love of golf. As I’ve said before, I will listen to all suggestions and even complaints, but if you have a complaint, come with a suggestion that will make the situation better.

Good luck with your golf in 2017.

Bob Zaruba – President