Rules

Division Challenge Tournament

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On July 5th 2019 at Deer Creek Golf Club to benefit our Military all 5 divisions will participate in a “Division Challenge”. Each Division will be represented by 28 golfers from their respective division for bragging rights and payment to all the winners. Price of $45.00 per golfer includes golf, lunch (served inside), skins, and all prize money. There will be at least 84 winners.

This event will be a 2-person scramble made up of 14 teams from each division. We will use the same handicap format as used in all Metro Senior Scramble events. Every score will count including handicap divided by 14 teams to come up with one final score for that division.

Each team must play from the same tee box. This must be decided before play starts. Included in the price will be a skins game from each tee box. There will be no CTP’s awards for this event.

Players may sign up as a 2-person team (from the same division) or as a single and be matched with other singles from their same division. Teams of 4 will consist of 2-twosomes, with each team from a different division.

Only the first 28 players from each division will be in the event. A wait list by division, if necessary, will be kept. Wait list golfers will be notified by July 1st.

Sign-up with Credit Card Online:

US Postal Mail-in W/Check Form:

Larry Roth

Metro Seniors VP

Metro Plus 2019 – Information

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Starting in 2019 Metro Seniors will have a new “Premium League” called Metro Plus. This division for Metro Senior members, will be played at upscale public,semi private public, and private country clubs. For 2019 there will be 8 golfing events on various Monday’s or Tuesday’s. starting in April. Metro Plus will differ from Metro Seniors rules and provide a“premium choice” for members if they choose to join this league.

For$40.00 Metro Senior members may join this league starting January 1st,by signing up using the credit card/print version on the Metro Seniors website. For a complete email on the “new” Metro Plus league and rules, send a request to Larry Roth, Metro Seniors VP at larry@lgr-sri.com

The initial response to join has been overwhelming and we will only take the first 140 Metro Seniors members who sign up and pay $40.00 starting January 1st,so if this sounds like your league you have been looking for, sign upstarting January 1st at www.golfstlseniors.org

This is the schedule for 2019:

TimeDateDayCourseFormatFee
07:30 AM4/30TuesdayTapawingoSplit Tee$45
08:00 AM5/28TuesdayAnnbriarSplit Tee$33
08:00 AM6/25TuesdayPevely FarmsSplit Tee$35
08:30 AM7/22MondayWinghavenShotgun$63
07:00 AM8/12MondayOld HickoryShotgun$58
08:00 AM8/26MondayFox CreekSplit Tee$25
08:30 AM9/30MondayBogey HillsSplit Tee$65
08:30 AM10/15TuesdayWhitmoorShotgun$49

Larry Roth

Metro Seniors VP

Division Challenge – Team Competition

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For several years, Division 3 and Division 5 have played a tournament as a “Division Challenge”.  This Division Challenge, or team format, explained below, uses the same scoring process as high school and college cross-country team competitions.  Applied to golf, this can be used to pit an unlimited number of teams against each other.  The teams can be made up of individual competitors, 2-person scrambles, 4-person scrambles, best ball, “Ryder Cup”, or any other golf competition.

Scoring is simply as follows.  The top finisher gets a score of 1.  The 2nd place gets a score of 2;  3rd place a 3, etc.  Before the event, it is decided how many finishers on each team make up the team score.  If there is a tie, for example for 15th place, then both get a 15 and the next finisher gets a 17.

In the attachment of the results of the 2017 Division 3 and Division 5 competition, we counted the top 10 finishers from each team (in this case, the teams were 2-person scrambles).  Two finishers tied for 15th.  We then added up the scores of the top ten finishers and Division 5 won with only 102 points to Division 3’s 107 total – very close.

One of the interesting features of this type of scoring is that finishers from one team, who do not count in the scoring, can actually push the other teams scoring higher.  In the example above, Division 5’s 10th finisher got a score of 19 and Division 3’s 10th finisher got a score of 20.  If Div. 3’s 10th finisher had finished 19th and pushed the Division 5 finisher to 20th, the total score would have been 103 to 105 – extremely close.  Additionally, if Division 3’s 11th, 12th and 13th finisher had beaten Division 5’s 10th place finisher and pushed that person’s score on up to 23rd, Division 3 would have won 105 to 106.

One of the terrific and unique qualities for this team scoring is that these 20th to 30th finishers are just as important to the final score as 1st and 2nd.  It truly is a team event.

If you are interested in adding a Metro Seniors Special Event for 2019 that would be team based like this – maybe 5 Divisions? – then let your Special Event Committee representatives know your thoughts on this.

Download (PDF, 237KB)

 

2018 Rule and Operation Changes

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2018 Rule and Operations Changes

As of November 2017 Board Meeting we  will be implementing the following changes for 2018 Rules and Regulations and Policies and Procedures.

LAST REGISTRATION – 1 Hour After Start Tee Times

The biggest change is reducing the registration cut-off time to one (1) hour after the official Start Time.  Example – the last group registration will be 7:30 AM (for a 6:30 AM first tee start).

For many outings starters are waiting 20 to 30 minutes for no registrations.  We occasionally had a 20 to 30 minute starting gap for the late groups.   A very few groups will have to show up a few minutes earlier for registration.

See all the current revisions below:

Download (PDF, 69KB)

Pace of Play Ideas

Here is a link to a video from USGA about ideas on Pace of Play.  CLICK HERE

Ideas on faster play at the Greens – CLICK HERE

How to Use Rules for Faster Play and Better Scores = CLICK HERE

 

 

Provisional Ball Rule Clarification

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Posted for Gary Brown, Rules Committee Chair

Provisional Ball Rule Clarification:

The provisional ball has been quite the topic of conversation lately.   This post is intended to clarify the rule so that everyone plays it the same.  Below is the text copied directly from the USGA rule 27-2 and the Metro Seniors “Tournament Rules Summary”.   The Metro Seniors Rules Exception for eliminating the distance penalty from a Lost or Out of Bounds shot was not intended to eliminate Rule 27-2 regarding playing a Provisional Ball, but only to improve our Pace of Play.  Metro Seniors players must adhere to the USGA Rule, except for the distance penalty.

  1. MS Rules Clarification

A provisional ball may be played according to the USGA rule 27-2a. A provisional ball may be played after any errant shot, not just a tee shot. It must be announced and played from its original position before moving forward to search or the player waives their option to hit a provisional ball. If the player elects to play a provisional ball according to the USGA rule and then goes forward to search for and finds his original ball in-bounds and within our 3-minute search time, the player must abandon the provisional ball and continue playing the original ball without penalty.

  1. The Search

Another clarification is when the 3-minute search limit starts. Since we have shortened the USGA search time from 5 to 3 minutes to improve our pace of play, the “search” begins when the player moves to the point where the ball is thought to lie.

  1. USGA Rule

27-2. Provisional Ball

  1. a. Procedure

If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally in accordance with Rule 27-1. The player must:

(i)      announce to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play that he intends to play a provisional ball; and

(ii)     play the provisional ball before he or his partner goes forward to search for the original ball.

If a player fails to meet the above requirements prior to playing another ball, that ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1); the original ball is lost.

  1. b. When Provisional Ball Becomes Ball in Play

The player may play a provisional ball until he reaches the place where the original ball is likely to be. If he makes a stroke with the provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place, the original ball is lost and the provisional ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

If the original ball is lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

Exception: If it is known or virtually certain that the original ball, that has not been found, has been moved by an outside agency (Rule 18-1), or is in an obstruction(Rule 24-3) or an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c), the player may proceed under the applicable Rule.

  1. c. When Provisional Ball to be Abandoned

If the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds, the player must abandon the provisional ball and continue playing the original ball. If it is known or virtually certain that the original ball is in a water hazard, the player may proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1. In either situation, if the player makes any further strokes at the provisional ball, he is playing a wrong ball and the provisions of Rule 15-3 apply.

Note: If a player plays a provisional ball under Rule 27-2a, the strokes made after this Rule has been invoked with a provisional ball subsequently abandoned under Rule 27-2c and penalties incurred solely by playing that ball are disregarded.

  1. Metro Seniors Tournament Rules Summary

LOST BALLS or OUT OF BOUNDS BALLS

USGA Rules of Golf require replay (or provisional ball) plus penalty stroke for and Out of Bounds or Lost Ball.  Metro Seniors allows for playing within 2 club lengths from the crossing of OB or probable Lost position plus a penalty stroke.  Limit ball searches to 3 minutes maximum.

Thanks for reading our blog post.  Let’s all get out and enjoy this wonderful game we play.

Gary Brown

Rules Committee

 

Association Championships – Update – 8-20-17

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The Championship Results are ALMOST complete – we are waiting on the last week scores from Division 2 at the Falls.

HOWEVER – I’d be checking now if you think you might be close.  Although you might be listed as out the best 16 for a bracket, we usually have a few qualifiers who cannot attend.  We can easily ask for 4 or 5 substitutes so even if you are 20th or 21st or …. , you may still be invited.

Click Here for the current results.  The Final Championship Results will be available as soon as all data and analysis is complete.

Congrats to all players who have qualified and near qualifiers.  You have had a great season!  I hope you enjoy the results.

If you are already in the top 16 and you already know that you CANNOT attend, consider an email to Frank Mantia ASAP or decline immediately when you get the invitation.

If you are in the top 20 or so, please be ready to accept or decline the invitation immediately if you are contacted.

The Championship Tournament Team and OurGolfStats.com have been working very hard to make sure the results are accurate and timely.  You will receive an invite as soon as we go through process.  Please be ready to respond immediately.

 

 

 

August 17/18 – Final Week for Championship Qualifications

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August 17/18 is the final week of tournaments to finish qualification for the annual Metro Seniors Association Championship.  To find out where you stand – go to the Weekly Green Sheet report (CLICK HERE) and click on the Championship Qualifications.

For each bracket, the Lowest Net for each member is shown in order.  Note, members must have at least 10 rounds recorded in 2016 AND 2017.  The top 16 members, ties, and substitutions are invited for each Bracket are invited.

When you get an invitation, please respond ASAP.  We have only a few days to fill out all 64 spots.  If you are in the top 20 to 25 now, Stay Tuned!  You may still be eligible and invited as some higher qualifiers may not be able to play.

Marking Scorecards – Info needed on Course Scorecards, too!

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Make sure you Universal Scorecard is complete!

Everyone (well almost) knows that all players are required to completely fill out the Universal Scorecard (USC).

Unless you complete the card with tee color, hole scores, totals, names and ID numbers, your round may not count.  It is every member’s responsibility to make sure the information is complete and correct.

Course Scorecard – Same Data Needed – Because USC get Lost!

If the USC get lost or damaged before data entry, we use the backup course scorecards.  This happens once or twice per year.  We simply can’t record your score, with no name or ID number.  We can’t give you the proper handicap without a tee color.

WE MUST HAVE THE SAME COMPLETE ACCURATE DATA ON THE COURSE SCORECARDS.

Data entry can’t guess who you are – we need your name AND ID NUMBER!

We can’t GUESS which tee you played from.  We need the hole scores to be accurate and properly totaled.

All this must be on the backup course scorecard. too.  You should check and complete and sign the course scorecard with as much care as the USC.

Space on Course Scorecards is Limited  – Get Creative

We know that space is limited.  But Data Entry must be able to identify the player and ID and the score and Tee Color that go together.  Without a complete course scorecard,  your round may not count for scores, championship qualification, flight prizes, handicaps.  It will be as though you didn’t show up.  Don’t let this happen.

2017 – League Championship Update

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Playing well this season?  Winning some flight money? Your handicap going down some?  Did you know that we have the Association Invitational Championship outing?

Great! You may be in the running for an invitation for the Association Championship on August 29.  Please mark your calendar for the possibility.

How Do I Qualify

  • Qualifications (see below for details)
    • Lowest 10 NET weekly tournament scores from the first 18 weeks of the season ending August 18
    • Member with at least 10 rounds scored in 2016
    • Flights based on Handicap Guide (HG) distribution from qualified members as of 1/31
    • 16 Members plus ties for each of 4 Brackets (1, 2, 3, 4) with the lowest average net scores for 10 of the 18 weekly tournaments  (revised from 2016 and 2017 Member Book – see below)
    • If qualified members cannot attend, we will extend invitations to the next qualified member(s) for the Bracket in order of lowest average net score.

Alternates / Substitutions

Please note, that each year we have several members from each bracket who cannot attend.  This means that even if you are 17th to perhaps 22th place you have a high probability for an invitation.  As of today, invitations would go to the top 20 (and even into the 30s places for Bracket 4).  Because several low net players don’t have the required minimum 10 rounds.

You can see the current status Championship Qualification Report for the entire Association at Ourgolfstats.com on the Green Sheets Report.  It is the second report, on each Division, before any weekly results.

DIRECT LINK TO GREEN SHEETS and Championship Qualification Status 

Check this every week through August 20 to see where you stand.

The Final Qualification Report will be available about August 22.  However, even if you are in 17th to perhaps about 30th place you might qualify as an Alternate.

Respond to Invitations Immediately

If you are invited to play as a top 16 (or as an alternate further down the list), please be ready to commit IMMEDIATELY.  We will be scrambling to fill slots and we don’t have much time.

Although play is completed August 18, we won’t have final scores and analysis in until August 22. We will have only a few days to get the invitations issued, and all spots committed.

Revisions to Bracket 1 Qualifications for 2017

For 2017 Season we now allow A Flight to pick either Forward or Back tees like all other divisions.  This required a change in the Championship Qualifications for Bracket 1.

Now Bracket 1 will used only NET SCORES for the qualification, exactly the same as Brackets 2, 3, and 4.    Previously we allocated 1/2 of the Bracket 1 to Low Average Gross, and 1/2 half to Low Average Net when all A Flight was required to play from the back tees.  This is no longer appropriate with both Forward and Back tees available.

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