President’s Letter to Membership

by

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

Revised Division 2 Scheduled Dates

by

The Division 2 Weekly Tournament Schedule has been changed slightly.  We swapped dates for Aberdeen (originally May 12 – now June 2) with Columbia (originally June 2 – now may 12).  All terms and conditions remain the same.  All other dates remain the same.

The scheduled on this website have been changed and this will be included in the Member Directory for the March Member Meeting.

Revised schedule  – 2/13/2017

GDE Error: Error retrieving file - if necessary turn off error checking (404:Not Found)

 

Ham and Beer – Golf Event During July Break – Divisions 1 and 2

by

Larry Roth is organizing an extra golf outing for members of Division 1 and 2 for July 7, 2017.  This  is the week we don’t have a regular weekly tournament scheduled.

It is scheduled for Deer Creek Golf Course.  Details in the attached flyer.

All questions to Larry Roth, please.   larry@lgr-sri.com

Download (PDF, 113KB)

 

 

Good Scorecards – How To

by

You completed a great round of golf over the morning. You had fun with friends. It was a beautiful day.

Now finish the tournament properly with accurate, legible scorecards. An incomplete, incorrect, or sloppy scorecard can ruin the feeling. Take as much time on your scorecard as you would caring for your favorite clubs.

Tips To Accurate and Quick Scorecards (thanks to Tom King)

  • Each foursome / threesome should keep 2 course scorecards, 1 on each cart.
  • Get good pencils – and perhaps a couple for each cart. The course and Metro Sr have plenty available. Many errors in your score totals and data entry are caused by writing too faint to read.
  • Mark Start Times on both Course Scorecards when the Tee Group takes the tee box (when the first player addresses their ball). Most tee group starts have about 10 minutes separation at tee off, when the group ahead has moved out of range (200 to 250 yards).
  • At the end of play, these cards should be exchanged so that the other cart can check a card for legibility and accuracy, for scores, totals, times as well as names and player numbers. If you can’t read a scorecard, we can’t either.
  • Any discrepancies should be resolved among the playing group BEFORE transferring the information to the “green card”.
  • The guy with the best handwriting should record them on the Universal Scorecard (“green card”).
  • Have 1 or 2 players make a quick, final check of scorecard scores and totals, to find transposition errors.
  • The most legible Course Scorecard checked for completeness, signed, and turned in with the Universal Scorecard.

It may take a couple extra minutes to do it right, but wouldn’t you rather spend 5 minutes on your scorecard so the 5 hours you spent on the course is recorded accurately?

 

Closest To Pin Locations – Weekly Tournaments

by

The Division VPs have the primary responsibility for selection of the CTP holes and positioning (Forward and Back) for each weekly tournament.

Rick Hines, VP Division 5, has prepared a suggested CTP location for each weekly tournament that is included here.  (See Below)

We expect that most Divisions will be using these positions for 2017.  However, the VPs may make changes as they feel appropriate and will confirm via email to the Starters before a tournament.   Since most of our courses continue from year to year, we will make CTP changes as needed for new courses added to the weekly tournaments,

This will give you a peek before you get to the course.  Another resource for you.

Selection of the holes requires some thought to make this competition fair and challenging without picking holes that are excessively long or short.  We try to have both a Forward and a Back CTP on each of the front and back nine.  However, some courses don’t have a good layout.

Forward CTP Holes

  • 110 to 115 Yards Average
  • 145 Yards Max
  • 83 Yards Min

Back CTP Holes

  • 140 to 145 Yards Average
  • 165 to 170 Yards Max
  • 100 to 105 Yards Min

Six courses will have both the Forward (Red) CTP and the Back (Yellow) CTP on the same hole.  This is to prevent having exceptionally long or short holes.  For example, not many players can make the 190 yard par 3s at The Prairies or Florissant or the 225 yard 18th at Normandie.

The STARTERS are not required to select the CTP holes.  They will use the VP email instructions or use the suggested CTP holes and position in the spreadsheet.    However, STARTERS will still prepare the CTP Cards for the selected holes and get these to the first group or the hole assigned group.  This can be done a day or two  BEFORE the outing.

We will simplify the Starter’s Instructions and delete the detailed description on selecting Closest To Pin locations for each weekly tournament.

Suggested CTP for 2017 Weekly Tournaments

Download (PDF, 35KB)

 

Good Scorecards – Correctly Recorded Scores

by

The Universal Scorecard is the official scorecard for all scheduled weekly tournaments.

But about 4% of scorecard rounds are disqualified with incorrect identification, bad totals, and handwriting that is difficult or impossible to read.

Start and Finish times for Pace of Play has gotten overlooked too.  We will be improving Pace of Play measures for 2017 and the scorecards and Pace of Play logs will be our best tools to identify and fix slow play.

We have an illustrated guide to completing the Universal Scorecard and the Pace of Play Logs (new for 2017).  CLICK HERE       STARTER and SCORER Instructions are being revised and simplified.

Tips To Accurate and Quick Scorecards (thanks to Tom King)

  • Each foursome / threesome should keep 2 course scorecards, 1 on each cart.
  • Get good pencils – and perhaps a couple for each cart. The course and Metro Sr have plenty available. Many errors are caused by writing too faint to read.
  • Mark Start Times on both Course Scorecards when the Tee Group takes the tee box (when the first player addresses their ball). Most tee group starts have about 10 minutes separation at tee off, when the group ahead has moved out of range (200 to 250 yards).
  • At the end of play, these cards should be exchanged so that the other cart can check a card for legibility and accuracy, for scores, totals, times as well as names and player numbers. If you can’t read a scorecard, we can’t either.
  • Any discrepancies should be resolved among the playing group BEFORE transferring the information to the “green card”.
  • The guy with the best handwriting should record them on the Universal Scorecard (“green card”).
  • Have 1 or 2 players make a quick, final check of scorecard scores and totals, to find transposition errors.
  • The most legible Course Scorecard checked for completeness, signed, and turned in with the Universal Scorecard.

It may take a couple extra minutes to do it right, but wouldn’t you rather spend 5 minutes on your scorecard so the 5 hours you spent on the course is recorded accurately?

Illustrated Guide to Universal Scorecard

Download (PDF, 599KB)

Maximum 9 Stroke Rule Changes

by

To help improve our Pace of Play, Metro Seniors is adopting a maximum  stroke rule starting with the 2017 season.

Players are to take and score no more than 9 strokes (strokes plus penalties) on any hole for any Metro Seniors tournament.  Players are not required to putt out holes where stroke count is already 8.

Why Max 9?

Intent 

  • Prevent out of control hole from holding up your group and groups behind
  • Minimal impact on scores most scores
  • No impact on handicaps
  • Virtually no impact on flight prizes

Play and record no more than a maximum Nine (9) strokes (actual + penalties) on any hole.  As soon as it is reasonably expected that score will be at least 9 (or more), pickup, move out of play area, and score 9.  Help others in your foursome to speed their play.

Examples

  • 3 into water off tee on a par 5. Hitting 7th on Tee. Player should pickup there, score 9 and move out of play to speed others and help others where possible.
  • Lying 6, 150 or more yds from hole, maybe pickup and score 9 and help others.  Do you really think you can hole out in 1 or 2 more strokes?
  • Lying 8 on green – don’t finish, pickup and score 9
  • Lying 7 on green – Must Putt one to try for 8, then pickup and score 9

Using Max 9 wisely will help you, your group, and the groups behind you.

 

In Policies and Procedures and for the Tournament Rules and Regulations

The official wording will be:

Section 6 – Putt Out Holes

Members are required to putt out on each hole at all tournaments except if the hole score is known or reasonably expected to be MORE THAN EIGHT (8) STROKES for that hole. Failure to Putt Out for any hole with a total score of 8 or under will result in disqualification for that round.

Section 7 – Maximum Hole Score of Nine (9) to speed Pace of Play

To speed Pace of Play, Members are to play and score no more than nine (9) strokes on any hole including all actual strokes and penalties. When it is known or reasonably expected that the Member’s hole score will be MORE THAN EIGHT (8) STROKES on any hole, Member is to:

  • Immediately STOP play on that hole
  • Pickup ball
  • Move toward the next hole
  • Assist other Members in speeding play for that hole
  • Record nine (9) strokes for that hole.

Member must NOT PUTT OUT for this hole.

 

Pace of Play Update – January 2017

by

The Board of Governors reviewed and approved the Pace of Play Action Plan for 2017 as recommended by the Pace of Play Committee.

The summary of findings for the 2016 season were posted here in December (CLICK HERE).

Action Plan Elements

  • Expectations – What is Expected or Target Pace?
  • Education – What makes up Pace? Rules! Ready Golf!
  • Measures and Data – Improved data collection and measurements
  • Rules – Rules can improve Pace!
  • Enforcement – Slow Groups/Members

This website, newsletters, emails and meetings will be used to Educate and Inform our members.  More on the many moving parts as time goes on.

We will be measuring, analyzing, and reporting Pace of Play throughout 2017.  Starting June 1, we will begin enforcement for “slow play”.  This will include warnings, and remediation efforts, and if necessary expulsion of members.

EXPECTATIONS FOR 2017

  • Members
    • Play to best competitive effort, with courtesy and respect for others
    • Follow all rules
    • Manage their group to “Meet Pace” and “Keep Up” with group ahead
  • Pace of Play Targets for 2017
    • 4 to 4 1/2 hours Tee Starts
    • 4 1/2 to 5 hours Shotgun Starts
    • Course, conditions, organization, member capability
  • VP/Board/POP Committee
    • Manage Pace fairly and consistently
    • Set and communicate clear Standards / Rules
    • Measure and communicate status and results
    • Enforce
      • Identify “Slow Play” groups/members
      • Gain Improvements

RULE CHANGE – Maximum of 9 Strokes on any hole

All players will be required to take no more than 9 strokes on any hole.  This will prevent a “blow-up” hole from slowing a group and all behind them.  It will reduce only about 15 to 30 strokes per round but these are concentrated in our slowest players and groups. Pace for our slowest players (and those following) should improve by several minutes per round.

The Max 9 rule will not make any differences in handicaps, in flight prize money, in flight standings, or in qualifications for the league championship.

Everyone who has a bad hole may and should take advantage of the Max 9 rule.

DATA and MEASUREMENT – New Pace Log Sheet

We will continue using our Scorecards.  However, we will add a simple Log Sheet for times.  This will allow faster and simpler data collection and analysis.

Starters/Scorers instructions will be simplified to help.  The Logs will be completes as part of registration and Scorecard completion.

DIVISION MENTORS

We will work to expand the Mentors program used in Division 3.  Mentors will help new players get started, understand rules, requirements for Pace of Play, and regular play.  Mentors may also help with “Slow” players or groups.

ENFORCEMENT SLOW PLAYERS / GROUPS

Groups that are consistently slow will be identified, asked to improve, and as needed disciplined or asked to leave the league.

Slow Groups are:

  • Significantly over the target pace and/or average pace for the outing (>20 minutes)
  • Not Keeping Up with the group ahead (<15 minutes behind)
  • Warnings will be issued
  • At 3rd warning in the season, membership may be revoked

PGA Championship Coming in 2018

by

We don’t have any official information yet.  So we can’t sign up anyone for a while.  This is to get you thinking for 2018.   Here is starting information link from PGA CLICK HERE.

The 2018 PGA Championship will be held at Bellerive.  Schedule is August 6 through August 12, 2018

Metro Seniors organized a group of volunteers for the 2013 Senior PGA Championship.  We essentially handled marshal duties for one hole.  It was fun and we got to ramble around Bellerive.

There is a cost to volunteer, and some training time required. Volunteers do get tickets for access to the course during most or all the event.  Volunteers also receive some clothing items (shirt, jacket, hat) that help offset some of the costs.  Volunteers also have separate parking and shuttles.

Board of Governors will discuss organizing a group for 2018.

Would you be interested?  Add your comments.