Policies & Procedures

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• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
• Women-in-Golf-Charter-Commitments
• Disciplinary Regulations and Appeals
• England Golf Personal Liability Insurance

Competitions Rules and Information

1. General Rules

• a) All competitions shall be played under the Rules of Golf (as set by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) and the Local Rules in operation at the time of the competition.
• b) Any member of NPGC with an official WHS handicap index may play in competitions. For some competitions, a minimum number of qualifying rounds must have been played in the preceding 12 months; the number will be specified in the rules for each competition.
• c) Members participating in any competition after April 1^st and whose subscription remains unpaid shall be disqualified.
• d) Individual medal and stableford competitions will be played off black, white, yellow or green tees for males; yellow, orange, red or blue tees for females. Females & males will play in the same competition. In seniors (over 55) competitions, men may play from yellow, orange, red or blue tees and women from red or blue tees.
• e) There will be a main block of tee times available on most competition days (usually around 7.00 – 11.30am). It is permissible to play outside the main block of tee times and in 2, 3 or 4-balls. In the main block of tee times, individual competitions (i.e. medal, stableford and bogey competitions) must be played in 2 or 3 balls.  4 balls are not allowed in individual competitions within the main block of tee times, unless the Competitions Committee has, for any reason, decided otherwise.  Penalty for breach: disqualification.
• f) Competitors must play with the people who are on the start sheet with them. It is not permissible to change tee slots on the day of the competition without permission from the competition organiser. Penalty for breach: disqualification and ban from the next competition.
• g) Players are not allowed to change groupings during a round unless another player has had to retire through injury or illness. Penalty for breach: disqualification.
• h) As courtesy to fellow competitors, whilst playing in competitions, please refrain from using mobile phones except either in an emergency or to telephone the clubhouse on the 9^th tee to pre-order refreshments.
• i) The WHS encourages all members to submit as many scores as possible to achieve an accurate handicap index. These scores can be in club competitions and social golf (General Play scores). The intention to return a General Play score must be registered before play commences on the MyEnglandGolf app.

2 – Competition entries

Entries into official competition slots (i.e. in the main block or blocks of start times) will either be done online or in the pro’s shop with the help of staff.
The Competition Purse will be used for entries into all official competition slots.  Entries into non-official competition slots (i.e. outside the main block or blocks) are permitted for most competitions; entry fees are debited from the Competition Purse; inform staff in the pro’s shop on the day.
Money can be credited onto the purse either at home via a bank card or in the Pro’s shop using cash or bank card. Cancellations can be done online up to 5.00pm on the day before the competition (excluding drawn competitions).  Cancellations made after 5.00pm must be done by speaking to the Staff in the Pro’s shop (either in person or by telephone).  Any other method such as email or text will not be accepted and Rule 3 (b) will then apply.

For NPGC Open Competitions and Invitation Day, these are booked online and the Competition Purse is used.

3 – Withdrawals and ‘no shows’

• a) If, for any reason, competitors must withdraw from a competition, it is common courtesy to let your playing partners know in order to find a replacement player, particularly in team competitions.
• b) Any player who, without giving notice, fails to show on the day of the competition will have to pay the entry fee of the competition plus a fine of £5. For repeat offenders the fine will increase in multiples of £5 per ‘no show’: for example, on the second occasion the fine will be £10 (on top of the entry fees); on the third occasion it will rise to £15 and so on. All money from fines will be donated to the Captains’ charities.  The total fine and entry fees must be paid before the player can play in the next full 18-hole competition listed in the fixtures list, otherwise the player will not be permitted to play.  The Competitions Committee may also impose other sanctions on offenders, such as a multi-competition ban.

Players’ responsibilities on the day of the competition

• a) Competition entry fees and any relevant green fees (such as weekday members playing in weekend competitions, flexi members etc) must be paid before playing in a competition. Penalty for breach: disqualification.
• b) Competitors must be on the starting tee 10 minutes before their published start time. (See Rule 5.3a in Rules of Golf).
• c) It is common courtesy to your playing partners to complete your round once it has begun.
• d) Players’ gross scores (including ‘no returns’) must be entered into the computer or IG app on completion of play. If any player is unsure about how to do this, help must be sought from staff. Completed score cards must be posted through the slot underneath the player score entry computer.  Any player who fails to enter their score into the computer or IG app and / or does not post their card through the slot will not be allowed to play in the next full 18 hole competition listed in the fixtures list.  Players are responsible for entering the correct gross scores; any errors cannot be rectified once the card has been posted through the slot.
• e) No Returns (NR’s) – players should do all they can to avoid returning a NR.
• f) All players should do all they can to maintain a reasonable pace of play. The first group out on a competition day sets the pace for the rest of the competition. Each group must ensure that it maintains its place on the course by keeping up with the group in front.  The Competitions Committee does have the power to penalise players who commit breaches of etiquette.

4. Prizes

• a) For most competitions (unless otherwise stated below) prize vouchers to be spent in the pro’s shop will be issued. These will be available to collect from the pro’s shop.
• b) For some competitions, a prize presentation will take place on the day; prize winners are expected to attend and players can monitor their scores via the Intelligent Golf online system / app.
• c) The number of prizes issued will depend on the level of entries for the competition.

Seniors’ competitions

Some competitions and matches are for seniors only.  The minimum age is 55 years old for women and men on the day of the competition or match.

Juniors’ competitions

Some competitions and matches are for Juniors only.  See notice board in the clubhouse for further details.

Junior members are welcome to enter Adult competitions once a handicap index of 28 for Boys or 36 for Girls, has been achieved. Juniors must attend an informal induction with Robert Macey (Head PGA Golf Professional) first. Juniors must play with at least 1 Adult member. Parents please note that Juniors play in such competitions with your approval and these are not considered supervised events. 

Norwood Park Golf Centre operates comprehensive child protection policies and procedures – further details are available.

For the Junior Club Championships, Rule 9.2c is applicable.

5.Details of Competitions

Individual Medals and Stablefords

• a) These will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The dates are shown in the fixtures list on the IG Member app.
• b) Where possible, depending on course conditions and weather, these will be acceptable scores competitions (formerly called qualifying competitions) for handicap purposes, 95% allowance.
• c) Players must enter online via the NPGC web-site / IG member app or in the pro’s shop. It is each player’s choice as to who their playing partners are.
• d) Males and females can play together and will be in the same competition.
• e) Players will be split into divisions as follows:

Division 1 – playing handicap up to 10

Division 2 – playing handicap 11 – 16

Division 3 – playing handicap 17 – 22

Division 4 – playing handicap 23+

Seniors competitions

Division 1 – playing handicap up to 18

Division 2 – playing handicap 19 – 28

Division 3 – playing handicap 29+

• f) There will be a prize for the best gross score in Medal & Stableford competitions.
• g) Entry fee: £4.00
• h) An Order of Merit (OOM) will be run throughout the playing season from the first stableford following the Stableford Final up to, and including, the following year’s Stableford Final to establish the male and female ‘Golfer of the Year’. Club competitions that will count towards the OOM are all 18 hole stableford qualifiers except senior and junior competitions. The OOM will be calculated by adding together each player’s 10 best stableford scores.
• i) A gross and net Eclectic Competition will be run throughout the playing season. There will be a separate event for women and men. Club competitions that will count are all 18 hole qualifying competitions, except senior and junior competitions, from the first competition following the Stableford Final up to, and including, the following year’s Stableford Final.

6.Major competitions

• a) Most of these have trophies and / or honours boards.
• b) Maximum playing handicap will be 20 for men and 30 for women.
• c) Players must have returned a minimum of 5 acceptable scores competitions at NPGC in the 12 months before the date of the competition (general play scores do not count). Players who have returned fewer than 5 scores may play in major competitions (except the knockouts) and their handicaps will be adjusted accordingly, but they cannot win the competition. In such an instance, the winner would be the next player with at least 5 scores.
• d) For all major competitions, a draw for playing partners will be made. Players must enter the draw either online or in the pro’s shop before the draw takes place. The draw will take place on the Wednesday before for a Saturday competition and on the Thursday before for a Sunday competition.  It is the responsibility of all players to know their tee time.  For pairs / team competitions, players may choose their own teams.  Team changes after the draw has been made are permitted, except for the Summer Knock – Out competitions.  Once the draw has been made, players may only be added at the discretion of the General Manager or Club Professional, providing the competition is not fully subscribed.
• e) If a player withdraws from a competition after the draw has been made, the entry fee will not be refunded.
• f) Winners will be presented with their trophies at the annual presentation evening unless stated otherwise.
• g) Women and men can play together and, in most competitions, will be playing in the same competition unless otherwise stated. Playing handicaps will be adjusted to take into account differences in course rating for tees played from as per WHS (CR minus par).
• h) The entry fee will be £4.00 per player unless otherwise stated.
• i) Tees used will be Red for women and White for men.

The following competitions are the Major Club Competitions and are open to any member of NPGC (c) above):

7.The Club Championship

This is a 36 hole individual medal competition played over 2 consecutive days (a Saturday and a Sunday).  There will be both a gross and net competition to determine the gross and net ladies and gents Club Champions for the year.  A ‘cut’ will take place after round 1.  The top 50% of players with the leading net scores will make the cut and qualify to play in round 2.  There will be a separate competition for ladies and gents.  The draw for round 1 will be based on handicap divisions so that players will play with another player of a similar handicap index.  In round 2, the players with the leading scores in the gross and net events will play together and will go out in the last groups.  The leading 3 ladies in the gross and net events will play in the 4^th and 5^th respective groups from the end.

In the event of a tie for 1^st place in either the gross or net event, there will be a sudden death play-off starting at hole number 1.  In the gross event, the play off will be off scratch.  In the net event play off, playing handicaps will be taken into consideration and therefore players will receive shots as normal according to their playing handicap and the stroke index of the hole being played.  For example, if both players scored a 5 and one player received a shot and the other didn’t, the playing receiving the shot would win with a net 4.

There will be a prize voucher for best 1^st round and best 2^nd round net score, outside of the main event (which is the 36 hole event).  A player cannot win more than 1 voucher.

Entry fee: £4.00 per round.

8.Medal and Stableford Finals

All 18-hole acceptable scores for handicapping medals and stablefords (not including: honours board competitions as these are stand-alone competitions, seniors and juniors competitions) running from the previous medal / stableford final up to the last medal / stableford before the medal / stableford final will count.

The overall men’s and women’s net winner for each medal / stableford will qualify.

The overall men’s and women’s scratch winner for each medal / stableford will qualify.

There will be a separate competition for women and men.  95% allowance.

Entry fee: free

9.Summer Knock – Outs

Players must enter the knock-outs online.  The draws will take place on or around 1^st April.

All players must have returned a minimum of 5 acceptable scores competition scores (general play scores do not count) at NPGC in the 12 months previous to 1^st April, otherwise they will not be entered into the draw.

Players are requested to arrange matches as soon as opponents are known.

It is up to the players involved to arrange a mutually convenient date and time.  Weekday members must pay a green fee if a match is to be played on a Saturday or Sunday (except for finals).  Matches must be played by the published deadline.  If this is not possible, the players involved may decide between themselves who will progress to the next round.  The Competitions Committee will not get involved in disputes.  Under no circumstances will extensions be given to the deadlines.  If a match is played after the deadline or not played at all, this will lead to all players involved being disqualified from that competition.  Results must be entered online by the closing date for that round otherwise all players involved will be disqualified.

All finals must be played on the designated ‘finals day’.  Weekday members do not need to pay a green fee when playing in a final.

The following Knock-Out competitions will take place: 

• Mens Singles – individual match-play, playing handicap = 100% of course handicap, full difference between playing handicaps (lower handicap player (will receive no shots) will give full playing handicap difference to the higher handicap player).
• Mens Singles max. 9 handicap – individual match-play, playing handicap = 100% of course handicap, full difference between playing handicaps (lower handicap player (will receive no shots) will give full playing handicap difference to the higher handicap player).
• Womens Singles – individual match-play, playing handicap = 100% of course handicap, full difference between playing handicaps (lower handicap player (will receive no shots) will give full playing handicap difference to the higher handicap player).
• Seniors Singles – individual match-play, playing handicap = 100% of course handicap, full difference between playing handicaps (lower handicap player (will receive no shots) will give full playing handicap difference to the higher handicap player).
• Juniors Singles – individual match-play, playing handicap = 100% of course handicap, full difference between playing handicaps (lower handicap player (will receive no shots) will give full playing handicap difference to the higher handicap player).
• Mens Pairs – pairs better ball match-play, 90% of difference between course handicaps (lowest handicap player (will receive no shots) will give 90% handicap difference to the other 3 players).
• Womens Pairs – pairs better ball match-play, 90% of difference between course handicaps (lowest handicap player (will receive no shots) will give 90% handicap difference to the other 3 players).
• Mixed Pairs – greensomes (both tee off, choose one tee shot, then alternate shots) match-play, 9 drives per player must be used, full difference between Greensomes handicaps (round up or down accordingly).
• Singles Medal – Max. playing handicap 9, open to all sections of the club.  Both players mark a medal card and the player with the best net score proceeds to the next round.  In the event of a tie, a back 9 countback takes place, i.e. best net score over back 9 / back 6 / back 3 etc.
• Seniors Pairs (over 55s) – pairs better ball match-play, 90% of difference between course handicaps (lowest handicap player (will receive no shots) will give 90% handicap difference to the other 3 players).

10.The Geoff Sanders Memorial Trophy

This is an individual medal competition, 95% allowance.

11.The Norwood 18 Vase

Pairs better-ball, medal, 85% allowance.  Any combination of partners.

12.Captains’ Day

The Captains have the choice as to the format.  A prize presentation will take place on the day – winners or their representatives must be present to collect their prize otherwise the prize will be forfeited. Entry fee: free

13.The Basher Hassan Putter

Individual medal competition, 95% allowance.

14.Invitation Day

Pairs better-ball, stableford, 85% allowance.  Each pair must comprise of 1 member and 1 guest.  Any combination of partners is allowed.  Weekday and flexi members may play in this competition and pay the same entry fee.  All players must hold an official WHS handicap index.

Entry fee: £44 per pair (includes food).

15.Captain of Captains

Open to all current and past captains of Norwood Park Golf Club.  The format will be an individual stableford competition, 95% allowance.  There will be a prize presentation on the day.  Rule (c) does not apply for this competition.

16.The Bob Woodward Shield

Individual stableford competition, 95% allowance.

17.The Starkey Spoon

Individual medal competition, 95% allowance.

18.The Bramley Apple Shield

Pairs better ball stableford, 85% allowance.  Any combination of partners.

19.The Summer Mixed Trophy (formerly New Beginnings Trophy)

Pairs better ball stableford, 85% allowance.

20.New Year’s Day Texas Scramble

Team of 4 Texas Scramble, 9 holes, team playing handicap = 25% / 20% / 15% / 10% from lowest to highest course handicap player (but then halved due to only 9 hole competition), minimum of 2 drives per player must be used.

21.Thornton Trophy

Individual 27 holes medal competition, 95% allowance, played over the West Wood and Norwood courses.

22.Ladies Rabbits Cup

Individual stableford competition, 95% allowance, for women with playing handicap of 30 and over.

23.The Sam Yates Trophy (Inter-section challenge)

Individual 18 hole stableford competition, 95% allowance.  6 players in each team (i.e. seniors, ladies, gents, juniors) with the best 4 scores to count.  Non handicap qualifier. Entry fee: free

24.The following Major Competitions are for Seniors only:

• The Cooper Vase

Pairs better ball, stableford, 85% handicap.  Any combination of partners.

• The Winner City Shield

Individual stableford competition, 95% allowance.

• The Geoff Shaw Trophy

Individual stableford competition, 95% allowance.  Men only.

• The Ruth Woodward Cup

Individual stableford competition, 95% allowance.

• The Minster Trophy

Individual medal competition, 95% allowance.

• Veterans Shield

Individual stableford competition, 95% allowance, for players aged 70 or over.

25. 9 HOLE COMPETITIONS

The WHS handicapping system provides the facility for a golf club to run 9-hole acceptable scores competitions. These competitions are at the discretion of the golf club and NPGC will run some of these (see fixtures on the IG app).

1. Summary of Penalties for Breaches of Rules

• 1-c: Disqualification.
• 1-e: Disqualification.
• 1-f: Disqualification and a ban from the next 18 hole competition listed in the fixture list.
• 1-g: Disqualification.
• 3-b: A fine of the entry fee plus a further £5.  The £5 will go to the Captains’ charities.
• 4-a: Disqualification.

26. Information

Please note: the Competitions & Handicaps Group meet every two months.  The Group is always considering ways to improve procedures to ensure competitions run smoothly and are enjoyable for all participants.  It may be necessary, from time to time, to make some changes to procedures.  As these Club Competitions Rules are printed annually, any changes will be included in the next edition.  However, in the interim, changes may be posted on notice boards in the clubhouse and in the pro’s shop.

If you are looking for playing partners, please ask a member of staff for help.

The following ‘roll-ups’ take place to assist with this:

• Ladies – every Monday and Wednesday mornings
• Seniors – every Monday and Wednesday mornings
• Juniors – see junior notice board in clubhouse for details
• Par 3 Club – meet every Wednesday morning at 9.30am.  Everyone most welcome.

Safeguarding

• Norwood Park Juniors – Safeguarding Policy & Procedures
• Adults Safeguarding Policy Procedures
• Club Welfare Officer
• SafeGolf Certificate – NORWOOD PARK GOLF CENTRE

Sustainability

• NPGC Environmental Policy