Athens Golf League Rules of Play

OUT-OF-BOUNDS/LOST BALL PLAY

Players have two options for out of bounds or lost ball play, in accordance with the USGA new adoption in effect January 1, 2019:

• Players can opt to drop in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty.
• Players can opt to re-play a ball from original spot, under a one-stroke penalty (stroke and distance).

In accordance with USGA rules and for pace of play, please limit searches for lost balls to three minutes.

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SCORING & POINTS FORMAT

2 individual match play competitions (2 points each 4 pts total, A player vs A player/B player vs. B player from each team) 2 individual medal play comeptitions (2 points each 4 pts total, A player vs A player/B player vs. B

• Each match will have a 10 point maximum with three matches occurring with each foursome: player from each team) 1 team medal player competition (winning team with lowest combined net stroke totals, 2 points).

In each individual match 2 points will be awarded for a match play victory. 2 points will be awarded for a stroke play victory. The final 2 points will be awarded based on combined team net stroke totals.

• Ties in any portion of the match will result in 1 point for each team for that portion of the match.

• Position night (Week 15) will take place on the last night of the league. The results as of the position night will determine the matches. 1st place will play 2nd place, etc, winner of each match wins their respected league night.

• At the start of the match each player will be paired against one player from the opposing team based on handicap.

Matchups will still be lowest handicap vs lowest handicap and highest vs. highest handicap, thus matchups can change (i.e. the original B player might become the A Player if his teammate's substitute has the higher handicap. If there is a no- show opponent, the remaining teammate still plays the matching handicap, regardless if the opponent is the original player from the team or is a substitute. Always, lowest handicap vs. lowest handicap (player A vs. player A) and highest handicap versus highest handicap (player B vs. player B).

EXCEPTION: In matchups where one player has yet to establish a league handicap (see handicapping below), that player will be the "B" player until a handicap is established. When both players on a team are new players without an established handicap, then the A/B status for the team will be determined alphabetically (sorry, best we got).

COURSE DESIGNATIONS

• Hole # 1 White stakes along the entire left side of the hole are out of bounds (note, hole #4 now has white stakes left of the cart path).
• Hole # 2 Bike path along the left side of the hole is out-of-bounds.
• Hole # 3 Red stakes along the left side define a lateral water hazard. Yellow stakes define water hazard around greenside creek. Fence defines out-of- bounds to the right of the green
• Hole # 4 Left of the cart path is marked with white stakes (out of bounds). Play your ball accordingly. Concrete culvert defines lateral water hazard cutting through fairway.
• Hole # 5 Fence defines out-of-bounds along entire left side of hole.
• Hole # 6 Red stakes along the left side define a lateral water hazard. Concrete culvert defines water hazard cutting through fairway.
• Ball obstructed by bridge may be moved no closer to the hole without penalty.
• Hole # 7 Bike path along the left side of the hole is out-of-bounds. Yellow Stakes define water hazard around creek. Fence behind the green defines out-of-bounds.
• Hole # 7 & #8 Naturalized area (defined by knee-high grass) between holes #7 & #8 is to played as a free drop area, one club length from where the ball was believed to have entered the area, no closer to the hole.
• Hole # 8 Yellow stakes define water hazard around creek beside tee box.
• Hole # 9 Unless indicated as out of bounds, ball on Ping Center patio may be moved no closer to hole without penalty. Ball obstructed by fence around tennis courts may be moved no closer to the hole without penalty.
• Naturalized area behind Hole #9 green is marked as OB (defined by a white line) and must be played as OB.

HANDICAP SYSTEM & SCORING STRUCTURE

• For every returning player and substitute, the 2019 final handicap is used as the starting handicap for the 2021 season. We will use five weeks of that score to begin the season. The handicaps will be computed and adjusted for each week. We will use full handicaps.

• For every new player, new substitute, or any returning, qualified player who is moving up to the yellow box, starting handicaps are established following their first round score and are adjusted down 2 strokes to serve as their starting handicap. Note, consequently the player will not know their starting handicap until after their first round of play.

• The maximum handicap is 18 and no score higher than a 53 will be calculated for handicapping purposes.

• In addition, the USGA's original ESC table (Equitable Stroke Control) will also be in effect for handicapping purposes. Note the USGA currently uses the WHS Double Bogey Plus adjustement. But we still use ESC. To review ESC, please visit the following link.

• For regular league players who substitute for another player (on an alternative night), the round as a sub is not factored into their handicap calculation.

• For players who regularly play both nights (not subbing), handicaps are not re-calculated until after the Thursday round (Wednesday round cannot affect the Thursday round of the same week).

• Any round played without having an opponent (either due to no-show or concession) is not factored into the handicap calculation.

• No player will give more than 9 shots to an opponent on any given night in the match play format. However, players will give the total stroke difference in the medal play format.

• The holes are handicapped as stated on the scorecards. Scorecards must be signed by the scorer, dated, and attested.

• There is no picking up or maximum score per hole. If you choose to pick up and not complete a hole, you not only concede the hole in match play, but you also concede your medal play match (2 pts) and also concede your team medal play (also 2 pts).

Matches will NOT be cancelled unless the Golf Course is closed due to lightning. Golf Course closure is determined by a representative from the Ohio University Golf and Tennis Center working behind the front desk.

The first match that is cancelled will be rescheduled on the Rain Date in the schedule. Subsequent cancellations will not be remade.

If four or more matches are completed on any given night, then the night is consider completed and all incomplete matches will need to be resumed beginning from the tee box on the first hole that wasn't completely finished.

If a substitute cannot be found a team may play with only one member. In this case the present member can only compete in his or her individual matches. The team lacking one member forfeits the 2 pts for the combined team medal play as well the remaining uncompeted 4 points.

The matchup of A vs A player and B vs B player remains intact for the integrity of handicapped play.

In the case of a no-show scenario, the present team will be automatically awarded 10 points.

The League concludes with the League Round-Up following Week 15/Position Night. The Round-Up is a 4-man scramble tournament with prizes and a cookout. Typically this occurs one to two weeks following the final week of competition play.

RESCHEDULING MATCHES/MAKE-UP POLICY/

• All matches must be played at the specified tee-time unless re-scheduling is absolutely necessary. Please be courteous to other league members as well the course, do not reschedule your match for an earlier time or a different day if you have been given a late tee-time. If you are NOT planning to play at your scheduled tee time, please be courteous and notify your opponents as well as notifying the clubhouse so other players will be aware.

• Re-scheduling matches MUST be completed before the following week of play and you must additionally pay the normal green fee.

SUBSTITUTES

• At least one registered player from a team MUST be present.

• All rescheduling of matches and finding substitutes is YOUR responsibility.

• Please also provide a substitute's first AND last name as well contact information (email and phone number, just use the back of the card).

• Substitute handicaps will be handicapped either from their previous season (if applicable) or following their first round of play this season. New players and new substitutes' starting handicaps are adjusted down 2 strokes from the initial round.