Friday, January 20, 2012

Posting winter scores

We have had an unusually mild and snow-free winter thus far. I have played numerous rounds of golf since November 1, and I know that many of you have, too. Count your blessings, but don’t post these scores.

Between November 1 and March 31, New Jersey has what is known as an “inactive season.” This means that you are not permitted to post any rounds that you play during that time.

If you head to warmer climes for the winter (e.g., Florida, Arizona, South Carolina), you are required to post those scores. Most southern states are “active” year-round with regard to posting scores. If you cannot post at the club or via computer, save the pertinent information (name of course, date, slope and rating, ESC score) and post at your home club at the start of the New Jersey active season, April 1.

There is good reason for the inactive season. Courses are rated for normal playing conditions. Conditions between November and March can be unpredictable – there is less foliage, slower green speeds (or quicker, if they’re frozen), shortened distances (“winter tees”), very little rough. Course conditions are simply not the same as in the growing season, so the rating does not accurately reflect the difficulty of the course.

It’s truly delightful that we are able to experience winter golf this year. But if you’re playing locally, think of it as an enjoyable day and leave your scoring pencil in storage until April.



Thursday, January 12, 2012

Tournament Policies, 2015

1. Registration: Each tournament will have an open registration period. The full tournament fee must be included with the tournament application. Applications must be postmarked no later than the final day of registration. If the deadline for registration has passed, and you wish to play, please call to find out if there are openings.

2. Volunteers: This is an all-volunteer organization. Please make volunteers’ jobs easier by being on time with applications, requests, questions, etc. Volunteers do not need to pay membership dues unless they are competing in tournaments. Volunteers are needed and welcome to serve as starters, registrars, spotters, rangers, etc. Expenses incurred by volunteers will be reimbursed.

3. Communication:
     a. All information will be posted on this website: www.JustGolfTournaments.blogspot.com. If you subscribe to the website (free subscription), all information will go straight to your e-mail.
     b. If you need to reach the tournament director, please contact Linda Miller:
     E-mail: LLMillerGolf@gmail.com
     Home: 609-267-8630
     Cell: 609-784-2550

4. USGA Rules: All tournaments will be governed by USGA rules.

5. Local Rules: Local rules and course information for each tournament will be posted on the website prior to each tournament. A number of hard copies will be available at the registrar’s table, but it is hoped that individuals with access to a printer will make their own copy of the rules to help save printing costs for the organization.

6. Players Needing Partners: Players may submit single applications for team events. The tournament director will pair singles together, and will notify players as soon as a partner is found.

7. Withdrawal:
     a. Notification: Players who must withdraw from tournaments should notify the tournament director as soon as possible. In a team competition, if a single player withdraws and his partner finds or needs a substitute, that information needs to be communicated immediately to the tournament director.
     b. Refunds: The full tournament fee will be refunded until 10 days before a tournament (three days for medical or other unforeseen emergencies). Players who withdraw within 10 days (within three days for emergencies) will receive a refund of the tournament fee minus $10.

8. Tournament Cancellations: Call the golf course for possible weather-related cancellations on the day of a tournament. Call Linda’s cell phone if you withdraw or are running late on the day of a tournament:
609-784-2550

9. Tournament Prizes:
     a. $10 of the tournament fee per competitor will be used for prize money.
     b. Prizes will be in the form of gift certificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
     c. A minimum of 30% of the field will receive a prize.
     d. Unless otherwise specified, all tournaments will award gross and net prizes.
     e. Prize distribution will be approximately 30% gross and 70% net.

10. Tie-Breakers:  The recommended USGA tie-breaker will be used to break ties for first place (compare back nine total; if still tied, then last 6 on back, last 3 on back, front 9, last 6 on front, last 3 on front, and finally hole by hole beginning with the #1 handicap hole). The same method will be used if more than two teams are tied for the last prize. All other ties will remain as ties and receive equal prize money.

11. Tee Policy for the Men
Men will have a choice of tees (standard or senior) at all tournaments except the Championship. Yardage and rating information will be provided prior to each tournament, and recommendations will be offered regarding tee selection (based on the distance a player customarily hits his drive). Players will be informed prior to each tournament how many net strokes they will lose if they choose to play from the shorter tees.

Eligibility for gross prizes will be limited to those players who choose to play from the standard tees. All players will compete for net prizes.

12. Handicap Reductions: Players or teams that place first overall net will have their full Course Handicap reduced by two strokes in all subsequent tournaments. Second and third place overall net finishers will have a one-stroke reduction. Stroke adjustments are cumulative for two years on a rolling basis. Players do not lose strokes if they have not won prize money. The Handicap Adjustment Chart showing handicap reductions is posted under JUSTGOLF LINKS, and is updated after every tournament.

13. Maximum Course Handicap: 18 for men; 24 for women. This means that no man will receive more than 18 strokes in a tournament, and no woman will receive more than 24.

14. Eligibility for Club Championship: Players must compete in at least one JustGolf tournament in 2015 to be eligible to compete for the Club Championship.

15. Pairings: Individual players or teams will not be paired with members of their same club or with JustGolf members whom they customarily choose as partners. The reason for this policy is twofold:        
     a. to provide opportunities for players to meet new people; and
     b. to provide for uniformly fair competition.

16. Tipping: $2 will be added to the cost of each tournament to cover tips. This will guarantee the bag boy $1 per bag at the start and finish of each tournament. If the money doesn’t get used for tips, the extra will be added to the prizes.
17. Distance-Measuring Devices: Players may use devices that measure distance only. Use of devices designed to measure other conditions that might affect play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) will result in disqualification under Rule 14-3, regardless of whether those additional functions are used.

18. Cell Phones: Cell phone usage is prohibited on the golf course, except for emergencies or rules questions. Please add Linda's cell phone to your contact list: 609-784-2550.

19. Caddies: Players are not permitted to use caddies.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

New Policies for 2012

The Tournament Policies will be posted on the website tomorrow. Here is a summary of the changes for 2012:

• A minimum of 30% of the field will receive a prize. (The minimum last year was 25%. This change will mean that more players/teams will receive prizes, but the amount of prize money will be less.)

• The Stableford and Ryder Cup tournaments will be net tournaments. All others will award both gross and net prizes.

• Senior tees will be optional for all players who are aged 70 or older. (Last year they were not an option if your Handicap Index was 10.0 or lower.)

• All men whose Handicap Index is 20.0 or higher will be required to play from the senior tees.

• Players competing from the senior tees will be eligible for net prizes only. The only exception will be in the Men’s Championship, which will award gross and net prizes in the senior flight. (This is not a change from last year. I’m just adding it as a reminder.)

• The maximum Course Handicap will be 18 for men and 24 for women. This means that no man will receive more than 18 strokes in a tournament, and no woman will receive more than 24.

• Men are eligible to join JustGolf if their Handicap Index is 22.0 or less.

• Women are eligible to join JustGolf if their Handicap Index is 28.0 or less.



Monday, January 9, 2012

Membership Information, 2015


• Male golfers whose USGA Handicap Index does not exceed 22.0 may apply for membership.

• Female golfers whose USGA Handicap Index does not exceed 28.0 may apply for membership.

• Members must have a minimum of ten scores in their handicap record for the 12 months before participating.

• Members must follow the USGA rules regarding posting scores. All acceptable scores must be posted following each round, and Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) must be correctly applied prior to posting scores. The Committee reserves the right to adjust the Handicap Index® of any player whose Index clearly does not reflect his potential ability [USGA Handicap System, 8-4c].

• The cost of membership for 2015 is $15. This money will be used to cover operating expenses such as copies, ink cartridges, paper, postage, printing, transportation for volunteers, and trophies. Any surplus will be added to the prizes.

• Membership applications should be mailed at least one month prior to entry in the first tournament. With prior permission, membership applications may be sent together with the application for the player’s first tournament.

• Players must be at least 21 years old.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

JustGolf Tournament Schedule – 2012


Be sure to share this schedule with your friends.

Shore Gate Golf Club – Tuesday, May 15
Format:
Men’s Modified Scramble
Women’s Modified Scramble
Cost: $60 (includes cart, green fee, and prizes)

Vineyard Golf at Renault – Tuesday, June 5
Format:
         Men’s Net Team Stableford (2-man teams, aggregate scoring);
         Women’s Net Team Stableford (2-woman teams, aggregate scoring)
Cost: $50 (includes cart, green fee, and prizes)

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club – Wednesday, June 27
Format: Mixed Modified Scramble
Cost: $55 (includes cart, green fee, range balls, and prizes)

Golden Pheasant Golf Club – Monday, July 16
Format:
Men’s Ryder Cup
Women’s Ryder Cup
Cost: $43 (includes cart, green fee, and prizes)

Ramblewood Country Club – Monday, August 6
Format:
Men’s JustGolf Championship
Women’s JustGolf Championship
Cost: $45 (includes cart, green fee, and prizes)

Town & Country Golf Links – Monday, August 27
Format: Mixed Better Ball
Cost: $48 (includes cart, green fee, and prizes)

Running Deer Golf Club – Monday, September 17
Format:
Men’s Better Ball
Women’s Shamble  
Cost: $50 (includes cart, green fee, and prizes)