At the tournament at Harbor Pines on Thursday, August 13 you
will compete in two tournaments simultaneously – the individual JustGolf
championship and a men’s or women’s better ball. You will sign up with a
partner for the better ball, and your individual score will count towards the
championship. Prize money will be awarded for both tournaments.
I designed this experimental combination because I was
disappointed in the turnout last year for the championship tournament at
Wildwood, a course that took me three years of requests to schedule. A survey
after that tournament indicated it was too late in the season and that some
players are leery of competing in an individual tournament. I am trying to
correct both problems by scheduling the championship in August instead of
September, and by including a simultaneous better ball tournament so that
everyone will play with a partner.
Both tournaments are stroke play, so the Rules of Golf have
no objection to combining them. However, there are a few Rules wrinkles that we
will have to iron out:
• If you should decide to pick up on a hole, you will
continue competing in the better ball tournament but you will be withdrawn from
the individual championship.
• The Rules for the individual championship will take
precedence. As such, you will be instructed to refrain from asking for or
offering advice to your partner. Also, order of play must be strictly observed,
most importantly for approach shots to the green and putting – the player
furthest from the hole will always hit first.
I’m hoping this double format will double your fun, and that
I will get to see all of you at Harbor Pines. I will post the application
shortly, and will have applications available at the registrar’s table at Blue
Heron on Tuesday.
Regards,
Linda
