Waterfront Twilight Golf League Rules 2020
- WFTGL RULES OF GOLF
1.1 The USGA Rules of golf will govern all play. As provided by the USGA Rules of Golf, only certain local rules and defining of the course conditions may be added as detailed in the USGA Rules Appendix. These local rules will be those in effect at the golf course where play occurs.
1.2 WFTGL competitions combining match and stroke play shall be governed by the rules of match play. However, for determining the stroke play winner it is necessary that whenever the “match” play penalty is “loss of hole” the hole shall be completed and a two stroke penalty added also.
1.3 All protests must be made known to your opponent before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground or as otherwise provided by USGA rules for match play. The card should not be signed and the dispute should be noted there on the scorecard and must be turned in the night of play for settlement by the Rules Committee, with the assistance of the Pro at the golf course played, if necessary. If the scorecard is signed by both teams and turned in the night of play without a protest written on the card, the result on the card will stand as is, unless agreed upon by both team captains willing to resolve the protest or issue.
- WATERFRONT TWILIGHT LEAGUE COMPETITION REGULATIONS
The USGA Rules of Golf cover play, but the WFTGL Competition Regulations cover the conditions under which this competition is conducted, i.e., the method of determining teams, points, winners, starting times, match-up of opponents, forfeits, loss of points, play-offs, handicaps, etc. These regulations are as follows:
2.1 Teams and Starting Times
2.1.1 The competition consists of single matches of 4 players from each team. Each single match shall be set up on an equitable basis with the 1st lowest handicap player against the 1st lowest handicap player of the opposing team, the 2nd lowest against the opponents 2nd lowest, 3rd lowest against 3rd lowest etc. If both teams agree, the front group, i.e. 1st & 2nd lowest handicap players can tee of as the 2nd group and the 2nd group which will consist of the 3rd lowest & 4th lowest can go as the front group, . (Example, #1 or # 2 lowest handicap player from each team playing with #3 or #4) It is the team captain’s responsibility to coordinate and assign the playing member (4 players) for play each day. The players may be from his team or from the official list of “floaters”. Idle members of any other team cannot play for points for any team which is short players.
An option, as agreed to by both teams, the sequence of players playing may be adjusted to suit. (Example, the lead group could be 3rd and 4th handicap players, followed by 1st and 2nd handicap players).
2.1.2 A player not ready to tee off per the starting time on the weekly schedule forfeits his match. However, there will be no absentee matches and all points must be won. (If 3 players show from Team A, and 4 from Team B, the extra man from Team B must complete his round and post his score in order to win his points. If he does not play, the points will be forfeited, not split.) In addition, if a player who was scheduled to play is not at the tee, the matches must be set in accordance with 2.1.1.
2.1.3 All teams must carry a MINIMUM of 6 Players, MAXIMUM of 10 players. Team are required to have rosters complete by week 4. All player changes after will require Board approval.
2.1.4 If a player leaves the course after play has started, the other individual matches will stand as set at the beginning of play. The player will forfeit his match and the team will forfeit the team points.
2.1.5 If a player is injured and expected to be unable to play for an extended period. This player may be placed in an injured reserve status and a substitute player maybe allowed upon Board approval. The status of the substitute player upon return of the injured player will be determined by the Board and Team Captain.
2.1.6 The Commissioner will decide by 3:00 PM on the match day if play is cancelled because of rain, and notify Bonita Pro Shop of the cancellation, Team captains can call the Pro Shop for verification if cancelled.
2.1.7 In the event a week is cancelled, that week will be postponed to the last week of the season, prior to the playoffs. . Should a 2nd week during the season need to be cancelled, it will be brought before the Captains to determine what action is to be taken. (Adopted 2016 Captains Meeting)
2.2 Points and Winners
2.2.1 Team points consist of the total made each day of play by the four players from each team in the single matches determined by 2.1.1. For each singles match, one point is awarded the winner of match play and one for stroke play. The point is halved for any ties. As detailed in 2.1.3, forfeit points must be won, not split.
2.2.2 The League Competition will consist of 22 weeks. The win/loss record with points will determine the team position for the playoffs.
2.2.2.1 Each of 4 competing players will play for 2 points for a team total of 8 (see 2.2.1). In addition, 2 points will be awarded for total team strokes (net). A win is determined by taking more than 5 of the 10 points being contested. In the event of a tie (5 points each team) each team is credited with 1/2 point in the “win” and 1/2 point in the “loss” column.
2.2.2.2 Player’s scores and team points must be agreed to by both teams before the card is signed. After a card is signed and submitted, there will be no changes made to scores. However, if the team captains discover an error in points, they may by mutual agreement request that the error be corrected.
2.2.2.3 Play-off teams must field 4 players for the first week of the playoffs. Floaters may be used under the same rule as in 4.4 If a team cannot field a play-off team, that team forfeits their position and the position will be filled following the applicable rules of Section 2.2.2.
2.2.3.3.1 In order to compete in the playoffs, each player must have an established league handicap having played 5 or more weeks during the current season.
2.2.3.4. Play-off teams must both agree on the number of players each team will field for the second and third week of the playoffs. The agreed number of players must be given to the league commissioner to assist him/her to ensure the golf course will accommodate the amount of players playing in the play-offs. If for some reason a play-off team has a no-show at the time of teeing off; the regular season rule 2.1.2 will apply. The only change to that rule will be; if both captains agree to reduce his/her team play-off players to match his/her opponent’s number of players or if a WFTGL floater is available.
2.2.2.3 In the rare event that two or more teams end up in a tie (same won-loss record and total points) at the end of a season, higher rank order shall be determined by most team points won on the final week of the season. If there is still a tie, the most team points won the previous week will determine the higher rank order and so on going backward to previous weeks until the tiebreaker is resolved.
2.2.3 Play-offs format to determine the League Champion and finishing places as shown below.
2.2.3.1 For the League Championship “play-off” will be held at the season end. Playoffs will be over a three-week period, with the all 16 teams participating in a playoff format.
| Playoff Format Example Upper Bracket | |||||||||||
| Top 8 | |||||||||||
| Final Standings | Team Number | Playoff Week 23 | Playoff Week 24 | Playoff Week 25 | Results | ||||||
| 1 | Team 9 | Match 1 | Team 9 | Team 9 | Team 9 | Team 9 League Champ | Team | ||||
| 2 | Team 5 | Team 6 | 9 | League Champion | |||||||
| 3 | Team 4 | Match 2 | Team 5 | Team 5 | 4 | 2nd place | |||||
| 4 | Team 8 | Team 16 | 5 | 3rd place | |||||||
| 5 | Team 14 | Match 3 | Team 4 | Team 4 | Team 4 | 8 | 4th place | ||||
| 6 | Team 2 | Team 2 | 6 | 5th place | |||||||
| 7 | Team 16 | Match 4 | Team 8 | Team 8 | 2 | 6th place | |||||
| 8 | Team 6 | Team 14 | |||||||||
| Loser from Week 23 | Team 6 | Team 6 | Team 6 | ||||||||
| Team 16 | |||||||||||
| Team 2 | Team 2 | ||||||||||
| Team 14 | |||||||||||
| Playoff Format Example Lower Bracket | |||||||||||
| Lower 8 | |||||||||||
| Final Standings | Team Number | Playoff Week 23 | Playoff Week 24 | Playoff Week 25 | Results | ||||||
| 9 | Team 7 | Match 5 | Team 7 | Team 1 | Team 15 | Team 10 Butterball Champ | Team | ||||
| 10 | Team 15 | Team 1 | 10 | Butterball Champion | |||||||
| 11 | Team 13 | Match 6 | Team 15 | Team 15 | |||||||
| 12 | Team 12 | Team 3 | |||||||||
| 13 | Team 10 | Match 7 | Team 13 | Team 11 | Team 10 | ||||||
| 14 | Team 11 | Team 11 | |||||||||
| 15 | Team 3 | Match 8 | Team 12 | Team 10 | |||||||
| 16 | Team 1 | Team 10 | |||||||||
Prizes will be awarded in decreasing value as follows per team or team member player:
(1) League Champion $50 per player)
(2) 2nd Place $45 per player)
(3) 3rd Place $40 per player)
(4) 4th Place $35 per player)
(5) 5th Place $30 per player)
(6) 6th Place $25 per player)
Butterball Champ To be determined
2.2.3.3 Play-off teams must field 4 players for the first week of the playoffs. Floaters may be used under the same rule as in 4.4 If a team cannot field a play-off team, that team forfeits their position and the position will be filled following the applicable rules of Section 2.2.2.
2.2.3.3.1 In order to compete in the playoffs, each player must have an established league handicap having played 5 or more weeks during the current season.
2.2.3.4. Play-off teams must both agree on the number of players each team will field for the second and third week of the playoffs. The agreed number of players must be given to the league commissioner to assist him/her to ensure the golf course will accommodate the amount of players playing in the play-offs. If for some reason a play-off team has a no-show at the time of teeing off; the regular season rule 2.1.2 will apply. The only change to that rule will be; if both captains agree to reduce his/her team play-off players to match his/her opponent’s number of players or if a WFTGL floater is available.
- HANDICAPS
The Handicap Chairman shall determine and publish all handicaps. He shall follow USGA rules as modified by the following criteria for the WATERFRONT Twilight League.
- Each player’s initial handicap each year shall be determined as follows.
3.1.2 Handicaps will be computed using only scores from the previous season and the current season
3.1.3 Regular Team Players without a handicap must play 9 holes of League competition before a handicap can be established. Temporary handicaps (less than 10 rounds) are computed in accordance with Section 3.2 and based on the following criteria:
3.1.3.1. 1st week: Gross score is adjusted hole by hole for any score higher than triple bogey. Handicap is 80% of the differential (adjusted score less course rating).
3.1.3.2 2nd week: Gross score is adjusted based on 1st week’s handicap. Handicap is 80% of the lower differential of the 2 weeks.
3.1.3.3 The remaining weeks are calculated as in 3.2 below using the following ratio of lowest differentials to games played:
(1) 3rd week: 1 of 3
(2) 4th week: 2 of 4
(3) 5th week: 2 of 5
(4) 6th week: 3 of 6
(5) 7th week: 3 of 7
(6) 8th week: 4 of 8
(7) 9th week: 4 of 9
3.2. Full handicaps are calculated as follows:
3.2.1. Gross scores are adjusted using SCGA/USGA Equitable Stroke Control.
3.2.2. Handicaps are calculated using 96% of the average of the lowest 5 differentials (adjusted score less course rating) of the last 10 rounds played. (Course rating is not necessarily equal to the par for the course. See the course scorecard.) Scores are adjusted by subtracting the strokes exceeding the allowable score on each hole from the total gross score.
3.2.3. Handicaps are calculated after each week’s play and published prior to the next scheduled play.
3.3. Only those cards used in WATERFRONT Twilight Golf League competition for points will be used for determining handicaps.
3.4. Each player is responsible for knowing his handicap before competing. Players are also required to supply correct scores, which must be turned in on the night of play in the box provided in order to expedite the preparation of schedule sheets for the following week.
- OTHER
- USGA Rule #36 established the Committee for laying down the conditions under which the competition is to be played. Therefore, the above Competition Regulations are to be interpreted by and modified by this Committee which consists of Club Commissioner, the Handicap Chairman, the Rules Committee and the Pro at the course where played.
- Other matters such as fees, prizes, trophies, Field Day, eligibility for membership, etc., are considered league activities under the direction of the Commissioner.
- A player may take relief from an area, which should be marked ground under repair with the agreement of his opponent. The player may drop his ball at the point of nearest relief, no closer to the hole, no penalty.
- Teams can use a maximum of one floater each week except under special circumstances and approved by the Commissioner. A Floater must be willing to play for any team who requests his/her services, there will be no team specific floaters allowed. If a floater wants to play for a specific team, he/she must become a full member of specified team.
- Where possible players should hit at the same time if on opposite sides of the fairway.
- When on the green all players are asked to “putt out” to help speed play.
- Play from the white tees. Women may play from the red tees. If playing a woman, whose handicap is based upon playing from the red tees, the handicapped holes used for strokes are the women’s handicapped holes. A woman may choose to play from the white tees. If so, she must play the entire season from the white tees.
- To qualify for best golfer award, players must play a minimum of 8 games for the season. The award is given to the qualifying player with the best point average. (Points won are divided by games played. Games played as a “bye” with no opponent are counted towards the eligibility but are not used to calculate the point average.)
- All players are asked to repair their ball marks and please do not litter the course.
- If the next tee following a par 3 is occupied, please have the courtesy to wave the foursome following your team up to the green as to speed up play.
- Election of officers: To be conducted at the Captains Meeting.
- All league business issues are the responsibility of the Officers. At the discretion of the Officers, they have the right to present these issues to the team captains for discussion
- Voting rights: The Captains and Officers reserve the right to open voting of any relevant issue to the league members.
- Decision Making: Each team has only one eligible vote per team cast by the captain or team representative. In addition the officers have 4 additional votes (commissioner, handicap chairman, field day director and treasurer) for a maximum total of 20 eligible votes. Decisions will be resolved by majority voting when a quorum is present. In the event that a quorum is not present voting will be conducted but decisions are subject to ratification by a majority that includes the absent eligible voters. A quorum represents a 2/3 majority of the eligible voting members, i.e. 13. A majority represents greater than 50% of the quorum when present or eligible voters.
4.15 Speed of play: When a ball is found to be out of bounds after any shot, the player, with agreement from his competitor, may place a ball nearest estimated position of where ball went out. A 2-stroke penalty shall be assessed.
- Ball in fairway picked up: If both teams agree someone else unknown picked up their ball, agreement between both teams makes it OK to drop another ball from estimated position of where ball was last seen, No penalty.
4.17 Both teams will take the responsibility to ensure both groups fill in the scorecards correctly, signed by both teams and TURNED IN THE NIGHT OF PLAY, NO EXCEPTIONS. Teams can give the scorecards to the Handicapper or any League Officer or place cards in WFTGL Scorecard Box on the Bar. Incomplete or incorrect scorecards turned in the night of play will result in 1point deduction from both teams. No card turned in night of play will result in BOTH teams forfeit their match.
4.18 Forfeit Rule: Teams must be prepared to play all 22 weeks.
If any team fails to field a team for a match, they will incur the following penalty:
1st offense: 10 Pt. Reduction
2nd offense: 10 Pt. reduction and disqualification from Playoffs.
3rd offense: removal of team from WFTGL league.
The opposing team must play, IAW WFTGL Rules governing team play. Each player is required to score within 85% of their assigned handicap to earn the total 10 points available.
4.19 Approval of 2019 WFTGL Rules modified by Majority of vote at Captains Meeting, Feb 20 2020.
Remember: Knowing the rules will often save you strokes. Being aware when you are entitled to relief, and knowing what options are available to you allows a selection that is most advantageous for you.
NOTE: SLOW PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED BY THE COURSE ON WHICH YOU PLAY OR BY THE PLAYERS BEHIND YOU.
-ENJOY THE GAME-
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES FOR THE WFTGL 2020
Commissioner and Schedule Director SCOTTIE MCGRORTY
Field Day and Raffle Director MARK BOWERS
Handicap Chairman RON TANGUAY
Treasurer and Marketing Director SAM TZATHAS
Website Development SAM TZATHAS
Rules Committee Officers + Resident Pro at course played (if required)