PAGS - Tournament Rules, Conditions & Guidelines

PAGS’ mission

It’s simple….we aim to provide participants with the best value golfing and social experience on the Eastern Seaboard.

In this context, the PAGS TC hopes that all participants (and their non-golfing partners) will choose to attend the post-PAGS BBQ at the Lion Pub– 7pm onwards. This participation is particularly desirous for all prize winners – overall and novelty. Prize presentation is usually around 8pm.

Come along – it’s fun and there’s also an attractive lucky draw for all non-prize winners. 

 

Spirit of PAGS

Honesty, integrity, courtesy: three words that have come to represent the spirit in which the game of golf is played. PAGS is no different.

 

Part of that spirit includes ‘etiquette’ and part relates to the Rules of Golf. But the Spirit of PAGS goes much deeper than just those two tangible terms. Every golfer should develop an innate sense of something that is born of golf’s unparalleled history, and something which lifts golf, we would argue, above other sports.

 

Whether it’s through divot and pitch-mark repair, or simply through silence on the tee, the spirit of the game dictates that players make sure they give other PAGS players a fair chance to play the best shot they can.

 

For most of us, the game of golf is self-regulating. There is seldom a referee present so we are reliant upon our own honest adherence to the Rules in order to enjoy the game. As a result we are all occasionally forced to call a penalty on ourselves for infringements which, often, will go unnoticed by everyone else. It is this dependency upon honesty and courtesy that has elevated ‘integrity’ to sacrosanct status. Without them, we may as well hang up our clubs.

 

Rules of golf & disputes

All PAGS competitions are conducted in strict conformity with the Rules of Golf plus any Local Rules pertaining to the specific PAGS venue.

 

Participants in PAGS expect to be treated as fairly as possible and the only way this can be achieved is if the Rules are strictly applied to all concerned. There is no more certain a way to damage the reputation of PAGS than by poor administration. It may be difficult and unpleasant to be punctilious in the enforcement of the Rules, but to avoid taking such action can set dangerous precedents and create major difficulties in the long term for PAGS. However, it must be stressed that authority should only be used for the purpose of promoting fair play under equal conditions.

The TC reserves the right to reject entry and amend the PAGS conditions. In the event of dispute, the decision of the TC shall be final.

 

Rules Officials

PAGS, for the most part, is played without a Rules official being present. However, the TC may appoint a referee and perhaps an observer, to accompany play, or it may assign TC members to particular parts of the course to assist players with the Rules and pace of play

 

Playing Eligibility

Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Participation in the competition is accepted from AMATEURS (men and women) with an ACTIVE recognised (USGA) handicap.

There is no separate Junior’s or Senior’s section. Juniors (male or female) under 16 years of age on 1 January will play under Ladies’ conditions. Juniors (male or female) over 16 years of age on 1 January will be treated as adults and join the respective division.

 

PAGS has handicap restrictions. Men – maximum handicap index is 36.4. Ladies/Juniors under 16 – maximum handicap is 40.4.

All equipment shall be named on the current conforming list, as issued by the R&A.

 

‘Distance only measuring’ devices may be used provided that it does not unnecessarily disrupt the pace of play. A device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temp, etc.) is not permitted and could result in disqualification, regardless of whether such functions are actually used.

 

The TC and specific tournament venue both reserve the right to exclude any player who is not suitable attired. It’s the player’s responsibility to avail themselves of the dress requirements of the tournament venue and to dress appropriately. If in any doubt, copy the PGA players!

 

Entry

The TC determines how players enter the competition. Entries are accepted by telephone, post, SMS, Facebook or email to .

 

Entry fees, IN CASH, must be paid to a member of the TC on the day of the PAGS – and before tee-off. Non-payment of fees before tee-off may result in disqualification 

 

Cancellations must be notified to the TC no later than midnight Sunday (assuming a Tuesday tournament).  Players who fail to notify within this timeframe on numerous occasions may be refused entry to future PAGS.

 

Format

PAGS is a singles stroke play tournament played on the basis of Stableford.

 

PAGS is played every month – usually on the final Tuesday (except where this falls on a Public Holiday).

Monthly PAGS’ tournament point tallies are included towards the annual PAGS Championship, with the highest 6 order of merit points being totalled to determine the overall champion.

 

The TC establishes different handicap classes in advance with prizes being awarded in each class, thereby allowing competitors to compete against others of comparable ability. Once handicaps for the day are determined for the whole field, the TC divide the field evenly into their respective handicap classes i.e. 3 divisions for MEN - top, middle and bottom 33%.and one division for Ladies.

 

Starting times

 

The TC establishes the times of starting and arranges the groups of 4 in which competitors play. The TC permits players to ‘recommend’ their own timings and groupings of 4 players but sometimes these recommendations cannot be adhered to.

 

The TC will advise tee times and groupings to players before midnight on the Sunday before the Tuesday of PAGS. Starting times, once advised to the player by the TC, cannot be altered without the TC’s authority.

 

Strict and consistent enforcement of tee-times is vital to the proper organisation of PAGS. Players should report to the starter at least 10 minutes before their appointed tee-time. Players who report late but before their group have teed-off may be deducted 2 points. Players reporting after their group have teed-off may be disqualified.

 

Appropriate starting-time intervals are a vital ingredient in helping to produce a satisfactory pace of play. PAGS operate an 8 minute interval between groups. If the intervals between groups are shortened, players may be forced to wait constantly for the group in front to clear the driving area or the putting green. This will result in players losing their rhythm and being on the course for unnecessarily long periods of time.

 

 

Pace of play

Pace of play is important.

 

If a group loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, they must allow the following group to play through. The TC reserves the right to warn and then penalise any group who fall more than one hole far behind the group in front. The entire group may be penalised 2 points for slow play.

 

The TC may operate a two-tee start. Such a method of starting is useful when there is a large field as it allows more players onto the course more quickly.

 

NOTE - Where a 2-tee start is utilised AND where a ‘count-back’ for a tie is utilised,  the winner will be determined by their score on the last 9/6/3 holes played NOT by the last 9/6/3 scores on the card.

 

Suspension of play

In the event of inclement weather causing a suspension or cancellation of play the following will take effect:

-         not all field have completed 9 holes – all scores void

-         all field have completed 9 holes – stableford scores after 9 holes count

-         all field have completed 15 holes – stableford scores after 15 holes

 

Active Handicaps

The TC do allocate and adjust handicaps through their won system based on the USGA called Birdie, see details here www.birdie.in.th All players are required to have USGA handicap to play 

 

A player receiving handicap strokes will take them in the order assigned on the score card. For example, a player with a handicap of 14 receives strokes on the holes allocated 1-14 stroke index.

 

For those players with an ‘odd’ number of strokes and where the scorecard stroke index is marked 1-9 (not 1-18), the odd stroke is taken on the longest 9. 

 

It is up to the player to record their correct course handicap. Recording the wrong handicap is NOT permitted and may result in a reduction of points and/or disqualification.

 

Issuing, Marking & Return of Scorecards

The TC is responsible to issue for each competitor a score card containing the date and the competitor’s name.

Players MUST exchange scorecards on the 1st tee. Caddies MAY NOT mark a card.  Members of the same family MAY NOT mark each other's card.

 

It is important that the task of recording scores is given high importance. Errors that occur during the returning of score cards can have serious consequences and can undermine all the good work which has been put in on the golf course.

Completed score cards must include the player’s and the marker’s signature, a gross score for each scoring hole and a corresponding number of stableford points. The total number of stableford points should also be clearly marked. 

 

The competitor’s duty is to return his score card to the recorder “as soon as possible”. This will be interpreted reasonably. Since no alterations may be made after the score card has been returned to the TC, the competitor will be allowed sufficient time to check the score card carefully. It is for the TC to decide whether any delay in returning the score card was reasonable. The best/preferred method of receiving completed score cards is to hand them immediately to the TC member/recorder. This usually means BEFORE leaving the course/entering the changing rooms/restaurant etc.

After this has happened, the competitor is considered to have “returned his card”, after which point no alterations may be made to the card.

 

In addition to their recording duties, recorders will make a note of, but not comment on, any verbal complaints from the players. This information will be relayed to the TC. The recorder will also note the time of finish for each group.

 

Ties

In the event of a tie for the monthly tournament, a count-back will be utilised to determine the winner. Points scored on the last 9/6/3 holes played will be tallied.

In the event of a tie for the annual championship, the winner will be determined by the tally of their best 6 stableford scores.

 

Prizes & Amateur Status

An Amateur golfer must not accept a prize or a prize voucher in excess of GBP£500/USD750 or the local Thai Baht equivalent. This limit applies to the total prizes won in the same event, excluding hole-in-one prizes donated by sponsors of the hole.

The lucky draw run in conjunction with PAGS is NOT subject to the Rules of Amateur Status as it is:

1. a genuine draw;
2. open to a substantial number of people;
3. golf skill is not a factor in being allowed to participate in the draw; and
4. it’s not a subterfuge for circumventing the Prize rule.

Irrespective of prize values, a PAGS sponsor may give a memento to competitors, provided such a memento is offered to all competitors and is not made as an inducement to play in PAGS.

 

APPENDIX – PAGS Local rules

V.1

25 January 2016

 

PAGS Local Rules apply as follows and/or are as laid down by the golf course and posted in the clubhouse or on the scorecard.

 

NOTE - During a PAGS tournament there are NO DROP ZONES permitted and NO CALL HOLES required.

 

1. RED ANTS, WASP NESTS ETC - At all times, the health and safety of the golfer is paramount. Relief may be taken from red ants/wasp nests etc.if they are active within one club length of your stance. Relief may be taken at the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole plus one club length. Any dispute over the drop can be raised at the end of the round with the TC.
2. Relief MUST be taken from STAKED TREES without penalty and young trees (NOT BUSHES) less than 2 metres in height, at the nearest point of relief plus one club length no nearer the hole.
3. In the interest of saving time, IF IN DOUBT (including at WATER HAZARDS) you should play a PROVISIONAL BALL at all times.
4. PLUGGED BALL – Players may lift, clean and DROP, through the green.
5. When buggies are not allowed on fairways & wet conditions prevail, a player may lift, clean and place his ball ONLY on the FAIRWAYS & FIRST CUT MOWN GRASS.
6. FLOWER BEDS – Course local rules apply.
7. WASHED OUT AREAS & damage caused by excessive drainage of water are treated as ground under repair (GUR). The ball may be dropped without penalty at the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole plus one club length.  If applicable in a bunker, the ball must be dropped in the same bunker.
8. HAZARDS - Unmarked or insufficiently marked hazards shall have the outer edge of the hazard defined at the point where the ground breaks down to form the depression. If the hazard is completely unmarked, it should be treated as a Lateral Water Hazard.
9. STONES in bunkers are movable obstructions.
10. YARDAGE MARKERS - All man-made yardage markers are to be treated as immovable obstructions and relief may be taken without penalty at the nearest point of relief plus one club length.
11. A player may take relief (nearest point of relief plus one club length no nearer the hole), when a ball lies in a CONCRETE DITCH not marked as a hazard or lateral water hazard.