© HHDUGC 2012

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS,

COMPETITIONS AND MATCHES (“Rules”)

Section 1 - General

1.    All competitions and matches shall be played:

         (a) From the white markers as laid out on the day of the competition or match; and

         (b) according to the Rules of Golf as approved by the R & A Rules Limited and the Local Rules of the course on which the event is being played, in so far as they do not contravene the Rules of Golf and have the approval of the Competition Committee.

2.    Playing Members with active handicaps are entitled to enter all competitions unless stated otherwise in the entry conditions. Senior Members with active handicaps are only entitled to enter the Seniors’ Championship. The definitions of Playing Members and Senior Members, as set out in Rule 5 of the Constitution and Rules are:

         Playing Members - All full and junior male members of a Member Club who are eligible to compete in all competitions arranged by that club, in which medal play conditions prevail and for which a competition scratch score is calculated, subject only to the exclusion by virtue of any restrictions or limitations which may be imposed relating solely to either the handicap or the age of the players who may compete.

         Senior Members - members of a Member Club aged 55 and over who are only eligible to play in mid-week competitions arranged by that Club in which medal play conditions prevail and for which a competition scratch score is calculated, subject only to the exclusion by virtue of any restrictions or limitations which may be imposed relating solely to either the handicap or the age of the players who may compete.

3.    Entry to junior events is limited to Playing Members who are under the age of 18 on 1st January in the year in which a competition or match takes place (“Junior Players”). For the purpose of Rule 2 of the Rules relating to the Junior League and Rule 9 of the Rules relating to Foursomes, girls who are members of a Member Club and are under the age of 18 on 1^st January in the year that a match takes place are deemed to be Junior Players who are eligible to represent that club in junior league matches and the junior foursomes.

4.    No person over the age of 18 years will be permitted to serve as a caddy for a competitor in a junior competition or for a player in a junior league match. The penalty for breach of this Rule is set out in paragraph 2 of Part C of Appendix 1 to the Rules of Golf.

5.    In the following paragraphs and sections, the word ‘Player(s)’ relates to those Playing Members, Senior Members or Junior Players who are eligible to take part in the competitions or matches as laid down in these Rules.

6.    Entries to competitions shall be made on the official entry form accompanied by the appropriate entry fee.

7.    Players who are disqualified for failure to comply with the provisions of Rule 6 - 3 of the Rules of Golf may be barred from entering or playing in further competitions for such time as the Executive Committee may determine.

8.    In team events and the Union Four-Ball Better Ball Championship, Member Clubs must submit the names of the members of their team(s) together with their handicaps to the Union Competition Secretary no later than noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend on which the competitions are due to take place. Failure to comply with this rule may result in the team(s) being prohibited from taking part in the event.

9.    The starting time shall be the time shown on the official draw or such later time that the Player’s name is called by the starter.

10    Unless otherwise provided in the conditions of a particular stroke play competition;

(a) Ties in 36 hole competitions will be settled according to the total of the scores for the holes as set out in the table below, taking the scores for Round 2 prior to those for Round 1 in the order as numbered

(b) Ties in 18 hole competitions will be settled according to the totals of the scores for the holes as set out in the above table that relate to Round 1 taken in the order as numbered

(c) If a tie still arises, players or teams with the same scores shall be declared joint winners

11    No Player may receive more than one individual prize in any competition.

12.Prizes or trophies may be withheld from clubs or individuals who do not attend the prize presentation or do not send a representative to accept the prize or trophy on their behalf.

13. Ride on Buggies

(a) The use of ride on buggies is generally prohibited. Players should walk at all times unless, following application in writing to the Competitions Secretary, permission has been granted to use a ride on buggy. Such permission will only be given in exceptional circumstances.

(b) An application to use a ride on buggy by a person who is disabled within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 must be made by the Player himself and be supported by a medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner certifying that the Player is a disabled person within the meaning of the Act and that he is unable to play golf without the use of a ride on buggy.

(c) The application must also be accompanied by an appropriate insurance certificate covering the player and his use of the buggy.

(d) All applications will be subject to the Rules of the Host Club, course conditions and any health and safety restrictions.

14. The Executive Committee reserve the right to:

(a) fix and alter starting times;

(b) accept or refuse an entry without giving any reason for such decision;

(c) alter the format of an event if it becomes necessary to do so in order to achieve a result; and

(d) deal with any breaches of these Rules by Member Clubs, Teams or Players in such a manner as they deem appropriate.

15.  Distance Measuring Devices.

(a) In all competitions and matches a Player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only.

(b) If, during a stipulated round, a Player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3 of the Rules of Golf, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any additional function is actually used.

Section 2 - Scratch, Handicap and Junior Leagues

2.1    Rules applicable to all three leagues

1.    Each Member Club shall be entitled to enter one team.

2.    Each Team will play home and away matches as set out in the fixture list.

3.    Team Captains must list the members of their team in order of handicaps and the lists should be exchanged and pairings for the games taken accordingly. If a team fails to comply with this Rule, the points for games in which pairings are out of sequence will be awarded to the opposing team. If both teams fail to comply, games in which any pairings are out of sequence will be null and void.

4.    For the purposes of this Rule, each league is a separate event and Players are not entitled to represent more than one club in the same event in a season.

5.    The Home Team Captain is responsible for informing the League Secretary of the result.

6.    Points will be given for each game in a match – 2 for a win, 1 for a halved game.

7.    All matches will be played over 18 holes from the white markers as laid out on the day and must start between 5.30pm and 6.15pm. If a player fails to be present and ready to play a game within the prescribed times he shall be recorded as having lost.

8.    The League Organiser MUST be informed of any dispute within 24 hours of the match taking  place.

9.    If the host club cannot house the match on the date set out in the fixture list, or the match is postponed due to the state of the course or the weather on the night of the fixture, it MUST be played WITHIN 6 DAYS on a mutually agreeable date, or failing agreement, on the sixth day following the original date on which the match should have been played. The League Organiser MUST be informed of any postponements. Any infringement of this rule may render the match null and void.

10     Rearranged matches MUST NOT take place prior to the date set out in the fixture list.

2.2   Rules applicable to Scratch and Handicap Leagues

1.    All matches will be played off scratch

2.    Senior Members are not entitled to play in league matches.

3.    The winners of each Division will receive the Divisional Shield.

4.    Ties for either promotion or relegation shall be decided by reference to:

(a) the highest number of away points; or if still a tie

(b) the combined result of the home & away matches  between the Clubs; or if still a tie

(c) by a ‘Playoff’ over a neutral course selected by the Executive; or if still a tie

(d) the Team Captains must list three members of their team in  order of playing handicap who shall compete in ‘sudden death’ playoffs immediately following the conclusion of the last game. Pairings for the playoffs will be in handicap sequence. The winning team will be the team that wins the majority of the ‘sudden death’ playoffs.

2.3   Rules applicable to Scratch League

1.    The league shall be divided into four divisions

2.    Each team in Divisions 1 & 2 shall consist of five Players and each team in Divisions 3 & 4 shall consist of four Players.

3.    At the end of the season promotion and relegation will be two up and two down

2.4   Rules applicable to Handicap Leagues

1.    The League shall be divided into five divisions.

2.    Each Team shall consist of four Players. The handicaps of the Players shall be one not less than 8, one not less than 10, one not less than 12 and one not less than 14.

3.    At the end of the season promotion and relegation from each division will be one up and one down.

2.5   Rules applicable to Junior League

1.    The league will be divided into four divisions, North, East, South and West.

2.    Each team shall consist of four Junior Players.

3.    All matches will be played off handicap.

4.    The stroke allowance to the higher handicap golfer will be the full difference between the two Players’ handicaps. Strokes will be taken according to the stroke index that relates to the white markers.

5.    The handicap limit is 24 for boys and 30 for girls. Higher handicaps will be reduced to these limits. Matches shall take place on Fridays with games starting between the times as prescribed in Rule 7 in Section 2.1 of these Rules or such other times as shall be agreed between the two junior organisers.

6.    Should two or more teams have the same number of match points (calculated in accordance with Rule 6 in Section 2.1 of these Rules), the final positions will be decided on the greatest number of matches won. If teams are still tied, the final positions will be decided on the individual match margins throughout the season.

7.    Overall Winner.

(a)  The two leading teams in each division will compete in a knockout competition to determine the overall winner who will receive the Championship Shield.

(b)  The draw for the Quarter final matches will be determined on the basis of league positions as set out below:

(c)  In the event of a halved match in the knockout competition, the winner will be decided by a ‘sudden death’ play off in which each team will be represented by their lowest handicap player.

Section 3 - Scratch, Handicap and Junior Foursomes

1.    Matches will be played in accordance with the draws that are published each year.

2.    With the exception of the finals, matches will be played on neutral courses over 18 holes and commence between 5.30pm and 6.15pm.

3.    The finals will be played over 36 holes on a nominated course commencing at 10.am.

4.    If a team is not present and ready to play within the prescribed time the match will be given to the opposing team.

5.    If neither team is present and ready to play within the prescribed time, they will both be eliminated.

6.    If it is not possible for the host club to house a match on the date set out in the fixture list or if a match is postponed due to the state of the course or the weather it must be played within the next seven days on a mutually agreeable date.

7.    All matches must be played to a conclusion. If bad light or adverse weather conditions prevent a match being completed, it must be replayed on a mutually agreeable date.

8.    Postponed matches and matches to be replayed in accordance with Rules 6 and 7 must be played at the same venue as the original fixture or such other venue as determined by the Foursomes Organiser.

9.    Subject to Rule 10 of this Section, Member Clubs are entitled to select any two Players to represent them in the Scratch or Handicap Foursomes and any two Junior Players to represent them in the Junior Foursomes.

10.   For the purposes of this Rule each of the three foursomes competitions is a separate event and players are not entitled to represent more than one team in the same event in a season.

11.   The winners must report the results to the Foursomes Organiser no later than 10.00pm on the second day after the day on which a match took place.

12.   The Foursomes Organiser must also be informed of any matches which are postponed in accordance with Rule 6 or any matches which are to be replayed in accordance with Rule 7 no later than 10.00pm on the second day after the day on which the match was originally due to be played.

13.    IF THE RESULT OF A MATCH, A POSTPONEMENT OR A REPLAY IS NOT REPORTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE RULES, BOTH TEAMS WILL BE ELIMINATED. THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

Section 4 – Individual Competitions

INDIVIDUAL STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

(Sponsored by Pertemps)

Competition Format - Stroke play over 36 holes.

Entry will be limited to 81 Players with handicaps of 10 or below at the time of entry.

If more than 81 entries are received a ballot will be held to decide which of the higher handicap Players are to be excluded.

The Player who returns the lowest gross score will be the ‘Stroke Play Champion’ and hold the ‘P S Cockroft Trophy’ for a year.

The Junior Player who returns the lowest gross score will hold the ‘Jubilee Trophy’ for a year,

Vouchers will be given for the three lowest gross scores over 36 holes, the lowest gross score over the first 18 holes, the lowest gross score over the second 18 holes and the lowest gross score by a Junior Player.

The leading 32 Players who return the lowest gross scores will qualify for the ‘Match Play Championship’.

Any player who is unable to compete in the ‘Match Play Championship’ will be excluded in determining the leading 32 Players.

MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

(Sponsored by B M Howarth)

The 32 qualifiers will compete off scratch over 18 holes with the exception of the final which will be played over 36 holes.

The draw will be made on the basis as set out in paragraph 11 of Part C of Appendix 1 to the Rules of Golf.

The winner will be the ‘Match Play Champion. He will hold the Championship Trophy for a year and will also receive an inscribed memento.

Vouchers will be given to the winner, the runner up and the two losing semi-finalists.

JUNIOR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

(Sponsored by T W Birks)

Competition Format - Stroke play over 18 holes.

Entry will be limited to 81 Players with handicaps of 20 or below at the time of entry.

If more than 81 entries are received a ballot will be held to decide which of the higher handicap Players are to be excluded.

The Player who returns the lowest gross score will be the ‘Junior Stroke Play Champion’ and hold the ‘Lightcliffe Tankard’ for a year.

The Player who returns the lowest net score will hold the ‘Lightcliffe Trophy’ for a year.

Vouchers will be given for the two lowest gross scores and the two lowest net scores.

The leading 8 Players who return the lowest gross scores will qualify for the ‘Junior Match Play Championship’.

Any Player who is unable to compete in the ‘Junior Match Play Championship’ will be excluded in determining the leading 8 players.

JUNIOR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

(Sponsored by Cartridge World Halifax)

The 8 qualifiers will compete off scratch over 18 holes with the exception of the final which will be played over 36 holes.

The draw will be made on the basis as set out in paragraph 11 of Part C in Appendix 1 to the Rules of Golf.

The winner will be the ‘Junior Match Play Champion’. He will hold the ‘Junior Match Play Salver’ for a year.

Vouchers will be given to the winner, the runner up and the two losing semi-finalists.

SENIORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Competition Format - Stroke play over 18 holes.

Entry is limited to Players who are aged 55 or over on the day of the competition.

Dependant on the venue, entry may be limited to such a number as the Executive Committee determine.

If the number of entries exceeds any such limit a ballot will be held to decide which of the higher handicap Players are to be excluded.

The Player returning the lowest gross score will be ’The Seniors’ Stroke Play Champion’ and will hold the ‘Championship Trophy’ for a year.

Any three Players from the same club who return the lowest aggregate gross score will be the Senior Team Champions and will hold the ‘Senior Team Trophy’ (presented by Mr. G.Horrocks-Taylor) for a year. In the event of a tie, the Senior Team Champions will be decided by reference to the lowest individual gross score in each team.

Vouchers will be given for the three lowest gross scores, the members of the team who win the Senior Team Trophy and the two lowest net scores in each of the age groups 55-59, 60-64, 65 to 69 and 70 plus.

Section 5 – Team Competitions

SCRATCH TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Each Member Club may enter one team of 4 Players. Entry is subject to the requirements set out in Rule 8 in Section 1 of these Rules. The competition will be divided into two divisions, as set out below.

FIRST DIVISION

The First Division comprises:

(a)    Those clubs whose teams occupied the first eleven places in the First Division Championship of the previous year; and

(b)    Those clubs whose teams occupied the first four places in the Second Division Championship played in the current year

Competition Format - Stroke play over 36 holes.

The team that returns the lowest aggregate gross score will hold the ‘Founders Trophy’ for a year.

Vouchers will be given to each member of the teams that return the two lowest aggregate gross scores, the Player who returns the lowest individual gross score over 36 holes, the player who returns the lowest gross score over the first 18 holes and the Player who returns the lowest gross score over the second 18 holes.

SECOND DIVISION

The Second Division comprises:

(a)     Those clubs whose teams occupied the fifth place and below in the Second Division Championship of the previous year; and

(b)     Those clubs whose teams occupied the last four places in the First Division Championship of the previous year

Competition Format - Stroke Play over 18 holes.

The team that returns the lowest aggregate gross score will hold the Second Division Scratch Team Trophy for a year.

Vouchers will be given to each member of the teams that return the two lowest aggregate gross scores and the Player who returns the lowest individual gross score.

JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

(Sponsored by Berties of Elland)

Competition Format - Stroke play over 18 holes.

Each Member Club may enter one team of four Players. Entry is subject to the requirements set out in Rule 8 in Section 1 of these Rules.

On the day of the competition, three of the Players must have a playing handicap of 20 or below and the fourth Player must have a playing handicap of 28 or below.

The team returning the lowest aggregate gross score based on the team’s three lowest scores will hold the ‘Junior Team Championship Trophy’ for a year and will be eligible to play in the County qualifying competition for the EGU Junior Champion Club Tournament.

The team returning the lowest aggregate net score based on the team’s three lowest scores will hold the ‘D. A. Gordon Trophy’ for a year.

Vouchers will be given to each member of the teams that win the two trophies, the Player who returns the lowest gross score and the Player who returns the lowest net score.

HANDICAP TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Competition Format - 18 holes stroke play off scratch.

Each Member Club may enter one team of 4 Players.

Handicap limits are those applicable to the Handicap League as set out in Rule 2 in Section 2.4 of these Rules.

Entry is subject to the requirements set out in Rule 8 in Section 1 of these Rules. For the purposes of determining eligibility, handicaps will be those that are applicable as at 9.00am on the Monday prior to the weekend on which the competition is to be played. Subsequent adjustments will not affect eligibility and Players’ handicaps on the day of the competition will be used to determine the lowest individual net score.

The team that returns the lowest aggregate gross score will hold the Jack Sykes Trophy for a year.

Vouchers will be given to each member of the teams that return the two lowest aggregate gross scores and the Player who returns the lowest individual net score.

NINE HOLES CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP

Competition Format - Stroke play over 18 holes.

Each Member Club whose course has nine or fewer holes may enter a team of three Players with a playing handicap of 20 or below. Entry is subject to the requirements set out in Rule 8 in Section 1 of these Rules.

The team that returns the lowest aggregate net score will hold the ‘Nine Hole Championship Shield’ for a year.

The Player who returns the lowest net score will receive a silver salver to hold for a year.

Vouchers will be given to each member of the teams that return the two lowest aggregate net scores, the Player who returns the lowest individual gross score and the Player who returns the lowest net score.

Section 6 – Foursomes Match Play Competitions

SCRATCH

(Sponsored by The Sofa Workshop)

The maximum permitted entry is 32 teams made up of one team from each Member Club who wish to enter plus a second team from those clubs who were in the leading positions in the previous year’s scratch league.

Matches will be played off scratch.

The winners will receive a trophy to hold for a year. Vouchers will be given to the winners and the runners up.

JUNIOR

(Sponsored by Woodbrim Ltd)

Each Member Club may enter two teams.

The maximum permitted entry is 32 teams. If the number of entries exceeds 32 a ballot will be held to decide which of the second teams are to be excluded.

Matches will be played off scratch.

The winners will receive a trophy to hold for a year. Vouchers will be given to the winners and the runners up.

HANDICAP

The maximum permitted entry is 32 teams made up of one team from each Member Club who wish to enter plus a second team from those clubs who were in the leading positions in the previous year’s handicap league.

Playing Handicaps must be in the range of 8 to 15 inclusive with the handicap on the day of the match determining a Player’s eligibility to play.

A stroke allowance of half of the difference between the combined handicaps will be given to the team with the highest combined handicap.

The winners will receive a trophy to hold for a year. Vouchers will be given to the winners and the runners up.

Section 7 - Four-Ball Better Ball Championship

(Sponsored by Kelcol Bedding)

Competition Format - Four-ball stroke play over 18 holes with ¾ handicap allowance. The handicap limit is 20 and higher handicaps will be reduced to this limit.

Each Member Club may enter a maximum of three teams, except that the top three teams in the previous year’s competition may enter four teams. Entry is subject to the requirements set out in Rule 8 in Section 1 of these Rules.

The team returning the lowest score will receive a trophy to hold for a year.

Vouchers will be given to the teams who return the four lowest scores.