Procedures and conditions of competitions for all members

Competition Rules - Sherborne Golf Club
Procedures and conditions of competitions for all members
1) All competitions must be played in accordance with the R&A Rules and Sherborne Golf Club local rules and competitions terms & conditions in force at the time of the competition.
2) All entrants must be fully paid-up members of Sherborne Golf Club and have a WHS Handicap Index (HI) and:
a)   5-day members may enter weekend competitions, if a green fee is paid.  11-hole members may enter an 18-hole competition if the relevant ‘top-up’ green fee is paid.
b)   FLEX and 11-hole members may not enter or play in knockout competitions, scratch competitions, or any competition where the winner's name will appear on the club honours boards. Neither may FLEX nor 11-hole members represent the club in team or other competitions.
c)   Members are not eligible to win any acceptable score (i.e. acceptable for handicap) competition or enter knock out competitions unless they have a HI.  
As a condition of entry to all knockout and honours board competitions players must have completed and submitted at least 144 holes of acceptable scores in the 12 months preceding the published closing date for entries, of which a minimum of 72 holes must be in competition stroke play (medal, bogey or Stableford).
The balance may be acceptable casual rounds, and any combination of 9- and 18-hole scores.   
Acceptable scores achieved at away clubs, including overseas, will count if they appear in a player’s WHS record.
See handicap notice board or club website for details on submitting pre-registered acceptable score general play cards.   Note that scores should be entered on a PSI unit or via the app by 23:59 on the day of play.
d)   For all other competitions there is no minimum number of acceptable score holes required to enter. However, to be eligible to win the competition and/or any monetary or other prize or trophy associated with it, a player must meet the criteria for acceptable score holes specified in rule 2c, above.  In the event of a prize winner being ineligible the prize will be awarded to the next highest finisher.  In the case of a team competition, if any member of the team is ineligible to win a prize, then the team may compete but may not win a prize.
e)   The requirements of c) and d) above do not apply to scratch competitions.
3)   No member may enter a club competition after the published closing date, except at the discretion of the organiser, if there is a place available.   Also, in pairs or team competitions a player may be replaced before the pair or team has played in any part of the competition.
4)   In all men’s stroke play and knockout competitions, no more than one junior player may enter and play in the same start time and no more than one player with a HI of above 28.0 may play in the same start time.
5)   Providing there is no course ban in place, trolleys and motorised buggies may be used in any club competition unless prohibited by the individual competition’s rules. Where Motorised buggies of any sort are prohibited for an individual club competition, an exception will be made for players with a disability (see item 6), below and exemption MAY be granted for a temporary special need/injury.  See the club’s Buggy Policy for full details and the process to follow to obtain an exemption.  
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If a trolley and/or buggy ban is in force at the start of the competition, then the ban will remain in force throughout the competition for that day.
Caddies may be used at any time, unless prohibited by an individual competition’s rules.
6)   Golfers with disabilities:
Sherborne Golf Club has adopted the R&A policy and modified rules to enable golfers with disabilities to play in competitions. These can be viewed on the R&A website here https://www.randa.org/en/rog/committee-procedures/5#5d  and here https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-25
7)   The following instances WILL NOT count as an acceptable score for handicap purposes.
a) Cancellation of a competition by the committee, unless a player has completed 10 holes or more.
b) Any competition score when the course is not acceptable for handicap (e.g. too many temporary greens).
c) When a player has failed to sign in for a general play round or competition in accordance with the procedures set by England Golf, due to lack of funds or any other reason, unless this is due to a club technical issue.
d) When a player has played in a Texas Scramble or other team competition of 3 or more players (e.g. Bowmaker).
8)   For both stroke play and match play competitions, in the case of a tie, the following procedure will apply:
a) In the event of a tie for first place in any stroke play scratch competition; those tied will play a further three extra holes stroke play (14th, 15th & 18th) thereafter – sudden death down 14th, 15th, and 18th holes until a result is achieved.
b) In any other competition, in the event of a tie, first, second and third places will be decided by a count back over the last 9, 6, 3, 2 and 1 holes, in that order. If a tie still exists, count back will be as above, over the first 9 holes.
c) In a match play competition, any match that is all square on completion of the final hole will continue on a sudden death basis starting at the 1st until a result is achieved.
9)   Any dispute regarding a competition is to be made in writing to the appropriate section committee as soon as possible, and no later than 3 days after the publication of the results of the competition.

10)   If an alternate day is offered for entry into a competition, scores will be combined with those of the main day to produce results.  In accordance with EG Guidelines, an alternate day will be given as much importance as the main day and as such, where possible, will be rearranged if the course is not available for play (e.g. course closed or not acceptable for handicap) on the alternate day. This may result in the alternate day being played after the main day.
When a weekend alternate day is offered, players may compete on either the Saturday or Sunday preceding the main competition day. However, if the course is not available for the entire weekend, another alternate day will be arranged if possible.  Players may only enter a competition once.
11)   Stroke Play Competitions:
a) Medals and Stablefords are stroke play competitions, taking place throughout the year. Competition play will normally be in groups of three players.
b) Competitions will generally be split into handicap divisions for the allocation of prizes. These will be specified dependent upon the format and structure of the competition (but usually playing handicap).
Winning of any trophy will be dependent on rules and handicap restrictions of the individual competition (see notices and rule 3 above).
c) Competition booking will generally be available 14 days prior to the date of the competition via the PSI Terminal in the foyer or the SGC Members Hub (SGC/HDID Website or Mobile Phone App), where details of the date, time, format and entry fee will appear. Competitors must enter their name alongside the tee time they wish to book. Unless otherwise stated, entry to the competition outside booked tee times is permitted (on the same day).
Generally, the midweek Stableford competitions and the alternate day competitions have no tee closure.
d) Medal, Stableford, Par/Bogey and knockout competitions must always start from the 1st tee (unless otherwise stated on start sheet/competition terms).
e) Entry fees for competitions are usually paid at sign in (either using a PSI terminal or Mobile Scoring App) and the fees (e.g. entry fees, and 2spots) are deducted from the player’s Club Card Account. Occasionally fees will be taken on sign up/booking - see each competition notices which will show full conditions of entry and payment.
f) Prior to commencement of play, all competitors must sign in for the competition using either one of the PSI terminals or the Mobile Scoring App/HowDidIDo. Failure to sign in prior to commencement of play will result in the player having no score for the competition. In team competitions one team member must sign in the team as above. Pro shop staff will not sign in players to competitions except in the case of failure of the PSI terminals and Mobile Scoring App/HowDidIDo.
 
g) Failure by any entrant to appear who has been allocated a tee time for a competition will result in the forfeiture of any entry fees if already paid and may result in the player being excluded from future competitions, as per item i) below, if they have not removed their name from the tee sheet prior to their tee time.  
Entering a competition or being named in a draw or booking system is not in itself pre-registration. Registration must be confirmed on the day itself in the manner prescribed by the Club/Competition Committee.
h) In accordance with Rule 3.3b of the Rules of Golf, players shall ensure that their gross scores for each hole are correctly marked on their scorecard, and that the card is signed by both the player and marker.   In the case of a team competition (3 or more players), two of the team should check and agree the gross scores achieved on each hole before both sign the scorecard and submit it.  
In addition, to assist with the smooth and timely processing of competition results, the committee requests that the player also marks on the scorecard the following details:
• His or her name
• The name of their marker
• The competition name and the date
• Players should also indicate which tee has been used
Non-compliance with these rules may result in the player receiving a reminder of the requirements.  Subsequent instances of non-compliance may result in the suspension of the player from the next competition.

i) Score cards must be correctly completed and returned with the scores entered via the computer terminal in the clubhouse foyer or mobile scoring app as soon as possible after completion of the round.  Failure to submit the scorecard in a timely manner may results in disqualification.  The scorecard is to be deposited in the competition box or as directed.
j) Results of competitions and 2-spot sweeps will be posted on the notice boards, with details of the prizes awarded.
12)   Knockout Competitions:
a) Entry fees for knock out competitions must be paid on entry. A failure to pay the fee by the due date will result in no entry.
b) Once the draw has been made and published, any alterations to the draw sheet can only be made by a member of the Competition Committee.
c) Arranging Games  
i. It is the responsibility of both players/pairs to arrange a mutually convenient date for the match. Both players/pairs are responsible for offering their opponents at least 3 dates.
ii. Players must ensure that their contact details are available on the ClubV1 members’ hub to facilitate timely contact. Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the competition.
iii. If one or other of the players/pairs has difficulty in arranging a mutually agreed date, the competition organiser must be contacted. If neither party has contacted the organiser and the play by date has passed, both/all players will be disqualified.
iv. There will be no extensions to published dates/times, however the section competition committee reserves the right to extend the published play-by dates for the competition as a whole, should extenuating circumstances arise.
v. If you know that you cannot play in the subsequent round, you must concede the match.
vi. If, having agreed a date to play a match, one player/pair is unable to fulfil the fixture and an alternative date cannot be agreed with their opponent(s), then the player/pair unable to play on the agreed date must concede the match.
vii. If a player or one of a pair has left the club or become ineligible or unable to play by the play-by date, then the remaining opposing player/pair will be declared the winner/s, regardless of which round is being contested (semi-finals and finals are included).  But for a semi-final or final match, in the case of injury, the section competition committee reserves the right to extend the published play-by date/s within a reasonable time frame, if considered appropriate.

Effective March 2026

Occasionally Sherborne Golf Club will suffer from adverse weather and/or poor visibility. Therefore it is prudent to have an Adverse Weather Policy to ensure that members, visitors and staff alike are kept safe from harm.

It is incumbent on the General Manager, Head Greenkeeper and Management of the club to try to keep the course open for as long as possible, but only when it is safe to do so. This policy sets out the procedures to be followed, including closing the course, during adverse weather conditions such as thunder and lightning, or when fog or mist restricts visibility. It also provides clear instructions when friendly and/or competition golf is scheduled or in progress and there is a course closure.
The benchmark to determine if play can start or continue will be the ability to see the fir trees to the right of the 1st fairway, approximately 200 yards from the 1st tee, and the fairway bunker on the 12th hole from the 12th tee (200 yards). If play is allowed, it is still the responsibility of players not to hit a ball further than where they can see it land.

Competition Golf

The Head Greenkeeper, Deputy Head Greenkeeper, on duty Greenkeeper, General Manager, Competition Organisers and Pro Shop Staff will determine whether or not conditions and visibility are good enough for play to start or continue. On occasion, fog in particular will remain longer than anticipated and therefore communications with the competitors will include the results of an inspection every 15 minutes. If the delay exceeds 1 hour this will prevent all players in the competition being able to start their rounds in the reserved booking period, and the competition will therefore be abandoned. If the fog has lifted and the course is safe to play, enough time will be given to competitors to prepare to play. This period for preparation before play will be no less than 10 minutes.

If fog should descend after the competition has started, the same time scale should be used (a cumulative maximum of 1 hour’s delay). If fog has not cleared within that time the competition will be abandoned. The same criteria should be used to decide whether a competition should be delayed or abandoned in the event of any other weather-related delay (for example, flooding, frozen ground or thunder and lightning). Please be aware that not every possible cause of weather-related delay can be defined here.

Friendly Golf
If no tee reservations are in place, (individuals playing in club competitions such as knockouts take priority) then it may be possible to accommodate all golfers in the remaining daylight hours. It would be the Management’s duty to inform golfers of the total time delay, so they can arrive at the Club at their new appropriate time. If there is a tee reservation, the golfers waiting would have to give way to this tee reservation. The Management would liaise with the organiser of that tee reservation to endeavour to accommodate as many of those golfers waiting to play as possible. However, if this is not possible it may be the case that the waiting golfers will not be able to start. Again, enough time should be given once the fog has lifted players time to prepare to play. This period of preparation will be no less than 10 minutes.

Responsibility of Management/Pro Shop Staff

• to ensure at all times the safety of members, visitors and staff is paramount
• to close the course when visibility prevents seeing 200 yards
• to communicate and update the situation as often as possible with waiting golfers
• to give time intervals when inspections will take place (at least every 15 minutes)
• to allow for a minimum of 10 minutes preparation before starting or restarting
• to restart as soon as possible
• to ensure as many waiting groups get off as near to the order of their original start time as possible
• to liaise with groups that have tee reservations to see if a compromise can be reached over starting times
• to abandon a competition if cumulative delay exceeds 1 hour

Responsibility of Members/Visitors
• to listen to, respect and take notice of instruction by management
• to “make up” as much as possible to ensure the least amount of time is lost
• to be ready to play when asked
• to tell the Pro Shop staff if you are unable to play because of later commitments
• to abandon their game when playing on the course if fog comes down and golfers  cannot see the fir trees to the right of the 1st fairway in line with the mound, approximately 200 yards from the 1st tee, the 12th fairway bunker from the 12th tee, or further than 200 yards
• not to attempt to hit the ball further than where they can see it land
• follow instructions and be reasonable if told that you are not able to play.
• to remind golfers of their responsibility whilst on the course
• to update course information telephone message
• to update the information on the club website and ClubV1 members’ hub

Responsibility of Green Staff

• to keep safe at all times and wear appropriate PPE
• to help give instruction to golfers on the course
• to remind golfers of their responsibility whilst on the course
• to update course information telephone message
• to update the information on the club website and ClubV1 members’ hub

Suspension of play
If no one is playing on the course when the decision is made to suspend play a notice will be placed at the Club entrance.
If course conditions or visibility become restrictive or limited on any part of the course, it is the individual responsibility of all golfers to cease play and report the condition as soon as practical to a Club official.

When players are on the course and conditions deteriorate such that in the opinion of an authorised club official play should be suspended, such action will be taken under Rule 5.7 “Stopping Play: Resuming Play”.

The signals used to indicate suspension or resumption of play will be those recommended in Model Local Rule J1, which are as follows:
An immediate suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signalled by one prolonged note of the siren.
All other suspensions will be signalled by three consecutive notes of the siren.
In either case, resumption of play will be signalled by two short notes of the siren.
Only continue play if you consider it safe to do so.
All golfers must not commence or continue play when the decision to cease play has been made by the Club. Play will only resume when it is considered safe to do so.

Contact Information:
1. Ed Stahl (Head Greenkeeper)
2. Paul Clarkson (Deputy Head Greenkeeper)
3. Steve Johnson(General Manager)
4. Rob Cochran (Men’s Competition Organiser)
5. Sharron McVie (Ladies’ Competition Organiser)
6. Paul Dimishky (Seniors’ Competition Organiser)
7. Pro Shop staff

Updated 6.5.23