2011 Exchange Club Golf League
Rules and Regulations
(Revised March 2011)
  1. FORMAT - The Middletown Exchange Golf League plays individual matches in a handicapped match play format. The League is comprised of twenty (20) competitors who play nineteen weekly matches in a round-robin tournament. Play is at Portland Golf Club on Wednesdays, normally beginning the third Wednesday in April. The first tee-time is at 4:43 P.M.
  1. Handicaps - Handicaps shall be computed each week by the League Secretary, using the five scores remaining after deleting the highest and lowest of each player's previous seven scores, as adjusted using the USGA Equitable Stroke Control ("ESC"). The handicap is computed to be one hundred percent (100%) of the difference of the five score average and thirty-five and a half (35.5), rounded to the nearest whole number. For returning players the established handicaps from the previous year shall be used and for new players the Tournament Committee (see Rule 8.) will assign a beginning handicap based upon past non-league scores as available. New players handicaps will then be adjusted as based on weekly scores.
  2. Scoring - Nine points are awarded in each match. The difference between the players' handicaps is the number of strokes given to the player with the higher handicap and assigned to him beginning with the lowest numbered handicap hole as on the scorecard. One point is awarded on each hole in match play based on net scores. Half points are awarded for ties.
  3. Matches - With 20 League players each player will play against all other competitors for a total of 19 matches over the season. At the end of the last week of play the four players with the highest cumulative point total shall be designated the "Final Four" and play for the League Championship in the last foursome on the League's Field Day which normally will be the second or third Sunday in September. The Final Four will play the normal match play format (each competitor plays 3 matches) and the player with the most points will be the Champion after eighteen holes. If at the end of the season two or more players are in a tie for Final Four position(s), those players will play a nine hole match (and then sudden-death, if necessary) to complete the four playoff positions. If a tie exists for first place after the championship round on Field Day, a sudden-death playoff will determine the winner.

  1. LEAGUE RULES - The USGA Rules of Golf apply except as amended by League rules.

    The five-member Tournament Committee shall resolve any disputes or questions affecting play. The following League Rules shall apply:

    1. Make-ups: The League philosophy is to encourage play between individuals, thereby fostering social and networking opportunities that such a diverse group brings together. Each player should make every effort to show up on time for every match. However schedule conflicts do arise because of vacations, job responsibilities, illness or family matters. To accommodate these disruptions and to be fair to all players the following rules will apply to make-ups:
        • All make-up matches will use handicaps current as of the date the match is played and may be played at any regulation sized (not par3) golf course. All matches played against the card must be played at Portland Golf Club.
        • Any match may be made up at any time prior to its scheduled time, or up to the beginning of league play on the third week following the scheduled match with no penalty.
        • Matches not played head-to-head within the three weeks may not be made up and the players involved must have played the card within the same time frame (see bullet below on playing the card). If a player's opponent does not show up on league night and the match has not been rescheduled, and that player plays the card then he gets a 1 point bonus. If the match cannot be made up within the 3 weeks from the original scheduled date, the players must instead play the card within 3 weeks from the originally scheduled date, without the 1 point bonus. No bonus will be awarded unless the card is played on the scheduled date at league time. Any player who fails to show up for a scheduled match and fails to call the course or notify his opponent beforehand will score zero points for that match and will not be able to play the card.
        • EXCEPTION: Because of the limited time available prior to the first three matches, they may be made up against your opponent any time prior to the sixth scheduled match.
        • Playing the card means playing at PGC, not necessarily with a member of the league, but with someone who attests the scorecard. Full handicap is used and points are awarded for each hole based on net scores vs. par. A maximum score is 9 even with the bonus point.
        • If the party who cannot appear knows he will be unable to make-up within 3 weeks, then his opponent should play the card (with the 1 point bonus) on the scheduled day.

    2. Winter rules apply for all matches including make-ups. Ball may be moved six inches, no closer to the hole in your own fairway only. On hole # 13 if a ball comes to rest in the rocky gully just past the dog-leg, the ball may be placed on the nearest spot of grass or dirt which gives no relief for line-of-sight, with no penalty.
    3. If a situation arises that cannot be immediately resolved by the competitors, the player in question should drop a second ball at the point of dispute and play out the hole with both balls, record both scores and then the matter should be presented to the Tournament Committee after play is complete.
    4. Remember the rules of golf apply, so if an incorrect ball is played, the penalty is loss of hole.
    5. To qualify for play in the Final Four a player must play at least 15 matches on the scheduled dates (or have made up the match against his opponent).
    6. All scorecards, whether from make ups or League days must be signed and attested, they must be legible, totaled, and must be turned in to the League Secretary promptly.
    7. In case of rain (snow, hurricanes, etc.), if the course is closed then you don't need to show up, but if the course is open for play then it will be an official league night and play will go on, unless the majority of those present vote otherwise. If a rainout is declared then a rain date will be assigned and the following week the regular schedule will continue. If a match in progress is halted due to rain, or if the course is closed (the horn sounds) due to lighting in the vicinity, the match will be replayed in its entirety at a later date, unless 5 or more holes have been completed before play is halted. If 5 or more holes were completed, then the match will be continued at a later date, beginning at the next tee after the last completed hole. A "later date" can mean a rescheduled league rain date if one is available, or any date up to the final league night.
    8. The Tournament Committee shall be comprised of the League Secretary and four at-large members. Currently those four are Dave Carlson, Dave O'Brien, Bill Sheedy and Dave Standish.
    9. Dues are payable in 2 installments, the first is due the first week of play and the second is due on or before the tenth week of play. Checks should be made payable to the Middletown Exchange Golf League and given to the Treasurer.
    10. Currently the League Treasurer is Tom Nolan and the League Secretary is Dick Kreh
      11.

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