Weekend competitions

Bookings for all weekend competitions must be made online. Timesheets will go live one week prior to the date of competition. The online booking can be accessed through the main website www.cartonhouse.com or the Men’s Club website www.cartonhousemembers.com Players should present themselves at the Tee at least 10 minutes before their allotted Tee time.   Weekend competitions will run on Saturdays. To facilitate members who are unable to play on Saturday, men’s competitions will carry forward to Sundays. Restricted tee times will be available for this purpose. Only one entry will be allowed into the competition, either Saturday or Sunday.   No player is allowed to practice / play the competition course on a Saturday if they are playing the competition on Sunday of the same week.   

“NO RETURNS”

It is each players responsibility to ensure that all competition cards in Qualifying Competitions, whether complete or not complete, are returned to the organizing Committee, and make such computer entries as may be required.  Players who do not return cards are impacting the calculation of the Course Standard Scratch (CSS) which in turn impacts the handicaps of all competitors.   

There is a high incidence of players entering qualifying competitions in Carton House and not returning cards or inputting scores to the computer.  The Men's Committee following advice from the GUI has decided to implement the following competition conditions in order to reduce the number of “no-returns” and improve the accuracy of the CSS calculations.

Failure to Enter Scores on the Computer

From the 1st July 2013 it will be a Condition of Competition that all players who enter a qualifying competition in Carton House must return a valid scorecard and input same to the computer.   

Players who do not return a card or  enter their scores on the computer will face the following sanctions:  

• 1st and 2nd breach – suspension of right to compete in the following weeks Men's Club competition  
• 3rd breach – suspension or right to compete in Men's Club competitions for the following month  
• 4th breach – suspension of handicap for 1 month

Players who have a valid reason for not returning a scorecard and inputting it to the computer should email handicaps@cartonhousemembers.com with 48 hours of the competition outlining the reason.    

Players who face sanctions for breach of the Competition Conditions will be notified by email during the week following the competition.

Competition Entry & Scorecard return

• Members must sign into the computer before playing. Sign into the computer represents your official entry to the Competition. Players will be allowed to enter their scores to the computer not less than 2 hours after signing into the system. This will be imposed by the computer system.   
• When you sign into the Computer system it will issue a label with your details printed. This label should be affixed to your card. In the event that the label printer is not operational you MUST write your name and handicap on your card with the date of the competition and the name of the competition
• Score cards must have the correct, competition, date, handicap, scores for each hole, signature of player and signature of marker. Write-overs must be initialed / dated.
• Scorecards must be returned immediately upon returning to the clubhouse. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
• All scorecards must be returned whether or not you complete the round and entered in the computer. Failing to do so is in breach of golf rules and the committee will be obliged to apply the appropriate sanction.
• Any player who fails to enter their score into the computer after playing will automatically disqualify themselves from winning a prize.
• Scorecards is deemed to be returned after it is returned to the Competition box, a card cannot be changed after it has been returned
• Players can play in competitions outside the reserved tee times as long as:   You book your tee time through BRS   Your card is returned by 9PM  or for competitions over two days it is 9PM on the second day
• Your card is marked and signed by someone holding a current CONGU handicap   

The Council of National Golf Unions Limited (CONGU®) is the authorising body of the only official handicap for golfers resident in Great Britain and Ireland.  

Other Competition types

Bank holiday competitions: These competitions are invitational and at least one member must play per line.   

Wednesday Midweek Semi- Open Competitions: Wednesday Semi-Open competitions will held throughout the year with the ones in the Winter months over 9/11 Holes. The competitions will alternate between singles and fourball betterball competitions. For the fourball and singles competitions a member may invite 1 guest and for the team competitions the member may invite up to 3 guests.   

Entry fees  

The Gents Club Levy of €200 will also cover the entry fee for the normal weekly Men’s competitions on Saturdays/Sundays and Wednesdays.   

Club competitions  Members should study the club notice board and web site for details of changes to the competition schedule and for any changes in local rules. The Competitions Sub-committee may change the format and structure of Competitions depending on circumstances.    

Men’s competitions

Captain’s Prize  

The Captain’s Prize Day 2 will be held each year as per the dates in the diary. This is a strokes competition and scores will carry forward from Day 1 and players will go out on Day 2 in the order of the leader board with the lowest scores going out last.   No changes in the timesheet will be allowed. The top 120 players from Captain's Prize Day 1 will go forward to compete on Day 2.   

Players must be full members and must have played in at least 3 qualifying competitions in Carton House in the previous year and in the current year prior to Captain’s Prize Day to qualify to win the Captain’s Prize.   

There will also be a Captain’s Plate on the same day for the non-qualifiers, which will be held on the other course.   

Presidents Prize  

Players must have played in at least 3 qualifying competitions in Carton House in the previous year to qualify to win the President’s Prize.

Buggies in competition  

General use of golf buggies in competition is not permitted during men’s club competitions. Exceptional individual circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis by writing to or contacting the competition secretary at least one day prior to the competition.

• The decision of the Competitions Secretary will be final.
• Staff in the golf shop are not authorized to permit play in buggies during competition.
• Players who do not comply with the requirements listed above will disqualify themselves from winning a prize.   

*Singles Matchplay *

The March Medal will be the qualifiers for the Singles matchplay.  The top 51 scores from the March Medal will qualify – the top 51 will be a combination of the top scores from Saturday and from Sunday in proportion to the number of competitors each day. The top 3 places from each of the four winter league divisions will also qualify as will the holder.  Where a player with qualifying score from the Medal has already qualified (from the Winter League or is the holder) then the next top score from that day’s competition will qualify.  There will be an open draw for all of the qualifier for the Matchplay  

*Four-ball Matchplay *

The qualifying dates for the Four-ball Matchplay will be as per the diary with the top 64 scores qualifying.  The qualifiers will be a combination of the top scores from Saturday and from Sunday in proportion to the number of competitors each day.  There will be an open draw for all of the qualifier for the Matchplay  

*Foursomes Matchplay *

The qualifying dates for the Foursomes Matchplay will be as per the diary with the top 63 scores qualifying along with the holders.  The qualifiers will be a combination of the top scores from Saturday and from Sunday in proportion to the number of competitors each day.  There will be an open draw for all of the qualifier for the Matchplay  

Match Play  Rules

Players on top of the draw are responsible for arranging matches. The winner is responsible for recording the result. If no result is entered on the draw sheet by the due date, both players shall be deemed to have scratched. No extensions will be given. All matches to be played from the white markers. Members' attention is drawn to rule 33-1 of the rules of golf which states:  “Certain special rules governing Strokeplay are so substantially different from those governing match play that combining the two forms of play is not practicable and is not permitted. The results of matches played and the scores returned in these circumstances shall not be accepted.”  A matchplay referee will be appointed and his decision will be final.  Matchplay competitions are open to all Full and Intermediate Members   

Handicaps  

If a competitor’s handicap is reduced during the course of the competition, the new handicap shall apply immediately. All upward adjustment of handicaps shall be made as soon as practicable after the close of a qualifying competition or after away score(s) become known to the Home Club. A player cannot adjust their own handicap upwards pending a .1 return. Each player is responsible for playing off his correct handicap.   

Handicap allowance  

Men’s Match play  

Singles: The full difference between the handicap of the 2 players.  

Foursomes: ½ of the full difference between the aggregate handicap of either side.  

Fourball: Back marker to concede strokes to the other 3 players based on ¾ (better ball) of the difference between the full handicaps. Strokes to be taken according to the stroke table.   

*Bogey or Par Competitions *

Singles: Full handicap  

Foursomes: ½ of the aggregate handicap of the partners.

Fourball: Each partner receives 9/10 of full handicap, strokes to be taken according (better ball) to the stroke table.   

Strokeplay Competition

Singles: Full handicap  

Foursomes: ½ of the aggregate handicap of the partners.

Fourball: Each partner receives 9/10 of full handicap, strokes to be taken according (better ball) to the stroke table.   

Stableford Competition  

Singles: Full handicap  

Foursomes: ½ of the aggregate handicap of the partners.

Fourball: Each partner receives 9/10 of full handicap, strokes to be taken according (better ball) to the stroke table.   

*Handicapping – player’s obligations – Men *

The following is a brief summary of member’s obligations in relation to their handicap:

• A player is entitled to one handicap only, which must be allocated and adjusted by his home club. In Ireland, a player’s home club is the club at which he plays most of his competitive golf.
• To obtain a handicap, a member must submit 3 cards recording 18 hole scores, played “at home”, marked and signed by a member of the club.
• Players must ensure that all cards in qualifying competitions, whether or not complete, are returned. A qualifying competition is a singles stroke, par or stableford competition, played with full handicap allowance over 18 holes, for which a CSS (competition scratch score) is calculated.
• Player must report to their home clubs all “away scores”, including “no returns”, in qualifying competitions, together with a note of the competition scratch score.
• Players currently listed as AWAY players are requested to notify the handicap secretary if they wish their handicap to be switched to Carton. Failure to request this change will be deemed as a request to remain as an away player
• Each member is responsible for ensuring they are correctly designated.   
• Ref: Standard Scratch Score & Handicapping Scheme rules.
• No Carton member who is designated as an AWAY PLAYER should use a Carton club card to enter any golf competition on any golf course, either home or away. The control of all score returns and all handicap records can only be carried out by using your designated HOME club card. Failure to adhere to this will result in a foul up of your records.
• Members who are having difficulties with their handicap or card, should communicate [with details] to your home handicap secretary by letter or Email.
• NB The requirements are far-reaching and are clearly designed to deal with a perceived tendency on the part of a minority of players to “manage” their handicaps. The requirement relating to “other scores” is quite onerous and it is suggested that, if you are in doubt, the score should be returned. There is an obligation on the handicap committee to impose sanctions in default of compliance with these rules. The rules made by CONGU and the GUI are complex and detailed, so that these notes are intended only as a basic guide.   

Prizes

Prize-giving events will take place throughout the year and are an important events in the calendar. Each prize winner is expected to attend or nominate someone to collect their prize.   

Uncollected prizes will be retained and held in the Pro Shop for a period of two calendar months after the Prize-giving event. If a prize still remains uncollected it will be deemed as being donated to the competition fund for reallocation.     

Inter Club Competitions  

Each year the Club enters a number of Inter Club team competitions. Watch the notice board and web site for details. Contact details for the Inter Club Co-coordinator and team managers are on this site under the Inter Club section.   

*Junior Club *

Junior members should play supervised golf with an adult at all times, until they have reduced their handicap to 24 or less. Unless accompanied by an adult member of the club, juniors may only book golf five days in advance. Once a junior reduces their handicap to 12 or less, they will be entitled to participate in club competitions. In the event of a full tee sheet for a competition, the junior member would be required to stand down. Junior members are not entitled to bring guests out on the golf course.  Junior members must check into the golf shop prior to every round of golf.  Junior members are only permitted to use the warm up facility 1hr prior to their pre-booked tee time.