The course has been in great condition throughout the year and, in order to protect the course as much as we can and to ensure we keep playing through the winter, we are bringing into play the following Winter Rules until further notice. We had hoped to stay off mats until early November, but with the poor recent weather, we are implementing compulsory use of mats from this Saturday.

With effect from Saturday 28th October 2023, the following Winter Rules will come into play:

Mats
- Mats must be used on closely mown areas -THIS IS COMPULSORY
- There isn’t the option to move from the fairway to play from the rough
- Ball to be played as it lies in the rough (unless advised on the day by Greens and Comps)
- Mats are available from the Pro Shop for £5 each

Blue stakes
- there will be blue stakes approx. 10 yards from the green. If you ball lies within these on the closely mown areas, you have the option to play after lift, clean and placing on the grass or use the mat, if preferred.

Roped off areas and course signage
- please adhere to the signs at all times around the course and when areas have been roped off due to poor ground conditions over the winter.

Bunkers
- play it as it lies unless advised on the day by Greens and Comps

White stake in a bunker
- deemed to be GUR so the ball may be dropped outside of the bunker at the nearest point of relief without penalty

Temporary Greens
The temporary greens have been marked. When they are not in play (i.e. when we are using the normal greens) the temporary greens are deemed to be GUR and there is a compulsory drop with the ball played from the nearest point of relief without penalty. This means that you cannot even putt off the temporary green.

Winter Wheels
It is a recommendation that if you have Winter Wheels for your trolley, please switch to them. If you would like to purchase Winter Wheels, Kris can order them in for you and has access to most makes of trolley wheels.

Ride on Buggy
We will try and ensure that ride on buggies remain available for use throughout the winter months. Please check in the Pro shop before playing. Please use the paths and the rough to help protect the fairways.

The Preferred Lies (PL) Period which replaces the old “Winter Season” comes into effect from 1st October to 30th April. This provides clubs with a set of rules and guidelines that can be used to accommodate course and weather conditions but still allow for members to play Handicap qualifying rounds in both competition and general play.

It is key that every member takes time to understand and apply these rules through this period. It is also important that when playing in a competition every player complies and also helps their fellow players to apply these rules consistently.

The following rules will be applied for our club:

• From 1st October (the PL Period), we will play as we are now if the course and conditions allow us to continue to play under the normal rules of golf, ie. play the ball as it lies, using whichever tees are in play for the day/comp
• When the weather/course condition changes such that Chair of Greens & Head Greenskeeper determine, we will move to lift clean and place only on closely mown ie. fairways and tees. Play the ball as it lies in the rough
• At the point in the PL period when we move to the use of mats, acceptable scores may still be posted for Handicap purposes provided the course and tee set up is still within the limits provided. The ball may be lifted in the rough to identify and clean however it must be replaced on the spot. This does not allow for any discrepancy or the option to improve your lie or nudge 6”. All players should ensure we are all practicing the same level of adherence. Please point this out to your partners if there is any doubt in this area.

The Greens Chairman and Head Greenkeeper will, at all times, determine when the above will apply as they solely have the condition of the course and the enjoyment of the members uppermost in mind. Head of Competitions and The Professional/Assistants will be responsible for ensuring course information and rules are kept up to date daily on all noticeboards including 1st Tee.

We hope the weather is kind and that you all have every opportunity to play as much golf as possible through this period with handicaps continuing to be managed and updated appropriately.

Kind regards

Paul Randall
On behalf of the Handicap Committee and Joint Competitions Committee

I wanted to clarify a few things for members regarding the new Sunday Competition days. First Sunday Competition on 28th May is now live and members are able to put their names down now for it.

• Comps will go live two Wednesdays before the Sunday Comp date each week after 9 pm in the golf club, or, at 8:30 am the following day on Thursday.
• Competitions may vary and will be a mixture of Stableford, Medal, Better Ball, and Team.
• There will be a minimum of 8 tee times blocked off for the competition, so members are able to put their names down.
• You may play earlier or later in the day outside of these tee times; however, the Professional must be notified before the day of the competition and names will be booked on BRS under the competition rules.
• Entry for the competition will be £5 with £4 paid to the competition prize money and £1 paid into the two’s pot.
• The two’s pot will be shared by any players that get a two on the day of the competition.
• Prize and two’s money will be paid as vouchers in the professional’s shop.
o Should demand for this competition be high, we are able to add more tee times.

Please can everyone remember that this is our golf course and we want to keep it as amazing as it currently is, so I urge all members to:

• Rake the bunkers after entering them and replace the rake in the middle of the bunker facing the flag.
• Repair all pitch marks on the green.
• Replace divots on the tees with the soil and seed in the boxes where available.
• Keep to the allocated pathways.

The comps team has been talking to many of the members over the past few weeks and one of the things that has come up, was the ability to play competition golf on Sundays.

The comps team has now decided to block out several tee times each Sunday from now until September to facilitate a Sunday morning competition golf day for the members. The competition will run as all Saturday comps do with a £5 entry fee, however, £4 will be paid out in prizes to the winners and £1 will go into a two’s pot. All prizes will be paid in vouchers for the Pro’s Shop.

All players who enter the comp will have to submit their cards to the computer after their round of golf and winners will be announced once all competitors have submitted their cards.

The first competition date goes live on Wednesday 17th at 9 pm on the golf club computer, or from 8:30 am on Thursday 18th from your own BRS and ClubV1 as per the regular Saturday competitions.

If the competition proves successful in the first 4 competitions, then comps will continue the competitions through the summer over a 10-week period. We will also be paying a best from any 6 Sunday Comp voucher at the end of the 10 weeks to be spent in the Professional Shop.

This not only allows 6- and 7-day members to play in weekend competition golf together, but hopefully, it will also help to ignite some socialising in the bar after golf over the weekends as the weather gets better.

We look forward to your support on this trial of Sunday Competition golf and this will be reviewed 4 weeks after the first competition.

First Sunday comp to start on Sunday 21st With Tee times from 9 am to

Regards
Comps

The Competitions Team would like to thank all entries into the various knockout competitions this year and we are delighted to let you know that all but one of the draws has been done. (We are still looking for members to join the Scratch Knockout)

You should have received your emails regarding your knockout opponents and when the knockout must be played by. The draw sheet is also on the results board in the corridor outside the men’s locker room.

Rules to follow to progress in this competition:

1. All matches must be played to a conclusion before the end date specified on the knockout draws.
2. Failure to conclude any match in the specified timeframe will result in both individuals/ teams being knocked out of the competition.
3. The winner of each of the ties must write their name and phone number on the draw sheet to enable future opponents to get in contact with you to arrange your next match.
4. All matched to be played from the White Tee Competition blocks.

You can also review the draws in your Howdidido app under the knockout section. In this section, you will be able to review the rules of play regarding handicaps and shot allowances for the matches you will be playing on that day.

Steve McDermott
Competitions Chairman

Spring Trophy - Stableford.

Lawson Cup - Best 3 medal scores from 6 rounds.

Club Championship: - 36 holes over 2 consecutive days (Saturday & Sunday). - Best 24 Nett and 24 Gross qualify for afternoon tee times for round 2.- Anybody taking part in the event who makes it through to the 2nd day will be expected to stay for the presentation to the Gross and Nett prize competition winners - Craig Bowl best 36 holes gross score (Club Champion). - Philbin Varney best 36 hole Nett score.

Captains Day - 36 holes Medal over two consecutive Saturdays.

Presidents Day - Bogey.

Autumn Trophy - Medal.

St Andrews Trophy - Best 6 Nett Medal scores from 10 rounds.

Centenary Trophy - Best 6 Gross Medal scores from 10 Rounds.

10 qualifying rounds - Lawson Cup rounds 1-6, Captains Day 1 and 2, Club Championship Round 1, Professionals Prize

Knockouts - Singles, 4 Ball Better Ball, Foursomes, Seniors and Scratch.

New members who require a handicap through WHS will be required to have 8 qualifying rounds played before being eligible to win a board prize. I wish you all a successful season in 2023.

The decision of a Tie in Stroke Play. Rule 33-6

(For Matchplay ties see knockout rules)
The Spring Trophy, Wood Seddon(tied after 3 from 4 rounds), Lawson Cup, Craig Bowl, Philbin-Varney, St. Andrew’s & Centenary Trophy board prizewinners will all be decided by an 18-hole playoff. The playoffs must be played before 31st August. If the scores are still level after the playoff then a sudden death playoff will decide.

The Captain’s Prize & President’s Prize board winners will be decided by a four-hole playoff at approximately 6 pm following the competition. If that does not determine a winner then it will go to a sudden-death playoff. All other competition ties (including the Autumn Trophy) will be decided by a card play-off as follows:

Card Play-offs
Card Play-offs
18 Hole Competition 16 Hole Competition 14 Hole Competition
Back 9 (Holes 10-18) Back 7 (Holes 10-16) Back 5 (Holes 10-14)
Back 6 (Holes 13-18) Back 4 (Holes 13-16) Back 2 (Holes 13 & 14)
Back 3 (Holes 16-18) Back 1 (Hole 16)
Back 1 (Hole 18)
Front 6 (Holes 1-6) Front 6 (Holes 1-6) Front 6 (Holes 1-6)
Front 3 (Holes 1-3) Front 3 (Holes 1-3) Front 3 (Holes 1-3)
Front 1 (Hole 1) Front 1 (Hole 1) Front 1 (Hole 1)
Toss Coin (lots for 3 or more) Toss Coin (lots for 3 or more) Toss Coin (lots for 3 or more)

Good luck this year everyone.

Steve McDermott
Competitions Chairman

Our Handicap Committee carried out the annual handicap review through November and December in alignment with the recommendations and process outlined by England Golf. Anybody affected by the review will have been informed of any change to their Handicap Index.

We are committed to giving all members every opportunity to add to their own England Golf scoring history and recommend that members submit Handicap qualifying cards whenever they can in both competition and casual rounds, providing that the course and conditions are suitable to do so. To aid this competitions, greens and the greenkeeping staff will be working closely to keep members informed about when the course and various tee positions are suitable for handicap qualifying scoring, along with ensuring the appropriate rules are being adopted.

If you have any questions relating to Handicaps etc please do not hesitate to contact the following members of the Handicap Committee: Paul Randall, Louise Rowley, Brian Kelly, Tim Handford, Gabe Bagshaw

Best regards

Captain Paul Randall on behalf of the Handicap Committee

To negate any further confusion around the number of players that can be inputted into a competition when BRS goes live, the following applies:

Any singles competition only 2 players can be inputted by an individual.

Any doubles competition 4 players can inputted by an individual.


This is to allow a fair chance for all players to book a time due to limited availability, especially as we come towards the season and the tee times become more popular.



Steve McDermott
Competitions Chairman

As a Handicap Committee along with Competitions we are striving to ensure that our club follows the guidelines set out by Golf England. One of these being that players should be encouraged to return scores for handicap purposes throughout the year. To achieve this the club is committed to ensuring that the course is set up for competitions for all sections to allow for this under the preferred lies period rules where conditions allow.

Players must note that the following rules apply:

· Preferred lies – This period runs from 1st October through to 30th April each year. For scores to be acceptable for handicapping, the local rule may allow the lie to be preferred on closely mown areas within 6” of the original lie of the ball. The local rule for marking, lifting, cleaning and replacing on the same spot, may be used anywhere within the general area (ie in the rough).

· Mats – Acceptable scores may be returned in Competitions and in general play when there is a local rule in place requiring the compulsory use of fairway mats to protect the natural surfaces of the course during the preferred lies period.

· Bunkers – Providing a local rule is in place, bunkers may be taken out of play and marked as GUR for situations such as severe or prolonged wet weather. There is no limit on the number of the bunkers that can be taken out of play.

There will be occasions where conditions due to weather, course maintenance or other factors prevent the course from being within the criteria required for qualifying purposes and the competitions and greens chairmen will endeavour to give suitable warning where this will be the case. If you have any questions around these rules please contact Rory, Paul Crisp or any member of the Handicap Committee.

Steve McDermott

Competitions Chairman

The Spring Trophy, Wood Seddon(tied after 3 from 4 rounds),Lawson Cup, Craig Bowl, Philbin-Varney, St. Andrew’s & Centenary Trophy board prizewinners will all be decided by an 18-hole play off.  The play offs must be played
before 31st August .  If the scores are still level after the play off then a sudden death play off will decide.

The Captain’s Prize & President’s Prize board winners will be decided by a four hole play off at approximately 6pm following the competition.  If that does not determine a winner then it
will go to a sudden death play off.All other competition ties (including the Autumn Trophy) will be decided by a card play off as follows:

The Council is pleased to inform the membership that a new Handicap Committee has been set up to continue the considerable work that has been put in by those involved in implementing the new World Handicap System.

The new committee consists of Paul Randall – Handicap Chairman, Louise Rowley, Tim Handford, Brian Kelly, and Gabe Bagshaw.

Aim of committee:

• To comply with our obligation under England Golf to have a formalised Handicap Committee consisting of at least 3 members including a Handicap Chair, to carry out the duties/responsibilities directed by England Golf. More details can be found below• To provide the best possible experience for all existing and new members in all matters relating to obtaining, maintaining, and playing with their handicap at home and away including overseas in both social and competitive golf.

Brief outline of handicap policy:

• New members: Will obtain an initial handicap by completing and submitting a minimum of 3 x 18-hole rounds or 6 x 9-hole rounds. Wherever possible at least one of these rounds should be accompanied by a member of the handicap committee. This will provide an opportunity to help the new member get an understanding of the complexities of Handicap indexing, scoring, and submitting a card along with many other areas which to a new member can be baffling. Achieving an initial handicap will allow a new member to take part in competitions within the membership category that they have joined so that they can continue to submit further supplementary and competition cards.
• Existing members: To encourage all members to regularly submit handicap scores in both social and competition golf at home and when playing away so that they achieve and maintain an accurate history of 20 rounds with 8 counting rounds.
• The handicap committee will work closely with the competition chair to ensure any unreturned cards and other handicap related matters within competitions are handled as directed by England Golf
• The handicap committee will provide the members with regular communication and will send out updates with handicap features/advice and news
• Should any member have any handicap related queries please contact one of the committee members who will be pleased to help them with the matter

Players scoring a 2 or better on any hole will be awarded a share of the ball pool for that competition. If there are no 2’s the ball pool will rollover to the next Saturday for Saturday competitions & the next Wednesday for Wednesday competitions.