GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BOTH SPRING & FALL TEAM PLAY

• Each team member of both Spring and Fall teams must have an established USGA handicap.
• There is no qualifying for team play. There are no age restrictions. All team players shall be dues-paying members or family members of the GCWGA Member Club.
• The handicap index reported on the GHIN printout on the effective date, determined by GCWGA, will be used throughout team play.
• In the event that a player belongs to more than one Club, a player may declare one Club for spring and a different club for fall. However, they must still adhere to the Fall Team Guidelines.
• GCWGA Member Clubs joining and fielding a team for the first time, in either spring or fall, will be placed in the lowest division.
• If a Club drops out of Spring Team but has an already existing Fall Team, that Club will maintain the current established position in the Fall Team Division.
• For scheduling purposes, clubs must notify the GCWGA Spring Team Chairperson by October 1^st of each year if they wish only to field a Fall Team the following year.
• GCWGA Spring & Fall Team Chairs will make every effort to schedule all divisions to finish on the same date and ensure that there will be an equal number of teams in each division.
• A team captain should be someone likely to play each week.

SPRING TEAM GUIDELINES

• To be eligible for Spring Team play, a golfer must have posted 10 scores from the two prior golf seasons combined. The GCGA/GHIN handicap revision printout will be the official listing to determine eligibility.
• Each Spring Team Captain must update her spring team roster on the GCWGA website by the date specified by the GCWGA Spring Team Chairperson. GCWGA recommends a roster of a maximum of 30 players.
• When creating her team, the SpringTeam Captain must use her six lowest handicap eligible and available players. In case of equal handicaps, the total number of prior rounds played is to be used to determine the players’ team positions. The player who has played the most rounds will be positioned above the player with the same handicap. The six players must be placed in order of handicap from lowest to highest: 1-6 (team 1: 1&2, team 2: 3&4, team 3: 5&6). A 10-point deduction will be assessed against each team that offends this out-of-order policy, and it will be assessed at the end of the season. This means that there is a potential for a 30-point deduction per Club per match.
• If a club comes to a spring team match with an incomplete team (less than five players) on two or more occasions, the Club will be put on probation for the following year. If a team on probation comes to a match with an incomplete team, they will not be eligible for spring play the following year. Any team dropped from spring team play will be placed in the last division when they are reinstated.
• In the event a spring team does not have a 6^th player for the day of play, a non-roster member from any club can fill the position. Her score will not count.
• A Spring Team Player will not be eligible for Fall Team Play in any of the following cases:

1. 1. She is one of the first six players on the Spring Team Roster.
   2. She is one of the six lowest handicap players on the GHIN Report used for the Spring Team Roster.
   3. She plays more than 50% of matches in Spring Team Play

FALL TEAM GUIDELINES

• To be eligible for the Fall Team, a player must have posted 10 scores from the previous year and the current year. Effective 2015, August 1st handicaps will be used to determine eligibility for fall team players. The GCGA/GHIN handicap revision printout will be the official listing to determine eligibility.
• If a club comes to a fall team match with an incomplete team (less than three players) on two or more occasions, the Club will be put on probation for the following year. If a team on probation comes to a match with an incomplete team, they will not be eligible for fall team play the following year. Any team dropped from fall team play will be placed in the last division when they are reinstated.
• Each Fall Team Captain must update her Club’s fall team roster on the GCWGA website by the date specified by the GCWGA Fall Team Chairperson.
• When creating her team, the Fall Team captain must use her four lowest handicap eligible and available players. In case of equal handicaps, the total number of prior rounds played is to be used to determine the players’ team positions. The player who has played the most rounds will be placed above the other players with the same handicap. The four players must be positioned in order of handicap from lowest to highest: 1-4 (team 1: 1&2, team 2: 3&4). A 10-point deduction will be assessed against each team that offends this out-of-order policy, and it will be assessed at the end of the season. This means that there is a potential for a 20-point deduction per Club per match.
• In the event a fall team does not have a 4^th player for the day of play, a non-roster member from any club can fill the position. Her score will not count.
• FALL TEAM ELIGIBILITY – CLUBS WITH BOTH SPRING & FALL TEAMS
• A Spring Team Player will not be eligible for Fall Team Play in any of the following cases:
  1. She is one of the first six players on the Spring Team Roster.
  2. She is one of the six lowest handicap players on the GHIN Report used for the Spring Team Roster.
  3. She plays more than 50% of matches in Spring Team Play.

CLUBS FIELDING ONLY A FALL TEAM        

• The Fall Team Guidelines apply as well as the following:
• A club that chooses only to field a Fall Team will be placed in the last fall team division their first year. If a club has both a Spring and Fall Team and drops their Spring Team, then they will maintain their Fall Team division.
• A club that only fields a Fall Team may use any available player from their August 1st GCGA/GHIN handicap revision printout, provided the player meets the 10 score posting requirement. The players should be sorted on their Fall Team rosters from lowest to highest handicap.

Revised October 2022.

A Team Captain has a significant role and, of course, fun too!

• Monitor the handicap sheet for your Club to guarantee eligibility for the players on your team. The final posting date for spring team eligibility is October, as determined by the GCGA. The final posting date for the Fall teams is publicized every year and is usually August 15th.
• Enter a roster into the Club page on the GCWGA website that includes a maximum of 30 of the Club’s lowest handicap eligible and available players to the Team Play Chairperson by the date specified on the form. Only those listed may participate, and all must have 10 scores in the GHIN system from the prior two years for spring team play. For fall team play, 10 scores must be in the GHIN system from the previous year up to August 15th of the present year. No roster changes after the designated due date.
• Have a pre-season meeting with team members at which time the captains should instruct the team members to:
  Go to extreme lengths to speed up play. Four to four and a half hours of playing time is appropriate and necessary. Starting holes are chosen to clear the course as quickly as possible. Keep up with the group in front of you. If you can’t keep pace with the group ahead, you must allow faster groups to play through. Pick up when out of the hole. Pick up when matches are completed. Any player who continues slow play after receiving one warning will be disqualified and will forfeit all points for that match.
  1. Turn in points immediately following play.
  2. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
  3. Make sure each member has a copy of the current year’s USGA Rules of Golf to refer to if needed.
• When you are the host captain, see that the course and holes are marked with temporary markers and directional signs if permanent ones are not on display at all holes. Work with the pro on tee assignments and the range of slow play.
• The team captain should provide the pro shop with a list of their team members and their charge-back numbers. Hamilton Elks, Miami View, Stillmeadow, and TPC do not accept charge-backs from other clubs. These captains should collect the cart fee and present payment to the pro shop.
• Points are to be turned in to the division chairperson after both captains attest them. The points are invalid if this procedure is not followed. Once the points are attested, no one can change them at a later time.
• Snacks and a drink are at the turn. When you are the host captain, limit the selection and ensure that snacks and drinks are easily portable items.
• In the event of a canceled match, it is the team captain’s responsibility to contact the Division Chairperson to confirm the rain date and time and to notify team members.
• The team captain should verify the opponent’s roster, hole position, position of play, and assigned golf carts. Verification should be made by the day prior to play so that the order Division Chair and visiting captains can be verified before play begins. This communication will help facilitate a prompt start on match day. Any last-minute changes must still be verified prior to the match with the opposing team captain. Teams discovered that playing out of position after the conclusion of a game will result in penalties, as discussed in the “Policies and Procedures.”
• In the event of rain prior to play beginning or during play, instruct your team members not to default their match. If the play is postponed and rescheduled at a later date, any default made is permanent and must stand.
• When a club hosts spring and fall team play, it is their responsibility to have team representatives there to serve as hostesses and be available to play if required by their Club.
• Team Play Captains should ensure the posting of the players ‘ scores for each round played using the appropriate Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) in compliance with the World Handicap System (WHS).

The GCWGA will allow the use of approved Electronic Measuring Devices (EMDs) in all GCWGA tournaments and team play beginning in 2008. A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, suppose during a stipulated round a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect her play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc). In that case, the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

Additionally, the distance between any objects is considered to be a matter of public information and, therefore, not advice. Such information may be shared without restriction. Players may also share EMDs and may share any measured yardage with another player. (see USGA Rules Decisions 5-1/5 and 8-1/2).

Players who have an EMD are not required to share information with their opponents, but in the name of friendly competition and sportsmanship, the GCWGA would always encourage you to do so. After all, one of the stated purposes of the GCWGA in our bylaws is to “maintain high standards of sportsmanship”.

TEAM PLAY PROCEDURES ON DAY OF PLAY

1. USGA Rules of Golf govern team play. It is suggested that each player carry a copy of the rules in their golf bag at all times.

2. All matches will be jet start at 9:00 a.m., leaving the clubhouse by 8:45 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

3. Points will be scored after 18 consecutive holes have been played.

4. If “winter rules” are to be played, improve lie within six inches in your fairway only. Local rules apply.

5. Matches will be played in foursomes and scored as follows: A hole is won (1 point), lost (0 points), or tied (1/2 point). Eighteen points can be won.

6. Weather Delays/Cancellations

a) In the event of rain prior to the beginning of play or during play, members are not to default their matches. If the play is postponed and rescheduled at a later date, any default made is permanent and must stand.

b)Should weather conditions deteriorate after play has begun, all players should be called off the course for a short time.  The Division Chairperson and Club Pro should meet to determine if play should continue. The maximum time for a rain delay is two hours.  If play is to be suspended, the Division Chairperson and host Pro should reschedule play for the rain date already arranged.  If all matches are completed at least nine holes, the scores for the first nine holes remain in place, and the players return on the rain date and play nine more holes, as directed by the Pro.  Points won or lost for the holes beyond the nine played on the original date are canceled.  If all matches did not complete nine holes, the entire result for the original day is cancelled, and on the rain date, the matches begin anew.  Players must wait for an official word before leaving the club.

c) If both the original date and the rain date are canceled, the match will not be rescheduled. Points will be assigned as follows:  If the division has an even number of teams, no points will be awarded.  If the division has an odd number of teams, each team (except the bye team) will receive half the total team points or the average of their season totals, whichever is greater.

7. When a Club Team does not field an entire team for a match:

a) The procedure to determine points when a club does not field an entire team at a Spring Team match is as follows: defaulting club (four or less players are present) receives 0 points for its third team. The club fielding an entire team, the third squad, receives 9 points or the average of its first two teams’ points, whichever is greater. For Fall Team play and the case of only 1 or 2 players are present: the club fielding an entire team will receive 9 points or the average number of points obtained by their 2nd team for the whole season, whichever is greater (in which case the points and standings will be determined at the end of the season.)

b) In the event that an entire team defaults (Spring or Fall), they must notify the Division Chairperson and the opposing team captain. The defaulting team will receive 0 points. The opposing team will receive the average points of their entire season or one-half of the total points available, whichever is greater. In such a case, team standings will be determined at the end of the season. Once a default has been declared, the opposing team has the option to play. If a team withdraws during a match, this will be considered a default, and they will receive 0 points for that match.

8. Players should check points, making sure they total 18, sign cards, and turn them in to the team captain. The scorecard should be marked with the time when the match is completed. The captains then attest and turn in the points to the Division Chairperson. Points are invalid if the procedure is not followed. Once the points are attested, they cannot be changed at a later time.

KEY POLICIES

Pertaining to those who do not call in:

Determination of Winners in Each Division

• The division winner is the team with the greatest number of gross points.
• Awards in each division will be given to the teams with the greatest number of gross points.

Tie Breaking For 1st Place

1. Winner of the match between tied teams, if that is a tie, then

2. Refer to individual scorecards from the match between the tied teams for the total of gross team points for the first nine.  If that is tied, then

3. Using the total points from the individual scorecards from the match between the tied teams, play back on the scorecard from the 18th hole until a winner is determined.

For Bottom of Division to Determine Which Teams Move

Gross: Use the same procedure to determine the gross winner.

Remember:  The Division Chairperson must keep the official scorecards from all matches until the end of the season. It is the responsibility of the team captain to turn them in.  Don’t forget to do so because this will be the only official record. If your team is involved in a tie breaker for gross, either at the top or bottom of your division, and it is necessary to go to step 2, and if all the score cards for that match have not been turned in, your team will forfeit.

What does the Team Play Division Chair Do…She does not eat cookies all day!

• Before play begins each week, determine – with the host pro – whether the course is suitable for summer or winter rules.
• Spring Chair should maintain a list of all players who play in all Spring matches and the number of matches they play in. This is our only record to track eligibility for the Fall Team!
• At the end of the play, points are collected for each match, as attested by both captains. Points are invalid if not attested by both captains. Once the points are attested, they cannot be changed at a later time.
• Keep all score sheets in case there are any questions regarding scores.
• Keep cumulative points for each of the clubs in your division.
• E-mail the results to the publicity chair (publicity@gcwga.org) by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the play.
• In the event of inclement weather, you will be involved in deciding if the event should be canceled. This should be done as soon as possible with the help of the course superintendent and/or pro. Team captains should encourage their host Pro to proceed with team play so long as there is potential for 50 degrees or above (taking wind chill into account). Compile a list of phone numbers for course superintendents and Pros in your division before the season begins.
• Before play begins: Thursday evening, if the weather forecast for Friday play is questionable, check with the Pro. Find out where he can be reached at 7:00 a.m. Friday morning. If the weather is threatening early in the morning, call the Pro and make a determination. If team play is to be cancelled, confirm the rain date with the Pro and call the team captains as early as possible – hopefully by 7:30 a.m. Stress to captains to not contact you but to wait for your call.  If it is determined by 7:30 that the course is playable, teams are to be given a reasonable amount of time to arrive. This could mean that the starting time will be delayed. Captains must have at least four days’ notice of a rescheduled match if it is other than the rain date listed in the original schedule.
• After play begins: Should weather conditions deteriorate after play has already started, all players should be called off the course for a short time. The Division Chairperson and Club Pro should meet to determine if play should continue. The maximum time for a rain delay is two hours. If play is to be suspended, the Division Chairperson and host Pro should reschedule play for the rain date already arranged. If all matches are completed at least nine holes, the scores for the first nine holes remain in place, and the players return on the rain date and play nine more holes, as directed by the Pro. Points won or lost for the holes beyond the nine played on the original date are canceled.  If all matches did not complete nine holes, the entire result for the original day is cancelled, and on the rain date, the matches begin anew.  Players must wait for an official word before leaving the club.
• Highland Country Club’s back nine will sometimes be closed in wet weather, but play will continue using the front nine twice, as determined by the Pro.
• Remind the previous year’s winner to bring the trophy(Division 1) on the final day for presentation to the current winner.  Awards are presented at the completion of the play on the final day.
• Keep extra supplies, i.e., scorecards and team tally sheets.