Below are the rules for the 2012 SMGA Match Play

Note:  Address any questions to Larry Christensen, Lkchri05@tx.rr.com

The SMGA Match Play Tournament is a competitive, but fun event.  The tournament format is that play will be done in two phases.  The first phase will be a double elimination tournament to select the flight winners.  The flight winners will then play a single elimination tournament to determine the overall 2012 SMGA Match Play Champion.

1.      The double elimination qualifying tournament with eight flights will permit the flights to be closely matched by handicaps.

2.      Each player will get to compete in at least two matches.

3.      With a field of 53 players, all first and some second seeded players in each flight will have a bye for the Round 1.

4.      Play will commence on April 9, 2012.  For the first two rounds, there will be a three week window to complete the match.  Thereafter, there will be a two week window to complete each match.  This schedule will enable the tournament to be completed by September 17, just before the SMGA Championship Tournament and the end of the SMGA year.

5.      All scores will be posted as tournament scores for handicap purposes.

6.      The entry fee is $25 and will be billed to your club account in April.

Those members who qualify for the SMGA Gold Tee program and choose to play SMGA tournaments from the Gold Tees will play from the Gold tees for their match during that month.  This determination is made monthly.  All others will play from the White tees.

Participants will earn Player of the Year points.  Each player will receive four Participation points.  Place points will be awarded to the first (5 points) and second (4 points) place players in each flight.  For the championship round, an additional 5 points will be awarded to the winner and 4 points to the runner-up.

Player Responsibilities:

You are responsible for setting up your own tee times for your match.  Each match must be completed by the date noted in the individual flight pairings.  Note: Tell the proshop that your tee time is for match play so they can make you a special card.

Once the match is completed, the winner must send an email with the results to Larry Christensen, Lkchri05@tx.rr.com.  Please note the final match score (e.g., 1 up, 3 & 2, etc.).

The double elimination portion of the match play tournament has six “rounds” and the single elimination portion of the tournament has three “rounds” for a total of nine rounds.  This means the schedule is important.  The schedule is for all rounds to be completed by July 23, 2012.

A delayed match in the double elimination portion affects all subsequent matches.  Therefore, extension of the match play schedule will not be permitted.  All competitors have an equal chance of injury, urgent family business, travel, etc.  If you can’t play a match, one player must forfeit the match.

To ensure that the tournament is completed on schedule, a match will not be allowed to slide past the due date.  If a match is not completed by the scheduled date, the competitors must jointly agree who will forfeit the match.  In the event the players cannot agree, the SMGA President will decide the outcome based on the circumstances or on a coin toss.

Handicaps:

Handicaps as of April 1^st are used to flight the field.  Thereafter, the handicaps in effect at time of the match will be used for all match play competition.

A player’s official handicap on the day the match is played will be used to determine the number of strokes a player receives or gives.  The number of strokes given is the difference in the course handicaps of the two players adjusted for mixed tee play, if necessary.

When a Gold Tee Program player is playing against a non-Gold Tee Program player, the handicaps will be adjusted in accordance with USGA handicap policy.  Since eligibility to participate in the Gold Tee Program is determined monthly, a Gold Tee Program player will play from the Gold tees for the entire month even if his handicap index changes on the 15^th of a month.

Rules for Match Play:

All play shall be accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf/Decisions and the SMGA Local Rules.  For SMGA Local Rules, please refer to Appendix C of the SMGA By-Laws.  For the match play tournament, Local Rule #7 (Gimme putts) DOES NOT APPLY.  See #3 below.

The below explanatory material is provided as a service to golfers to familiarize themselves about match play rules.

1. "Penalty for Breach of Rule" in match play is usually loss of the hole [2-6].
2. The “Preferred Lies” rule (SMGA Local Rule #1) when the course is cart path only will apply.  “Preferred lies” is defined as a ball lying on a fairway or rough (but not in a marked hazard or sand trap) that may be lifted and cleaned, without penalty, and placed within one club grip-length (about 12 inches) of any club excluding a putter, not nearer the hole, and so as to preserve the same turf conditions (ball in fairway, stays in fairway; ball in rough, stays in rough).  A ball so lifted is back in play when the ball has been placed in the new position.  If a round is started with preferred lies, the entire round will be played with preferred lies.  Penalty for breach of local rule in Match play is loss of hole.
3. In match play, you can concede your opponent’s putt at any time.  The "18 inch rule" (SMGA Local Rule #7) for "gimme" putts that is used for normal Wednesday SMGA tournaments does not apply.  All putts must be played until the golf ball is holed or the putt is conceded by the opposing player. 
4. A player may concede the match, a hole, or the next stroke (including putts).  A concession may not be declined – or withdrawn [2-4].  If a hole is conceded, the player must post the most likely score he would have made on the hole.
5. Once the match is won or lost, the match is over.  Each player must record a score of net par (preceded by an "X") on each hole not played during the match.  Net par score is par plus handicap strokes for that hole.  If players "play in" after the match is completed, the actual score on those holes is not recorded.
6. In case of doubt or dispute, a player may make a claim, but it must be done prior to any player making a stroke from the next teeing ground, or if the last hole, before all players leave the putting green.  Claims not made in this manner cannot be considered.  [2-5]
7. The player is obliged to inform his opponent “as soon as practicable” that he has incurred a penalty.  If he gives wrong information to his opponent as to strokes taken he loses the hole.  [9-2]
8. The ‘away’ player has the honors.  If the opposing player hits out of turn, the ‘away’ player may require the opposing player to replay the shot in the proper order.  [10-1c]
9. If your ball hits a fellow-competitor or his equipment, you have the option to replay the shot.  [19-3]
10. If teeing off from outside the teeing ground, there is no stroke penalty, but your opponent can cancel your shot and require you to replay it.  [11-4a]
11. A player cannot consult with or obtain information from any other player (e.g., someone accompanying you or your match for example).
12. A player may not touch his ball other than as permitted by the rules.  For instance, if your ball is lying such that you cannot readily identify it, you cannot just go to it and gently turn it to see your mark.  The proper procedure is that you must inform your opponent of your intention, mark and lift the ball, identify it, and replace the ball without cleaning it -- provided you allow your opponent to observe the lifting and replacing.  [12-2]
13. You cannot lift (or even touch) another players ball without authority [18-3b].  Means that you cannot mark another player’s ball on the green without his permission.
14. You cannot touch your ball on the putting surface to line it up unless it is properly marked. [18-3b].

Tournament Schedule:

Match Play Tournament will begin on April 9th.  All matches must be completed by the deadline as follows:

·         Flight Round #1:  April 30

·         Flight Round #2:  May 21

·         Flight Round #3:  June 11

·         Flight Round #4:  June 25

·         Flight Round #5:  July 9

·         Flight Round #6:  July 23

·         Champ Flight Elite 8:  Aug 13

·         Champ Flight Final 4:  Sept 3

·         Champ Flight Championship:  Sept 17

Prize Pool:

All entry fees will be disbursed as prizes.  Payout will be in Pro Shop credits.  The below table shows the payouts based on 53 players: