Return of Non Qualifying Scores
Monday 9th January 2017
At the end of 2016 England Golf circulated a document to Counties and Clubs regarding the requirement for returns of NON QUALIFYING SCORES. This in itself is quite a departure from the historical position.
The reason behind the change? A large number of incidents in 2015/16 (nationwide)involving players who play a lot of golf away from their Home Club in Non-Qualifying Competitions, and are gaining a great amount of success, it has been noted that these scores and victories do not seem to be reflective of the players general performance at their home clubs. Therefore, England Golf had decided it would be useful for the home club to be able to use these Non-Qualifying Scores as evidence at a Handicap Review.
In order to achieve the change England Golf have invoked and will enforce Clause 4.5b and 8.12 of the CONGU UHS: –
Clause 4.5b - The Union has some discretionary powers. It may require a player to return to his Home Club information regarding scores in Non-Qualifying Competitions as provided by Clause 8.12.
Clause 8.12 - The player must: Provide to his Home Club information regarding scores in Non-Qualifying Competitions if so directed by a Union – see Clause 4.5(b).
This change takes effect from 1st January 2017.
The returning of these scores will be the player’s responsibility; and players who do not return scores will be held accountable.
In order to ensure the word gets out I am tasked with asking clubs – if they have not already done so – to ensure their membership are aware of the requirements expected of them.
This is intended to be a positive step aimed at maintaining the integrity of the Handicapping System, and also to help restore the confidence of clubs and players who have become disillusioned by the actions of a few.
Not only is the player being asked to make returns but clubs running Open Competitions are asked to play their part, by sending the results back to the clubs of the top 5 places as a second source of information. England Golf have requested many of the bodies and groups who stage major Non-Qualifying Competition across the country to play their part in this also.
If you have an opinion or objection to this process I would be pleased to hear it and if applicable make representation. England Golf have tried to minimise the work required by clubs and/or volunteers by providing templates that can be used for recording these scores, and by not insisting they are added to the handicap software. Inevitably though there will be additional administrative work for someone.
Chris Pountney