Dear Linda,
Normally we have a printer connected to our weekly club
competition computer - when we enter the club competition, the printer prints
out our name, handicap, the name of the competition, and date of competition.
Last week, this printer broke, so we had to fill out our scorecards by
hand. One of our competitors filled out her scorecard with her proper
name and handicap, the proper name of the club competition, but instead of
writing June 10, she wrote June 11 on the card. She was a new golfer, a
36 handicapper. She came in with the winning score, and the competition
committee disqualified her, as she had written 11 instead of 10 as the date.
I understand that, as far as handicaps are concerned, her handicap is
still reduced for her good score. However, the 'conditions of
competition' in our fixture card say that the date on the scorecard must be
correct. Just curious as to whether there is any actual ruling on this,
or if conditions of competition are solely up to the competition committee.
I know that our conditions of competition also state that a player
MUST enter her scores into the computer hole by hole, which is often not done,
and is corrected by the competition committee with no repercussion, and frankly
thought that the disqualification was unfair. Thanks for your thoughts.
Thanks and regards,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
The Conditions of the Competition should include matters
that are not covered under the Rules of Golf. For example, if the Committee
wants to limit players to the List of Conforming Golf Balls, impose the One
Ball Condition, permit or prohibit the use of caddies, or require that players
walk, these rules would be listed separately as a Condition of the Competition.
The player’s responsibilities regarding scorecards are
included under the Rules of Golf. The competitor is required to record her
correct handicap, check to see that the gross score recorded for each hole is
correct, and ensure that both she and her marker sign her scorecard. That’s it!
The player in your scenario met all of her responsibilities [Rule 6-6].
The Committee is responsible for providing each competitor
with a scorecard containing her name and date.
The Committee adds the scores and applies the handicap recorded on the
scorecard [Rule 33-5]. The Committee in your scenario was negligent in its duty
to record the date on the scorecard.
The Committee may not assign responsibilities to the players
that are assigned to the Committee under the Rules. Since the Rules specify
that it is the Committee’s job to write the date, if the date is incorrect, it
must be corrected by the Committee.
A player may no more be disqualified for writing the
incorrect date than she could be for adding the scores incorrectly. These
responsibilities are not hers.
The Committee erred in its decision to disqualify this
player. She should be reinstated as the winner.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
