TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

 

The tournament is a 72 Hole individual stableford competition played in up to five handicap Divisions (3 men, 2 women) depending upon registration numbers.

The maximum Handicap Index for Men and Women is 36.4.

The Entry Fee is $250 inclusive of GST, which includes player packs, daily prizes, overall prizes and Twos. There is an early bird rebate $25 if the entry is paid for by 31^st August 2016.

The tournament is open to amateur golfers who are full financial members of golf clubs affiliated to New Zealand Golf. Entries from overseas players may also be accepted, provided they are affiliated to their national golfing organization.

All players are required to verify their handicap by proving evidence of a minimum of 20 rounds played in the 12 months prior to the commencement of the tournament. The Tournament Director reserves the right to decline an entry or adjust the handicap of any player who fails to meet entry criteria.

Entries closed on 4 October 2016. The field will be limited to 400 players and once this limit is reached a Reserve List will be maintained. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

There will be no refund of entry fees for cancellation received after 6 October 2016 unless that place in the field is able to be filled or the cancellation is due to a medical condition supported by a certificate from a medical practitioner.

The R&A Rules of Golf, plus local rules at participating clubs will apply. The Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse any entry without having to state any reason. The Tournament Director may also shorten the tournament in the event of a course not being available, or for any other reason as determined by the Tournament Director.

In the event that a round is abandoned at any course, for any reason, the results from all courses on that day will not count for overall results, although daily prizes will be awarded. Host clubs will make every effort to ensure that rounds are able to be completed on the day programmed. Play may be postponed at the discretion of the host club, but shall not be abandoned without prior consultation with the Tournament Director

Host clubs are responsible for appointing a match referee for each round played at their course, whose decision on any disputes or matters relating to rules interpretation shall be final. Any disputes relating to Handicapping will be dealt with by the Tournament Director, whose decision shall be final. Other disputes will be handled by the Tournament Committee and its decisions shall be final.

Series results will be decided by countback as per DotGolf’s standard procedure.

Starting Times

The starting times for all rounds are published but are subject to change. Any changes will be shown on the Southern Country Golf Challenge website. Please note that starting times in the morning are, typically, from 8am unless otherwise stated to suit specific club needs. The final day will start from 7.30am to allow traveling time for players to the Pukekohe Golf Club for the Tournament Prizegiving. Tee times will be detailed on the challenge’s website.

Players are requested to report for play no later than 15 minutes prior to their tee off time. Scorecards for all players will be pre-printed and available at each host club prior to tee off. Player packs will be distributed to players by host clubs on 25 October 2016, prior to the commencement of the round.

Unless otherwise determined by the Tournament Director, the Handicap Indices to be used for the tournament for New Zealand affiliated players will be those issued by the NZ Golf Network for the handicap period commencing prior to the tournament’s start. Unless requested by the Tournament Director, New Zealand affiliated players are NOT required to produce evidence of their Handicap Index. Handicap Indices for all NZ players will be verified from the NZ Golf Network prior to the commencement of the tournament and printed on daily scorecards. As a condition of entry, overseas players not affiliated to New Zealand Golf must verify their playing handicap with evidence of a minimum of 20 rounds played in the 12 months prior to the commencement of the tournament and must provide a handicap certificate from their home club prior to 21 October 2016. The Tournament Director reserves the right to amend any player’s handicap index prior to and during the tournament at his discretion.

The field will be divided into five Handicap Divisions as follows:

Players will be allocated to Divisions on Handicaps as verified on 21 October 2016 and the Grading Lists will be available at host clubs when results are collated after first round play.

The tournament will be scored using the DotGolf Tournament Management System. Players will be issued with pre-printed scorecards for each round on which will be displayed the date, their name, Player ID, Handicap Index and Course Handicap, plus course rating information. Scorecard will need to be handed to the club officials, for processing, immediately after the completion of the round. Daily Prizes will be awarded based upon the computer generated results report on the day. A list of the Players who’s handicap has been adjusted each day will be displayed at each club.

The use of Distance Measuring Devices such as GPS, laser distance measuring equipment etc during the tournament is permitted.

Overall prizes

shall be awarded in each Division for the aggregate of stableford points achieved over the 72 holes. There is a policy of no return prizes.

 

Daily prizes

shall be awarded on stableford points (not in Divisions). A golf ball will be awarded at daily Prizegiving to any player achieving a “Two” during their round.

 

Hole in One Shouts

at Host Clubs shall be in accordance with the policies applying at those clubs. Any player scoring a hole in one will be awarded a trophy at the main Prizegiving on Friday 28^th October.

 

The official Tournament Prizegiving shall be held at the Pukekohe Golf Club on the afternoon of the final round (unless advised otherwise). Players are asked to make their way to the Pukekohe Golf Club as soon as possible after their morning round. A pay bar will operate and complimentary finger food will be served.

Results

Final results will be posted on the Tournament website following the completion of the tournament.

Host clubs will provide catering during the event and Breakfasts will be available at all host clubs each day from 6.45 – 8am when a morning round is being played. This year all clubs will offer a cooked breakfast. Players requiring breakfast must contact the club the day before to confirm.

The point of this tournament is for everyone to enjoy themselves so the use of golf carts is permitted but these must be supplied by the course of  the day. Additional carts will be sought but it will be first in first served. If you are going to use a cart and do not have an injury then we ask that you reconsider and bear in mind those who do need one for medical reasons.

Players should ensure that they keep up their fluid intake to avoid becoming dehydrated. All Clubs offer bottled water and other drinks for sale. A drinks cart may be provided at some clubs during play.

Players are requested to comply with dress standards applying at each host club. Clothing normally seen as unacceptable on or off the course includes shirt without collars, singlets, rugby style shorts, bike shorts, jandals (thongs) and dirty or unkempt clothing. All clubs also require that a collared polo style shirt be worn and shoes that are worn on the course must not be worn in the Clubhouse. If in doubt you should check with the host Club prior to play.