Beginners' Guide to Men's Competitions

Competition dates for the year are posted on the notice board in the men's locker room, the website (www.opgcma.co.uk) and in the Oak Park diary.

Notices for competitions are normally posted on the computer touch screen, in the lobby, 4 weeks beforehand. Entry into these competitions is via the touch screen. Notices for the Major competitions are posted on the noticeboard, and in the lobby, 6 weeks beforehand. Entry details for these will be included in the notice. Men's matches are posted on the Match notice board in the locker room; please put your name up if you wish to be considered for selection to represent the club. The selected team will also be posted there.

Major competitions require you to have played 3 individual stroke play competitions (Medal or Stableford) - known as 'Qualifiers' - in the 6 months prior to the competition closing date; this will be stated on the notice.

If the competition has drawn tee times , the draw will be posted on the web site, in the diary section, and on the notice board, 2 weeks before the actual competition date.

For all competitions members must pay before playing and enter your name in the Competitions Book, in the pro shop. For most competitions pay on the day is the norm. However, for Major competitions you are required to pay by the closing date, as stated on the notice.

The published start sheets will show the name and telephone number of Duty Officer. Contact him for advice, to withdraw, to be a late entrant or to be a reserve in the Majors. Please be considerate to the Duty Officer. If you have to call, make sure it is at a reasonable hour, not too early and not too late. No calls should be made after 9 o'clock on the eve of the competition, it is simpler and just as effective to call the pro shop in the morning. If you fail to turn up, without notice, or arrive late you will be banned from competitions for one calendar month. Be fair to the Duty Officer and your fellow competitors. You must ensure that you are on the tee 5 minutes before your tee time or you may be penalised.

You are expected to know and understand the rules of the competitions you are playing in. Furthermore, you are expected to avoid slow play as much as possible and to be considerate to fellow competitors. It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If your group have to look for a 'lost ball' you should call the following group through. Likewise, you should call the following group through if you lose a hole on the group in front. In Stableford competitions it is compulsory to pick up your ball once you cannot score on that hole, to help prevent slow play.

Score cards must have your playing (rounded) handicap, gross score for each hole and the signatures of the marker and yourself. It is advisable to have all alterations initialled by the marker.

For medal and stableford competitions, you are asked to enter your score into the computer, via the touch screen in the lobby. Your fellow competitors will explain to you how to do this. Afterwards, you must either give your card to the Duty Officer or post it in the scorecard box in the corridor by the ladies locker room.

You will be disqualified from a competition if you have not:

· Paid and recorded this in the competition book

· Put your handicap on your card

· Ensured that you and the marker have signed the card

· Returned your card

Results are normally posted on the notice board and on the website within a couple of days of the competition and will indicate any handicap changes.

Prizes are normally presented at the Club Night on the first Friday of the month following the previous month's competitions. Notices will show the date and the winners. It is courteous to let the Club Captain know if you have won a prize but will not be attending Club Night - email captain@opgcma.co.uk

HAPPY COMPETING

11/06/2008