Weather… Should You Play? Would You Play?

[Sandy Lie]

This coming Tuesday we have a match against the 1st place team in our Division. They are 3 - 0. We are 1 - 1.  We are playing at their home course.  Here’s the weather forecast:

 

Tropical storm conditions possible. Windy...thunderstorms likely in the evening ...continued blustery with rain likely overnight. Low 72F. Winds NE at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 80%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.

Here’s the forecast the day of our Club Match; Thunderstorms likely. High 86F. NNE winds shifting to W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.

On top of that we have to drive 50 miles each way to play the match.  Towards the storm! I said to our Team Captain we should consider that we reschedule. Of course he wants to wait and see.  I played a practice round last week and the course had a few days of rain on it and it was soaked!  I actually plugged a ball on the green on one hole. (Bent grass greens and thick Bermuda rough).

I would rather play in better conditions to make the match more fun and competitive.  We’ve all played in crappy weather. I spent 3 days at Brandon Dunes in rain, hail and wind! Not any fun.

Here are the rules for inclement weather (sorry it’s long).

 

Rain/Weather Procedure as it appears in Captain Manual

 

17. RAIN / WEATHER PROCEDURES, POSTPONED AND SUSPENDED MATCHES:

 

A. All Interclub matches will as scheduled will play unless the course is officially closed to all play because of inclement weather. However, team captains can mutually agree to postpone the match in advance of the start of the game or during the game (subject to Interclub Rule 17-B (VI)) due to actual or predicted unfavorable weather conditions.

 

B. In the event the course is officially closed to all play because of inclement weather during the progress of the game, the following procedures will apply:

 

I. The decision to officially close the course to all play shall be at the discretion of the course management.

 

II. Management will go directly to the team captains, or representatives of the captains, to inform them of the decision that the course is to be closed and play suspended. The players must discontinue playing immediately.

 

III. The team captains are, in turn, to notify their respective players of the "suspended play" and remove their teams from the course. All team members shall proceed to the clubhouse according to USGA Rule 6-8 and remain until the decision to close the course is final.

 

IV. Team captains shall verify the results of each match up to the point when play was suspended, and record and attest the scores before leaving the facility. (see Rule 17.B.VI)

 

V. If the course is closed only to the use of golf carts, all Interclub matches will continue with the players walking the remaining holes. In the event that caddies are made available by the host club, an equal number of caddies must be made available for each team (see Interclub Rule 16).

 

VI. If the course is officially closed to all play or captains mutually agree to postpone the match, the following procedures will apply:

 

a. If all matches have not completed nine (9) holes, and the course has been officially closed to all play or captains mutually agree to postpone the game due to inclement weather or darkness, the entire match must be replayed. It is not required that the same players participate in the make-up game. Exception: Playoff matches (see Interclub Rule 22. E.).

 

b. If all matches have completed nine (9) holes, all matches will stand as of the last completed hole at the time play was suspended and the results will be verified by both team captains.

 

Unless they close the course we play.

 

If there are dangerous conditions, we may have a delay, but we will play if possible.

 

 

[Vinsk]

11 minutes ago, Sandy Lie said:

I would rather play in better conditions to make the match more fun and competitive.

Weather isn’t biased. Your match will still be fun and competitive as everyone will have to deal with the weather. Hell having ridiculously strong winds can often add some hilarity to the game.

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, Vinsk said:

Weather isn’t biased. Your match will still be fun and competitive as everyone will have to deal with the weather. Hell having ridiculously strong winds can often add some hilarity to the game.

Murphy's Law has it that the wind dies down on everyone else's shot.  And picks up when I'm playing my shot.

[bkuehn1952]

If I were the captain, I would wait until Monday.  If the forecast for Tuesday has thunderstorms for much of the day I would hope the other captain and I could work out an alternate time.  If a decision is to play, then I would want the team to bring a good attitude and their rain gear.

[TourSpoon]

I played today in South Florida and last night it was looking unplayable. The rain held off but it was blowing 15-20 with occasional gusts into the 30s the entire round.  The scores obviously could have been better but it tested your mettle. Luckily the course wasn't soaked and we got some roll. Now I only drove 5 miles so 50 miles with more than likely sloppy conditions seems like a pass to me until this storm passes. 

[Sandy Divot]

I am also supposed to play an inter club match Tuesday. If there is lightning, it will, at least, be delayed. I’m kind of hoping they call it early. It’s Senior inter club, and I don’t think too many old guys want to play in the rain. I am farther west in NC, and depending on the path, we could get soaked, or missed.

[Beastie]

[David in FL]

Sounds like they’re a better team, on their home course.  I’d play and hope for the worst possible weather in the slim hope that it will even things up a bit and give you a chance...

[Sandy Divot]

Our match has been postponed. 

[Sandy Lie]

1 hour ago, Sandy Divot said:

Our match has been postponed. 

Ours too! Are you at Gates Four?

[Papa Steve 55]

On 8/1/2020 at 2:57 PM, Double Mocha Man said:

Murphy's Law has it that the wind dies down on everyone else's shot.  And picks up when I'm playing my shot.

And it's always in your face, or towards water.

[Sandy Divot]

11 hours ago, Sandy Lie said:

Ours too! Are you at Gates Four?

No, Oak Valley. Just west of Winston-Salem.