Advice on competition results.

[ry1808]

OK, trying not to make this sound like a moan because it isn't but here is what happened.

Yesterday was my courses club championship and I've won it 3 times before but not been playing well for the last few years and after a 6-over 78 was a bit disappointed to be 5 back but a second round 71 put me back in with a shout.

Anyway last night when I left the course there was no officials there, the scores just went in the competition box and I left it. Anyway this morning when I was there I was told I'd won after two of us finished on 5-over but I had a better second 18; 71 to 76. Great stuff I though and went home happy. However this afternoon I got a call from the pro-shop saying that they guy who I tied with rang the head pro (who is on holiday) and was told last night we needed a play-off which we need to arrange. Now I don't have an issue with this, but I do have a number of concerns:

1. Why where we not informed before the competition that any tie results in a play-off as opposed to the English Golf Union guide lines for tied tournaments.

2. How can the result of a competition be altered after the official results have been posted?

I am more than happy to go out and win the play-off but it just sounds a bit like the guy who tied with me is being a bad looser by running off and ringing the head pro while he is on holiday. When we had all finished last night the pro-shop was closed and there was no-one official to ask so I just left it.

[Fourputt]

OK, trying not to make this sound like a moan because it isn't but here is what happened.

It somewhat depends on whether it was match or stroke play... sounds like a stroke competition. Here is the Rule:

34-1. Claims and Penalties a. Match Play If a claim is lodged with the Committee under Rule 2-5, a decision should be given as soon as possible so that the state of the match may, if necessary, be adjusted. If a claim is not made in accordance with Rule 2-5, it must not be considered by the Committee. There is no time limit on applying the disqualification penalty for a breach of Rule 1-3. b.Stroke Play In stroke play, a penalty must not be rescinded, modified or imposed after the competition has closed. A competition is closed when the result has been officially announced or, in stroke-play qualifying followed by match play, when the player has teed off in his first match.

Were the results "officially" announced, or were you just told you had won anecdotally? There is a difference.

Rule 33-6 discusses the committee's role in the resolution of ties. I don't find any indication as to when they have to make the determination about how ties will be settled.

33-6. Decision of Ties The Committee must announce the manner, day and time for the decision of a halved match or of a tie, whether played on level terms or under handicap. A halved match must not be decided by stroke play. A tie in stroke play must not be decided by a match.

[ry1808]

We have a competition results board and the results where posted on there so in my book that is classes as "official"

The decision for the resolution of ties is outlined in the English Golf Union guidelines so that is not a rule per say, just a guide line.

[Fourputt]

We have a competition results board and the results where posted on there so in my book that is classes as "official"

Sounds to me like you have a legitimate beef.

[ry1808]

Yeah I guess I could, but you know I'll just go out and win the play-off to make sure I win! I'm not gonna kick up a load of dirt over this, if they want to play petty games I just need to practice even harder and make sure I win!

[Shorty]

A club championship played over 36 holes with the winner being decided on the lower second round? Surely that's not the norm!!
Seems like you were initially given a bum steer, but I would surely think that play off is necessary even if it was over the normal 72 holes of stroke play.
What has the club pro got to do with the running of the Club Championship? Isn't that up to the Match Committee?

[zeg]

I say go out and win it in the playoff, then bring it up with the committee that they need to decide these things conclusively prior to the issue being raised.

[ry1808]

A club championship played over 36 holes with the winner being decided on the lower second round? Surely that's not the norm!!

Ha, like we would have a Match Committee, they definitely wouldn't know what to do!

I say go out and win it in the playoff, then bring it up with the committee that they need to decide these things conclusively prior to the issue being raised.

Yeah, I'm gonna go out and shoot low in the play-off. No sign of any work yet so I have plenty of time to practice.

[Rexx]

Yeah I guess I could, but you know I'll just go out and win the play-off to make sure I win! I'm not gonna kick up a load of dirt over this, if they want to play petty games I just need to practice even harder and make sure I win!

Just make sure, now that you've agreed to the playoff that there is no complaining or "sour grapes" later if you lose (not saying you would... but enough people like to complain after the fact). Besides, I'd rather lose legitimately, then win on a technicality. Good luck in the playoff!