A. Player Eligibility
1. Team Members
A woman member of a Member Club is eligible to represent her club in InterClub Team Match Play provided she:
- Is an active and regular golfing member of her club.
- Maintains a valid handicap on her club's approved handicap system.
Note: Each Member Club may establish its own guidelines for determining whether a golfer is "active and regular." However, a golfer whose scorecards have not been regularly subjected to peer review will not be considered eligible.
2. Juniors
Juniors are not eligible to participate in InterClub Team Match Play.
A junior is defined as any golfer 18 years of age or younger.
3. Multiple Club Memberships
A player who belongs to more than one Member Club:
- May represent only one Member Club in InterClub Team.
- Must declare which club she will represent at the beginning of the season.
B. Team Draw
1. Team Rosters
On scheduled InterClub Team days, each Member Club will field:
| Team |
Number of Players |
| 1st Team |
10 |
| 2nd Team |
10 |
| 3rd Team |
10 |
Players are assigned in strict handicap factor order.
- The 10 lowest handicap factors play on 1st Team
- The next 10 lowest play on 2nd Team
- The following 10 lowest play on 3rd Team
Example: A factor of 12.5 precedes 12.6, even if both players have the same Course Handicap.
2. Byes
When a team has a bye, the draw is completed as though that team did not exist.
Examples
If 1st Team has a bye:
- Lowest 10 players are set aside.
- Next 10 players make up the 2nd Team.
If 2nd Team has a bye:
- Lowest 10 players form the 1st Team.
- Next 10 players are set aside.
- Following 10 players form the 3rd Team.
If both 1st and 2nd Teams have byes:
- Lowest 20 players are set aside.
- Next 10 players form the 3rd Team.
3. Handicap Factors
- Handicap factors are frozen on the Tuesday after play, one week before each scheduled InterClub Team day.
- Golf Canada determines the official player order when handicap factors are tied.
- The maximum handicap for 3rd Team is 36.
- Players with a handicap higher than 36 may participate but must play as a 36 handicap.
4. Spares
If more than 30 players are available:
- Additional players become Spares.
- Spares are called in strict handicap factor order.
- Players cannot simply choose to be a spare.
If a player withdraws after the roster has been finalized:
- She is removed from the roster.
- Remaining players move up one position.
- The first spare fills the final spot on the 3rd Team.
5. Last-Minute Cancellation
If a Team Captain receives notice after 8:00 p.m. the evening before play that a player cannot participate and a replacement cannot reasonably be found:
- The team plays one player short.
- The absent player's partner competes alone against the opposing side.
6. Incomplete Team
If there are insufficient players to field all three teams:
- The 3rd Team will play short.
If:
- One player is missing: the player with the highest handicap on the 3rd Team plays alone against the opposing fifth side.
- Two players are missing: the two highest handicap players each play alone against the opposing fourth and fifth sides.
7. Late Players
If a player is late for her tee time, her opponents may choose to:
- Wait, allowing following groups to play through, or
- Begin play and allow the late player to join after completing a hole.
C. Schedule
1. Scheduling Conflicts
If a Member Club has a scheduling conflict:
- Notify the Team Coordinator as soon as possible.
- Contact the opposing Team Captain(s) to arrange a new date.
If no agreement can be reached:
- The match is not played.
- Neither club receives points.
2. Adverse Playing Conditions
Matches may be rescheduled if both teams agree because of conditions such as:
- Course construction
- Temporary greens
- Extreme weather
If the course is playable and power carts are permitted, one team cannot force a cancellation.
If power carts are not permitted, play cannot be forced.
3. Bad Weather Forecast
Captains should discuss weather conditions the day before play.
If both captains agree to cancel:
- The decision should be made no later than 8:00 p.m. the evening before the match.
4. Cancelled Matches
Cancelled matches:
- Must be rescheduled as soon as possible.
- The Team Coordinator must be notified.
- Must be completed before Labour Day.
5. Discontinued Matches
Once play has begun, a match may only be discontinued if:
- The course is declared unplayable by the Course Superintendent or Club Professional, or
- Conditions are covered under Rule 6-8 of the Rules of Golf.
If replayed:
- The match starts over from the beginning.
If not replayed:
- The match is considered not played.
- No points are awarded.
D. Format and Scoring
1. Competition Format
InterClub Team competitions use:
- Four Ball
- Best Ball
- Match Play
|
Team
|
Competition Type
|
|
1st Team
|
Gross
|
|
2nd Team
|
Net
|
|
3rd Team
|
Net
|
For net competitions:
- Lowest handicap player plays from scratch.
- Remaining players receive 100% of the handicap difference.
No strokes are given in 1st Team gross competition.
2. Scoring
Each foursome competes for 18 points.
Each team match totals 90 points.
Scoring:
- Win a hole = 1 point
- Tie a hole = ½ point per side
3. Posting Scores
All InterClub Team scores must be posted for handicap purposes.
If a player's ball is no longer in contention:
- Pick up to maintain pace of play.
- Record the most probable score.
- Apply Equitable Stroke Control if necessary.
Scores must not be posted as Tournament Scores.
4. Shotgun Starts
Host clubs may use shotgun starts.
5. Choice of Tees
Host clubs determine the tees to be played, provided the course length is at least 5,000 yards.
E. Rules and Claims
1. Claims
If a rules dispute arises:
- Continue play without delay.
- Notify opponents before anyone tees off on the next hole.
- Team Captains review the claim after the match.
- If they cannot agree, the Team Coordinator will decide.
2. Proper Handicap Order
If partners play out of proper handicap factor order:
- All points earned by that side are forfeited.
- Opponents retain any points they earned.
3. Winter Rules
Winter Rules may only be used according to the host club's Local Rules.
4. Power Carts
Power carts are permitted.
Players may ride with:
- Their partner
- An opponent
5. Distance Measuring Devices
Distance measuring devices may be used for distance only.
Using features such as:
- Elevation
- Wind speed
- Slope
is a breach of Rule 14-3.
Penalties:
- First offence: Loss of hole
- Subsequent offence: Disqualification
6. Pace of Play
Teams must complete play within the host club's pace-of-play guidelines.
If:
- A player's ball is no longer in contention, she should pick up.
- A foursome is more than one hole behind and behind the club's time limit...
They must skip the next hole.
Both sides forfeit the point for that hole.
F. Duties of Team Captains
1. Handicap Factors
One week before competition:
- Ensure all scores are entered.
- Freeze handicap factors for the following week's matches.
2. Tee Times
The host Team Captain should notify the visiting Team Captain of the first tee time at least one week before play.
3. Player Lists
The visiting Team Captain should provide:
- Player list
- Handicap factors
Roster changes should be communicated promptly.
4. Scorecards
The host Team Captain is responsible for preparing:
- Two scorecards for every foursome
- All handicap strokes clearly marked
One scorecard is provided to each side.
5. Results
The host Team Captain must:
- Promptly submit match results to the Team Coordinator.
- Retain season records until completion of the season.
6. Rules
Team Captains should:
- Provide players with match play rules at the beginning of each season.
- Work cooperatively with opposing captains to resolve rules questions and claims.
7. Refreshments
The host Member Club will provide:
- Coffee and a snack before play.
- Lunch after play.