National Pairs Rules VO.5 November 2020
FIRE SPORT UK GOLF SECTION
RULES FOR FOUR BALL PAIRS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
1. TITLES
The ‘FIRE SPORT UK GOLF SECTION FOUR BALL PAIRS’ Championship.
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To provide a further means of fostering relationships between members of Local Authorities Fire Brigades through the opportunity of sportsmanship, fellowship and healthy exercise afforded by the Royal and Ancient game of golf.
3. FREQUENCY
The competitions shall be played annually in the 1st two weeks of May (flexible with approval from national committee)
4. ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER
The competition shall be open to members of Local Authority Fire Brigades throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who are members of the Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association, and whose subscriptions are fully paid up.
A retired member who is still a member of his Brigades Sports & Welfare fund which is a fully paid-up member of the FIRE SPORT UK shall be entitled to play as a team member.
5. MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
For the purpose of the competition there will be four areas, Scottish, Northern, Midland and Southern. See appendix list for Brigades falling into these areas.
An area may, at its discretion, delegate responsibility for organising to a particular District or Brigade. The District or Brigade will appoint an organising Secretary.
If for any reason an area is unable to accept responsibility for organising a competition it will advise the National Secretary prior to the Annual General Meeting preceding the competition. The National Committee will there upon decide which of the other areas will be nominated.
See rota of events until 2028
6. ENTRIES FOR COMPETITIONS
A notice of competition shall be circulated by the Organising Secretary to all Brigade Golf Secretaries.
Entries will be made direct to the Organising Secretary and will include all the information required by the organiser, as set out in the notice of competition. Entries must be in the hands of the Organising Secretary by the closing date set for competition entries.
Should the number of entries exceed the numbers of places available, the Organising Secretary shall reduce the numbers by one of the following methods: This method selected must be indicated on the notice of competition.
- By balloting out the higher handicap entries.
- By accepting entries on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Those whose entries are not accepted shall have their entry fees returned.
7. ENTRY FEES
Each Competitor shall pay an entry fee, the amount of which will be determined by the organising committee having regard to the local factors affecting costs and must be submitted with the entry.
8. FORMAT OF COMPETITION
Four Ball Pairs Championship
36 hole four-ball better ball Medal Competition (two rounds of 18 holes) played over two days.
Day 1 Afternoon play
Day 2 Morning play
Optional practice round may be arranged by competitors prior to the event.
9. HANDICAPS (Max Handicap Index 17.0)
All competitors must be in possession of a bona fide WHS handicap index i.e., Golf Club or brigade ‘handicap master’ index and have it present for scrutiny by the organising committee at registration.
Club player’s failure to provide a valid handicap certificate will mean that player will play the full competition off a handicap of scratch (zero). Society players will require a Handicap Master Index to allow entry into the competition. (See also: FSUK Golf Section WHS Rules 2020)
The maximum handicap index for the competition shall be 17.0. Should a players’ handicap index increase above those limits by the time of the competition the organising committee must be informed. That entry shall be accepted subject to that member playing off 17.0 index.
Playing Handicap allowance 85% of Course Handicap
Any player found to have a handicap above the limit set out above (and had not informed the organising committee) or whose handicap doesn’t comply with National guidelines shall be disqualified from the competition. IN ADDITION, THAT PERSON WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM ENTERING THE FOLLOWING YEARS COMPETITION.
In all other cases competitors will compete using their current handicap index and must provide a certificate authenticating this handicap index signed by their Golf Club or Brigade Secretary or as appropriate.
10. RULES GOVERNING PLAY
If any combination of players loses more than one clear hole over the players immediately in front on the course, the organising committee may impose a penalty of two strokes.
The competitions will be played under the Rules of Golf determined for the time by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, subject to any local rules of the club on whose course it is played. The established etiquette of golf will always be observed.
11. INTERPRETATION OF RULES
Any question which will arise relating to the interpretation of the rules, penalties etc. shall be referred to the National Committee.
A Committee is appointed for the National Pairs so that any matters in dispute are not left solely to the organising Brigade who will be involved. This Committee shall include at least one National Committee Member and must not include anyone from a Brigade involved in the dispute
12. PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP PLACINGS
- The pair with the lowest net score will be awarded the Net Trophy.
- The pair with the lowest gross score will be awarded the Gross Trophy.
- The pair with the 2nd lowest net score will be awarded 2nd place in the Net Trophy.
- The pair with the 2nd lowest gross score will be awarded 2nd place in the Gross Trophy.
- The pair with the 3rd lowest net score will be awarded 3rd place in the Net Trophy.
- The pair with the 3rd lowest gross score will be awarded 3rd place in the Gross Trophy.
The winners will be awarded in the above order; no pair can win more than one prize but shall be awarded both trophies.
If a pairing should win both net and gross trophies the first-place prize for the gross shall be awarded to the 2nd lowest gross score, 2nd prize to the 3rd lowest gross score and the 3rd prize to the 4th lowest gross score.
In the event of ties the scores from the second round will be used as follows
- Best score from second round
- Best score from holes 10 – 18
- Best score from holes 13 – 18
- Best Score from holes 16 – 18
- Best score from 18th hole
13. SUBSIDUARY COMPETITIONS
At the discretion of the Organising Secretary, and the subject to sufficient funds being available for prizes, the organisers may award prizes for the best day 1 and day 2 rounds, both net and gross. Prize winners as set out in Rule 12 cannot win any of these prizes if awarded.
14. TROPHIES
The winners of the competitions will hold the trophies for a period of approximately 12 months from the date of the competition and will be responsible for them being available for presentation when the competition is next held. If in any year the competitions are not held, then the individual or individuals holding the trophy will return it to the National Secretary who will be responsible for its safe custody, until such time that a further competition is played.
15. BALANCE SHEET
As soon as possible after the event the Organising Secretary shall forward to the National Secretary/Treasurer a balance sheet for the event.
16. PRIZE WINNERS
The Organising Secretary shall forward to the National Secretary/ Treasurer a list of Prize winners on the completion of the competition. The Trophy Winners Brigade and Home Address should be included on the list
17. EVENT REPORT
The Organising Secretary shall forward to the National Secretary a report on the event (to include photographs, and comments) so that the FSUK Golf Section Web site can be updated
18. ALTERATIONS TO RULES
Alteration to these rules will be made only at the Annual General Meeting of the Association Golf Section, subject to the following:
The National Secretary must receive in writing at least twenty-eight (28) days before the Annual General Meeting any proposal to alter these rules.
The National Committee shall comprise of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and the Golf Secretary of each appointed District of Association. At least six of the National Committee must be present at the Annual General Meeting before any alteration of the rules can take place. There must be a majority in favour of a proposed alteration before it can be accepted.
