How is the event structured?
The event is a fourball better-ball matchplay tournament, with two separate
competitions – Men’s pairs and Mixed pairs. Initially teams play a series of knockout
rounds in their own region. For the purposes of the event, the UK is split into 8
regions: Scotland, Ireland, Yorkshire & North East, North West, East Midlands,
Wales & West Midlands, South West and South East. At the end of the matchplay
stages, any teams remaining go through to one of two Regional Finals (either North
or South). Depending on the numbers qualifying, a certain number of Grand Final
places will be offered in both the Men’s and Mixed divisions at each Regional Final.
The Northern Regional Final will be held at Marriott Hollins Hall on Monday 4th April
2011 and the Southern Regional Final will be at Marriott St Pierre on Wednesday 6th
April 2011.
The Grand Final will take place at the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel, Dubai from
7 - 14 May 2011.

How do the timings for the event work?
Up to 5 knockout rounds will be played before the Regional Finals. A deadline date
will be set for each knockout round and matches MUST be completed by this date,
otherwise teams will be liable for disqualification. These dates would normally be
between 4-5 weeks apart, but given that matches continue over the winter period,
some deadlines will be more generous.

Who can enter?
Any male or female golfer aged 18 or over by the time of the first round draw
(1st July 2010).

Can I enter both the Men's and Mixed events?
Yes.

What handicaps are accepted?
Handicap Rule & Requirements:
There will be two men’s pair events. One event for (A) only and a second event for
those with (B) and (C). The mixed pairs event will be open to (A) and (B) only.
(A) CONGU ‘Active’ - a current member of a CONGU affiliated golf club who has
played in at least 3 handicap qualifying competitions between April 30th 2009 and
June 30th 2010. Both players must fall into this category to select this option.
(B) CONGU ‘Non Active’ – a current member of a CONGU affiliated golf club with
a handicap. If either player falls into this category then you must select this option.
(C) Strokes Golf Handicap – a current subscriber to Strokes Golf Handicap who has entered a minimum of 3 cards between April 30th 2009 and June 30th 2010 (www.strokesgolfhandicap.co.uk). If either player falls into this category then you must select this option. No other handicap certificates are valid for entry into the events.

What is the handicap limit?
28 for men and 36 for ladies.

Where are the matches played?
Matches in the knockout stage are played either Home or Away within your own region, with the Player 1's club deemed the Home Club for the purposes of the tournament. Every effort will be made to minimise travelling distance for teams drawn away. The post-code of Player 1 will be used as a reference.

How are the green fees handled?
In some cases home clubs will offer courtesy of the course to visiting players. If not, the home members can sign in guests or visiting players can use a GreenFree 2 for 1 voucher. Where green fees are paid, these shall be shared equally between
the 4 players.

How are the matches arranged?
Each pair receives notification of its forthcoming match by post with each team being drawn either Home or Away. Player 1 on the team entry form will be sent the names, contact numbers, clubs and handicaps of his opponents. The home team is responsible for contacting the other pair, but BOTH teams are responsible for completing their match within the deadline date.

What happens if I can't complete the match within the deadline date?
The Tournament Director has the right to disqualify any teams who fail to complete their match by the deadline date. Players should consult the Tournament Director if they have a problem. The Tournament Director may, in his absolute discretion, grant extensions to play matches. However, if the match has not been played by the end of the extension period (if any), the Tournament Director has the right to disqualify both teams or, at the option of both teams (who must agree to this), the Tournament Director may decide the match on the toss of a coin.

How are the handicap strokes worked out?
Players receive ¾ of the difference between their handicap and that of the lowest handicap player in the four-ball. Thus, in a four-ball where one player plays off a handicap of 2 and the others each play off 18, each of the three 18 handicappers receives 12 shots (ie ¾ of the difference between their handicap and the 2 handicapper).

How do ladies take their handicap shots?
Ladies take their shots according to the Men's Stroke Index. However, they also receive additional courtesy shots equivalent to the difference between the Mens and Ladies Standard Scratch Score. Any such difference should be added to the lady's handicap before calculating her ¾ difference off the lowest player.

Do I need to produce a handicap certificate?
Handicap certificates must be shown to opponents before each match. If these are not shown, opponents may request that proof of handicap be supplied to the Tournament Director within 48 hrs of the match having been played.

Can I change my playing partner?
No changes can be made to a team's players once their first match has been played.

Who informs the Organisers of the match result?
Once a match has been played, the winners are responsible for informing the Tournament Director of the result.

What happens if we have to cancel an arrangement to play a match?
Where an arrangement to play a match is cancelled by a team within 48 hrs, the opponents may claim match.

How do you determine the Home venue for a team?
We assume the home club of the first named player on the entry form is the home club for the team. The home club cannot be changed after the first round match has been played, unless expressly agreed with the Tournament Director.

Do we have to play at the nominated course?
Normally yes, but in exceptional circumstances the venue for a match may be changed by mutual agreement between the two teams.

Which tees are the matches played from?
The tees of the day, which will normally be the yellows for men and reds for ladies. Different tees can be used by mutual agreement between the two teams, and with the agreement of the club.

What happens if the match remains all square after 18 holes?
The match will go into extra holes starting at the 1st, with handicap strokes being taken in accordance with the stroke index on the card.

What happens if we have to abandon the match due to fading light?
If, by mutual consent, the match has to be abandoned during extra holes due to fading light or unfit course conditions, the match shall be continued as soon as possible over 18 holes of the away team's course, at a mutually convenient time/date. If a match has to be abandoned during play of the original 18 holes, the players shall resume from the point where the match was abandoned, in accordance with The Rules of Golf.

How are disputes settled?
If agreement cannot be reached between the two teams, the Tournament Director should be consulted and his decision shall be final.

Note on Disqualification
Where players fail to comply with Rules of the Tournament or if teams are found not to meet the entry criteria, they shall be disqualified from the event. The Tournament Director's decision shall be final and binding in all matters relating to the running of the Tournament.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Please check for any obvious anomalies with your draw (eg two men in the Mixed!). Sometimes the entry form details are unclear and errors can be made.
• If you're struggling to get in touch with a pair, and we have no more contact numbers, try their Home Club.
• Do check your opponents' handicap certificates BEFORE you play. You should bring these to ALL your matches.
• E-mail your results where possible. If you e-mail AND fax AND telephone it clogs up the system!
• Don't wait for your opponents to contact you. Take action and try to contact them. The sooner you all make contact the better.
• Wherever possible, use e-mail rather than telephone for contacting the Tournament Office.