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• THE EVENT
• Regional Final
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• FAQ'S

How is the event structured?

The event is a fourball better-ball matchplay tournament, with two separate competitions - Mens 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 Mens and Mixed divisions at each Regional Final. The Grand Final will take place at the Marriott Taba Heights Beach Resort in Egypt on 9 - l6 May 2009. It is expected that the Regional Finals will take place in March 2009, one in the North of England, one in the South.

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 of the competition (taken from 24 July 2007), who holds a valid handicap.

Can I enter both the Mens and Mixed events?

Yes.

What handicaps are accepted?

The event is ONLY open to players with:
· A CONGU or LGU handicap
· An EGU Associate Membership Handicap

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.

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. Where players do not belong to a golf club but have an EGU handicap, they may nominate a local course as their home club. 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.