League Rules
Revision November 2020
The "A" Team Challenge League consists of the following teams:
Boulder CC
Colorado GC
Glenmoor CC
Hiwan GC
Pinehurst CC
The Pinery CC
Valley CC
LEAGUE DUES: Challenge league dues are not required at this time. There are enough funds in the bank account to cover the costs of the website and trophy engraving at the moment. In the future, when existing funds are depleted, the league coordinator and team captains will need to reevaluate the need for league dues.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: Each team shall be comprised of eight (8) ladies who are the primary paying golf member, spouse of the primary member or partner of the primary member. Each A Team member must have a USGA handicap from the club they are representing. Players must be an active member of a women’s 18 Hole Golf League of the club whose team they are playing for. The eight (8) lowest available valid handicaps should be selected to play on each club’s team, but the league supports the team captains’ discretion in fielding the most competitive team and using players who are active and dedicated. Any player in this league shall be eligible to play in any league as long as there is no conflict on any of the regularly scheduled play days. If a player belongs to two clubs and each has a team in the Challenge League, the player must choose to play for the entire season for only one club. The rule does allow a player to play on both "A" and "B" teams for her club, or on both private and public leagues, as long as the above guidelines are satisfied.
GOLF FORMAT: Each team shall be composed of four (4) twosomes to play the same number of the opposing team in a 4 Ball Match Play format using a Gross/Net/Combined Points System.
HANDICAP ALLOWANCES: All matches will be played both scratch (gross) and with handicap (net). The low handicapper of the foursome shall play at scratch and each of the other three players is allowed the full difference in handicap, taking the strokes where they fall on the card. Home team captains will ensure that the score cards for each match are made up, with marks indicating the stroke holes.
POINT SCORING: One point gross and one point net will be awarded for each hole. A total of 18 points gross and 18 points net will be awarded for each match. In the event of a tie on any given hole, ½ point is awarded to each team.
DAY OF PLAY: All matches shall be played on Thursdays, as scheduled, unless otherwise agreed upon by the two team captains. Tee times will be approximately 8:30 am., shotgun. There are seven (7) teams in the Challenge League. Teams will play one home and one away match each season, with each team playing six (6) matches in the spring, with one bye week, and six (6) matches in the fall, with one bye week.
Spring matches, as well as fall matches, missed, called, or cancelled because of inclement weather shall be made-up by arrangement between the captains of the clubs involved. Cancelled spring matches should be made up before the fall matches begin. All cancelled matches need to be made up before the final match/end of season awards luncheon date. Team captains must inform the pros at their clubs about the possibility of rescheduling cancelled matches, as make up days are no longer on the schedule.
FINAL MATCH OF SEASON / END OF SEASON AWARDS:
All final matches of the season will be played at the host club with the end of season awards luncheon to follow. A rotation has been established (see at the end of the league rules), indicating which teams are designated as the home teams on the final day of matches.
PROCEDURE FOR EXCHANGE AND SETTING OF TEAM LINE-UP:
The visiting team captain will submit their entire line-up three (3) days in advance by e-mail to the host team captain. (e.g. on the Monday before a Thursday match). The host team captain will respond as soon as possible with her line-up by e-mail.
The index of each player at 12.01 am 3 ½ days before the matches will be used to calculate handicaps. (e.g. the index at 12.01 am on the Monday morning, Sunday night, before a Thursday match). Team captains may set the rules for the selection date for their individual teams, which may be earlier that the 12.01 am index. If a player is substituted after the initial lineup is exchanged, the index used for that player shall be the one at the same time as the rest of the team. (e.g. if a player is brought in to play on the Wednesday before a Thursday match, the index used to calculate her handicap is from 12.01 am on the Monday before the match.
The player with the lowest index must play in the first position. The player with the second lowest index must play in either the first or second teams. The other six (6) players can be placed anywhere in the lineup, at the team captain’s discretion. The maximum index is 18.5. Players with indices greater than 18.5 may play, but must play off an 18.5 index. Two players must play to an index no greater than 12.0. Players with indices greater than 12.0 may play, but must play off a 12.0 index, if there are not at least two (2) players on the team at or less than 12.0. If for some reason less than eight (8) players are available then the team captain may elect to play any player by herself, but must maintain the positions of the two (2) lowest indices.
If a player is substituted after the initial lineup is exchanged. (e.g. if a player is brought in to play on the Wednesday before a Thursday match, the index used to calculate her handicap is from 12.01 am on the Monday (or 3 ½ days) before the match. If there are late substitutions after the teams are established, players will be moved to fill the vacant slot accordingly. Players who have the first or second indices must remain in their slots, and the substitute player can be put where needed (i.e. will replace the player who dropped out). If the substitute player’s index is the first or second lowest of her team, then the pairings may need to be adjusted. A player may play by herself if 8 players are not available. Team captains may adjust the pairings to choose who plays without a partner.
LATE ARRIVAL OF PLAYER OR PLAYER LEAVING COURSE: A player may join her team late after the match has begun. If a player has to leave the course, she may rejoin her match.
INCLEMENT WEATHER / CANCELLATIONS: If a match is canceled due to weather conditions before completion of thirteen holes, the entire 18 holes shall be played by the two teams at a later date. If thirteen holes or more have been completed prior to match being terminated, the remaining holes shall be halved. Team captains, or their designee, by mutual agreement ONLY shall have the authority to deem a match cancelled. The home team captain may unilaterally cancel a match due to weather and course conditions and if carts are not allowed on the course, by notifying the visiting team captain prior to 6:30 A.M. on the day of play.
CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION:
Golf is a game of honour, etiquette and composure. Players are responsible for their actions and personal conduct on the course. Objectionable conduct may be the cause for disqualification from the league (either temporary or permanent), or prohibiting play for a certain number of team matches. Objectionable conduct includes, but is not limited to: foul language, club throwing, abuse of the golf course or officials or any other conduct unbecoming of a golfer. (2019 R&A/ USGA Rules of Golf. Rule pages 18-19.)
In match play, if an incident arises between the players, a player may make a claim. The player making the claim must notify her opponent:
(1) that she is making a claim
(2) of the facts of the situation
(3) that she wants a ruling
The claim must be made before any of the four playersu in the match plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green.
If an incident occurs, both team captains must be notified immediately following play. A written report of the incident shall be signed by both captains with comments by all players involved. The report would then be distributed to all team captains and the league coordinator for discussion and any necessary action.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES: The use of Distance Measuring Devices (DMD’s), including GPS-based systems and laser rangefinders will be permitted during team play. Only USGA approved DMD’s are permitted. Approved DMD’s measure distance only, not any other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., wind or gradient). Players are only required to share information with opponents regarding distance to center of green and/or flagstick location, and distance to forced lay-up landing zones. Players are only required to share this information if asked by their opponent. Golf is a game of honour and etiquette, therefore accurate information must be shared.
CELLULAR PHONES: Cellular phones will be allowed on the course during team matches, but ONLY if they are turned OFF or on SILENT mode. No phones will be allowed to ring during play.
MOTORIZED GOLF CARTS: All players in the “A” Team Challenge League will be required to ride in a cart (charged to each individual player) during all “A” Team Challenge League matches.
CADDIES: No caddies will be allowed during “A” Team Challenge League matches.
PACE OF PLAY: The host team shall determine if a violation of pace of play occurs in accordance with the existing Challenge League Pace of Play Policy. A foursome may be required to pick up and halve the hole should such policy be violated. In the event that a hole is halved, both gross and net points will be halved regardless of any handicap stroke allowances.
DRESS CODE: The dress code for all league matches shall conform to CGA guidelines and to the codes of each individual club.
MANDATORY COMPLIANCE WITH CGA POSTING FOR TEAM PLAY:
Posting scores from 4-ball events (team play): So that these scores may be honestly posted for handicap purposes, the rules for posting scores for match play as determined by the CGA will be followed. In order to speed up play, the tournament committee requires that players pick up when the hole has been decided by a teammate or opponent.
All scorecards must be turned in to the team captains after play. The team captains are responsible for posting their own team scores, both home and away. Scores will be posted as regular scores, not as “T” scores.
MATCH SCORE REPORTING: Both home team and visiting team captains are responsible for contacting the league score reporter with results of the match the day following each match.
AWARDS / TROPHIES: There will be first place traveling trophies awarded to the highest point Gross team and also to the highest point Net team. In addition, there will be a team trophy for the first place "Combined" gross and net. Prizes and trophies will be awarded in the following order of importance: 1st Place Gross Team, 1st Place Combined Gross/Net, and 1st Place Net Team.
In the event of a tie in any gross, net or combined points category at the conclusion of the season, the following tie-breaking procedures shall be implemented in the following order until a winner can be determined: 1) the team earning the highest total points during the spring and fall head-to-head matches between the two tying teams will be declared the winner; 2) the team earning the highest total points during the fall head-to-head matches between the two tying teams will be declared the winner; 3) the team earning the highest total points during the spring head-to-head matches between the two tying teams will be declared the winner; 4) In the event there is still a tie, the teams will be declared joint winners.
TEAM CAPTAINS FALL MEETING: The team captains’ coordination fall meeting must be held before the 15th of November or as closely thereafter as possible. The current year’s league coordinator will chair all meetings, but may also act as a representative of her club with the right to vote.
22a. League Coordinator-Rotating position
Responsibilities shall consist of:
Preparing a meeting agenda
Calling the Fall meeting to order
Updating league rules as agreed and voted upon by team captains
Preparing the following year's schedule
Any other communication as needed to the league representatives
Address and discuss any issues that arose in the current season
Introduce the next seasons incoming League Coordinator
Relinquish all information to next seasons incoming League Coordinator
22b. League Secretary / Treasurer - Assigned by league coordinator and agreed to by the captains
Responsibilities shall consist of:
Maintain minutes of all meetings
Report minutes to league coordinator for approval and distribution
Maintain and report on all finances
If there is no Secretary/Treasurer, minutes at League meetings shall be taken by the incoming league coordinator or her designate.
22c. League Score Reporter / Website - Assigned by league coordinator and agreed to by captains
Responsibilities shall consist of:
Maintain and update league website
Maintain and update match scores weekly
Report standings to captains in the spring and fall
Report final standings to the league coordinator
Future Host Clubs Bye @ Home Clubs
2023 - Pinehurst CC Pinehurst Pinery, Hiwan, Valley
2024 - Valley CC Valley Pinehurst, Colorado, Glenmoor
2025 - Colorado GC Colorado Hiwan, Boulder, Pinery
2026 - Boulder CC Boulder Valley, Pinehurst, Colorado
2027 - Hiwan GC Hiwan Boulder, Glenmoor, Pinery
2028 - Glenmoor CC Glenmoor Hiwan, Colorado, Valley
2029 - The Pinery CC Pinery Glenmoor, Pinehust, Boulder
2030 - Pinehurst CC Pinehurst Pinery, Hiwan, Valley
2031 - Valley CC Valley Pinehurst, Colorado, Glenmoor
2032 - Colorado GC Colorado Hiwan, Boulder, Pinery
2033 - Boulder CC Boulder Valley, Pinehurst, Colorado