THE AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE

RULES OF COMPETITIONS

ADMINISTERED BY THE LEAGUE

REVISED JANUARY 2009

 GENERAL RULES FOR ALL COMPETITIONS

1. Competitors
2. The Match
3. Administration
4. General:              Hospitality
                                Caddies
                                Dress
                                Rules Disputes
                                Competition Finals
                                Conceded Ties
                                Defaulted Matches

A - LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION RULES

B - UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT COMPETITION RULES

C - SCRATCH TEAM COMPETITION RULES

D - CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS COMPETITION RULES

E - THE AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP RULES

F - THE MACROBERT THISTLE JUNIOR GOLFER OF THE YEAR TROPHY

G - CONVENERS COMPETITION

H - JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT

I - AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

J- AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

K- LIST OF TROPHIES

APPENDIX - EXAMPLE OF SYSTEM USED IN THE EVENT OF A COUNTBACK IN JUNIOR LEAGUE EVENTS

 

RULES OF COMPETITIONS

GENERAL RULES

1. COMPETITORS

a)         Each player will play off his official club handicap. The player with the highest handicap claiming the full difference between his own handicap and that of his opponent, where appropriate.

b)         No player may claim a handicap of more than 28 in both the league championship and U16 matchplay.

c)         Players must be under 18 years of age at 0001 hrs on 1st January of the year of play, and under 16 years of age at that time, in respect of the under 16 knockout competition.

            There is no age limit for competitors in the Champion of Champions competition.

d)         Each player will only be permitted to represent one member club in League competitions in any one season.

 

2. THE MATCH  

a)         Each tie will be played over 18 holes of match play, and the visiting player should tee off first in each tie.

b)         It will be the responsibility of the Home Club in each match to clearly instruct the players in each tie of the number of strokes a player can claim from his              opponent, and the hole or holes at which such strokes can be claimed.

c)         In the event of the Home Club failing to observe Rule 2 (b), and the result of one or more ties is in dispute as a result of such failure, then the Home Club shall be penalised by conceding to the Visiting Club each tie for which the rule has not been observed.

d)         The Rules Of Golf as approved by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club Of  St. Andrews shall be observed, as shall any local rules applicable to any individual golf course over which a match is played.

e)         It shall be the responsibility of the Home Club to explain all Local Rules to the Visiting Club.

f)          Failure on the part of the Home Club to observe Rule 2(e) shall cause the Home Club to be penalised as in Rule 2(c).

g)         If one team is unable to provide its full complement of players, the match must still be played. The defaulting team shall concede to its opponent one tie for each player short. If both teams are unable to provide a full complement of players, then the missing players shall be paired and each pairing counted as a half tie. If, after such pairings, one team remains a player short then that team shall concede that tie to their opponent.

 

3. ADMINISTRATION

a)         The Home Club will secure the courtesy of the first tee for a reasonable period in order to permit the teams to play off.

b)         The Home Club will give one week clear notice to the Visiting Club of starting time and other match arrangements.

c)         The Home Club will provide scorecards, marked to conform to Rule 2(b) 

d)         The Home Club will report the result to The Secretary or Assistant Secretary, as instructed, on the result sheets provided for that purpose. The result must reach the Secretary or Assistant Secretary within 7 days of the tie being played.

e)         It is of the utmost importance that each team, whether at home or away, is accompanied by at least one adult, who should be in attendance for  the duration of the match.

f)          The penalty for breach of Rule 3 shall be loss of full match points.

 

4. GENERAL

a)         HOSPITALITY - Will be provided in accordance with the means of the Home Club, and a member of each team should accord appreciation in the usual manner. No hospitality arrangements are required in respect of the Champion of Champions competition, Ayrshire Boys Team Championship, Convenors Competition and all finals of League Competitions.

b)         CADDIES - Will not be permitted in League competitions, except as authorised by the League Executive for medical or other reasons, and in  any case no relatives, or persons of or over the age of 18 years of age shall be permitted to act as caddies.

c)         DRESS - All players and officials must observe and respect dress rules and other regulations relating to any course or club visited during a League event.

d)         RULES DISPUTES - In the event of any difference of opinion as to the interpretation of these rules, the decision of the League Executive shall be final.

e)         COMPETITION FINALS - The finals of all League competitions will be played on a course or courses decided by the League Executive.

f)          CONCEDED TIES - When a tie in a match is conceded, prior to the start of play, the score in that tie will be awarded as a 5 & 4 win, over 18 holes, for the purposes of a countback, to decide the outcome of the match. If a tie is conceded after commencement of play, the score will be determined by forfeiture of the remaining holes, until a winning score is established.

G)        DEFAULTED MATCHES – In all League competitions, any club who fails to appear for, or is considered by the Executive to have otherwise defaulted on, two or  more matches within any qualifying section will be disqualified from that competition, and all previous matches involving that club in the competition shall be declared null and void.

 

A - LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION

 A 1.   THE TEAM

Each team shall consist of six players. Whether or not reserves are included in a club party shall be at the discretion of the club concerned, but only six players can represent the club in the match. All six players must be nominated by their club before the first tie plays off. Order of play is determined by handicap: I.E. lowest handicap first.

A 2.   THE MATCH

a)         Each match will consist of six ties.        

b)            Matches will be played on the dates shown on the fixture list, a copy of which will be provided to each competing club. Postponement of a fixture is not permissible except in the circumstances set out in rules A 2(c) and (d).

c)         Fixtures may only be postponed when, due to inclement weather or any other reason, the course over which the fixture was to be played is closed for play or where, due to weather conditions, both clubs agree to a postponement.

d)         When a fixture has been postponed in accordance with Rule A 2(c), then the postponed fixture must be played within 14 days of the original fixture date. If this is not done then the match is to be treated as abandoned, when rule A 2(f) shall apply.

e)         If one team is unable to provide a minimum of three players, then it must concede the match to its opponent. A match so conceded shall be scored on a basis of 4 ties to 2. If neither team can provide a minimum of three players, Rule A 2(f) shall apply.

f)          If, for any reason, both teams agree to abandon a match then each team will be awarded one point. A match so abandoned shall be scored on a basis of 3 ties to 3.

A 3    SCORING

a)         Points will be awarded for each match as follows: Win - 4 pts, Draw - 2 pts, Abandoned - 1 pt, Lose - 0 pts.

b)         If. when all fixtures have been completed, two or more clubs are tied with the same number of points, the winner will be the club having the greatest difference of ties won against ties lost over the matches played.

            If two or more clubs remain tied, then a play off will be arranged on a knockout basis. If a ballot is necessary in order to pair the clubs concerned, this will be done by the League executive.

A 4    GENERAL

a)         FIXTURE LISTS - Each competing club will be provided with a complete fixture list. It will be the responsibility of the Home Club in each match to make all the necessary arrangements for the successful completion of the match.

b)         POSTPONED MATCHES - In the event of a postponement the Home Club must report the postponement to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary within 72 hours, along with the amended fixture date 

c)         QUALIFYING SECTIONS - When two or more sections are in use, all section winners shall play off for the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship trophy and pennant, and runners up pennant, in any format decided by the League Executive.

 

B - UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT COMPETITION RULES

B 1    THE TEAM

a)         Each team shall consist of four players. Players must be nominated by their club before the first tie plays off. Order of play is determined by handicap: i.e. lowest handicap first.

            Inclusion of reserves in a club party is at the discretion of the club concerned.

B 2    THE MATCH

a)         The first named team is at home.

b)         There is no official challenger. Both clubs have equal responsibility in this respect.

c)         U16 tied match, previously count back, now play off between lowest handicapper in each team, if light stops play during play off – toss a coin.

d)        Maximum handicap in the competition is 28.

B 3    GENERAL

a)         A new draw will be made after completion of each round.

b)         Matches must be completed by the final date notified by The Secretary. Failure to do so may result in one or both teams being scratched from the competition.

 

C - SCRATCH TEAM COMPETITION

C 1    THE TEAM

a)         Each team shall consist of four players. Players must be nominated by their club before the first tie plays off.

            Inclusion of reserves in a club party is at the discretion of the club concerned.

C 2    EVENT QUALIFICATION

a)       The best 10 placed Ayrshire Junior Golf League member clubs in the Ayrshire Boys Team Championship competition of the relevant year shall contest the competition.

C 3    THE MATCH

a)            Each match will consist of 4 ties. No account shall be taken of handicaps.

b)            Matches will be played on the dates shown on the fixture list, a copy of which will be provided to each competing club. Postponement of a fixture is not permissible except in the circumstances set out in rules C3 (c) & (d). 

c)         Fixtures may only be postponed when, due to inclement weather or any other reason, the course over which the fixture was to be played is closed for play or where, due to weather conditions, both clubs agree to a postponement.

d)         When a fixture has been postponed in accordance with Rule A 2(c), then the postponed fixture must be played within 14 days of the original fixture date. If this is not done then the match is to be treated as abandoned, when rule C 3(f) shall apply.

e)         If one team is unable to provide a minimum of two players, then it must concede the match to its opponent. A match so conceded shall be scored on a basis of 3 ties to 1. If neither team can provide a minimum of two players, Rule C 3(f) shall apply.

f)          If, for any reason, both teams agree to abandon a match then each team will be awarded one point. A match so abandoned shall be scored on a basis of 2 ties to 2.

C 4    SCORING

a)         Points will be awarded for each match as follows: Win - 4 pts, Draw - 2 pts, Abandoned - 1 pt, Lose - 0 pts.

b)         If. When all fixtures have been completed, two or more clubs are tied with the same number of points, the winner will be the club having the greatest difference of ties won against ties lost over the matches played.

 c)        If two or more clubs remain tied, then a play off will be arranged on a knockout basis. If a ballot is necessary in order to pair the clubs concerned, this will be done by the League executive.

d)         If the final ends tied at 2-2 and the count-back is a tie, each team can select one of the 4 players who played in the final to play a sudden death play-off

C 5    GENERAL

a)         FIXTURE LISTS - Each competing club will be provided with a complete fixture list. It will be the responsibility of the Home Club in each match to make all the necessary arrangements for the successful completion of the match.

b)         POSTPONED MATCHES - In the event of a postponement the Home Club must report the postponement to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary within 72 hours, along with the amended fixture date.

c)            COMPETITION FORMAT – The competition will be competed in two qualifying sections. Teams placed 1,3,5,7 & 9 in the qualifying event shall contest one section and teams placed 2,4,6,8 & 10 shall contest the other section. Section winners shall play off in the final.

Fixtures shall be played on a single match basis, either home or away. Allocation of home and away matches shall also be based on club position in the qualifying competition, on the following basis:

SECTION 1	SECTION 2
1 V 3	2 V 4
1 V 5	2 V 6
7 V 1	8 V 2
9 V 1	10 V 2
3 V 5	4 V 6
3 V 7	4 V 8
9 V 3	10 V 4
5 V 7	6 V 8
5 V 9	6 V 10
7 V 9	8 V 10

 

 

D - CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS COMPETITION

D 1    QUALIFICATION

a)         The competition is open to the Junior Club Champion of member clubs, regardless of age, from the previous season. If the Club Champion is unavailable, the club may nominate a junior member to represent the club in the stead of the Club Champion, but if the latter is the case then the under 18 age restriction shall apply.

D 2    THE MATCH

a)         First named player is at home.

b)         Matches to be played over 18 holes scratch match play. No account shall be taken of handicaps 

c)         Tied matches should be decided on a sudden death basis, over extra holes, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, in which case a replay, over the visiting players course can be arranged, as long as the tie is completed by the due date.

d)         Both players involved in each tie hold equal responsibility to make contact and arrange a mutually suitable date for the tie to be played. After such a date has been agreed, it is then the responsibility of the Home player to make the necessary arrangements in respect of courtesy of the tee etc., for completion of the tie.

e)         Ties must be completed by the final date notified by The Secretary, and the winner must notify The Secretary of the result of the match as soon as possible after completion of the tie.

D 3    GENERAL

a)         A draw for the next round will be made after completion of each round.

b)         Competitors will be notified directly of the draw for each round in which they are involved.

 

E - THE AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION RULES

E 1    ADMINISTRATION

a)         The competition will be administered by the Ayrshire Golf Association, and shall be an 18-hole strokeplay event, on a nominated course.

b)         A player can represent a club in this competition and a different club in competitions administered by the junior league.

E 2    THE COMPETITION

a)         Teams will consist of four players where possible. If a team is unable to field a team of four players, they can submit a team of three players, with all three scores counting in the competition.

b)         A club may enter one team only. Each player must be a member of a recognised golf club affiliated to the Ayrshire Golf Association, and must have an official club handicap.

c)         The decision of the Championship Officials in all matters is final. Championship Officials will include appointed A.G.A. And A.J.G.L. Representatives and nominated representatives of the host club.

d)         Each team will be allocated starting times.

e)         Each team total score will consist of the best three scores, with the highest score being disregarded. Where a team has only three players, all scores will count.

f)            In the event of a tie, the fourth score will be considered in order to determine the winning team. In the event of a tie after all four scores are considered, a countback of all four scores will determine the winner (i.e.- b.i.h., last 6, last 3 etc.).

E 3    PRIZES

a)         The undernoted trophies will be awarded during the championship:

            1) The Matt Lygate trophy - Scratch team award.

            2) The Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy - Handicap team award

            3) The Prestwick Circuits Trophy - Individual scratch award

            4) The Carrick trophy - Individual handicap award

            Other awards and vouchers shall be awarded at the discretion of the organising bodies.

 

F - THE MACROBERT THISTLE JUNIOR GOLFER OF THE YEAR TROPHY

a)         The award shall be open to any junior member of any club affiliated to the Ayrshire Golf Association, who may be nominated for the award by any representative of a member club.

b)         Nominations can be made on the basis of achievement, golfing ability, triumph over adversity or any other meritorious reason.

c)         Nominations for the award shall be made in writing to The Secretary, by the date notified. 

d)         The final decision as to the winner of the award, from the nominations received, shall be made by a sub-committee, the membership of which shall be decided by the League Executive.

 

G - CONVENERS OUTING

a)         Played annually on a nominated course, under a format approved by the League executive.

b)         Teams will consist of two representatives from member clubs.

c)         Honorary Members of The League, League Officials and representatives of other bodies invited by the League Executive will also be eligible to take part.

 

H – JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT

a)         This event will be administered in conjunction with the Ayrshire Golf Association.

b)         Any junior member of a club affiliated to the Ayrshire Golf Association will be eligible to take part in the order of merit and win any prizes resultant from their participation.

c)         All placing and points will be awarded on the basis of scratch scoring in strokeplay events.

d)         THE UNDERNOTED EVENTS ARE CONSIDERED QUALIFYING EVENTS FOR THE ORDER OF MERIT.

Events can be added or removed from this list, at the discretion of the organisers.

Category A (National  Strokeplay events )

SCOTTISH BOYS STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Category B (National Match Play Events)

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

Category C (36 Hole Events)

HARRIS BOYS OPEN (West Kilbride)

THE AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

Category D (Boys Open Events)

GIRVAN BOYS OPEN (Girvan)

LARGS JUNIOR OPEN (Largs Kelburn)

LOUDOUN BOYS OPEN (Loudoun)

BEITH BOYS OPEN (Beith)

POLLOCK TROPHY (Kilmarnock Barassie)

PRESTWICK BOYS OPEN (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

ST. NICHOLAS JUNIOR OPEN (Prestwick St. Nicholas)

ARDEER BOYS OPEN (Ardeer)

TOM LEHMAN JUNIOR OPEN (Troon Municipal Courses)

TROON WELBECK BOYS OPEN (Troon Welbeck)

CAPRINGTON BOYS OPEN (Caprington)

BALLOCHMYLE JUNIOR OPEN (Ballochmyle)

AYR BELLEISLE JUNIOR OPEN (Ayr Belleisle)

IRVINE & NORTH AYRSHIRE JUNIOR OPEN (Irvine Ravenspark)

KILBIRNIE PLACE JUNIOR OPEN (Kilbirnie Place)

Category E (Match Play Events)

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

POINTS ALLOCATION

 

 

I – AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

a)        This event will be administered in conjunction with the Ayrshire Golf Association.

b)         The Championship shall be played in accordance with the RuleS Of Golf as approved BY THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST. ANDREWS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCAL RULES OF THE CLUB WHERE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS BEING PLAYED AS ISSUED BY THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE.  IT SHALL COMPRISE 36 HOLES STROKE PLAY TAKING PLACE OVER ONE DAY.

c)         THE WINNER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHALL BE THE COMPETITOR WHO RETURNS THE LOWEST SCORE FOR 36 HOLES AND SHALL BE THE AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPION FOR THE YEAR. THE CLUB FROM WHICH HE ENTERED SHALL HOLD THE TROPHY.

d)         IN THE EVENT OF A TIE AFTER 36 HOLES, THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHALL BE DECIDED BY A HOLE BY HOLE PLAY OFF WHICH SHALL TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY.

e)         THE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE UNDER THE CHARGE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE TO WHOM ALL DISPUTES WILL BE REFERRED AND WHOSE DECISION SHALL BE FINAL. THE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THE CONDITIONS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

f)          COMPETITORS MUST BE  MALE AT BIRTH AND OF AMATEUR STATUS AS DEFINED BY THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB.

g)         BE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE AT 00.01 HRS. ON 1ST JANUARY OF THE YEAR OF COMPETITION.

h)         BE BORN OR RESIDENT IN SOUTH, EAST OR NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL AREAS OR BE A MEMBER OF A RECOGNISED GOLF CLUB AFFILIATED TO THE  AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION.       

 

J – AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

a)        This event will be administered in conjunction with the Ayrshire Golf Association.

b)         The Championship shall be played in accordance with the RuleS Of Golf as approved BY THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST. ANDREWS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCAL RULES OF THE CLUB WHERE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS BEING PLAYED AS ISSUED BY THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE.  IT SHALL BE CONTESTED BY THE 8 BEST PLACED COMPETITORS IN THE AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP.

g)         THE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE UNDER THE CHARGE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE TO WHOM ALL DISPUTES WILL BE REFERRED AND WHOSE DECISION SHALL BE FINAL. THE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THE CONDITIONS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

 

K - LIST OF AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE TROPHIES

1.         THE AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP QUAICH

            Awarded to the overall winners of the League Championship.

replaced the original Championship Shield in 1996.

2.         THE WINTER TROPHY

Awarded to the winners of the under 16 knockout competition.

3.         THE WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY

            Awarded to the winners of the scratch team competition.

4.         THE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

            Awarded to the winner of the champion of champions competition.

5.         THE MATT LYGATE TROPHY

            Awarded to the team returning the best scratch score in the Ayrshire Boys Team Championship competition.

6.         THE ANDREW D. NIMMO TROPHY

            Awarded to the team returning the best nett score in the Ayrshire Boys Team Championship competition.

7.         THE PRESTWICK CIRCUITS TROPHY

            Awarded to the player returning the best individual scratch score in the Ayrshire Boys Team Championship competition. The original trophy was replaced in 2003.

8.         THE CARRICK TROPHY

            Awarded to the player returning the best individual nett score in the Ayrshire Boys Team Championship competition. The original trophy was replaced in 2003.

9.         THE MACROBERT THISTLE TROPHY

            Awarded to the individual nominee chosen by the sub-committee as junior golfer of the year, in line with the rules outlined herein.

10.        THE SILVER JUBILEE TROPHY

            Awarded to the winning club in the annual convenor competition.

11.        THE AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT

            Awarded to the player recording most points in a season over the nominated Order Of Merit events

12.        THE AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

            Awarded to the player returning the best 36 hole scratch score in the Ayrshire Boys Championship

13.        THE GOLDEN JUBILEE TROPHY

            Awarded to the winner of the Ayrshire Boys Match Play Championship 

 

EXAMPLE OF SYSTEM USED IN THE EVENT OF A COUNTBACK IN JUNIOR LEAGUE EVENTS

The countback system used is to add the holes up and holes left to play in each completed tie:

i.e. - a 3 & 2 win = 5 or a 3 & 1 win = 4.

This is done for the ties won by each team, to give a total credit for each team.

EXAMPLE - Team A wins 3 ties by 5 & 4 (=9), 2 & 1 (=3) and 1 up (=1). TOTAL = 1

                  Team B wins their 3 ties by 6 & 4 (=10), 2 up (=2) and 2 & 1 (=3). TOTAL 15

                  Therefore team B wins by 15 - 13 on the countback.