Participating Clubs

2024: Bognor, Chartham Park, Cooden Beach, Copthorne, Dale Hill, Dyke, East Brighton, Ham Manor, Haywards Heath, Ifield, Littlehampton, Nevill, Piltdown, Pyecombe, West Hove, Worthing.

Objectives and Format of the League 2024

The Competition aims to provide:-

• Competitive handicap golf for males 55 and over at participating clubs during quiet times on the course in the summer months.
• The format of playing their own ball in a team environment - the format being four ball better ball match play.

£20 subscription per club paid annually.

The Competition
(To be played under the 2020 Rules of Golf)
Handicap 4 Ball Better Ball match play played between teams of 10 arranged in 5 pairs. Determine the exact Course Handicap for each player. Calculate the exact difference from the lowest, includes decimal places. Apply the handicap allowance (90%) to the difference and round the result to get the shots. White tees. The maximum playing handicap, after WHI, Course handicap then 90% is 18. Standard rules will apply and handicaps will be dictated using the home course ratings. All players to have “Competition handicaps” and can play for only one club.

The 2024 competition will be played out between 16 teams established into 4 leagues playing home and away matches (a total of 6 matches per club). The number of holes up must be recorded on the results sheet for count back purposes if required. For example a 3 and 2 win counts as 3 holes up.
The fixtures and the composition of the leagues were decided by lot. The teams for each league will be drawn annually from separate pots to ensure fixtures change.

Points
Points in games are 3 points for each pair winning, one point for a half in a game.
For example - a 5-0 win results in a 15 point to 0 point total, a 4-1 win results in a 12 point - 3 point total, a 3-2 win means 9 points for one team and 6 for the other. A draw, 2 and a half matches each, results in 7 points to each team. A 4 and half - half win gives 13 points to 1 point total and a 3 and a half - 1 and half win will score 10 points to 4 points.

League places will be decided
a) By total aggregate points. If equal:
b) The aggregate match result (points) between the 2 sides. If still equal:
c) Total number of holes up in matches between the 2 teams. If still equal:
d) Holes up in all league games.

Fixtures
League matches may be played on any weekday afternoon, but not a Cyril Blake or Gilbert Print match day, between 4th April and 4th August (see suggested dates below) suitable to the home club but ideally when the course is normally underutilised.

Quarter-Finals
To be played between the 5th - 16th August. Rules as semi and final.

Semi-Finals
The semi-finals to be played between 19th August and 4th September at neutral venues.
These clubs must be prepared to host a semi-final. Any queries to be registered with Keith Turk.
In the event of a tie on points and holes there will be a play-off by a nominated pair, who have played together that day, from each team until a hole is won.

Final
The 2024 final will be held at Worthing GC on 12th September. In the event of a tie on points and holes there will be a play-off by a nominated pair, who have played together that day, from each team until a hole is won.

Jamboree Day
A jamboree day for all clubs will be held on (date to be advised), 9.00am (Shotgun) at Copthorne GC, where the Gerry Honeysett Memorial Trophy will be played for (current holders Pyecombe).

Fixtures and Results
Clubs are requested to forward details of fixtures to Keith Turk as soon as they are organised for posting on the website.  Similarly it is the responsibility of both teams Captains to ensure that match results are forwarded by email and result sheet sent to Keith Turk (Chartham Park Golf Club) at keithshed284@gmail.com. Keith Turk will arrange for updated league tables and results to be posted on the web site.
Note Pyecombe Golf Club has agreed to host the domain on their home club website.

Courtesy of the course – for matches only  not practice rounds.

Conditions of play
If a course is deemed fit for play by the hosting club then this would be the case. Cancelled matches: in the case of a club not being able to field a full team for a match then it is incumbent on that club to field as many players as possible to ensure that the fixture can go ahead. Additionally if a match is to be called off then this is subject to the agreement of both Captains.

Catering
Regardless of whether catering is provided a match fee of £15 per player will be required to be paid to the home club. No other fees may be charged. If catering is provided the Host clubs should provide a minimum of sandwiches, cake and tea (or other fare) for each 4 ball within this price bracket. Players are encouraged to stay, socialise and support the home club. It is a player’s personal choice to do so but the £15 fee will still apply should they not stay.

The Future
After each season, Club representatives will meet and if necessary agree any changes or recommendations to the Rules. Each participating club will have one vote plus the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Fixtures Secretary. A simple majority vote of those present will decide any action.

2024 Season

	League A	League B	League C	League D
1.	West Hove	Ifield	Piltdown	Dyke
2.	Littlehampton	Nevill	Chartham Park	East Brighton
3.	Bognor	Copthorne	Worthing	Cooden Beach
4.	Pyecombe	Dale Hill	Haywards Heath	Ham Manor

Suggested date bands for fixtures:-

1. 1st April - 19th April	1 v 2, 3 v 4
2. 22nd April - 10th May	2 v 3, 4 v 1
3. 13th May - 31st May	1 v 3, 2 v 4
4. 3rd June - 21st June	2 v 1, 4 v 3
5. 24th June - 12th July	3 v 2, 1 v 4
6. 15th July - 2nd August	3 v 1, 4 v 2

QUARTER FINAL dates - 5th to 16th August
1.   A 1st v C 2nd,     2.   B 1st v D 2nd
3.   C 1st v A 2nd,     4.   D 1st v B 2nd
(therefore NO repeat fixtures until the final)

SEMI FINAL - 19th August to 4th September (neutral venues)
1 v 2 (venue 3 or 4), 3 v 4 (venue 1 or 2) or committee decision.

FINAL - 12th September at Worthing GC (previous winners)