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HOW DOES THE ST. LINUS MENS GOLF LEAGUE WORK?
The league is made of 8 to 12 three to four man teams depending on the number of guys signing up to play. There are Regular
Members and Alternate (substitute) Members. Regular members are golfers who expect to be playing most all the time and are
assigned permanently to teams. Alternate Members are members who volunteer to be called by regular members to take thier
place if the regular member finds that they are not able to play during a regularly scheduled week. If an Alternate Member
is not called to play he is welcome to come out and play whenever they can during the league tee time. They may be chosen
by the handicap chairman if agreed by the competitive player if a Regular Member has a last minute call-off and cannot make
his match. Last year we had 8 Alternate members.
WHEN AND WHERE DO WE PLAY?
The league matches are played on Thursdays at Stony Creek Golf Club in Oak Lawn, on 103rd Street
just west of Central Ave. We alternate between the Front 9 and the Back 9 each week. Tee
times are from 8:30am to 9:45am. The League runs from approximately mid-May thru mid September.
We get the league rate of $23 for 9 holes. For those members who wish to continue to play a full 18
holes the cost is $30. Costs shown are with cart. The league fee, currently $60 for the year cover
certain league fixed costs like printings and mailings, internet fees, and may also cover any banquets,
prizes, league identifying clothing and year end gifts.
Each team is made up of three or four golfers. The entire Regular Members are listed in order
by handicap based on last year's play. The top handicapers are the A players, the next set are the B
players, the next set are the C players and, if needed, then the D players. Each team has an A, B, C,
and possibly a D player. When Team 1 plays Team 5, the A players from each team play a nine
hole match against each other. Likewise with B, C and D players have a match. (History
has shown that the higher handicapped players are usually the crucial match.) Alternates are also
given handicaps. Two matches are usually played together to make up a foursome.
Teeing Off - A and B players will tee off from the WHITE tees while C and D players will tee off
using the red tees.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHO WINS?
Each match is a nine hole match with posted handicaps, both match and medal play. Four
points are at stake.
Medal play is the total strokes minus handicap. The winner of that,
the lowest net score, for the nine holes gets two points. If tied, it is one point each.
Match play is by holes. If one player with handicaps beats the other player on a hole, he
is one hole up. If it is a tie after handicaps, the hole is halved. At the end of nine holes,
who ever won the most holes is the winner of two points. If the holes are tied, it is one
point each.
What is the BONUS?
In addition to the four possible points described above, every player is elligable to earn an
additional 2 points if the players score minus his current handicap ends up to be lower than
the par for the nine competition holes played. This Bonus is available no matter wether any
points were earned during Match or Medal play.
Each teams points are the total of the points won by the team members. The
match is over after nine holes, but some members stay out on the course and play more
than nine holes.
One of the many benefits of the St. Linus Mens Golf League is that by recording your
scores, the league gives you a handicap. We subscribe to a handicapping service. You
can look up your handicap online thru the league internet site (slmgl.org). That allows
us to post the handicaps and give you a card with your handicap. It is a nine hole
handicap. New members are asked what score they usually shoot to get a starter
handicap. At the pro shop is a board where our schedule and handicaps are posted
each week. You must use the posted handicap for that days match.
Everybody does, really, but a scorecard must be agreed to, signed and turned in at the end
of the match. Each player should keep track of his score and that of his opponent on each
hole. You have to print your name and initial the scorecard. Substitute members will
have a special score card to be completed. Members are reminded, if your opponent
forfeits, mark down "No Show" as his score and your missing opponent's name. Turn-in
takes place in the club house. There is a cigar box used to collect the scorecards. Most
of the guys stop for a beverage, a sandwich and camaraderie after golf. Stony Creek has a
great clubhouse and good food. The Handicap Chairman is the final arbitrator of all
scoring. His decisions are final; therefore, if you complain too much you will be named
Handicap Chairman next year.
CAN I CONCEDE A PUTT? SAY THAT IS GOOD?
Yes, but only to your opponent. You cannot give yourself a putt, even a two incher. Nor
should you expect your opponent to concede you a short putt. You also cannot concede a
putt to someone in the other match in your foursome.
HOW DO I KNOW WHOM I AM PLAYING?
A look at the schedule and the team rosters will tell you. If you are the C player on Team
11 and you are playing Team 7, you look to see who the C player is for Team 7.
You must contact that player and makes arrangements for an agreeable tee time. Many players make
those arrangements after golf the week before. We all have our preferred tee times, but
must make allowances for your opponent. Tee times are between 9:00am and 10:15am.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM CALLED TO BE A SUB?
If a Regular Member can't play, he is responsible for lining up an Alternate to play as a
Substitute and notifying his opponent that a sub is playing in his place. The Alternate
Member will receive a call asking if he can play one week or maybe two or three weeks
in a row. By checking the schedule you can find your opponent's name and phone
numbers. You can then contact your opponent and make arrangements for a tee time.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM NOT CALLED TO BE A SUB?
Come out and play anyway. Alternate Members are encouraged to golf every Thursday
that they can. There is always room. You do not have to be a sub. There will be a prize
for the Alternate Member who makes the most appearances throughout the season. One
of the many advantages of coming out often as an Alternate is that you have a chance to
meet and play with the Regular Members. So when you are told as a sub that you are
playing Bud Stalker, Bob Kellam or Sean McNellis you know who these guys are. If
you need help when you come out, just ask any of the Regular Members and they will
help or direct you to one of the other members or officers. Or feel free to call one of
us. Our names and numbers are on the letterhead. We will find you a group to play with.
Sadly, we usually have a no show and you may become an impromptu Substitute.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A MEMBER IS A NO-SHOW?
If he is 30 minutes late for his agreed tee time or arrives after 10:15am, he forfeits and
could lose four points for his team. His opponent must play with another league member
and post a score . If it is within 125% of his handicap, he gets all four points. If it is
higher, he gets two points. Secondly, emergencies happen and are unavoidable, but if a member
has 5 no-shows in a season he is subject to suspension of his regular membership.
It is always best to come out to the course. It may not be raining there or it may stop. If
half of the matches are completed and you are a no-show, you forfeit your match.
U.S.G.A. rules apply with addition of the following league rules: All putts must be holed
out. All play is from the white markers. To speed up play, a ball out-of-bounds or in a
water hazard must be played within two club lengths of the point of entry, no nearer the
hole or from the designated drop area, with a one stroke penalty. Therefore, no
provisional balls are allowed. If you and your opponent agree on the first tee, winter
rules can apply on or off of the fairway. That means you may roll your ball and improve
your lie, but the ball may be moved only with the clubhead. Rake and play is allowed in
the sand. That means if your ball is in the sand, you may lift your ball, rake the sand and
then place you ball in the same place it was before you play the shot.
ADDITIONAL SAND PLAY RULE
If you hit your ball and land in a sand trap, you must attempt to hit your ball out of the
sand trap. If, after your swing in the trap, you again land your ball in the same trap you
may pick up your ball and drop the ball outside, but in back of, the trap where the ball
stays in a line keeping the position of the ball in the trap between the hole and the
position of the drop. See the illustration below. If the ball, after the sand shot or
your alternate sand shot lands in another sand trap or back in the original trap,
the application of the additional sand play rule will restart in the second trap.
Most members play at a good pace and we all benefit from that. If one or two members
take too much time, all of the members behind are held up. If your foursome is falling
behind the group ahead, you are taking too much time. Here are some hints to speed up
play. Go directly to your ball, chose a club and be ready to play. If you are
sharing a cart, one player should be dropped off at his ball. On the green take a look at
your putt before it is your turn. It is always your option to concede a putt or not, but
sportsmanship requires a conceded putt when you have holed out and you opponent is
losing the hole by two or three strokes.
Our league is governed by the members of the Board of Directors. The Board is elected
for service during the following year by poling active members on the last day of play
or at the year end banquet. The board is required to meet to agree upon any major
changes to the league environment such as golf course, tee time changes, major cost
changes, etc., decisions made by majority vote. If you have a desire to participate
as a Board member please email any or all of the Board and let them know of your
interest to help.
HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Feel free to converse with any of our officers.
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