Devon Ladies' Golf League 2009

RULES OF THE DEVON LADIES’ GOLF LEAGUE (“the league”)

1. GENERAL RULES

1.1 Entry into the league is open to any club Ladies’ section situated in Devon. A fee, to be determined at the AGM, is to be paid by all clubs wishing to participate, to the League Organiser by 16 September, to secure entry into the draw for the following year.
1.2 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held before the end of October, at a central point and on a day other than “finals day”. At least 14 days notice of an AGM shall be given to every participating club specifying the day, place and time of that meeting and the business to be transacted.
1.3 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be called by the League Organiser when any matter of importance shall occur or on receipt of such a request signed by 4 participating clubs. In either of these circumstances 7 days notice must be given, by post or e-mail, to every participating club specifying the day, place and time of that meeting and the business to be transacted.
1.4 All matters relating to the league shall be governed by these rules which can only be changed by a majority vote at an AGM.
1.5 In order to institute any such change a proposal must be submitted to the League Organiser, in writing, by 16 September. Any such proposal should be put forward by one participating club and seconded by another and must be advised to all clubs by including details on the AGM agenda. Any proposals will be discussed at the AGM and will be adopted only if a majority of clubs present vote in its favour on the basis of one vote per club.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HOST CLUB/LEAGUE ORGANISER

2.1 The organisation of the league shall be the responsibility of one club (“the host club”). This responsibility will rotate annually, in alphabetical order of all participating clubs. The host club will nominate a member as League Organiser for their year.
2.2 The League Organiser will:
(i) Issue printed result sheets for matches, together with instructions on their use, to all participating clubs.
(ii) Collate results over the season and display a table of results in the host club and/or on the internet throughout the season.
(iii) Organise the finals day.
(iv) Organise and chair the AGM.
(v) Prepare a written report for distribution at the AGM detailing income and expenditure for the year and pass all records and the balance of funds over to the next host club.
(vi) Prepare minutes of the AGM, update the rules (if necessary) and distribute copies to all participating clubs. The minutes, notes and all correspondence appertaining to the league should be handed over to the next host club.
2.3 Any dispute arising which cannot be resolved between team captains should be referred to the League Organiser whose decision shall be binding on both teams.

3. MATCHES/FORMAT OF PLAY

3.1 Clubs entering the league (for the following year) will be placed into divisions and a draw will be made at the AGM to determine:
(i) Which clubs will play in which divisions.
(ii) Who each divisional winner will play in the semi finals, e.g. Div.1 v Div.3, and Div.2 v Div.4, or
(iii) If necessary, which divisional winners will receive byes into the semi finals (see 3.2 below).
3.2 Should the number of clubs reasonably enable the league to be played in 4 divisions then the semi finalists shall be the winners of each division in accordance with the points system. Otherwise there will be a division winner from 6 divisions (in accordance with the points system) and, of these 6, 4 will play quarter finals on a neutral course for 2 semi final places. The other 2 divisional winners will receive byes into the semi finals.
3.3 Each club to play 1 home and 1 away match against every other club in the division and individual clubs should arrange match dates, noting that matches must be played between
1 March and 15 September. Each team must pay for its own teas.
3.4 A team consists of 6 players, who must play in order of handicap, and 1 playing reserve. Team Captains should exchange details of players’ names, handicaps and order of play prior to the matches commencing and record such details on a match result sheet. Changes can be made up to 15 minutes before the 1st tee time. After the conclusion of each match the completed result sheet should be signed by both captains and sent to the League Organiser.
3.5 Should a club be unable to field such a team a “walk over” of the reserve game may be permitted.
3.6. The format shall be singles match play with a stroke allowance of full difference between the players’ handicaps. The maximum handicap is 35 with no lower limit. Matches are played over 18 holes (except on finals day-see later).
3.7 Each of the 6 games within a match receives 3 points for an away win, 2 points for a home win, 1 ½ points for an away draw and 1 point for a home draw. The score of the reserve players should be entered on each match sheet but not included in the total. If there should be a tie between clubs at the end of the match season, then the League Organiser would add the reserve players’ scores (in all matches within the division) to the team scores to determine the division winners.
3.8 If, in any division, there should still be a tie after the application of the above, a play off will take place on a neutral course (not the course designated for finals day) to be arranged by the League Organiser. In these circumstances a team will consist of 7 players, the points system will not apply and matches must be played to a conclusion (i.e. not halved) in order to produce a winner.
3.9 The following playing restrictions apply:
(i) Members are only eligible to play for their home club. The exception to this being that if a member’s home club is not entering a team in this competition she would be eligible to play in the league for any other club to which she belongs
(ii) A league team should not include any player who has played in more than 2 County Still Cup and/or President’s Trophy matches for any club in the current season.
(iii) Teams should not have caddies (except on finals day).
(iv) Any player (or caddie on finals day) needing to use a motorised cart (“a buggy”) must produce appropriate medical evidence and prior permission must be obtained from the League Organiser and the Club Secretary of the relevant venue. Additionally the Captain of the opposing team must have been informed prior to the match.
3.10 Weather conditions:
(i) If the host course is open the match must be played. If, however, a captain decides not to play then the match is a forfeit for that club and the appropriate points (for home or away wins) would be awarded to the opposing club.
(ii) If the host course is closed during the course of a match then the results of any completed matches will stand. Incomplete matches should restart at the point where play was suspended if that is possible on the same day. If not then Captains should agree either to replay those matches on a future date (starting from the 1st hole) or declare them drawn.

4. SEMI FINALS AND FINAL (“finals day”)

4.1 The semi finals and final shall be played on the same day on a neutral course arranged by the host club.
4.2 Teams for finals day shall be selected from a squad of 10 players, all of whom must have played in at least 2 matches in the divisional stages. However if there are 3 clubs or less in a division then 2 players who have played only once may be included. Reserves are eligible.
4.3 Both the semi finals and final will be played on a straight forward match play basis (i.e. no points awarded as in earlier matches) with a stroke allowance of full difference between the players’ handicaps. Each team will comprise of 7 players who must play in handicap order. Each match will be played over 18 holes but, if any match is “all square” after 18 holes then play must continue on a “sudden death” basis to produce a winner.
4.4 The winners of the semi finals shall be the first clubs to accumulate 4 match wins and they will then go on to play the final on the same basis as above.
4.5 Presentation of the Sharp Salver and the Runners-Up Cup will take place at the host club after the final.

As agreed at the AGM 8/10/07