MGA 2013 Rules of Play

How to Sign Up for a Tournament

1.      Chelsea System:  To sign up for MGA events, use either a POA Computer located in the Pro Shops or a personal computer via the "Chelsea System” -- Select "League” and "Add a League Sign up.”

2.      Tournament Days:  Groups 3, 4 and Gold play on Mondays.  Groups 1, 2 and Scratch play on Tuesdays. The season beginning Handicap Index of 13.0 will determine play for either Group 3 on Monday or Group 2 on Tuesday.  This index break point is subject to change during the season to balance the number of players on each day.

3.      When to Sign up:  Players in all groups may sign up beginning on the Wednesday two weeks prior to the tournament play days and continuing until 4:30 pm on the Tuesday one week prior.  Contact the Group Tournament Director to sign up after the deadline.

4.      Match Play:  Limited to 11 flights, 16 per flight.  Sign up for MGA Match Play will be available earlier, at least a month in advance of the first Match Play Tournament in May.

5.      Pairings:  Tournament pairings and tee times will be available on Chelsea and the MGA 18 website by Thursday prior to the event.  Also, normal Chelsea email tee time confirmations will occur.

6.      Tournament Directors:  The Group Tournament Directors (TDs) are volunteers trying to do their best.  Please treat them accordingly.  Due to unforeseen changes, the TDs listed in the annual directory may be wrong.  The MGA website is the best source for the correct group Tournament Directors.

7.      Tournament Limits:  Each tournament (except Match Play) is limited to 80 players per group.  If unable to sign up, contact your Group Tournament Director to be placed on a waiting list.

8.      Cancellations:  To cancel prior to the sign up deadline, use the "Chelsea System”.  To cancel after the deadline, contact your Group Tournament Director. (DO NOT CALL THE PRO SHOP).

9.      Tournament Results:  Final results of each tournament will be posted on the MGA 18 Website within two weeks following the event.

10.  Prize Money:  All prize money will be pro shop merchandise credits posted to your POA account within two weeks after each tournament. 

Posting Scores

1.       Team Captain:  The designated team captain of each foursome is responsible for posting scores at the end of play for all members in his foursome. This includes all tournaments where everyone plays their own ball i.e., individual and group best ball formats.

2.       Preferred Lies:  All scores must be posted even if the ball was played up. 

3.       Adjusted Scores:  Posted scores must be adjusted for handicap purposes according to the USGA GHIN System Equitable Stroke Control chart below.

USGA GHIN System Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)

Maintain the Pace of Play

1. Play Ready Golf:   Be ready to hit/putt when the opportunity arises.  Keep play moving.  (Maximum round of 4 ¼ hrs.)
2. Know the Rules:  It is each player’s responsibility to know the USGA and local rules of golf.  If there is a rules interpretation problem, consult with your playing partners.  If there is no clear agreement, play and score a second ball as well, then review with the tournament director after the round.
3. Falling Behind:  If a group falls behind pace of play by 10 minutes, the marshal will ask the group to pick up pace.  If a group does not comply, the marshal will instruct the group to start at the 150 yd marker on the next par 4 hitting your 3^rd, or the next par 5 hitting your 4^th shot.  Failure to comply with the marshal may result in disqualification.

Local Rules of Golf for MGA Play

1. Embedded ball:  Anywhere through the green, except in hazards, lift, clean and drop your ball as near as possible to the original spot.
2. Stones in Bunkers:  These are considered "Movable Obstructions” and may be removed.
3. Ornamental Flowerbeds:  Treat these as mandatory relief areas with a free drop within one club length no closer to the hole.
4. Sand Bunkers:  If a trap is in disrepair following a weather event, refer to the MGA local rules sheet for that day’s tournament for special rules.
5. Maximum Handicap:  36 is the maximum handicap for any MGA tournament.
6. GPS/Range Finder Equipment:  Only equipment providing distance information is acceptable.  Ones providing wind or elevation information are not allowed.
7. Playing Ball Up:  When the MGA local rules for that day’s tournament allows playing the ball up (preferred lies), the ball may be lifted, cleaned, and placed on a spot within 12 in. of the original spot no closer to the hole.

8.       Multiple Indexes:  If a player has more than one index, i.e., one at Diamante and one in the GHIN system, consult the Tournament Director to resolve the issue.

Rain Out Policy

1.      Tournament Day:  Every effort will be made to complete each tournament.  If in doubt about the weather the day of an event, check the HSVPOA website golf course conditions page or call the Pro Shop an hour prior to your tee time for status.

2.      Delays:  Rain is not necessarily a reason to cancel play.  Players are encouraged to continue play during periods of light rain or intermittent showers.  Delaying on the course for short times is permitted.  If anticipate longer delays, or if there is lightning, mark your ball location and return to the club house for a determination by each Group Tournament Director whether play will continue or not.

3.      Continue Play: If play is continued by the Group Tournament Director, players must complete their entire round to be eligible for prize money.

4.      Discontinue Play:  If play is discontinued by the Group Tournament Director, and the entire Group has completed at least 9 holes, prize money for that Group will be awarded based on 9-hole scores. 

5.      Cancelation:  No prize money will be awarded if all Group players did not complete at least 9 holes. 

Match Play Tournament

1. Sign Up:  All participants play in the first Match Play event in May on Monday/Tuesday as a regular MGA tournament.  Sign up is available on the Chelsea System at least one month in advance.
2. Flights: The most recent Handicap Index prior to the May event will determine your flight.  There will be 16 players per flight.
3. Pairings:  Flights and pairings will be posted on the MGA website and at the Balboa clubhouse.
4. Substitutes:  No substitutes are allowed once play begins for the May match play event.
5. Subsequent Matches:  Remaining match play rounds will be conducted by the two participants outside of regular MGA league play. Both players are encouraged to ensure each match is complete on time.  However, the player listed on the LOWER part of the bracket is officially responsible to initiate a tee time and will forfeit if the match is not completed by the designated deadline, thus advancing the UPPER bracket player.  Please do not let this happen.
6. Deadlines:  There are four matches in order to advance to the finals.  Match 1 is the MGA event in May.  Matches 2, 3 and 4 must be completed NLT June 30^th, July 31^st, and August 31^st respectively. 
7. Net Play:  Each match is contested using the stroke differential of two players’ handicaps as of the day of play.  Contact the Match Play Tournament Director with any questions.

Special Group Rules

1. Scratch Group:  Anyone with a Handicap Index of 9.9 or less may join the Scratch Group.  The Scratch Group Tournament Directors will determine weekly events and rules.  A player may move into or out of the Scratch Group only once during the year.
2. Gold Group:  To be eligible for the Gold Group you need to play and post scores to the GHIN System using the Gold Tees.
3. Group 4:  All Group 4 tournaments will be played from the Silver Tees.
4. Group 2/3:  In order to prevent players alternating between Monday (group 3) and Tuesday (group 2), those with a USGA Index near the Group 2 and 3cut-off will be allowed to choose the day/group they wish to play with.  The player’s handicap index must remain within plus or minus 1.5 stokes of the current Group 2 or 3 breakpoint in order to remain in the desired group.  Contact the Tournament Committee Chairman for more information.