Competition Rules and Procedures

Introduction

These rules and procedures apply to all members of Bellingham Golf Club. They are regularly updated in line with changes to the Rules of Golf (produced by the R&A and to changes in the World Handicap System (WHS)

1. Before commencing play competitors must sign in on the computer and pay their entrance fee and optional sweep money to the Club Manager, or put it in a named envelope and post it in the appropriate slot inside the clubhouse, or, should the inside be locked, on the clubhouse wall. Competitors not complying will be disqualified.
Persons under 18 years of age are not eligible to enter 18 hole sweeps.

2. All Scorecards must:
a) Show the correct gross score on each hole played
b) Be signed by both player and marker

Failure to carry out a) and b) will result in disqualification from a competition

Bellingham Golf Club also requests that a scorecard is entered into the computer and posted in the appropriate slot.

Once posted no changes can be made even if the member is still present in the clubhouse.

3. Juniors in possession of a handicap index are eligible to play in most Club competitions but must play with a senior member. For this purpose only, junior members with a Club handicap index of 12, or less, are classified as seniors. Juniors are not eligible to play in Men’s Open competitions

4. Competitors must refer to the specific rules and entry details which apply to the competition in play. These can be found on the competition notice board.

5. A tie in all stroke-play competitions will be decided over the last nine holes, then the last six holes, then the last three holes, then the last hole. If still tied it will go back 1, back 2, back 3 etc.

6. In match-play competitions when a match is halved after 18 holes, players should proceed directly to the 1st tee. The match will be decided over the first three holes and, if still halved, will be awarded to the first to win a hole thereafter.

7. A tie in the Men’s Club Championship will be decided by a play-off on the day of the competition. Tied players should proceed directly to the 1st tee. The match
will be decided, as in match-play, over the first three holes and, if still halved, will be awarded to the first to win a hole thereafter.

8. Members wishing to record General Play Scores (previously called supplementary scores) must make their intention clear before starting their round. An intention to complete a General Play round can be given orally to clubhouse staff, club captains or the club competition secretary or electronically by signing into the clubhouse computer. Members may also use the England Golf app to:

Show intent to complete General Play round(s)
Record General Play scores
Verify General Play scores

Once an intention to complete a General Play round has been made, a score must be returned or members are likely to receive a penalty score on their handicap index from WHS.

9. Cards may be marked by any member (Gents, Ladies or Junior) holding a WHS handicap index or by any guest who holds a WHS handicap index.

Obtaining a club handicap

One of the three key principles of the World Handicapping System (WHS – launched November 2020) is that everyone should be able to compete or play socially with anyone on a fair and equal basis, helping to make golf a more enjoyable game
BGC strongly encourages all golfers to obtain a WHS handicap index
In order to obtain an initial WHS handicap Index players must submit acceptable scores from a minimum of 54 holes. Cards must be signed by a marker who is acceptable to the Handicap Committee.
At BGC an acceptable marker is anyone currently in possession of a WHS handicap index – although, if the player is a junior, their handicap must be 12 or lower.
The acceptable scores over 54 holes can be any combination of 9 or 18 hole scores
Scorecards for handicapping should clearly show the player’s name and the marker’s name, marker’s handicap index and home club (if not Bellingham) and the date the round was played and must be signed by both player and marker.
The Handicap Committee will then issue an initial handicap index using the procedure outlined in WHS Rules of Handicapping Rule 5 – ‘Handicap Index Calculation’

the club handicap commitee

The Handicap Committee will consist of a minimum of three people
This will include the Club Competition Secretary and at least two other available committee members or committed club members.
In line with EG guidelines the committee will be mixed gender with a minimum of one gentleman member and one lady member

starting sheet

General

The policy for reserving tee times may vary from time to time at the discretion of Bellingham Golf Club and will be implemented in order to accommodate the maximum numbers of golfers on a fair, and equitable, basis.
Enforcing start sheet rules and regulations and closing the course during inclement weather or for course maintenance is the responsibility of the Club Manager (or in his absence, a designated authority).
The Club Manager (or in their absence, a designated authority) has complete authority to make decisions on the course to encourage faster play, demand proper etiquette, and ensure that all golfers follow course rules and regulations.

The Start Sheet

1. The start sheet operates on 10 minute intervals.
2. All members and guests must be entered on BRS, the online booking system, prior to their round.
3. If you arrive late for your tee time, you will lose your tee time and be placed in the next available slot.
4. Promptness is important and repeated failure to be present at the designated start time may result in loss of start time privileges.
5. The name of all players must be recorded when reserving tee times.
6. BGC reserves the right to assign players to a group in an effort to fill up foursomes. Block booking tee slots to avoid playing with others is not permitted.
7. Once a tee time is reserved by anyone, it will not be released in favour of another person, except with the consent of the person that first reserved the tee time.
8. Advance reservations should be honoured. If you have made a reservation and are unable to honour it, please contact BGC as soon as possible or cancel using the BRS App.
9. BGC should be notified of any reduction in numbers upon arrival at the course.
10. BGC should be notified if you arrive early and take an earlier slot. Players must ensure that the later entry is cleared from the start sheet freeing up that slot.
11. BGC reserves the right to restrict those players who are unable to play in a reasonable amount of time (novices and unaccompanied juniors), to off-peak playing times.
12. A number of tee times will be reserved for members during most competitions. Members may book these reserved tee times, subject to availability, up to 16 days in advance. Members wishing to book more than
16 days in advance should contact the office. These reserved tee-times are to guarantee members some times that cannot be booked by visitors. Competitions at BGC are open for the whole day and members can play at any time that is convenient to them, not necessarily in the reserved times.
13. Juniors of 12 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or over. In line with the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs (NUGC) a junior at Bellingham Golf Club must be under 18 on 1st January of the membership year.
14. During weekend and competition days, juniors without a WHS handicap index can only play with the permission of the clubhouse staff.
15. Juniors must sign in to BRS and are encouraged to play at least 9 holes from that starting time. Juniors are not permitted to put their name on the start sheet more than once in any four hour period.
16. Juniors with a handicap of 12 or less are entitled to play in a Club Competition with other juniors with a higher handicap, without restriction.
17. The golf club will permit non-members and societies to reserve tee times, subject to availability.
18. All play shall start from the first tee unless previously specified by BGC.
19. Players must not start on the 10th Tee without permission from the designated authority for the day.
20. BGC reserves the right to limit reservations for tee times if the Golf Club determines it is necessary to stop abuse of the tee time reservation system.

Priority and Pace Of Play

To improve pace of play Bellingham Golf Club requests that players play “Ready Golf” at all times, other than in Match Play Competitions. Examples of what is meant by “Ready Golf” include:
1. Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options
2. Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters must wait
3. Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play
4. Hitting your shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball
5. Putting first if you are ready to do so, even when it is not your turn to putt
6. Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line
7. Try to putt out if you don’t need to mark the ball on the green
8. Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a greenside bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker
9. When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is walking to their ball and assessing their shot
10. Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off

Note: Players should only play out of turn when it is safe to do so

All 18-hole players have the right to play without interference. If a group of 18-hole players are approaching or on the ninth, no other golfers will be allowed to tee off ahead of them.
The only exception will be during ‘special events’ when 18-hole players will alternate making the turn with 9-hole players.
Players who are not playing a designated round – cutting in or missing holes out – must ensure they are not holding up players on a full round.
If the hole in front of a group is clear and those behind are playing at a faster rate the slower group should let the faster group through. If the course is busy players should not expect to get through.
Two balls playing at the weekend when everyone else is playing in four balls should not expect everyone to let them through.
All groups are expected to play 18 holes in approximately 4 hours. This amount of time is more than adequate, provided all players remain aware of the rights of others to play without delay. It is the responsibility of each group to keep pace with the group ahead. It is each group’s responsibility to be observant of its position on the course and keep pace.
BGC has the authority to keep play moving at the proper pace for all players’ enjoyment. Groups failing to keep an acceptable pace of play can be directed by BGC to speed up, skip a hole(s), allow faster groups to play through, and/or to leave the course.
Courtesy to others is the key to etiquette on the golf course.

Safety

If lightning is in the area all play will cease. Although staff may warn players about lightning in the area, of which it is aware, the club does not assume any duty to detect lightning and warn them. If club personnel warn players about potential lightning in the area, players must stop play immediately. All players shall assume the risk associated with potential lightning activity and the consequences thereof.

dress code

A reasonable standard of dress whilst on the course and in the Clubhouse is expected. METAL SPIKES ARE STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE OR IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

concessionary green fees for members

All playing members are entitled to introduce an unlimited number of guests throughout the year at the reduced green fee charge of £10 per guest. Up to three guests per member, per day are permitted, but they must all play in the same group with the member.

No person whose permanent residence is within a 10 mile radius of the club can be introduced more than 4 times per year.

insurance

The Committee advises all members to carry their own golf insurance to cover their clubs, personal effects and possible personal accidents. All members are also advised to register with England Golf to qualify for their free personal liability insurance.

COMPETITION FORMATS

Men’s Competitions

The main day for Men’s Competitions is Sunday. Some tee slots will be reserved to ensure they cannot be booked by visitors and to allow those Men members who wish to play together to do so. However, Men members can enter a competition at any time during the day.

Men’s Club Championship – 36 Hole Medal (Scratch)
Members with a handicap Index of 18 or less are invited to enter in advance. The draw will be posted on the weekend prior to the competition.

Men’s Calcutta Cup – Scratch Match Play knockout
8 best gross scores from a nominated stroke play competition qualify for match play knockout. Matches must be played by the deadline date, unless a special dispensation has been granted by the Captain.

Men’s Chipchase Cup – Handicap Match Play knockout
Drawn at the start of the season by anyone who wishes to enter. Standard competition fee to be paid by each entrant. Draw made by a random computer draw in the presence of at least two committee members. Current handicap will apply throughout. Matches must be played by the deadline date, unless a special dispensation has been granted by the Captain.

Men’s Centenary Scratch Cup – Gross Competition
Aggregate 4 best gross scores from the 6 qualifying rounds. The qualifying competitions are: Goodinson Cup, Walton Cup, Cordiner Clock, Presidents Medal, Ulric Charlton Cup and the Rose Bowl.

Hadrian League Matches – Team Selected by the Captain to represent the
Club. Singles match play, off scratch. Tee reserved for home games from 4.45pm.

Men’s Stableford Cup
Two competitors, one from 0-18 the other from 19-54 handicap sections, to qualify on each of the designated qualifying rounds. These qualifiers to play for the Cup over one round of Stableford competition on the designated day.

Men’s Medal Championship
Two competitors, one from 0-18 the other from 19-54 handicap sections, to qualify on each of the designated qualifying rounds. These qualifiers are to play for the Trophy over one round of Medal competition on the designated day. The qualifiers are Maximum Score stroke play (set at 10 strokes), the final is regular stroke play

Ladies Competitions

The main day for Ladies Competitions is Saturday. As with the Men’s competitions some tee slots will be reserved to ensure they cannot be booked by visitors and to allow those Lady members who wish to play together to do so. However, lady members can enter a competition at any time during the day.
Ladies Challenge Shield – Handicap Match Play knockout
Drawn at the start of the season by anyone who wishes to enter. Standard competition fee to be paid by each entrant. Draw made by a random computer draw in the presence of at least two committee members. Current handicap will apply throughout. Matches must be played by the deadline date, unless a special dispensation has been granted by the Captain.

Hignett Rose Bowl – Greensomes Match play Knockout – Top 4 pairs from a qualifying competition go through to a match play knockout competition.

Match Play Knockout Competitions – it is the responsibility of the player(s) first on the list to contact their opponent(s) to arrange a mutually suitable date to play. If after 18 holes the match is all square then an additional 3 holes are played, if still all square then play continues with the following holes being sudden death.

Ladies Douglas Trophy – an eclectic of the best net scores on each hole in the following competitions: Eileen Martin Memorial, Challenge Cup, Dunlop Salver (R1 & R2), High Handicap Cup, Forster Cup, Rose Bowl and Stableford Shield.

Ladies League Matches – Team Selected by the Captain to represent the Club
Singles match play, off scratch. Tee reserved for home games from 1.00pm

Ladies Norah Percy League Matches – Team of 5 players selected by the Team Captain to represent the Club. Singles match played with handicap. Tee reserved for home games from 1.00pm. Backup players will play 9 holes behind the last match. Handicaps limited to between 29 and 54.

Ladies Sunday Stableford – Best 6 scores aggregated from all entries made during the season

Ladies Winter League – Stableford competition over 9 holes in the winter season in 2 parts. Part 1 runs from the end of season to December and Part 2 runs from January to just before start of new season. The winners from each part will play against each other to establish the winner. The total of the best 4 scores over each the period determines the winner of each part.

Ladies Winter Eclectic – played in the winter season over holes 1-9 (or the 9 elected holes if wet e.g. 1-6 and 16-18). Minimum of 6 holes per round, record gross scores on sheets provided and leave card for Handicap Secretary. There is a one-off entry fee.

Ladies Summer Eclectic – played at anytime throughout the summer season, enter scores from a minimum of 6 holes to a maximum of 18, record gross scores on sheets provided and leave card for Handicap Secretary. There is a one-off entry fee.

Ladies 36+ Handicap Stableford – 18 hole Stableford competition for those with a handicap index of 36 and above.

Ladies RVI Foursomes Qualifier – a Northumberland Ladies County Golf Association (NLCGA) Foursomes Stableford competition. For members who have Bellingham as their home (1st) club. Winning pair will go forward to represent Bellingham Golf club in the County final. Winners will be presented with the Lindisfarne Cup which was presented in 1932 by two donors – Clive and Charles Newcombe to raise funds for the Royal Victoria Infirmary. All monies raised go to the Breast Cancer Unit at the RVI. (Foursomes competition, one of the pair drives on the odd numbered holes and the other drives on the even numbered holes and continue playing alternate shots with one ball until the hole is completed).

Ladies Eileen Martin Memorial Trophy and Marie Curie Qualifier -18 hole Stableford competition. Donations can be made for Marie Curie in memory of Eileen Martin.

Ladies Challenge Cup – 18 hole individual stroke play competition.

Ladies Par Competition – a competition played against the course, with a “plus” for a birdie, a “zero” for a par and a “minus” for a bogey. Stroke play handicap qualifying competition.

Ladies Dunlop Salver (First Round) – 18 hole stroke play which is played two days prior to the second round (Thursday and Saturday). Entrants can play at any time on the Thursday. Entrants play off their full handicap index however if their handicap index is over 30 their players’ handicap index will be capped at 30.

Ladies Dunlop Salver (Second Round) – the second round is again 18 hole stroke play, players go out in reverse order from the scores in the first round and must play in their allotted tee time. Entrants play off their full handicap index (which will be the same as in the first round) however if handicap index is over 30 the players’ handicap index will be capped at 30. The winner will go forward to take part in the BGC Ladies Team at the Pro-Am event later in the season. Players going forward to play in the Pro-Am must have a handicap index of 30 or below at the start of round one of the Dunlop Salver, if the winner has a handicap index of more than 30 then the Pro-Am place will go to the next person with a handicap index of 30 or below.

Ladies High Handicap Cup – 18 hole Stableford competition played on the same day as the Dunlop Salver 2nd round. It is for players with a handicap index of 30.1 and above who choose not to play in the Dunlop Salver Competition.

Ladies National Playing Fields Qualifier (also known as Cecil Leitch Challenge Trophy) – 18 hole stroke play competition, the winner of this competition will represent Bellingham Golf Club and it is therefore only open to members who have Bellingham Golf Club as their home club. The final is an individual stroke play competition played later in the season.

Ladies Past Captains Quaich – 18 hole individual Stableford Competition. Past Lady Captains of BGC are invited to take part in this event.

Ladies Forster Cup – 18 hole individual stroke play competition. The winner will go forward to take part in the Ladies Team at the Pro-Am event later in the season. Players going forward to play in the Pro-Am must have a handicap index of 30 or below at the start of the Forster Cup, if the winner has a handicap index of more than 30 then the Pro-Am place will go to the next person with a handicap index of 30 or below.

Lady Captains Away Day – the Lady Captain chooses where she would like to go for the Away Day. Either the Lady Captain organises the day or asks someone else to arrange it on her behalf. If course courtesy is available the Lady Captain will receive it.

Ladies Rose Bowl – 18 hole Stableford competition. The winner will go forward to take part in the Ladies Team at the Pro-Am event later in the season. Players going forward to play in the Pro-Am must have a handicap index of 30 or below at the start of the Rose Bowl, if the winner has a handicap index of more than 30
then the Pro-Am place will go to the next person with a handicap index of 30 or below.

Ladies Flag Competition – this competition is played using your playing handicap plus the par of the ladies course i.e. playing handicap 20 plus par 71 91 shots. The shots used on each hole are deducted from the starting allowance, when a player runs out of shots they place the flag that they have been given in the ground with their name on. The player getting nearest to the 18th pin (or beyond) is deemed to be the winner.

Bellingham Pro-Am — A Bellingham Ladies Team is entered in the annual Pro-Am. The team of 3 is made up from the winners of each of the following: Dunlop Salver, Forster Cup and Rose Bowl. If a player wins more than one of those competitions they qualify from the first competition they win. Whoever comes second to them in the subsequent competition will then also qualify to play. If a qualifying player is unable to play in the Pro-Am then their place will be given to the next highest player in the competition who is able to play. Players must have a handicap index of 30 or below at the time of the qualifying competition in order to play in the Pro-Am.

Ladies Shield – 18 hole individual Stableford competition.

Ladies 3 Club Competition – entrants choose 3 clubs of which one must be a putter, this is a 9 hole Stableford competition. A non-qualifying competition for handicap.

Captain -v- Vice Captain/Secretary Match – a draw for teams is made and played as individual match play with playing handicap. A collection is made for Captain’s nominated charity.

Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes Qualifier – interested pairs play to represent BGC in this knockout competition (the following year), initial rounds at local level then inter-county

Birdie Cup – awarded to the player who achieved the most birdies in qualifying competitions throughout the season. Players can record on the “Birdie Tree” in the locker room when they get a birdie.

Par Competition – awarded to the player who achieved the most pars in qualifying competitions throughout the season, for players with a handicap index of 36+

The Most Improved Player – awarded to the player with the greatest percentage of reduction in their handicap index over the season.

Mixed Competitions

Captains Drive In, Ronnie Thorpe Memorial, Phil Oliver Memorial and Attol Trophy – all mixed individual Stableford competition over 18 holes..

Milburn Cup – a mixed pairs competition played as a 4BBB Stableford.

Copeland Cup – a mixed pairs Greensomes stroke play competition. (Both players drive then choose which drive to use, alternate shots are played until the hole is completed). Pairs are made up from a draw

Ping Mixed Four Ball Better Ball (4BBB) Qualifier– an England Golf 4BBB mixed competition. The winners of the club competition will go forward to the final in early September if their score is in the top 52 in the country.

Competition Formats

Men’s Club Championship – 36 Hole Medal (Scratch)
Members with a handicap Index of 18 or less are invited to enter in advance. The draw will be posted on the weekend prior to the competition.

Ladies Challenge Shield – Handicap Match Play knockout
Drawn at the start of the season by anyone who wishes to enter. Standard competition fee to be paid by each entrant. Draw made by a random computer draw in the presence of at least two committee members. Current handicap will apply throughout. Matches must be played by the deadline date, unless a special dispensation has been granted by the Captain.

Ladies Douglas Trophy
An eclectic of the best net scores on each hole in the following competitions: Eileen Martin Memorial, Challenge Cup, Dunlop Salver (R1 & R2), High Handicap Cup, Forster Cup, Rose Bowl and Stableford Shield.

Hadrian League Matches
Team Selected by the Captain to represent the Club Singles match play off scratch. Tee reserved for home games from 4.45pm.

Ladies League Matches
Team Selected by the Captain to represent the Club Singles match play off scratch. Tee reserved for home games from 1.00pm.

Ladies Sunday Stableford
Best 6 scores aggregated from all entries made during the season.

Men’s Stableford Cup
Two competitors, one from 0-14 the other from 15-54 handicap sections, to qualify on each of the designated qualifying rounds. These qualifiers to play for the Cup over one round of Stableford competition on the designated day.

Men’s Medal Championship
Two competitors, one from 0-14 the other from 15-54 handicap sections, to qualify on each of the designated qualifying rounds. These qualifiers to play for the Trophy over one round of Medal competition on the designated day.

Handicap Allowances

Handicap allowances will be in line with those recommended by the WHS Handicapping rules

Singles Stroke Play – 95% of Course Handicap

Singles Stableford – 95% of Course Handicap

Mixed Stableford – Ladies receive a 1 additional stroke on their playing handicap if Men are playing off white tees, two additional strokes if Men are playing off yellow tees

Singles Match play – The full difference between the course handicaps of the two players.
Four ball Better ball Stableford – 85% of Course Handicap
.
Four ball Better ball Match Play – Player with lowest course handicap to concede strokes to the other three players based on 90% of the difference.

Foursomes – Two players play one ball. Alternate drives followed by alternate shots. Allowance ½ the Combined Handicaps.

Greensomes – Both players drive, after selecting the best drive play alternate shots. Allowance: 0.6 of the lower course handicap plus 0.4 of the higher Course Handicap. If handicaps are equal then half the combined handicaps.

Foursomes Match play – half the difference of the combined playing handicaps of each side

Greensomes Match play – full difference between Greensomes handicap

Texas Scramble –
4 players: 25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest Course Handicap
3 players: 30%/20%/10% from lowest to highest Course Handicap
2 players: 35%/15% from lowest to highest Course Handicap