The Old Committeeman: After a hard day’s work,

By Warren Belser

The Old Committeeman walked into the XIX Hole and found the golf chairman and the tournament chairman sitting at the octagonal table with papers spread all over it. The O.C. was greeted with this from the golf chairman: “What on earth brings you to the XIX Hole at this late hour?” “I was on my way home after a game at our neighboring club and recalled that I had not posted my score on their computer. While it was on my mind, I decided to stop here to do it,” the O.C. replied. “I also decided to find out who were the walking wounded left in the XIX Hole.” The Golf Chairman replied, “You find these two stalwarts reviewing last year’s golf program with a view to planning this year’s program. And with a little privacy, we decided to have a go at it.” “Have you anything new and exciting in the works?” the O.C. asked. “Nothing new,” replied the Golf Chairman, “But perhaps you have something new to give us.” The O.C. replied, “Yes, I do as a matter of fact. During my drive over, I thought about my match this afternoon, and it reminded me of the weekly matches that my friend’s club holds every Thursday in the late afternoon during daylight savings time. What they do is to reserve at least three starting times beginning at 2 o’clock. Participation in the match is open to any golfing member holding a current USGA handicap. All you have to do is sign up by 1 o’clock, be ready to play by 2 o’clock, and know your current handicap. The format depends on the number of players signed up. All formats are off handicap and are found in the Rules book or the USGA Handicap manual. Moreover, all matches are played according to the Rules and players can choose the tees that they wish to play off. A last condition is that play is at a fast pace. During daylight savings time, there is enough daylight to play a round between 2 o’clock and sundown. However, slow play is not tolerated and it is not part of this outing.” The Tournament Chairman asked the O.C., “Please explain to me, how far does this group really go to play by the Rules? There are degrees of adherence to the Rules, you know.” “They follow the Rules strictly,” replied the O.C. “In other words, there is no playing mulligans off the first tee, no nudging the ball in the middle of the fairway, and no using a putting ball on the green. Any relief taken is taken precisely as the Rules permit. They play as if they were in an AGA championship. Do you have any other questions?” “I have a few,” said the Golf Chairman. “You said that they play at a respectably fast pace. Please comment about that. We have difficulty at this club, as you know, getting members to move it along not only in club events, but in friendly matches as well.” The O.C. replied, “Let me make two comments about pace of play. In my last daylight savings time round at this club, we were twelve players and we played a four-ball match play competition using a nassau scoring with each nine worth one point each and the 18 worth one point as well. The winner was the side with the most points. “They follow match play strictly. There was none of this ready-play procedure because of the important feature of match play that you should have all the possible options before you when you play a shot. You may put your opponent at a disadvantage with your shot first, then it is his challenge. “Moreover, on the green, if my partner makes a score as good or better than I could make with the sinking of my next putt, I would pick my ball up. This speeds up play.

For handicap purposes, I would record the most likely score that I could make. If I had a four- or five-footer, I would add one stroke to the strokes already taken, but if it was a 10-footer or more, I would add two. “I have given you three examples of how they would play depending on the sign-up number. For other matches, all you have to do is take a look at the Rules book or the handicap manual. My friend has a listing for all the matches off handicap for groups from three players to fifteen. If you want, I will get you one. “One last point to discuss,” said the O.C., “What if it rains?” “The Golf Chairman said, “That is a question that I have been thinking about as you have expanded on all this glory.” The O.C. replied, “If it rains during the round to a point that play is suspended for the day, the match is played as a nine-hole match provided all groups have cleared nine; otherwise, the match is cancelled. “If it is raining at the first tee off time, delaying play, the match would be played as a nine-hole match when play is resumed, provided enough daylight and players are available. Another way to play would be to play a foursome match, if the sign-up was in groups of four and there was daylight of two and a half hours left after the rain. Apparently my friend’s club played two of these matches last year. The first was confronted with the remark that you play foursomes with women and my friend confronted the complainer with my observation, ‘Yes, that is true and foursomes are also played in the Walker Cup and the Ryder Cup matches. Surely, you are mature enough to play that way.’ The second time it was very well received. “In summary, I like everything about it,” the O.C. said. “You play by the Rules, you play off handicap, you play from various tees. It’s open to all members and you get to know other members better. It also provides, as in my case, a chance for members to invite friends from other clubs during the week for a very competitive match. Finally, the match is played during a cooler part of the day. It has something good for everyone. “Now, I have given you a new idea to work on this year,” the O.C. said. “Where is James?” The Golf Chairman replied, “James has locked up and gone home. Before he left, we asked him where you were today. We were told that he had not seen you today. We had wanted to talk to you and you have come in out of the blue and have given us a new idea. For that we say thanks and bid you good night.” “Good night,” said the O. “What we have discussed,” continued the O.C., “is a four-ball match play event, but suppose the sign-up was eleven players. How would they play? I understand that they would play an individual stroke play competition with the sign up fees to be awarded to the top third of the field. You know that handicaps, as organized, do offer each player an equal opportunity to finish in the top 30 percent of the field. “If nine players sign up, I have been told,” continued the O.C., “that they would play in three groups of three. The match would be stroke play off 90 percent of handicap. The usual sign-up draw would be slightly revised with one of the three low handicappers in each group, then mid-handicappers and last the high handicappers.