Royale Cup Canadian Women's Amateur Championship

RCGA group Pace of Play Policy                                                                                                                      

When a group is out of position at any check-point the players in the group are liable to penalty under these guidelines. Players in a group that has missed one or more check-points will be liable to penalty according to the following schedule of penalties, pending final determination of whether a breach or breaches of these guidelines have occurred:

Check-points will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of four holes, generally the 4^th or 5^th, 9^th, 13^th or 14^th and 18^th holes.

·         1^st missed check-point*– warning

·         2^nd missed check-point – liable to a one stroke penalty

·         3^rd missed check-point – liable to a two stroke penalty

·         4^th missed check-point – liable to disqualification

* If a group clears the 3^rd  check-point and has not missed any other check-points, but is out of position at the 4^th check-point, each player in the group is liable for a one stroke penalty if in the Committee’s view no effort was made by the players to complete their round within the allotted time for the final check-point.

Allotted Time

Each group has an allotted time to complete play through each check-point.  When a group falls behind – regardless of the reason - it must regain its position. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time.

Definition of “Out of Position”

First Group: The first group is out of position if takes more than the allotted time to finish a check-point hole.  

Following Groups: A following group is out of position if it

(a) takes more than the allotted time to finish a check-point hole and

(b) completes play of a check-point hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.

Time charts outlining the time per hole, including the finish times for the check-point holes, are available at the Starting Tent(s).

Note: The first group becomes a following group when it makes the turn in a split tee start tournament.

A player who was out of position during his round and who elects not to consult with the Rules Committee to determine whether he was in breach of these guidelines is deemed to be in breach of these guidelines and incurs a penalty or penalties according to the above schedule of penalties.

If a player or group incurs a penalty, penalties are to be applied to the check-point hole where the breach occurred.

Pace of Play Information

In an effort to address slow play, the RCGA has adopted Group Pace of Play Guidelines for this Championship..

·         As long as you keep up with the group ahead of you (within 14 minutes) your group will NEVER be in jeopardy of being out of position. Always look ahead – not behind.

·         Each group will be given a fixed amount of time in which to play 4 or 5 holes within each of the four (4) check-points. Times will be reflected on the score cards. Each group will be required to complete each check-point hole based on the allotted time or within 14 minutes of the group ahead.

·         Posted signs and atomic clocks will be located on all check-point holes.

Check-points will be located at the 4/5^th, 9^th, 13/14^th and 18^th  greens.  A check-point will be considered missed if the hole is not completed (flagstick in the hole) within the allotted time, and the group has not completed the hole within 14 minutes of the group ahead.  If a group misses a check-point all players within the group will be informed by the check-point official as follows:

·         1^st missed check-point – warning*

·         2^nd missed check-point – liable to a one stroke penalty

·         3^rd missed check-point – liable to a two stroke penalty

·         4^th missed check-point – liable to disqualification

* If a group clears the 3^rd check-point and has not missed any other check-points, but is out of position at the 4^th check-point, each player in the group is liable for a one stroke penalty if in the Committee’s view no effort was made by the players to complete their round within the allotted time for the final check-point.

·         If a group misses two or more check-points a player(s) may request a review before signing and returning his score card.  A review will be successful only if there is evidence the player was:

§         delayed by the Committee

§         delayed because of a circumstance beyond control of the player or group

§         delayed because of another player in the group

·         Review and application of the penalty will only occur in the scoring area, not during the stipulated round. Discussion of the situation with the check-point official will only cause further delay of the group.

·         A player concerned about a non-responsive (slow) fellow-competitor in his group, who is delaying play, should request a Rules Official to monitor the group in case the group is or becomes liable to penalty under these guidelines.

·         You, your fellow-competitors and caddies can help by having your yardages and being ready to play when it is your turn.