1.     LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT

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1.1   The primary aim of the league is to foster friendship & camaraderie within the healthy confines of competitive scratch golf.

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1.2   To uphold fair play at all times.

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1.3   The Rules of golf apply at all times.

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2.     TERMINOLOGY

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2.1   Club refers to those golf clubs affiliated members of the league.

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2.2   Team refers to the body of male/female players fielded by a competing club.

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2.3   Match refers to the overall competition of ties being played between the two teams.

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2.4   Player refers to the single golfer competing in each tie.

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2.5   Tie refers to each individual 18 holes played between two players.

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3.     TEAMS

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3.1   Teams are made of 5  amateur golfers per club.

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3.2  Teams can be made up of male or female golfers.

 

 3.3  Teams can change throughout the season. There is no restriction to playing the same team throughout.

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3.4   Format Singles matchplay - Tie is played with the winner being Up with fewer holes remaining. Ties can be halved if all square after 18 holes.

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3.5   No handicap restrictions as all matches to be played off scratch.

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3.6   Players must be a minimum of 14 years on the date of the fixture.  **Any team can field a maximum of 3 players under the age of 18. Only two of those players can be 14 but they must be over the age of 14 years the day of the match.

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3.7   Team order must be decided by the team captain prior to the 1st tee off & should be exchanged with the opposing captain at least 30 minutes prior to tee off.

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3.8   Players can only play for one club per season. In the event of a player being a member of more than one affiliated club then they must nominate a home club for that season. They will only be eligible to play for that club during the given year.

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4. MATCHES & SCORING

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4.1   The match result between two clubs is decided by the total amount of matches won by the 5 players.

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4.2   Scoring is based on normal matchplay rules. i.e. match is won or lost using an example of 5&4. This would equate to +9 (i.e. A match won 5&3 would equate to +8) & so on.

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4.3   All matches that are halved will be shown as All Square (+/-0).

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4.4   The team score for the entire match is the sum of all matches played during 5 ties. Therefore a total of 5 points are available and the two teams scores must add up to 5.

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4.5   The clubs are awarded points based on the match result as follows:

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Home/Away Win = 2 Points

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Home/Away Draw = 1 Point

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Loss = 0 Points

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4.5(a) The teams For (F) & Against (A) difference is taken from holes won & lost.  See 4.2 - This means that each match within a fixture is important to the teams difference. Meaning every hole counts in every match.

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4.6   In the event of any tie being abandoned due to poor weather or any other cause beyond the control (not inc retirement 4.7) of any of the players then the remaining holes not completed will be halved.

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4.7   In the event that a player has to retire from the tie and is unable to complete the tie. They concede the remainder of the holes not completed.

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4.8   If any team is unable to field a player for a tie then they concede the tie at a default score of 1up (+1).

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4.9   If a match is cancelled with less 2 weeks notice and an alternative date is not secured prior to the date stated for the fixture by the league. That match will be awarded to the opposite side as a 5-0 match score.

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4.10 If a match needs to be re-scheduled beyond the dates proposed by the league. Then the home club should contact the league committee to request permission. However if a suitable date is not agreed then match will be deemed to be cancelled and rule 4.8 will apply.

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4.11. If a match is not played then the case for not playing can be presented to the league committee. The Chairman has the authority to award walkovers, but all walkovers will be treated as a 5-0 match score. 

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4.12 In the event the match is cancelled prior to the start due to weather conditions then the match should be re-arranged for another date. In the unlikely event that it is not possible to re-arrange then the result will be halved (2.5-2.5).

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4.13 The visiting/away club tees off first on the first hole in all matches.

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4.14 In the event that a team cancels more than one match per season then the team will be disqualified from the league for the remaining duration of that season. Any matches/points they have amassed will be rendered null and void.

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4.14 Tees - Male golfers should play from the White (Medal) Tees. All Female golfers should play from the Mens (Yellow/General Play Tees) - The Par is only taken from the mens White (Medal) Tees.

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5.     MATCH DAY FORMAT & FEES

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5.1   All matches are to be played at weekends unless both clubs mutually agree otherwise. The Home side are responsible for making contact. The home side must offer 4 dates with a minimum of at least 2 weeks apart to create fairness and opportunity for both sides. Ties can be played midweek if mutually accepatble by both sides. If no contact is made within 7 days then the away side are open to making contact and suggesting dates. If both teams fail to agree for any reason please contact the league on sales@eagg.co.uk for a decision with evidence of any communication. In the spirit of the competition we urge clubs to show flexibility where possible in arranging fixtures with the ultimate objective that all matches should be played out on the course not off it.

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5.2   The last tee should be no later than 4 1/2 hrs prior to sunset. We ask all clubs to be conscientious towards any opponent that may be travelling from distance to play matches.

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5.3   No catering is expected to be provided by the home team. If an away team wishes for catering then they should arrange this at their own expense.

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5.4   All clubs pay an entry fee of £302.50. This is payable to the league at the start of the season prior to any fixtures being made.

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5.4a Entry Fees are non refundable. In the event of a postponement of league entry fees shall be rolled over to the following year. A cancellation of the league will result in a full refund.

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5.5   League fees will go towards running a website to carry scores & fixtures, trophies and subsidising an end season 'Finals Day'.

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5.6   No green fee is to be levied on visiting players representing their team on away matches. If any away team wishes to have a practice round ahead of a match then a guest green fee is payable to the home club.

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5.7   Each side should enter their team onto a match day sheet and exchange prior to the first tee off. The home side is responsible for filling out the Match Day sheet in full, with both teams entered and the scores entered accurately. At the end of the match the scores should be added up to get an overall score for each team. The captains of both sides should sign this form. Signing the sheet indicates acceptance of the result.

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5.8   In the event that the match score is subsequently found to be incorrect or does not add up to 5 then the sides have to respond to the league with any amendment in writing.

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5.9   The home side is responsible for emailing the result to the league chairman by midnight following 48hrs of the match being played.

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5.10 The home side must retain their Match Day Sheets until the end of the season and the final league table has been confirmed and approved.

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6. LEAGUE, KNOCKOUT STAGES & MVP FORMAT

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6.1   All entering clubs shall be drawn into groups of 5 teams.

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6.1a All clubs entering to be a 18 hole championship course.

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6.2   Each team will play x4 matches (x2 home & x2 away)

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6.3 The Round Robin phase of the competition will take place between the 1st March and 31st July 2024. It will be the responsibility of the home side to arrange the fixtures.

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6.3a Each club must play at least 2 matches in their group on or before the 31st May 2024. 

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6.4   The top team from each group will advance to the "trophy knockout" phase of the competition. Any tied groups will be decided by the head to head result between the teams in question. . Should the head to head result be a draw then the group will be decided by match difference. If there is still no conclusion then the group will be decided on cumulative hole difference if required - (see 4.2).

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6.5  The 2nd team from each group will advance to the "plate knockout" phase of the competition *Any tied groups will be decided by the head to head result between the teams in question. . Should the head to head result be a draw then the group will be decided by match difference. If there is still no conclusion then the group will be decided on cumulative hole difference if required - (see 4.2).

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6.6a The head to head result equates to the result within the group stages between two teams.

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6.6b The match difference equates to the match points won & lost per fixture within the group stages.

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6.6c The cumulative hole difference is defined by the holes won & lost per individual tie and all match in the group stages as per rule (4.2).

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6.7 The Knockout phase of the Elite Amateur Golf League will take place between August 1st and November 2024.

 

6.7a The Trophy knockout will be made up of 17 teams. The 15 teams with the most points from the group stages will go through into the last 16 of the competition. The other 2 teams will play in a play off round before that with the winners progressing in to the last 16. Should there be any ties in deciding the list of the 17 teams, it will be decided on match difference from the group. If there is still no conclusion then ties will be decided on cumulative hole difference from the group. (4.2)

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6.7b The Plate knockout will be made up of 17 teams. The 15 teams with the most points from the group stages will go through into the last 16 of the competition. The other 2 teams will play in a play off round before that with the winners progressing in to the last 16. Should there be any ties in deciding the list of the 17 teams, it will be decided on match difference from the group. If there is still no conclusion then ties will be decided on cumulative hole difference from the group. (4.2)

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6.7a All knockout matches up until the semi finals will be played home or away dependent on the draw. 

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6.7b. Semi-Finals will be played at neutral venues. 

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6.7c. The Final of the 2024 Plate Competition will be played in the U.K.

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6.7d  The Final of the 2024 Trophy Competition will be played at a venue TBC   

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6.8  Alongside the club tournament. The league will also run a player MVP competition. This will consist of all individual golfers being awarded points as follows. (see 6.7). A separate league table will be run for players and they will be awarded a goal difference to accompany the points. In the event of a tie the difference will come into effect.

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6.9  MVP Scoring system (Group Stages) - Away Win = 4pts, Home Win = 3pts, Away Draw = 2pts, Home Draw = 1pt, Loss = 0pts.

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6.10 MVP Scoring System **Up & Inc Semi-Final of the Championship compeition - Away Win = 2pts, Home Win = 2pts, Away Draw = 1pts, Home Draw = 1pt, Loss = 0pts.

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All results up to and including the semi-final of the Championship competition will be included in the MVP championship. Those competing in the Plate competition will not qualify for points past the group stages. In the event of a tie the count back system will be decided on whom has the best hole difference over the matches played.

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6.11  Knockout Stages - All ties in the final should be played in the same manner as the group stages above. However in the event of a tie overall. The CAPTAIN must select a PLAYER from either side to participate in a sudden death playoff. The winning team will then be decided by the playoff winners. any questions please consult the league for more info.

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7.    GENERAL

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7.1   Distance measuring devices. For all league matches a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However if during a league match, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might effect his play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature etc.), the player is in breach of this rule (see also R&A‍ Rule 14-3), for which the penalty is to concede the match at a default score of 10&8. Regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

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7.2   Use of buggies is not allowed unless a player can produce a medical certificate to prove use is required on medical grounds.

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7.3  Caddies are permitted at all times.  

 

7.4.  The Elite Amateur Golf League is open to male & female golfers aged 14 years and older. If playing with a player under the age of 18 then the pair should form a fourball under the guidelines from Safe Golf England.

 

7.5.  Golf clubs playing home matches are not obliged to provide food or drink for opponents, however in the spirit of the game we expect away teams to be made welcome. Post-match drinks amongst players of both teams should be encouraged

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8.     AMENDMENTS TO RULES

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8.1   Amendments to any rules of the league can only be made by the league chairman.

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8.2   New clubs being proposed to join the league will be confirmed by the league committee.

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8.3   The league is open to all clubs from Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Middlesex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Dorset, Gloustershire,  Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Northamptonshire, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire. Clubs outside these counties may also be considered based on travelling time etc.

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8.4   Probationary clubs will be approved to full affiliation by majority committee decision at the AGM following their probationary year.

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8.5   In the event that clubs fall short of the expectation of the other affiliated clubs then a motion for removal of the club from the league can be put forward by any affiliated club. In the event the club in question will be advised of  the reason and asked to respond to the motion for removal. This will then be discussed and the league committee will make a final decision.