York Union of Golf Clubs


Terms of Competition 

The following General Terms of Competition, together with any additions or amendments published by YORK UNION OF GOLF CLUBS at the host golf course, will apply to all events and should be read in conjunction with any specific Terms of the Competition of each individual competition. 

1. Format of Competition 

These are detailed in Appendix A under the specific terms for each individual event. 

2. Rules of Golf 

All events will be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by the R&A Rules Ltd (R&A) and such Local Rules and Terms of Competition as may be approved by the York Union management committee for each event. All players are required to play with Golf Balls and use equipment that conform to the R&A Specifications. 

3. Amateur Status 

All players must be of Amateur status as defined by the Rules of Amateur Status 

4. Handicaps 

All players must have a current and valid WHS Handicap Index which does not exceed 26.4 for gentlemen and 32.4 for ladies (except where this is defined in Appendix A under the specific terms for a competition.) 

A player whose entry meets the competition handicap requirements defined in Appendix A at the time of booking, but whose handicap is subsequently amended must play off their amended handicap or the maximum allowed in the competition, whichever is lower. 

In Mixed Competitions, WHS guidelines for adjustment of handicaps will be applied. 

5. Eligibility to Play 

Each player must be a paid up member of a York Union affiliated club. 

Where Amateur players are members of more than one club, they shall play from their nominated York Union Home Club. 

Juniors 

Juniors are eligible to play in certain Men’s and Ladies competitions as detailed under the specific terms of each competition listed in Appendix A 

In four-ball or foursomes play they must be partnered by an adult member who must be responsible for all matters concerning the junior. In Stroke play Juniors may be paired together in a group at the discretion of the Competition Secretary”  

Adult entrance fees apply to all players in Adult competitions. 

In Junior Competitions the player must be under 18 years of age on the day of the competition. 

Professionals & Assistant Professionals 

Professionals and Assistant professionals shall be eligible to play in the following competitions: York Open Championship, Yorkshire Herald Mixed Foursomes, Crossley Trophy, Kitching Trophy, Lewis Trophy, Cross Trophy, Pike Hills Cup and the 1900 Anniversary Bowl. Attached Professionals are not eligible to play in any competition. 

Professionals where eligible, shall play off scratch, or a handicap fixed by the Executive Committee. In the Cross Trophy Professionals shall play of +3 

Assistant professionals where eligible and in possession of a WHS Handicap shall play off a maximum handicap of 6, or a lesser handicap decided by the Executive Committee, in association with the Assistant’s club Professional. 

Professionals and/or Assistant professionals shall not play in the same pairing other than the Open Championship. 

Lady professionals and Assistant lady professionals of the member clubs shall be eligible to play in the Fulford Rose Bowl, the Yorkshire Herald Mixed foursomes, and the Aldwark Trophy in which they play from the ladies’ Red tees. 

Lady professionals and Assistant lady professionals shall play from Red tees in the Open Championship. 

6. Eligibility to win prizes 

To be eligible to win a competition or a prize in a competition each player must have submitted a minimum of six (6) fully completed 18-hole round competition score cards for WHS handicap purposes. These submissions must have been played during the preceding 12 months of the day of the competition. 

7. Entry Method and Fee 

The management of York Union events is now undertaken electronically. 

The dates of each event, opening and closing dates for each, can be found on the York Union of Golf Clubs website or from your golf club. 

Payment must be made at the time of booking through the online payment facility. Entries must be received together with the stipulated entry fee on or before the closing date. The entry fee is £20 per player for individual events, £40 per pair or £80 per team of four unless otherwise specified e.g mixed Yorkshire Herald foursomes. 

8. Withdrawals & Refunds 

Entry of a name on the official entry form, or notified to the Competition Secretary in writing (by electronic means or otherwise), and subsequently included in the on line sign up sheet commits the entrant to payment of the entrance fee. 

An entrant to a competition, who fails to report for play, will be liable to a 12 month suspension from all Union competitions and will be required to pay the entry fee. If a fee remains unpaid the suspension will continue without limit, until the fee is paid. 

In exceptional circumstances a player(s) may appeal to the Executive Committee via the Competition Secretary in writing giving details of any extenuating circumstances relating to their absence on the day of the competition. 

Where notice of withdrawal is given to the Competition Secretary in writing (by electronic means or otherwise) at least 10 days prior to the competition a refund will be given. 

Entry fees will not be refunded to Players who withdraw less than 10 days before the competition date however, entrants are encouraged to arrange for a substitution providing the players substituted comply with the above rules. 

9. Disability 

It is a requirement that players shall walk when playing in York Union events. Competitors with a disability as defined in the R&A Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities should contact the York Union Competitions Secretary and subject to the agreement of the Host Club and following prior production of a medical certificate of disability, a motorised golf cart for the exclusive use only of the person named on the certificate will be permitted; their partner is not allowed to make any use of that Buggy unless they also has medical dispensation. 

In normal circumstances members who are authorized by their home Club to use a buggy in their Club Competitions will also be eligible to use a buggy in YU competitions. 

(To simplify this process member clubs of the York Union are required to notify the Union on an annual basis of members of their clubs who have permission to use motorised golf carts in their home club competitions.) 

10. Transportation 

Unless authorised by the York Union Competitions Secretary for example under Section 9, above, Players must not ride on any form of transportation during a stipulated round. 

11. Code of Conduct 

Players are expected to abide by the basic rules of behavior as described in the York Union Code of Conduct. 

Anyone not abiding by the Code Of Conduct, or in breach of a host club rule and/or failing to conform with dress regulations of the Club will subject themselves to a suspension or such disciplinary action as may be considered appropriate by the Executive Committee.

12. Prohibited Substances 

Any player who is found guilty of possessing, administering, or using any substance or method on the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Prohibited list will be subject to Disciplinary Procedures. 

13. Age Qualifications 

Any competitions with age restrictions will be specified in the details of the on-line sign up sheet e.g Pick Trophy. 

14. Players’ responsibilities – before and during a round

  • Before commencing play on the day of a competition, the Player must ensure that their entry has been registered via the on line competition sign up sheet as required by the York Union. A player who fails to enter a competition in the required manner is deemed to have neither a score for the competition nor a score for handicap purposes. 
  • Establish their Course Handicap, check the Handicap allowance according to the format of play and check their playing handicap for that competition. 
  • Record their gross score on the scorecard in the markers column and the Gross score of the player(s) for whom they are scoring in the appropriate scoring column. 
  • Check and correct scores if appropriate and sign as marker on the scorecard of the player(s) for whom they have been scoring. 
  • Check correct if appropriate and sign as player on their player scorecard 
  • Submit their scorecard to the scorer upon completion of the round. Scorecards are considered returned when the scorecard is submitted (normally in a box provided for that purpose) 
  • The return of incomplete cards and unfinished rounds will be subject to the application of the WHS and R&A rules. 

Note: It is expected that every player who enters a Competition intends to complete the round. Further details on Player’s responsibilities and handicapping are to be found in the WHS Rules of Handicapping and CONGU advice on the World Handicap system. 

A player who fails to fulfil his obligations regarding completion of any or all stipulated rounds of a competition without good reason, and fails to report the facts to the official on duty will be liable to a 12 month suspension from all Union Competitions. 

The reason(s) for any withdrawal during a competition must be submitted in writing to the Competition Secretary within 14 days of the competition, and will be presented to the Executive committee for a decision on suspension or otherwise. 

15. Result and When Competition is closed 

Unless otherwise stated the results of the competition or round of the competition are deemed officially announced and the round/competition closed and finalised when all the results are published on the York Union website. Note : live scoring in itself does not constitute publication of the result. 

16. Decision of Ties 

All competitions, except for the Cross Trophy, will be decided on the day. 

Cross Trophy 

In the event of a tie, the Trophy shall be held jointly by the winning clubs. 

Championship’s 

In the event of a tie in the Amateur, Open, Ladies and Junior Championships, a play off will take place under conditions laid down by the Competition Secretary in consultation with the host Club before commencement of play. 

Club 4 Man Team Championship 

Ties will be settled according to the lowest aggregate in the singles matches for the last 9, 6, 3 or 1 hole, or if necessary the last 6, 3 or 1 hole on the front 9 holes. 

If there is still a tie, the foursomes’ scores will be used in a similar manner. If there is still a tie, the Championship will be held jointly. 

Junior Club Team Championship 

In the event of a tie, the lowest aggregate of the best 2 qualifying scores for the last 9, 6, 3 or 1 hole, or if necessary the last 6, 3 or 1 hole on the front 9 holes will be used to decide the winning team. 

Other Individual & Pairs Competitions 

If an 18-hole net (handicap) competition is tied the winner will be determined by the best score on the last nine, or if still equal last six, or last three and then last hole. 

If this does not produce an outright winner then the last six, three, one of the front nine will be used. If this does not produce a winner, then the competition will be deemed a tie and Trophies and prize vouchers shared equally. 

If a 36 hole competition unless a play off is stipulated, the winner will be determined by the best second round score. If there is still a tie the rules above will be applied to the second round. 

17. Suspension of Play (Rule 5.7) 

The following signals will be used to suspend and resume play: 

  • Immediate stop for imminent danger: one prolonged note of a siren (Play must be discontinued immediately) 
  • Stop for a non-dangerous situation: three consecutive notes of a siren 
  • Resumption of play: two consecutive notes of a siren (Players must then, but not before then, resume play) 
  • Penalty for breach of local rule: Disqualification 

18. Cancellation of a Competition due to Bad Weather or other circumstance. 

If conditions become unsuitable for play or it becomes impossible to complete a competition, the competition will be suspended or abandoned by the York Union Committee. 

19 Practice (Rule 5.2) 

In Stroke Play, Rule 5.2b applies: A player must not practice on the course on the day of the competition before a round except that the player may practice putting or chipping on or near his or her first teeing area and practice on any practice area. 

20. Prize Vouchers 

The value and number of prizes allocated will be determined by the Competition Secretary on behalf of the York Union on the basis of the total entry fee for the event. 

In any competition where vouchers are awarded in separate categories, players may only win one prize 

Prize vouchers shall be forwarded by e.mail (or post) to the prize winners e.mil address held on the YU Database normally within 7 days of publication of the results of the competition on the York Union Website. If no e.mail address is held on the YU database the prize voucher will be sent to the players home club marked for the players attention. 

Prize Vouchers are valid for 12months from the date of issue. 

21. Officials , Starters & Scorers 

The Competition Secretary will forward a Competition Information Pack to the Club hosting the event normally 7 days in advance of the competition 

The host Club shall provide an official to be on duty on the day of the competition together with starter(s) who will advise on any host club local rules and relevant information on the competition. 

The host Club will also provide a scorer to enter scores on line upon completion of the competition 7 York Union of Golf Clubs - Terms of Competition 250213 

APPENDIX A - RULES FOR SPECIFIC EVENTS 

Junior Events 

Junior Championship 

  1. White and red tees 

  2. 36 Hole Scratch Championship for Boys and Girls 

  3. Handicap Allowance – 95% for net prizes 

  4. Junior Champion Trophy awarded to player with lowest aggregate gross over two rounds 

  5. Caddies not allowed 

Junior League - Ted Kendall Trophy 

  1. Yellow and Red Tees 
  2. Fourball better ball - Mixed Stableford 
  3. 85% Handicap Allowance 

Junior Club Team Championship 

  1. Yellow and Red Tees 
  2. Mixed Individual Stableford 
  3. 95% Handicap Allowance 
  4. 2 from 3 scores to count 

Seward Trophy 

  1. White & Red Tees 
  2. 18 Holes Handicap Strokeplay for Junior Boys and Girls. 
  3. Handicap Index Limit 18 
  4. 95% Handicap Allowance 
  5. Run in conjunction with the Openr Championship with Seward Trophy awarded to junior with lowest net 
  6. When scheduled to be played at Heworth Golf Club, it will be played there on a different date, or normally in conjunction with the Open Championship 

Roy Richmond Trophy 

  1. Awarded to Junior Team player who has amassed highest points tally over the course of the IDU Junior League season 

Ladies Events 

Ladies Championship (inc Silver and Bronze trophies) 

  1. Red Tees 
  2. Handicap Limit 54.0 
  3. Open to Juniors who meet the handicap requirement 
  4. Medal 95% Handicap Allowance 
  5. The lowest gross score will be the Ladies Amateur Champion. 
  6. Silver and Bronze Division categories determined by Handicap Indexes of entrants to approximately half the field 
  7. Silver Division Trophy winner awarded to the lowest net score (other than the Championship winner) of the Silver Division 
  8. Bronze Division Trophy winner awarded to the lowest net score (other than the Championship winner) of the Bronze Division 
  9. Gross and Net prizes. 

Aldwark Trophy 

  1. Red Tees 
  2. Four ball better ball 18 Hole Stableford for ladies. 
  3. Handicap Allowance 85% 
  4. Junior Girls are permitted 
  5. No combined handicap index limit. 

Fulford Rose Bowl 

  1. Red Tees 
  2. Handicap Limit 35.0 
  3. Medal 95% Handicap Limit 
  4. Open to Juniors who meet the Handicap requirements 

Ladies Winter Series 

  1. Red Tees 
  2. 4 BBB stableford
  3. Maximum Handicap Index of 35.0 and Combined HI of 64.0 
  4. Juniors can play with an adult.- Junior HI limit is 12 .0 
  5. 85% Handicap allowance 

Mens Events 

Amateur Championship 

  1. White Tees 
  2. 36 Hole Medal 
  3. Handicap Allowance – Scratch 
  4. Handicap Index limit 6 – may be increased as necessary by the Executive Committee dependent on tee availability (see also Seward trophy). 
  5. Draw will be made in handicap order, with higher handicaps at the top end of the draw. 
  6. Played at the immediate Past President’s club. 
  7. Additional Prize(s) for nett 

Open Championship 

  1. White Tees 
  2. 18 Hole Medal 
  3. Handicap Allowance – Scratch 
  4. Handicap Index limit 6.0 – may be increased as necessary by the Executive Committee dependent on tee availability 
  5. Professionals will not be paired in the same groups 
  6. Played at the Union President’s Club. 
  7. Additional Prize(s) for Net 

  8. Seward Trophy (see Juniors Competition)

Seniors Championship - Reed and Pick Trophies 

  1. Players must be 55 years old or over on the day of the competition 
  2. Yellow Tees 
  3. Individual Stableford 
  4. Handicap Index Limit Snrs Championship 18.0 
  5. Reed Trophy 18.1 - 36 
  6. 95% Handicap Allowance 
  7. Pick Trophy awarded to player with the best score who is aged 65 years or older on the day 
  8. Prizes for Lowest Gross and best net scores 
  9. Players may only win one prize voucher 

1900 Anniversary Bowl 

  1. White Tees 
  2. 18 Hole 4BBB Strokeplay 
  3. Handicap Index limit 22.0 – maximum aggregate 34.0 
  4. 85% Handicap Allowance 
  5. The Trophy is awarded to the club with the lowest aggregate of 2 pairs (or such number as the Executive Committee may decide from time to time). 
  6. Individual prizes 

Crossley and Thompson Trophies 

  1. White Tees 
  2. Medal 
  3. 95% allowance Max handicap index limit of 12.4 
  4. Juniors who meet handicap requirements may enter. 
  5. The best nett score will receive the Crossley Trophy 
  6. The best gross score will receive the Thompson Trophy 
  7. Players wishing to be considered for the York Union IDU team(s) are encouraged to enter this event.) 

Fletcher Trophy 

  1. White Tees 
  2. 18 Hole medal strokeplay. 
  3. Handicap Index Limits 12.0 to 26. 0 • 95% Handicap Allowance 
  4. Team Championship - FoursomesTeam and Singles and Issott Trophy 
  5. White Tees 
  6. 36 Hole Scratch Competition comprising 4 Man teams from Scratch League 
  7. Morning round format – Foursomes ( 2 pairs per Club ) 
  8. Afternoon round format - individual medal ( 4 players per Club ) 
  9. Team Championship Trophy awarded to team with lowest aggregate score from all six rounds (2 foursomes & 4 singles) 
  10. To qualify for a team a player must have represented his Club and competed in at least one inter Club Scratch match during the season. An eligible team reserve may be used in either round. 
  11. Issott Trophy awarded to player with lowest afternoon individual gross but must have played in morning foursomes to win the Trophy. 

Pike Hills Matchplay Cup 

  1. White Tees 
  2. Handicap Matchplay for Handicap Index 5.5 to 20.4. 
  3. Handicap Allowance - Full handicap difference. 
  4. Maximum of 64 players. Random draw. 
  5. First round matches are played at the first named player’s home club. 
  6. Subsequent rounds will be played at a neutral venue nominated by the Competition Secretary. 
  7. Players must make their own arrangements with the clubs concerned. 
  8. If possible the semi finals & finals will be played on the same day at a neutral venue preferably at the current President’s home course 

Wilkinson Matchplay Trophy 

  1. White Tees 
  2. 18 holes Matchplay Knockout 
  3. Handicap Allowance - Scratch 
  4. Entry is open to all Union members for a maximum of 32 players balloted by the finishing position in the previous year’s Order of Merit, then by handicap. 
  5. Half the players will be seeded for the first round, with non-seeded players having home advantage. 
  6. Subsequent rounds will be played at a neutral venue nominated by the Competition’s Secretary 
  7. Players must make their own arrangements with the Clubs concerned and advise the organiser of the result upon completion of the match 
  8. If possible the semi finals & finals will be played on the same day at a neutral venue preferably at the current President’s home course 

Lewis, Kitching and Sharp AM/AM Events 

  1. Yellow and Red Tees 
  2. Mixed 4 player Am-Am any combination of men and ladies allowed 
  3. Best 2 from 4 Stableford Scoring 
  4. Handicap Index Limits - Gents 26.0, Ladies 31.0 
  5. 85% Handicap Allowance 

Cross Trophy 

  1. Yellow Tees 
  2. 4BBB - Stableford Scoring 
  3. Handicap Index Limit for entry 26.0 
  4. 85% Handicap Allowance 
  5. Juniors can enter, max HI above applies 
  6. PGA Professionals can enter, default Course Handicap applied +3 
  7. A series of 12 winter four ball better ball competitions played over all courses in the Union from September to April 
  8. The Trophy is awarded to the club with the lowest aggregate score of 2 pairs (or such number as the Exec Committee may decide from time to time) from each round. 
  9. Default score of 18 points awarded to Club pairs total on the day for any card not returned or insufficient Club pairs entered for the round. 

Inter Club Scratch League 

  1. See below 

Mixed Events 

  1. Open Championship and Seward Trophy 
  2. White and Red Tees 
  3. Mixed 18 hole Scratch Championship 
  4. Open to all Amateurs with Home Club in York Union and PGA Professionals and their assistants from a YU Member Club 
  5. Juniors permitted, handicap index limit for all is 6.0 
  6. Seward Trophy only (best nett score – see Seward Trophy) 

Yorkshire Herald Mixed Foursomes 

  1. Red and Yellow Tees 
  2. Foursomes Medal 
  3. Handicap Allowance 50% of combined handicap 
  4. Max Handicap Index 26.0 Gents and 36.0 Ladies 

Lewis, Kitching and Sharp AM/AM Events 

  1. Yellow and Red Tees 
  2. Mixed 4 player Am-Am any combination of men and ladies allowed 
  3. Best 2 from 4 Stableford Scoring 
  4. Handicap Index Limits - Gents 26.0, Ladies 31.0 
  5. 85% Handicap Allowance 

Inter Club Scratch League. 

Teams will consist of four players & each team will play two matches per season, home and away, against the other teams in their division 
Matches will take place during the week set out in the fixture list, on a day and time mutually agreed by the two team captains, with the host club having priority of choice 
Only team captains can decide that a match be postponed or suspended, unless the course has been closed by the host club. In the case of postponement other than for a course closure, the decision shall be made on the first tee at 6:00 p.m. or later on the day of the match 
The Competition Secretary shall be informed of the reason for any postponement without delay. Matches may not be postponed or suspended for any reason other than bad weather, state of the course following bad weather, or course closure. 
In the event of suspension after a match has started and which cannot be completed within seven days, the results of completed matches will stand, and any games in progress will be awarded a half 
A match postponed or suspended before play commences, shall be played within seven days, on a date mutually agreed, or failing agreement, on the seventh day. If a team is unable to host the event within the period allowed, it may waive home advantage and play at the opponent’s course if this can be done in the period allowed. In the event of extreme bad weather, and with the prior agreement of the Competition Secretary, a match may be re-arranged for the next free week in the calendar, or the week following the last match of the season, whichever is sooner. 
In the event that the match cannot be played, the points will be shared. 
A team shall concede a match only if it is unable to meet its obligations to raise a full team. 

Points will be awarded as follows: 

  • For each game – 2 points for a win, 1 point for a half. 
  • For each Match – 2 points for the team with most game points, 1 point if game points are level. in the event of a tie in a play-off involving two teams, the last named pair will play sudden death to decide the outcome. 
  • if the sudden death play-off cannot be played, the last-named pair shall arrange an 18 hole play-off on a different day. 
  • in a play-off involving more than two teams, all team members will play 18 holes Strokeplay, with the aggregate score of the team deciding the winner. 
  • if this still results in a tie, the last named players will play sudden death until a winner is found 

The Team Captains for each match shall list their players in order of handicaps. The lists shall be exchanged simultaneously and the pairings for each game taken accordingly. 
If a player fails to be present for his game within the teeing-time allocated to the match by the host club, then he shall be recorded as having lost. 
The visiting players shall be given the card of the course and any local rules 
It is the responsibility of the home team captain to inform the Organising official of the details of players and the result as soon as possible after the conclusion of the match 
The league will be divided into two or more divisions, with no more than seven teams in each division, according to the number of teams entered. Any new teams registered shall join the league in the lowest division. 
A player may only represent one club in any season. Where a club has more than one team, four (4) players must be nominated for each team before the first match. Any other club member may play for any team up to a maximum of 3 games, but then can only play for that team. 
The number of teams to be promoted or relegated from each division (normally 2) may be varied by season to balance the number of teams playing in each division, and will be advised to clubs at the start of each season. 
If the event of a tie for first place in a Division, or if teams are tied for promotion, a play-off will be arranged on a neutral course. 

  • If there is a tie on points for Relegation, the relegation place (or places) will be decided as follows: the team(s) with the worst aggregate number of total games won in all matches will be relegated ii. if there is still a tie, the team with the lower points of the Home and Away matches between the tied teams will be relegated. 
  • if there is still a tie, the aggregate number of game points between the tied teams will be used. 
  • if there is still a tie, the lowest aggregate of holes won between the teams will be used. 

if there is still a tie, the relegation places will be decided by lot