Rules & regulations

Golf has always been a gentleman’s game and is a sport of honesty and integrity. That is the same ethos held by the Golfdelaluz.com Northern Matchplay Golf Championship.

We expect matches to be played in the true spirit of the game and for competitors to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
We have laid down the below rules and guidelines to provide clarity and ensure maximum enjoyment for all entrants.

General information & eligibility...

1. The championship will be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as laid down by The R&A. 

2. We strongly recommend that competitors carry an up-to-date Rules of Golf book so that any queries during play can be resolved immediately and without delay.

3. The championship will be a matchplay knockout format and is approved by The R&A for the payment of expenses - Rule 4-2g RA/4/2012.

4. The entry fee is £15 per person for the Individual championship and £25 per pair for the Pairs championship.

5. Entries close at noon on Monday 2nd April 2012. Any entries received after this time may not be accepted.

6. Once accepted entries can be withdrawn but not refunded.

7. Entry is open to gentlemen golfers, aged 16 or over on 2nd April 2012.

8. Entrants must hold an 'active' CONGU handicap at the time of entry and at the golf club they are representing.

9. Entrants must be a member of a golf club affiliated to one of the following six County Golf Unions; Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland or Yorkshire.

10. Entrants can only represent one golf club and compete in one region during the championship season.

11. Entrants must enter the region in which their home golf club is affiliated and will be relocated into the correct one if necessary.

12. When entering the Pairs competition players do not have to be from the same golf club but both clubs must be affiliated to the same County Union. A 'home' course must be nominated for any home matches and should be used throughout the tournament (unless mutually agreed by both sides to change). Player 1's course will be deemed to be the home course unless you inform the Tournament Organiser otherwise before the closing date.

13. No changes can be made to the names of the entrants or playing partners after the closing date (ie: due to injury/illness/work commitments/availability). Any changes required must be made to the Tournament Organiser before the closing date.

14. Entrants do not need to be a full member of their golf club but must be able to offer dates to play on a weekend at their own course should they be drawn at home, otherwise they will forfeit home advantage.

15. Entrants can enter both the Individual and Pairs competitions. However, please note that if you reach the regional final of both competitions, you must find a replacement golfer for the Pairs event as both finals are held concurrently.

16. If paying by cheque they should be made payable to: Golf Empire.

17. All queries should be sent to the Tournament Organiser by email.

18. All decisions concerning the championship rest with the Tournament Organiser and his decision in all matters is final.

19. The Tournament Organiser reserves the right to change the prize fund, regional final venues or grand final venue without prior notice.

20. Full tournament rules are available on request.

Handicaps & strokes...

1. The maximum handicap limit is 18, however, players with handicaps 19-28 may enter but must play off 18 (before any strokes are calculated).

2. Strokes should be taken against the gents Stroke Index as displayed on the host golf club's scorecard.

3. In the Individual competition the golfer with the highest handicap receives the full difference of strokes between both golfers.

4. In the Pairs competition each player receives 3/4 of the difference between their handicap and that of the lowest handicapped player in the group.

5. Current handicap certificates should be taken to each match and shown to the opponents before the match starts. If these are not available the game should still go ahead but opponents may request that proof of handicap be supplied to the Tournament Organiser within 24 hours of the match having been completed.

6. Handicaps may increase/decrease throughout the season and you must play off your current handicap on the day of the match. The only exception to this is the first round where if your handicap changes between legs you must still use your handicap at the start of the first leg.

7. It is the players responsibility to maintain an accurate record of their handicap.

Playing the match...

1. Once you have registered and paid you will be notified about your first round opponents shortly after the closing date.

2. Players will receive notification of the draw by email from the Tournament Organiser. This will include details about opponents including contact details, the venue for the match and when it must be played by. The draw will also be published on the official championship website.

3. All players are responsible for contacting opponents to arrange a mutually agreeable date before the closing date of each round.

4. The home side is responsible for ensuring play is possible at their course on the agreed date and time.

5. If the home course is closed but the away course is open on the agreed date the venue should be switched, subject to availability. If neither course is open a neutral course may be used if this is mutually agreed by both sides with any green-fees split equally. Games should still go ahead if preferred lies, temporary tees or greens are in use.

6. Both sides are responsible for knowing the local rules of the host golf course.

7. We ask that both sides provide at least six dates for playing each round (at least two of which should be midweek & at least two on a weekend).

8. The Tournament Organiser will disqualify any players who fail to complete their match by the deadline date.

9. We strongly advise that matches are arranged and played ASAP in case of bad weather or other circumstances force the delay or postponement.

10. Extensions will not be granted for any reason. 

11. Players should consult the Tournament Organiser ASAP if they have any problems arranging their match.

12. In many cases the home club will support their members and offer courtesy of the course to visiting players. If for any reason they do not grant this then green-fees must be paid and shared equally between all players, usually at the members guest rate.

13. The competition tees (normally white) should be used unless this is not permitted by the host golf club in which case the daily tees (normally yellow) should be used. Where there are two sets of competition tees (ie: blue & white) it is at the discretion of the home side as to which are used, subject to approval from the host club. It is the responsibility of both sides to confirm which tees are to be used prior to the start of the match.

14. If everything is all-square at the completion of the game the match goes into extra holes starting at the first, with strokes being taken as per the scorecard until a winner is determined.

15. If a match has to be abandoned (ie: due to poor light or adverse weather) the round should be restarted from the place it was abandoned at a mutually convenient time but before the closing date.

16. Once a date and time has been agreed and either side cancels the match within 48 hours the opponents may claim the match. If more than 48 hours notice is given the match should be re-arranged at a mutually agreed time. Canceling a match twice results in disqualification.

17. Failure to play a match by the stated date will result in the disqualification of both sides.

18. The winner(s) in each round must notify the organiser by email before the closing date for each round. A confirmation email that the result has been received will be sent within 72 hours with details of your next opponent(s) if they are available.

19. We do not operate a policy where the side returning their result first is more likely to receive home advantage.

20. If a dispute arises and an agreement cannot be reached between opponents the Tournament Organiser should be contacted urgently and his decision will be final. If players fail to comply with the rules of the championship they will face disqualification.

Qualifying rounds...

1. Qualifying rounds will be played between 5th April 2012 and 19th September 2012.

2. The first round will be played on a 'home and away' basis over 36 holes. Therefore golfers are guaranteed at least one round away from their home course.

3. The draw will state who has home advantage in the first leg of the first round.

4. If sudden-death is required in the first round this will take place at the venue of the second leg immediately after the completion of the 36th hole.

5. A random draw will be made for home advantage in subsequent rounds which are to be played over 18 holes.

6. After the draw has been made for home advantage the venue of the match cannot be changed unless both sides mutually agree to do so.

7. Players will be notified of the draw and their opponents in each round by e-mail, unless a SAE is sent to the tournament office. The draw and results will also be published on the official championship website.

8. You must win a maximum of six matches to reach your regional final.

Regional finals...

1. Regional finals will be played at a pre-determined venue on a specified date.

2. Green-fees, breakfast & lunch are included for competitors at each regional final.

3. Regional finalists are responsible for any other expenses, ie: travel & accommodation plus drinks and additional food.

4. In the event that play is not possible on the day of the regional final the Tournament Organiser has the right to settle the competition in any way deemed fit.

5. The Tournament Organiser reserves the right to change the regional final venue at any time without prior notice.

6. The winners at each regional final will qualify for the grand final.

Grand final...

1. The grand final will be held between Sunday 14th October & Thursday 18th October at Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate near Cadiz in Spain.

2. The Tournament Organiser reserves the right to change the grand final venue at any time without prior notice.

3. In the event that play is not possible at any stage of the grand final the Tournament Organiser has the right to settle the competition in any way deemed fit.

4. Grand finalists must hold a current and valid passport. They should also ensure they have the relevant travel insurance for their needs as The Northern Matchplay Golf Championship and their sponsors/partners accept no responsibility for loss or injury etc..

5. Grand Finalists receive return flights from Manchester to Malaga, transfers to & from Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate and four nights villa accommodation. Breakfast, dinner & golf with buggies is also included.

6. Grand finalists are responsible for any other expenses at the grand final including drinks and additional meals.

7. Grand Finalist are responsible for making their travel arrangements to & from Manchester Airport.

8. Should any entrant under the age of 18 years on 14th October 2012 qualify for the grand final they must be accompanied by either their Pairs partner (if aged over 18) or a fee paying guest who must take legal responsibility for them.

9. Additional guests may be able to travel as special rates. These should be arranged in advance with the Tournament Organiser.

10. The championship is approved by The R&A for the payment of expenses - Rule 4-2g RA/4/2012.

Other rules...

1. Distance Measuring Devices (DMD's) are allowed for competitors use. However, please note devices that also measure slope/gradient, temperature, wind-speed etc... are not permitted regardless of whether such an additional function is used. Please see the Rules of Golf 14-3 for further information on this subject.

2. Caddies are permitted unless they are a qualified PGA or LPGA professional.

3. Buggies can be used provided advance permission has been granted by the host golf club.

Your details...

1. We collect e-mail & postal addresses in one of three ways: 

    i. Visitors choose to add their e-mail address to our list via one of the clearly identifiable areas of the site (ie: by entering the championship). 

    ii. By entering our stand alone tournaments. 

    iii. Email correspondence with the championship. 

2. By entering the championship you give permission for your name and contact details to be made available to other competitors, partners, supporters & sponsors of the championship.