KMGA Contingencies for Inclement Weather
Background
After rain interrupted Shootout I, the KMGA board realized we need a policy for handling tournaments impacted by inclement weather. Because our organization strives to follow USGA rules, we asked its recommendation on how to proceed when an event was halted by inclement weather.
The USGA responded that a “stipulated round” is 18 holes unless a smaller number is authorized by the Committee in advance of the Competition. Since we did not authorize a smaller number of holes in advance of the competition, their response was we should “reschedule” and not count any scores or award any prizes as a result of shortening the Shootout.
If we strictly follow their rule, we have a limited number of alternatives. First, rescheduling any tournament that has been halted before it has been completed is an impractical solution for our organization. Secondly, we could stipulate in every tournament Entry Form or Notice to Players that if inclement weather arrives and we have to stop the tournament, some number of holes will constitute a “stipulated round.” However, since we shall never know in advance what that number of holes is, the USGA rules do not allow that procedure. And, USGA rules do not allow any Local Rule to waive a USGA rule, so we cannot add weather cancellation contingencies to the Local Rules sheet.
However, USGA Decision 33-1/1 permits “conditions after competition starts” to be altered “in very exceptional circumstances.” USGA Rule 1-4 reads: "if any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision should be made in accordance with equity."
So, the KMGA will act in accordance with the spirit of Rule1-4 and Decision 33-1/1 by understanding that the constraint of not being able to control the scheduling for golf courses on which we play puts us in “exceptional circumstances.” Therefore, we will establish this policy, so when these exceptional circumstances occur, our decisions will be made “in accordance with equity.”
Policy
A. To facilitate equal competition, every effort will be made in each tournament to place all competitors within a flight as close as possible to each other on the golf course.
B. For the Member-Member, President’s Cup or Club Championship, every effort will be made to reschedule and replay these tournaments. If the first day of a two-day tournament has already been successfully completed, scores from that day will be counted and applied when the second day’s play has been rescheduled. If the tournament cannot be rescheduled, the first day’s scores will be declared to be the final result.
The rescheduling of these tournaments takes precedence over other less important events, such as a Shootout or Season Finale tournament, and a change of schedule may eliminate a less important event.
C. When a cancellation occurs for tournaments other than the Member-Member, President’s Cup, and Club Championship, scores will be judged against the lowest number of holes completed by all players in a flight. This process allows completion of the maximum number of holes by all players in one flight.
While all players will play the same number of holes, they will most likely not all play the same holes. When that happens, their net scores against par for the holes they played will determine the flight winners and runners-up. Their net scores will be determined by applying their handicap strokes according to the stroke-play handicap allocations.
D. Tiebreakers for less than a “stipulated round” of 18 holes will follow the USGA guidelines for a stipulated round of golf:
· If a competition is more than 9 holes but less than 15, ties will be broken by using the last 6 holes first; then the last 3; then the last hole played back to the first hole played.
· If a competition is more than 15 holes but less than 18, ties will be broken by using the last 9 holes first; then the last 6; the last 3, etc.
E. Suspension of play because of dangerous situations:
Each situation will be evaluated individually and will be resolved by discussions between the KMGA officer in charge of the tournament and the Kingsmill professional staff.
Members’ safety is never to be potentially jeopardized by returning to the course prematurely.
For example, if the course has been cleared because of lightning, the decision of whether to return to the course depends upon the weather that day and the time of the day when the interruption occurs.
F. Food and Beverage at KMGA Tournaments:
Kingsmill requires final menu and numbers of guests 72 hours before the event. There may be occasions, such as an approaching hurricane, when the Committee will act three days in advance of the tournament to postpone or cancel an event or cancel the meal following the event.
When the weather forces a last-minute cancellation and 72 hours notice cannot be given to Kingsmill, the players in the tournament will be notified that the meal will be served. Players can then eat the meal for which they have paid.
