CONTAINS COMPETITION PROCEDURES & SPECIAL COURSE RULES

 Updated 4/15/2021

General. The Golden Boys’ organization is for senior golfers who play at Pebble Creek Golf Club, 55 years or older. They participate in competition every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with various formats.  The Golden Boys also conduct annually a member-guest tournament, a medal play championship, a Ryder Cup style event, member-member event, and a match play championship. In addition, the Golden Boys participate in several interclub tournaments with seniors from other clubs.  We also have an active social schedule which includes a Christmas party and dine arounds at restaurants in the area.

Communication.  The Golden Boys maintain a dedicated bulletin board at the golf course to pass on important information such as handicaps and tournament announcements. Also maintained is a website at: www.goldenboysofpebblecreek.com, which is updated regularly.  No personal or commercial solicitations are allowed on the bulletin board or website except for recognition of donors to the Member Guest Tournament.

Ace Club. The Treasurer will manage a hole-in-one (ACE) reward program for holes-in-one scored during Golden Boys events at Pebble Creek. Payout is $75 which may be used to defray the expense for beverages after the round. A portion of the annual dues, amount determined by the committees, will be used to fund the ACE reward program.  

Sign-Up. To play on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, Golden Boys use the signup sheet in the Golden Boys folder on the pro shop counter or call the pro shop preferably by 4 PM on the day prior to play and definitely not later than 30 minutes before play begins. The club requires an accurate number of Golden Boys’ golfers so tee times can be reserved.  The list is also used to make up teams for play. Anyone signed up for play who decides not to play should notify the pro shop at least one hour before tee time. Players not on the sign-up sheet and showing up after pairings have been made may be assigned as fill-ins for incomplete groupings, but may not be able to compete on that day.  Groups of five are not permitted during Golden Boys’ competition.

Monthly Captains. Each month the volunteer captains select games to be played each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  The captains work with the pro shop staff and/or the Information and Technology (IT) Committee to set up pairings and scorecards for Wednesday games. The Wednesday pairings should have approximately the same aggregate handicap.  The captains also arrange Monday and Friday pairings using playing cards to form teams. Each player draws a card to assist captains in assigning teams – aces play as a team, two’s play together, etc. The captains also collect $3.00 for prize money in advance from each competitor. Those selected to act as a blind competitor pay an additional $3 before the round begins. As groups complete the competition round, the designated captains will gather and check completed scorecards, determine and announce the winners, and distribute prize money. Payout formula based on number of competitors is printed on the reverse of the team assignment sheet. The captains’ notebook containing Golden Boys rules and procedures is maintained in the pro shop.

Guests.  Handicaps for guests who participate in Monday-Wednesday-Friday will be determined using the guest’s GHIN handicap index. If time does not permit a computer determination for a Pebble Creek handicap based on the guest’s index, a captain for that day’s play will estimate a handicap based on the guest’s index compared to a similar, Golden Boy index. Unless waived by the Tournaments Committee, guest participation is limited to three times in a calendar year.   

Shotgun Starts. Monday-Wednesday-Friday games shotgun start at 9 AM during the warmer seasons (generally in line with daylight savings time) and 10 AM during the colder months.  The Board will publicize in advance when shotgun starts change between 9 and 10 AM.

Tee Options.  Golden Boy competition on Monday, Wednesday and Friday basically is played from black tees.  White tees are available at the individual players’ discretion, with appropriate handicap adjustment.  Members 75-years-old or older may play from the red tees, also with appropriate handicap adjustment. Other members who have physical impairments which warrant special consideration may play from the red tees with Board approval. Appropriate handicaps must be used and players must play the entire round from the tees chosen that day. For black and white tees, strokes are awarded based on the men’s hole rank order listed on the score card. For red tees, strokes are awarded based on the women’s red tee per-hole rankings listed on the score card.

Additional Competition.  At the discretion of the monthly captains in charge on each day, an additional monetary competition may be held in conjunction with regular M-W-F team/individual competition.  The captains may choose to have no additional competition such as (1) gross birdie pool, a (2) net eagle pool, a (3) closest to the pin shot or (4) other competitions approved by the Golf Chairman.  The price of entry for any of these will not exceed $2 per person.  If any type of scramble is played, the birdie/eagle games cannot be played.

Strokes.  The maximum handicap strokes per round allowed for net play is 36.  Note: When the tees have been moved forward on #18 Linkside due to a wet fairway left of the creek, players will add one stroke to their scores when posting.

Incomplete Play.  On regular Monday, Wednesday or Friday competition, when one or more players decides to quit because of weather or some other reason, the following procedures apply for distribution of prize money.  Basic rule is that at least 50% of the groups must finish either the front nine or all 18 holes for any payout.  If at least the front nine holes are played by half of the groups that started, and the majority of groups drop out before completing all 18 holes, the competition will be based only on the front nine scores. If there is an extra individual competition (gross birdie, net eagle or nearest the pin pool), the winners will be based on those nine holes only. If the majority of players drop out before the front nine holes are completed by all, money will be returned to players, including extra individual competition pool money.  If the majority of groups finish but one or more individuals in those finishing groups drops out, a random selection of blind(s) of comparable handicap will be chosen to make up the uncompleted holes for groups who lose a player(s).  A person randomly selected as blind for this purpose will not be eligible to share in prize money if that group wins. Example 1:  If ten groups start and only five finish all 18 holes, then five groups will comprise the pool of possible winners, and distribution will be based on ten teams rather than five.  Players who dropped out will not be included in determining extra individual pool payout such as gross birdie, net eagle or nearest the pin competition.  Example 2:  All money will be returned to the players if ten groups start and only four teams finish the front nine.

Interclub Selection Procedures.

The Golf Chairman will post on the pavilion bulletin board a signup sheet approximately three weeks prior to each interclub event. The sheet will list the interclub date, deadline, and entry fee. Similar instructions will be emailed to the membership. In the event a quota is exceeded, alternates will be prioritized in the order as they posted their names on the sheet. If the quota is not met, The Golf Committee Chairman will open the interclub outing to other players age 55 or older with a valid GHIN handicap index. If a member on an interclub signup sheet has not paid the participation fee by the deadline, the Golf Committee Chairman may substitute an alternate in his place.

Requirement for participation in Golden Boys Championship, Ryder/President’s Cups, and Match Play Tournaments.

Participation preference will be given to Golden Boys who have played in at least 10 Monday, Wednesday, or Friday rounds of golf in the current calendar year. New members or active members who were sick, sidelined due to injury, worked fulltime or winter residents elsewhere have equal eligibility as active members who earned participation preferences. The tournament committees may consider Golden Boys who do not otherwise meet the 10 round criterion to increase tournament participation.      

GOLDEN BOYS STANDARD GAMES. The standard games list includes games that historically have been well received by the membership. Captains may schedule games not included on this list with Golf Chairman approval.   

 2-Man Teams (flights by handicaps).

 2 Man Net Better Ball

 2 Man Net Better Ball – Birdies never die.

4-Man Teams

 4 Man Par Quota (a player’s quota is 30, minus his handicap, and there is a minimum quota of six strokes)       Par quota scoring points are 1 point for a gross bogey, 2 for a gross par, 4 for a gross birdie, 6 for a gross eagle.           4 Man 2 Best Balls.                                                                                                                                                   4 Man 2 Best Net Balls – birdies never die.

3-Man Teams. When attendance is low, Captains may opt to reduce the 4-man teams scheduled for that day to 3-man teams, especially if no blinds are needed. Recommended games for 3-man teams is one best ball, birdies never die and par quota. 

Selective holes play.  Holes #1-6, one or two best balls net, captains determination, Holes #7-12, three best balls net; holes #13-18, one or two best balls net, whichever the captains did not choose for holes #1-6.

 Selective par play. Par 3 holes – three best balls net;  par 4 holes – two best balls net;  par 5 holes – one best ball net.        

Texas Scrambles. Captains should try to make the teams as evenly matched by handicap as possible, taking care to make sure each team has one player who can drive the ball long.  Each team member may be required to hit two drive(s) on the front nine and back nine. All players will hit a second shot and subsequent shots. No standing aside.  Do not post scores.  Full scrambles are not recommended.

Selective color tees. Red tees on par 5, black tees on par 4, and white tees on par 3. Black tee handicaps will be used.   Do not post scores.  

 SCHEDULING AND SCORES

Scheduling. Captains should schedule 4-man teams in order to minimize the distances traveled for shotgun starts. Captains will submit their list of proposed games for the month to the Golf Chairman for approval at least five days prior to the affected month. Captains should consider using the pro-shop computer to equitably distribute handicaps for scramble, birdies never die, and par quota games. Wednesday’s are recommended for computer assisted play.

Scores. Each player will ensure scores on each hole conforms to the USGA approved maximums (Equity Stroke Control).  Here are the maximums by handicap for any hole, including par 3’s: handicap 9 or less – a double bogie maximum; handicap 10 through 19 – a maximum of 7; handicap 20 through 29 – a maximum of 8; handicap 30 through 36 – maximum of 9. 

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY RULES OF PLAY

(Applicable for Monday, Wednesday & Friday Competition and other events as specified by the Golden Boys Golf Committee.)

General:  USGA rules of golf will apply with exceptions listed below which recognize the usual condition of the three Pebble Creek courses and also consider the ages of our senior players and their safety during play.

Definitions:

Penalty Areas.

Penalty areas are bodies of water or other areas defined by the committee in which a ball may be lost or unable to be played.  Penalty areas are outlined with either red or yellow stakes or red or yellow ground markings. With one penalty stroke, specific relief options defined by USGA Rules of Golf may be applied to play a ball after removal from the penalty area. This may be a drop area outlined by a white marked ground circle. 

Unplayable ball.

The player is the only person who may decide to declare a ball unplayable. Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course except in a penalty area.  A one stroke penalty is required when taking relief from an unplayable lie.

Special Relief

1. Ball movement in fairway: A ball at rest in the fairway of the hole being played, may be lifted, cleaned and placed within one club length not nearer the hole.  This includes the immediate area around greens.
2. Embedded balls: Through the green except in hazards, a ball embedded in its own pitch mark may be lifted, cleaned and dropped no nearer the hole.
3. Yardage bushes: A ball coming to rest near a bush used as a yardage marker that cannot be addressed with a clear swing may be moved just far enough to allow a swing but no closer to the hole.
4. Rocks and Roots: Through the green if a ball lands near a rock or root such that a swing is impeded or may strike a rock or root, the ball may be moved to nearest point of relief no closer to the hole.
5. Cart path relief: In addition to USGA relief from cart paths without penalty, bare areas immediately adjacent to cart paths are considered part of the cart path.  Relief must be taken on the side of the cart path nearest where the ball comes to rest.
6. Leaf Rule: When leaves cover non-penalty areas of the course and balls enter and cannot be found, these areas will be considered ground under repair.  Ball may be dropped at point of entry and played with no penalty.
7. Mulligans: A mulligan may be used only on the first tee played. The mulligan drive must be used.  However, if a player is unsure if his ball entered a penalty area or is out of bounds on his first drive, he may hit a “provisional” mulligan but must use the first drive if it is not in a penalty area.
8. Moving balls in and around bunkers: Balls resting in bunkers with steep mounds may be moved up to one club length and placed in a freshly raked area of the bunker.  For safety purposes, balls resting on the grassy slopes of the steep mounds may be moved to the nearest point of relief in an area of rough no closer to the hole.
9. Creekside #9 berm: A ball coming to rest on the lateral berm on hole nine fairway may be moved onto the fairway no closer to the hole without penalty.
10. Balls on greens farther than six inches from the hole must be putted out. Scorekeepers (or other players if it is the scorekeeper’s ball) will enforce this rule and be the judge of ball distance requiring a putt.
11. Out of bounds shots: A ball which either goes out of bounds or is clearly lost in a penalty area may be dropped within two club lengths of the point it went out of bounds or is the best guess as to where it was lost, no nearer the hole, with a 1 stroke penalty.
12. Balls lost in fairways: When players agree that a ball was hit into a fairway but cannot be found, a ball will be dropped at the spot where it most likely should have landed and played from there with no penalty.

Special Conditions – Linkside

1. A tee shot coming to rest in or left of the creek on the left side on number 1 fairway shall be deemed to be in the penalty area. This penalty area has only one boundary. You may use the drop circle as an additional option (one stroke penalty). Note: The creek is no longer considered as left of the fairway where it turns into the fairway.
2. A ball coming to rest in the tunnel left of number 2 green and not beyond the out-of-bounds mark shall be treated as ground under repair.
3. Wooded areas shall be played as a lateral penalty area. The boundaries, if not otherwise clearly marked, are the outer edges of the mown rough.

Special Conditions – Creekside

1. On numbers 7 & 8, drop areas are located short of and to the left of the greens.
2. On number 9 Creekside the berm is considered ground under repair. Players may seek relief no nearer to the hole.

Special Conditions – Berkshire

1. On numbers 1 & 9 (formerly 10 & 18), the street curbing on the right side of each hole is the out-of-bounds marker. Any ball coming to rest beyond the street curbing on the hole being played is out-of-bounds. The cable fences on these holes are immovable obstructions.
2. On number 8 (formerly 17), if drop circles are marked on both left & right at the front of the green. You MUST use the one on the side you entered the penalty area as an additional option to USGA Rule 26 (one stroke penalty).

No Relief/Common Rules Violations

1. Balls within penalty areas: Balls within penalty areas such as the bank near water on Holes 7 & 8 Creekside and Hole 5 (formerly 14) Linkside, must be played as they lie or moved to a drop area with one stroke penalty.
2. Balls coming to rest on greens must be marked before they are lifted for cleaning and replacement.
3. Water hazards on Hole 4 Linkside: Balls hit into the stream from fairway on this hole must be dropped on a line where it entered with one stroke penalty.  Balls entering the greenside lake must be dropped on a line of entry with one stroke penalty.
4. Unusual rough relief: Except for rock, root and other special rules above, balls in rough may not be moved and must be addressed where they lie unless the golf captain declares this may be done if he deems the condition of the course requires it.
5. Hole 7 Creekside rough: No relief is allowed from the repaired area behind this green that extends into the green.  Balls landing there must be played from this rough area.