Thank you to all the members who have replied to the survey thus far.

There is one misconception I would like to clear up, and that is that, because the Midweek Championships are a Board event, they must be played off the Blue tees.

When this question of the tees first became an issue, I undertook research to determine whether, in terms of the R&A Rules, there is any imperative to play off our ‘championship’ tees.

Fortunately, the R&A website has advice on this matter and the relevant section is quoted below:

‘It is important that the Committee considers how it wishes the course to play during a competition.  Taking into the account the weather forecast, the players involved in the competition and the condition of the course, the Committee must ….set appropriate teeing grounds.’

In order to ensure that I was correct in my interpretation of this, I contacted Golf Australia.  They put me onto Golf Victoria and David Blake, their Golf Services Officer replied as follows:

‘Hi Gavin

Thank you for your email.

The course setup is determined by the match/course committee, and if they decide that the event will be played off the Gold tees, then this is certainly permitted.

There is no Rule/requirement that board events have to be played off the longest tee.

I commend them for not automatically thinking that all board events have to be played off the longest tee, and recommend that they continue with such a setup for this competition.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 Regards

 David Blake

Golf Services Officer’

 

I hope that this clarifies matters.

The feedback so far has been good. Please have your say, particularly if you are likely to play in this tournament.

Gavin Pearce, President

 

 

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