BLUE MAN GROUP (BMG)

About the BLUE MAN GROUP

We are a group of golfers that encourage suggestions about the golf games allowing each member to take a turn in setting up the games.  The following list is a collection of ideas created by the members.

MISSION STATEMENT

·        We are first and foremost a golf group.

·        We take our golf seriously and want to be challenged by the course and by each other.

·        We respect the game, the course and each other.

·        We support and enjoy the camaraderie, friendships and good times with

each other as well as our significant others, both on and off the course.

The Commish

We will rotate the Commish on a monthly basis with a member picking a day of the week..   Here is a checklist for the Commish:

 ·        Review sign-ups on the website and if necessary send emails as to encourage sign-ups or to let members know about upcoming special golf outings or significant changes to normal tee times.

·        Review Weather…if winter time (after Jan 1st) the default tee time request should be for the second wave.

·        Review Aerification Schedules on golfthevillages.com and/or Course Conditions on our BMG Home Page.

·        Request tee time submitting names and ID #’s .   The Commish cannot put in a request that does not include him, so the Commish will have to get one of our playing members to put in the request.

·        Set up foursomes and determine the game.   After the tee time is approved, send email showing the groups, location, games and times. Usually copy/paste from the Villages Tee Time System.

·        Collect the entry fee, scoring, and payout after the round is over.  A recommendation of 1/3 of the field should be paid in every game (as a minimum).

·        Send summary of the play to all BMG Players.

·        Commishes:  See the section on COMMISH TIPS

Commish will be responsible for arranging where and when we will play on each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week.  The where is determined solely by the Commish and might be out of the Villages.    He will also establish the game to be played and how handicaps will be used.  Every effort will be made to level the playing field.   Everyone is encouraged to try to play once the tee times have been requested.  

Tee times will be put in as to the following schedule:

For Monday play---Will put in on the previous Thursday (4PM)

For Wednesday play---Will put in on the previous Saturday (4PM)

For Friday play---Will put in on the previous Monday  (4PM)

So, please have your requests in prior to those “put-in” days.

Tee Times from 12/15 thru May 31st  (BUSY SEASON)

Due to the growth of The Villages especially during the Busy Season, many groups were NOT getting their tee time requests because they have the following problems:

·   Group Average needs to be reviewed for each tee time request.  According to the Tee Time Office on 12/8/17, they said that anything above an average of 2.0 or higher better have a 3 to 4 hour window of time and all the golf courses (during the busy season).   Each commish will need to watch this closely keeping in mind that Non-Priority Members (1=Priority, 2=Priority Guest, 6=Resident, 7=Resident Guest) move the Placement Point AVERAGE up very quickly.   Just because you have 2 players with 4 or 5 points doesn't mean they can't get a tee time...we must calculate the PLACEMENT and RESERVATION point averages.   Generally speaking, those with 4 or more points are in jeopardy of not getting a tee time.    We will do the best we can to get everyone a tee time including guests and non-residents.   Depending on the number of players and points, we may not be able to get those with high points a tee time.   Typically in our group, we see a lot of BMGers with 3 points. 

·  Guests

·  Residents

·        What are the guidelines for guests/residents during the Busy Season?

o     Decision:  It is up to the Commish to decide.  Depends on the rest of the group and point average.   You may be asked to sign up yourself the following EARLY AM.   No favoritism will be allowed.  If multiple BMGer’s have guests and you can only get one guest in, then all guests need to be denied. 

o       What about guests?

§         Decision:  Priority Guests will be accepted.  However, it will be up to the Commish if there are too many that could affect getting a tee time for the rest of the group.  You may be asked to get your own tee time.

What are the guidelines for the Commish on selecting the Time of Play for the group? 

• The BMG decided that primarily we will try to get AM tee times on the best conditioned courses but special exceptions happen from time to time such as the Aerification Process, Weather, and # of Courses available as described below:

  • Aerification can cause periods of time that you only have a few golf courses in DECEIT shape to play.  Usually, we need to allow 3 or more weeks for a course to heal.   Usually in the middle of the 12 course Aerification Process, you only end up with about 5 or 6 courses that are playable.  At this point, the Commish can and should schedule an afternoon round after reviewing the weather (thunderstorms, etc.)     

  • Weather:  So, usually, Dec thru Feb-Mar, the Commish can select afternoon rounds due to the cold weather.   

  • # of COURSES:  It is noted that the number of courses may decrease this summer as The Villages are shutting down 9 holes at the courses for maintenance, thus, we may have to go to afternoon tee times.

• The COMMISH needs to notify everyone via EMAIL prior to requesting a tee time and we should post on the BMG web page (if it is an afternoon tee time.). 

• These Special exemptions are on a temporary time frame basis.   Once the weather and aerification process are completed or changed, then we go back to AM Tee Times.

• It is NOT fair to the rest of the group to NOT get a tee time due one of the reasons listed above, so it is recommended that the Commish perform the following:

·  Submit the request with only Priority Players looking at the AVERAGE for the group.  If over 2.0, you better have a larger time window and all the courses.

·  Leave a spot open for the Guests and Non-Priority Players (if possible)

After getting the tee time, the following needs to happen:

• The Commish needs to notify the Sponsor of the Guest and Non-Priority Players and inform them the Course, 9 Hole Starting Course, and Tee Time.

• Then, they can use the Golf Tee Time Software or the Phone Tee Time System to insert themselves into that tee time.   You need to insert them quickly otherwise the tee time may be gone.   The Commish can add a guest for themselves in the OPEN spot, and then use the Substitute feature to put the Village ID golfer in the tee time.

Cancelling the game

We realize there may be extenuating circumstances causing you to cancel, but understand there is a lot of work going into setting up games (team events), so again, please do not cancel unless it is a situation you just cannot avoid.     Tee times are obtained 3 days prior to the day of play.   If you cancel prior to the day of play, then you will be assessed 2 cancellation points.  If you cancel on the day of play, then you will be assessed 3 cancellation points.  If you elect to play the next time we try to get a tee time, it can affect our priority if your PLAY points are too large…like 5 or 6 points.   If you cancel and a team game has been created, you affect the fairness of the team that was created based on handicaps.  Everyone totally understands reasons why people cancel.  Just recognize that you have agreed to play with the group and need to honor that commitment.

TEE Boxes

We are a Blue Tee Group.  However, we realize that as we get older that there may be a need to move to the White Tees.   If a blue tee player wants to move to the white tees, he must send an email to everyone NOTIFYING us that he is moving to the white tees.  This will be a permanent move for at least 90 days.   Guideline changed 3/10/2021 at Seabreeze Rec Center.

If you are injured, you should not play in the game.  If you are injured, you are welcome to play any tee you wish since you are not in the game.

Gambling

Finally, the dollar limit for the day is about $15.  The Commish will handle all of the money.  Again, whether or not a skin game is to be played is up to the Commish.   The gambling amount will be collected before you tee off on #1.  Please give your $15 to the lowest handicap golfer or someone in the group.  That golfer will turn in the total amount and scorecards to the Commish at the end of the round.   If you quit during a round without the commissioner calling the game, you are obligated to pay the entry fee for the day.

Rain 

Since playing in the rain and/or lightning is a personal decision, we need to respect both sides...some want to leave and some want to stay (probably bc they are having a great round).

According to Ron, the rule for a refund is that one person from the foursome can get a refund for the foursome, however, some courses allow the Commish to get the refund for the entire group.  

If sprinkling, we hope you will play on.   In many cases we have afternoon 15 to 30 minutes rain showers...just pull over and wait it out.  Check your weather app.

Check radar.

If you decide to leave, then notify your foursome.    Go to the clubhouse and get your rain check for you or your whole foursome if they are bailing also.

If you aren't sure and really want to continue, then wait on the course for 15 to 20 minutes.  It usually clears up quickly.   If you leave the course, there is a good chance you won't get back on at the same hole you left.   There may be groups behind you that are still playing and the course mgmt won't allow you slow down play or insert you on that hole.   (this happened to us last Saturday)

Depending on how many guys leave, the commish will need to decide a NO GAME or a different game.

Communication

The BMG Web page will be used for signing up for the days of play.   Email will be used to communicate with BMG Members about the games. 

OUT of TOWN TRIPS

Pay the Driver $5 for each trip.

Games

As Commish, you get to decide what format for the game to be played each time.  If you decide on a team game, you stand a risk of someone cancelling.  This more than likely will change the groups that you have formatted by their handicap and the groups will be unfair.  So, you need to change the game or move some people around.

COMMISH JINX:   Don't send out the GAME until the night before.    It seems to bring cancellations.

1)     Change the game……you can quickly change to a LOW NET GAME or just a SKIN GAME or any other game that fits the situation.

2)     Change the groups.  If you move people, then you can only make the changes at the course on the Day of Play.   You will also need to send an email to the group indicating that your email contains the correct grouping.

·        Or do nothing and let the boys question your team selections.  Remember our mission statement, “We take our golf seriously and want to be challenged by the course and by each other.”

Most of the time, the 30’s or 40’s game is good because if someone cancels from a foursome, you still have a threesome that can get 15 scores per nine vs 20 per nine.  But, once again, you need to look at fairness within the groupings.   If you just lost your “A” golfer, you have a problem HOUSTON.  The Country Clubs have no problem moving guys around with the groups on the day of play.  Just be courteous and arrive early to get them changed before everyone shows up.   COMMISH:  Do NOT use VILLAGES.NET to move people around...if you do, you could add many pts to the bmg member.   Show up early at the pro shop on the day of play and make the changes.

Gimme Putts

You must now putt everything out..no rake jobs, no gimmies, etc. - Unanimous vote.  Continuous putting is recommended.

KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU.  BE READY FOR YOUR SHOT.

Special Rules

o        BUNKERS:    Ball comes to rest in an unraked footprint or unraked animal footprint or OBVIOUS rake mark - Rake and PLACE. 

o        ROOTS – Take nearest relief.  We don't need anyone getting hurt trying to hit a shot near a root - again, consult your fellow competitors in your group.

Hole-In-One (including guests)

The players playing that day will honor the Hole-in-One Player with lunch plus 2 drinks.

A medallion will also be purchased by the BMG and presented to the player/guest at a later date.

Costs (lunch, drinks, medallion) will be paid by the BMG players that are playing that day.

The Medallion Procurement Officer will be Jon Piskos (The Pope).  Estimated Cost is $20.

Example.

8 players

Lunch and drinks = $20

Medallion             = $20

Total                        $40 / 7 players = $6.00

Handicap Integrity

We are reminded to always post our scores on the GHIN system according to guidelines established by the USGA.  If a member fails or forgets to post those scores, our handicap chairman will remind them to do so.    The maximum handicap that will be considered is 18.   Remember, post the ESC score (this is based on net double bogey but remember double bogey plus stroke on your handicap holes.)

FSGA Events

We are interested in playing in some of the FSGA events.  Everyone is encouraged to go to the FSGA website and sign up.  It is free if you are on the GHIN system, which all of us are.  The Pope will review the schedule and make recommendations as to which ones might be of interest to the group.  If he sends out an email, please respond immediately if you are interested in playing. 

Size of Group/New Member Guidelines

1. ALL ARE WELCOME TO PLAY WITH OUR GROUP.  HOWEVER, MEMBERSHIP WILL BE LIMITED TO THOSE PLAYERS WHO PARTICIPATE BY PLAYING AT LEAST ON A MONTHLY BASIS WHEN IN THE AREA. (exception - medical)

2.  Must reside in the Villages at least 6 months out of each calendar year.

3.  Must maintain a GHIN handicap.

4.  Must be at least a 14 handicap from the blue tees.  Existing members exempt.

5.  Must be on a guest status for at least 2 months.  Why 2 months?  

     a. To assess compatibility on both sides.  

     b. To assess participation.

     c. By waiting 2 months, most likely the guest will decide to move on if they are not comfortable with our group.  It is unlikely that an actual vote of all members would be required.  But if required, all members will vote on a prospective member.

     d.  The BMG prospective member will be given Web Page Access to make tee times after playing three (3) times with the group.   They need to sign up with their sponsor the first three times.

6. Must be a priority golf member.

7. A member who chooses not to participate can either elect to drop his membership completely or revert to an inactive status. Inactive members and guests may still play at their discretion but members will have priority when tee times are limited.

8. Members are encouraged to invite others to participate as guests.     

Weather

As to situations with the weather, the Commish will decide whether or not to play.  In most cases, if you are signed up, please go to the course.  You are encouraged if the weather is iffy to check your email or your text messages prior to leaving your home.  The Commish may elect to call but that is totally up to the Commish.  A few guidelines currently being used are if the temperature is going to be in the 60’s for a high, afternoon tee times will be considered.  Also, if the high for the day is going to be under 50, we may cancel play that day.

Voting on Issues

Whenever possible if a vote of the members is needed, such vote will be done by email.  Of course, as the Pirates say, any member can say “parlay” and a meeting will be scheduled.  If/When a vote needs to take place, 75 percent of the Total # of Members is needed for a majority.  Those that do NOT vote will be counted as a YES.   When replying to a VOTE, it should go to everyone.  We also should add a timeframe to the vote.  When a BMG member recommends a new member, we think it is important to let everyone have a say about any concerns they may have.  Those concerns, if any, need to be addressed by the sponsor to determine if the concern can be resolved.  No new member should be accepted until any issues are resolved.   Any new member may come playing from the White or Blue Tees.

 GOLF TEE TIME WEB Pages

Groupgolfer.com

USING USGA Handicap Calculator

1)  Get the slope for your course as follows:

      go to golfthevillages.com

      click on championship

      click on your course

      click on Course/Slope Rating and PAR

      find your NINES and tee boxes.

2)  go to USGA Course Handicap  ----    https://www.usga.org/course-handicap-calculator.html

      Key in the index, Course Rating, Slope, and Par

      click on Calculate

      This only calcuates one WHS handicap for one golfer.   Recommend that you use the USGA GHIN app on your phone.

3)   go to your PLAY Store on your Phone

      Select USGA GHIN and load it.

4)  Load the BMG group using the Golfer Lookup option at the bottom line on the app.

           a)  When you find the player, press on the STAR to highlight that golfer...it will add them to your golfer list.

5)  To find the World Course Handicap for all players in your list, press the Course Handicap Calculator from the HOME Screen.

      a)  You can enter the course name (The Villages Cane) or you press the RECENTLY Played.....it will show your recently played (duhhhh).   I don't see any courses listed in my NEARBY feature.

      b)  Your name will be the first one on the list.  You can pick the tee and it will change all golfers to that tee box.  Then, you go down and find the players that are playing a different tee box . ..press the down arrow and pick the tee box for JUST THAT GOLFER.

     c)  You will see the Select Golfer phrase on the bottom of the screen.....press that and pick from your GOLFER list that you built in STEP 1.  Press on the "+" icon beside each player.    You can select multiple players.   Then, press ADD Golfers.  It will return you to the Course Handicap screen with all players playing your tee box.  Remember, to go change those players that are playing from a different tee box. 

6)  If you don't have a smart phone or want to use the GHIN MOBILE app, you can go to www.ghin.com and perform the same process as the PHONE APP.

 Recommendations A,B,C,D formatting for Team Games

There is no right way or wrong way to forming the groups but the object is to get the Total Handicap of the groups as close as possible.

One pro (Steve at Lopez) says he likes to put the lowest handicapper with the highest two handicappers in the group.  He has indicated that with his years of forming groups, it appears that the game ends up being very fair.

If you have 16 golfers (4 groups) with a range of handicaps from 2 to 18, some pros like to:

·        Use Team 1 Player #1 with #16 and #2 group with #15 and #3 group with #14 and #4 group with #13

·         then #4 group with #5, #3 group with #6, #2 group with #7, #1 group with #8

·        Then massage the rest of the teams with the remaining players getting the team total handicaps as close as possible.

Commissioners for the ONLINE TEE TIME SYSTEM

The following list can assist you in entering tee times:                   

·        Mike Rhoades                         Don Burtchette                   David Hall                          

·      Eric Truax                                    Paul Burke                     Paul Herzog

·      Fred Gist                             Renzo Ganassini               Phillip Rathburn

·        Vinnie Abbott                      Jim Dunmyer    Chuck Kranz

 Checklist:

’       Send signup e-mails indicating the cut-off signup date and time.

’       Set up foursomes and determine the game using latest handicap indexes with USGA Handicap Calculator (uses SLOPE, INDEX, PAR

 to calc your handicap for the golf course being played).

’       Review Weather…if Highs in 60’s, set up for afternoon wave.

’       Review Aerification  Schedules (Use 3 week as cushion).  If during Aerification Process, the Commish may schedule afternoon golf because there isn't enough tee times available in the AM and as a rule the BMGers want to play on good greens.     Review Course Conditions Web Page.

’       Request tee time submitting names and ID #’s on the SUBMIT by DATE and TIME.   Make sure you put a large window of time during the busy season..minimum is 2 hours.   Calc the points and make sure you are 2.0 or lower..this increases your chances of getting a tee time.  If someone has 4 or more, then you may have to leave them off or use another member id (then substitute after you get the tee time).   Make sure you put most of the courses during the busy season.   RECOMMEND USING COURSE VS TIME on the tee time request.   COURSE VS TIME SELECTION.

COURSE

If you list say 10 courses for a tee time at 9AM....the system WILL start with your first course and keep trying to get you a tee time at 9AM, 9:08, 9:16, etc...then go to 2nd course.

TIME

If you list say 10 courses for a tee at 9AM...the system will look at first course at 9AM.....if booked, then it moves to the 2nd COURSE and check 9AM, if booked, then onto the 3rd course, etc.

So,  recommend COURSE....which I believe is the default.

’       After the tee time is approved, send email showing the groups, location, game, and times. Usually copy/paste from the Villages Tee Time System.

’       Collect the entry fee, scoring, and payout after the round is over

’       Send summary of the play to all.

Notes:

·        Weather – Commish decides to cancel or play.  Call the course and cancel the entire group.  Send texts, emails, or call.

·        Late Signups:  Commish can cut off additional signups if request has already been made.

·        If any situation comes up during play or otherwise, the acting Commish will make the final decision.

COMMISH TIPS

These are tips to help you get a tee time for the group especially during THE BUSY SEASON.

MORE PEOPLE are moving in, thereby, making it harder and harder to get tee times.   This basically comes down to how much risk the Commish wants to take because the Tee Time Office doesn’t like Commishes that GAME the system.   DO NOT USE GHOSTS...IF YOU GET CAUGHT, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR GOLFING PRIVILEGES FOR A MONTH OR LONGER.     There are alternatives and this is the Commishes determination.   

1)    All Tee Time Requests with NO Residents (non-priority) and NO Guests will be processed before your tee time request is even considered.

2)    Your goal should be to get the POINTS to an AVERAGE of 2 POINTS9R LOWER for the group by looking for HIGH POINTS, RESIDENTS, and GUESTS. 

a)    The Average 2.0 is movable…it just comes down to what risk you are willing to accept…will 2.5 or 3.0 get you a tee time…MAYBE…depends on how many courses and how big your time window is.  The larger number in both criteria makes a better chance that you will get a tee time (MAYBE).

b)    Look for Golfers that have 4 or MORE POINTS, Guests, or Residents…leave a spot open for them but do NOT put them in the REQUEST.   Submit the request, and get your tee time.

a.    EMAIL/TEXT them so they can add themselves in.  Let those members know they have been left off the request so they can prepare for adding themselves the next day.  Confirm that they got in.  If they don’t have the Tee Time System, they can always use the Phone System to add themselves to that tee time.

OR

b.    Leave a guy out who has high Points, Resident,  Guests

Leave a spot open in the tee time request

Then, you get a tee time over night.

Then, the commish goes in and adds a guest under the Commish ID.

Then, substitute in the High Points Guy, Resident, or Guest.

c)    Make a copy (use COPY/PASTE) of the request as you may need it the following day to figure why you got denied.

3)     The TEE TIME OFFICE will always tell you:

a.     to get a GROUP AVERAGE of 2 or less points.   That is a movable number…will 2.3 work…sure…will 2.5 work…..yeh but not as good as 2.3 or 2.0.   Just need to open up the time window and # of courses.

b.    List ALL the courses

c.    OPEN THE TIME WINDOW for at least 3 hours.  This will pick up courses that use WAVE and OPEN tee times.

                                          i.    Make sure you review the courses that use a WAVE or Tee TIME, For example, you want to play around 9AM on a WAVE Course, use 0856….it opens more chance of getting tee times.

                                        ii.    Also, be aware of the 27 hole courses that have 9 holes closed for maintenance.

\When to call the TEE Time office. 

   If your request is denied, call the office and ask why?

When to make changes at the course.

   If you have to move golfers from one foursome to another for the competition, arrive a little early and the pro shop will make the change for you.

ITEMS TO BE  INCLUDED IN YOUR GAME EMAIL:

1)   Type of Game:    Individual or Team Quota Points or Net Scores, 6-6-6, ALL 18 or 9 Holes

2)   Entry Fee (usually $15)

3)   Max Score (usually NET DOUBLE BOGEY)

4)  Weather

5)   PUTT ALL PUTTS IN  (if it counts)

6)  Where do we meet?

7)  PRIZE MONEY payouts  (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)

8 ) CTP's  (blue or white tees on Front/Back 9)

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN YOUR GAME SUMMARY:

1)  Game;  Who won, etc.   How much did they win?

2)  Where played

3)  Anything funny happen or great score

4)   CTP's...Hole and who won

5)  Individual Scores (Handicap Chair uses this to ensure you POST YOUR SCORES

6)  Course Condition