Match Play Event Guide
Updated for 2023 Season
Summary
This is a knock-out competition using Match Play scoring as defined by the Golf Canada which mandates use of 100% handicap difference.
All players are entered automatically unless they decline through the dashboard or asking a Committee member to decline on their behalf.
The 'bracket' will be populated by seeding the event based on each player's handicap factor after play on Week4 (which is 24th May in 2023). If a player did not have a Gaffers Handicap after Week4 they will be given 99.9, but this is only used for seeding.
As with most seeding systems the lowest numbered seed not already drawn, is set to play against the highest numbered seed not already drawn. So there will, in many cases, be several strokes given as it is 100% of the difference in playing handicaps on the day of the match.
It is a bracket that allows up to 64 players (32 for the Consolation event), so the lowest numbered seeds will get 'byes' into the second round.
The booking co-ordinator will schedule opposing players into the same foursome.
Players ensure that their group scorer is aware of and enters the results (unless it is a tie that day).
If a match is played other than during a Gaffers League round, then they must report any result to Rick via email.
There is a consolation event for players who do not win their first match. Entry is again automatic, though it can be declined.
Reported results will be shown on the website and a copy of the resulting bracket will be posted on the noticeboard
The website also shows a list of 'Pending Matches' that includes the both the main and consolation events
General
This is a knock out, head-to-head competition through the season. Those who lose in their first match in either of rounds 1 or 2, may participate in a Consolidation Event also in Match Play format.
Although the Consolation Event is a non-prize event it will allow at least a second match per player. If a player withdraws before playing their first match in the main event, they are not eligible for the Consolation event.
A player cannot be in both the Main Event and the Consolation Event at the same time. So if there are delays in playing the Main Event first two rounds, a player may not be eligible to play in the Consolation Event even though they do not win a Main Event Match.
Unless specifically stated, all information below applies to both competitions.
All matches that are played as part of the Wednesday league rounds will be booked by the booking Coordinator (Rob Worsnop).
Each year a schedule will be published showing the dates by which rounds should be completed and which Gaffers week results are used to determine the handicap factor used in seeding the brackets.
A description of the event is available on the downloads page. In addition, the data used for the draw is also available on the downloads page (MatchPlayDraw) with Players, their handicap factors at the time of the draw and the seeding map of first round matches.
Playing a Match and determining its winner
Match Play scoring is on a hole-by-hole basis where the winner of a hole is the player whose score is the lower of the participants taking into account any stroke allowances available to one of the competitors in a match. Stroke allowances are based on the difference in the two players' handicaps and allocated to specific holes based on the hole's Stroke Index (or Hole Handicap).
Each week an updated Pending Matches Sheet (click the title to open it) will be posted on the website based on the previous Wednesday's play. It will show all pending matches for all rounds and indicates the latest handicaps for each player and the holes on which a stroke must be allowed.
The report shows the dates beween which the allowances apply. This is because a change to a player's handicap can occur as the result of any week's play and affects the stroke allowances.
If for some reason the pairings have not been updated (in case a match did not yet get recorded in the scoring system) the match may not show up as a Pending Match, and the two players will be shown elsewhere (their previous matches will not appear to have been completed). Note the handicaps for the two players in their earlier matches and click Handicap matrix to take you to the page that will define on what holes strokes should be allowed.
The winner of the match is the player with the most holes won for the round.
The online scoring system will be used to record "Match wins". The scorer (for the foursome) will be provided a box to select Match Wins when two or four players in the group for which they are entering scores have a match pending, so make sure that the scorer for the group is aware of any result.
The scoring system does not check the scores nor validate the winner, it only takes note of the winner declared by the scorer.
If you do not play the Match in a regular Gaffers league round, or if the pending match was not shown for some reason, then please alert Rick Lugg as your group scorer WILL NOT be able to enter a win.
Guidelines
Players participating in a match need to play in the same group (e.g. foursome) so adjustments to their regular foursomes or tee times may be needed. The Booking Coordinator will make the appropriate bookings.
Only the current Gaffers handicap factors are to be used and they will be used to generate the Playing Handicap for the tees each player uses.
Players decide between themselves how a tie should be resolved. There are various options and it may be advisable to decide prior to starting the round.
eg: keep playing, play another day, flip a coin, retrogression etc.
If their decision includes additional play then handicaps continue to apply, as though starting a new round.
A winner of any match must be declared by the deadline for the round in order to allow the Match Play Contest to proceed.
Players participating in Match Play during a regular Wednesday Gaffers league day, are to “putt out” all holes even if they have been conceded. Once the shot or hole is conceded it defines the Match Play result for the hole. However, players should continue to putt so the actual strokes taken may be entered on the scorecard for use in the other league programs.
If a player 'picks up' (ending their play on the hole) they concede that hole. It is understood that in some unlikely conditions players may take more than the maximum shots (10) that is the League maximum.
Matches may be played on any day. Also, matches may be played at any course, as long as both players agree to the venue and to the holes on which strokes will be given. You may need to contact Rick to get a current Gaffers Handicap Factor in order to calculate handicaps for another course. In the absence of an agreement to play at another course, the Championship18 is to be used.
Enrolment
All players will be enrolled automatically for the event and with the addition of a consolation round, will have an opportunity to play at least two matches.
Should a player wish to withdraw they may use their Dashboard access to indicate that they decline to play. The Dashboard will allow them to indicate whether they do not wish to participate in the Consolation Match Play.
Alternatively they should contact any Committee member who can update the player's Dashboard for them.
Status
The website is the official record for Matches played and the latest bracket status, so it is important to get the results entered as soon as possible after play unless it is being recorded as part of a regular Gaffers week.
If you play at another time or place, please email Rick Lugg (rick@lugg.ca) with the names of the players, the date, course played and the name of the winner. Only when a result is entered either by the weekly scorer or an email, will the bracket get updated.
The official bracket status can be seen by clicking Match Play Status
The Consolation Match Play event status will also be available on the website.
Prizes
Prize money will be assigned at year end for the four semi-finalists of the main event. There is no prize money for the Consolidation Match Play event.