Yep, it’s that time of the week – get yourself organised and if you haven’t registered yet, do so here now!! Remember gents, nominate your preferred tee box – blue or white – in the comments box. This week is free choice! To cope with the administrative burden, we have two former Presidents working the desk this week, so that’s covered!! And, just to reinforce to those who care, Low Gross will be the lowest score regardless of tee box. And now for some housekeeping…….

Tee Set Matchplay – the Ric Wymer Trophy!

With two time winner, David (Bags) Baglivo now Supremo, registrations are now open here!!!! Bags’ email for any queries is davidbaglivo@gmail.com. The rules and history of the competition are all described here. One time competition entry fee, payable on Sunday before you play, is 100k. Closing date for registrations is 31 January, so get in quick.

Tee Set Eclectic, Tee Boxes and Tee Set Schedule

All of these issues connect, so here we go.

First, the 2020 electic ended up in a tie. As we had no tie break rules then, we decided to hold a play off between those four players who tied at the next round at Cengkareng on January 31. In the pressure cooker they all go: Juju, Craig, Jude and Arnold. At the end of the day, there will be one winner – either the lowest eclectic score, or if still tied, the lowest net score of the tied players, or then the one with the lowest back nine net score.

After a lot of requests, we decided to keep the eclectic going for 2021, but shift it back to Imperial, decoupling it from the Monthly Medal, and only holding one event per year, played over 4 rounds at Imperial. This also gives us an excuse to hold a presentation event at Climaxx after the last round, 2 weeks before the Tee Set Championships. We are adjusting the schedule to fit one more round in at Imperial. The eclectic will be played off white tees for men. The tiebreaker system will apply as above, decided on the scores, but with no playoff.

Now for the tee boxes. We have listened to a lot of mixed views about this and also realised that it is largely driven by our schedule. Monthly medals and championships are off blue – no debate. Interleague rounds at Riverside are off white – no debate. Jagorawi rounds are off white – course management decides this – no debate. Eclectic rounds at Imperial are off white – no debate. Scrambles and four club challenge are also off white – no debate. Other rounds are still to be confirmed, and the Committee will decide based on course length (for example, BSD have offered 4 rounds and we always play there off white). The tee box will be marked on the revised schedule, which will be updated soon. In the meantime, we will notify you of the tee box in the notice. This week is free choice, so we will see how that goes – if can be managed or if it is a buggers’ muddle :-). In any event, the sun will come up tomorrow and Tee Set will survive…..

Rainy Season – Lift, Clean and Place

To avoid confusion before and during play, the Committee has decided to apply a local rule for preferred lies for all rounds during the rainy season, defined as September through March. The R&A defines preferred lies as follows:

Preferred Lies

The Rules of Golf provide the recommended wording for preferred lies.  When this Local Rule is in place, the ball may be lifted without penalty and cleaned before placing within a specified distance no closer to the hole. 

It is worth noting that before you lift the ball you must mark its position.  Once having marked its position you must not roll it with the club, otherwise it’s a one-stroke penalty, so make sure you place the ball. 

When placing the ball, you can only do this once…….so pick your spot wisely! If the ball doesn’t come to rest immediately Rule 20-3d applies and you can replace it.  This Local Rule is for closely mown areas only, i.e. when the ball lies on any area that is cut to fairway height.

This should now be clear and consistent for everyone. Any areas higher than fairway height must be treated as play the ball as it lies. Of course, with the rules changes in 2019, you may take relief from a plugged lie anywhere on the course, except bunkers and penalty areas, where you must play the ball as it lies, or take a penalty drop. We define “a specified distance” for placing your ball as a score card, no further.