2010 Rules & Conditions and Rounds Timetable

2010 Irish Mail All-Ireland Fourball Trophy Rules and Conditions

1.        Eligibility

All bona fide golf clubs in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are eligible to submit one team of two in the men’s Tournament and one team of two in the women’s Tournament.

Each competitor must posses an active club handicap.  There will be no handicap limits.

Players who are members of more than one Club may attempt to qualify for the Tournament at any of them, but can represent only one Club in the competition proper.  If a competitor ceases to be member of the Club being represented, the team must withdraw from the Tournament immediately.  Employees of the group which publishes the Irish Daily Mail or The Irish Mail on Sunday or any company associated with the organisation of the Tournament and members of their families may not compete. Juniors are eligible to play in the Tournament.

2.        Qualifying Round

Each affiliated Club is invited to stage its own qualifying competition, the winning pair to qualify for the All-Ireland Fourball Trophy.  The format for this qualifying competition can be decided by the club.  Only one men’s and one women’s pair can represent each club.  Where it is not possible to arrange a special qualifying competition, a Club may nominate a pair to represent it in the Tournament. 

3.        Registering Club

Competition registration will close on 24^th January 2010.  The Secretary must register the club to play in the Tournament during this period either online at www.mailgolf.ie or by submitting the entry card to the Tournament Office.

4.        Eliminating Round

a)        Four-ball format: matches are played under the four-ball better-ball format.  The lowest handicapper to concede shots against the other three players based upon three quarters difference between full playing handicaps. 

b)        Knock-out principle: eliminating rounds in the Tournament will be on a knock-out principle decided over 18 holes match-play.  If the match is tied after 18 holes, play continues until a hole is won on a “sudden death” basis. 

c)        Handicap difference: three-quarter difference between competing players handicaps will be taken as the basis for play.  The players entitled to receive strokes will receive them at the appropriate holes.  All players should be able to produce their current handicap certificates for their opponents to see.  It is the players responsibility to check their respective handicaps and the shot allowance prior to teeing off in their match.

d)        Players: players’ names do not need to be confirmed until the team has played its first match in the Tournament.  The pair that competes in the first match must play together in all further Tournament matches.  No player substitutes will be acceptable.

e)        Matches: a computerised draw will be made for each round based upon clubs geographical location.  Competitors will be notified of their matches either by email or by post. 

f)        Arranging a match: the partnership named as “home” players will have the choice of course and it will be their responsibility to contact their opponents by no later than the date specified in the match-notification correspondence to arrange a date for the match to be played.  When agreeing dates a combination of at least one week day and one weekend day should be offered.  No match extensions will be allowed. If a match is not played by the date specified the Tournament Director will decide, on the basis of availability which team will go through to the next round. A minimum of a fortnight will be allowed for the playing of each eliminating round.  These rounds will take place from February to August until the Tournament has been reduced to four pairs.

g)        Course conditions: The home team has the responsibility to ensure that the course is fit for play and to inform visiting golfers of the Local Rules prior to match day.  If it is essential that Winter Rules be in operation, then these should still allow for the fair and proper playing of the match (a full list of which winter rules are acceptable and which are not can be obtained from the tournament website www.mailgolf.ie). If not, the match should be switched to the away course providing it complies with the acceptable Winter Rules and is available. 

h)       Course closure on match day: If the home course is closed or does not comply with acceptable Winter Rules on the day of the match, and the away course is open and does comply with the Winter Rules, the match should automatically switch to the away course (subject to availability on the agreed match day).  Alternatively, if neither course complies with the Winter Rules on the first agreed match date either an alternative date should be found to play at the home club, or the home club may elect to play on a neutral course but if so they will be responsible for any green fees.

i)         Caddies: caddies, as defined in the Rules of Golf, are permitted.

j)         GPS: During matches players may use devices that gauge or measure distance only.  Use of a device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature etc) is prohibited and is in breach of R&A Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.  If you suspect an opponent is in breach of R&A Rule 14-3 you must make a valid claim at the time of the match as no subsequent claims will be considered. 

5.        Greens Fees

There is no entry fee for the Tournament, but courtesy of the course must be extended to visiting competitors when the match is played.  It is also hoped that home clubs will endeavour to make a practice round possible for visiting clubs, if requested to do so, or, if that is not possible, at least offer the visiting team a reduced green fee.  A practise round can be played on the day of play or beforehand. 

6.        Notifying Results

It will be the responsibility of the winning pair in each match to notify the result to the Tournament Office either online or by post on the card provided.  For matches played over the last weekend the winning pair should enter the result online or email it to draw@mailgolf.ie as soon as the match is finished.  Results will be published in the Irish Mail where possible.

7.        Finals

a)       The Semi Finalists will compete in the match-play Finals in September 2010.

b)       Each match will consist of one round of 18 holes played off current handicaps unless circumstances make some other arrangement necessary.  In the event of a halved match, competitors must continue to play until a hole is won.  The players entitled to receive strokes will receive them at the appropriate holes.

c)       Green fees at the Finals for the last four pairs in each competition will be paid by the Irish Mail.

d)       Arrangements will be made for all finalists to receive meals and overnight accommodation from Sunday evening to Monday afternoon at the invitation of the Irish Mail.

8.        Prizes

The winning pair in the 2010 Final will receive the Irish Mail All-Ireland Fourball Trophy to be held for a year by their Club.

9.        Disputes

Any disputes regarding Rules and Conditions must be discussed with the Tournament Referee, whose decision is final.

The Tournament Referee can be contacted at Irish Mail All-Ireland Fourball Trophy, PO Box 17314, London SW6 2QH

Download a copy of these rules here.

2010 Rounds Timetable

Download a copy of the rounds timetable here.