Format
3 Pupils per team play scratch knockout against their drawn school to play for the area Trophy.
All Area winners play a 2 day competition to decide the overall winning team. Finals also have individual Trophies and prizes. click on the Matchplay Tournament areas for a list of all the areas and schools taking part.
Schools knocked out in the first round may play in the plate knockout under full handicap stableford play for the area plate. Teams must complete the first round in order to go into the area plate. All players play 18 holes and add the 3 scores together to decide the winning team ( players only eligible if they have a current whs handicap). If there is a tie after 18 holes then the last players score will decide.
Rules
1. Age
Competition open to boys and girls who currently attend an Independent School
2.Handicap
Main Schools Match Play Tournament
No handicap allowance, all players play scratch matchplay. see no 4 for girls and boys playing
Area plate
18 hole stableford played under full handicap (max 28 boys 28 girls)
Handicap must be whs current
3. Teams
A team consists of three players of either sex who will play individual matchplay against their opposing school.
Matches must go out in handicap order lowest first
All matches must play 18 holes and continue until there is a result
Any team who turn up with less than 3 players will forfeit that particular game
Schools with 2 teams
A team must consist of their lowest handicap players and may only play in that team.
B team players will consist of players that would not be considered for the A team due to handicap
A or B team players may only play for their designated team.
In case of illness or injury only a B team player may play for an A team
If a B team makes it to the National finals only players that have played for the B team are eligible to play. Any queries to this please contact the organisers for a decision.
It is the responsibility of the master in charge of golf to be honest and fair regarding A and B teams. Any schools found to have altered players around or manipulating results to give an advantage will be disqualified
Schools with an A and B team must email the organisers with their team names at the beginning of the season
4. Tees
Boys play off Mens competition tees Girls play off Ladies tees
adjustment to be made either way on the hardest SI holes with the course rating…contact us for specific golf courses
5. Golf Rules
Golf Rules as per rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
All matches must finish until there is a winner
6. Girls / mixed teams in the main knockout
adjustment to be made either way on the hardest SI holes
7. Range Finders
GPS and Rangefinders are allowed at the permission of the host course
8. Golf Course
Matches must be played on a measured 18 hole course affiliated to the relevant Golf Union
9. Distance between schools
Schools drawn together that are more than 50 miles apart may play at half way venue with agreement on both sides
10.Cancellation
A minimum of 48 hours notice must be given with a valid excuse for cancellation of an agreed event
Schools must play their matches by the due date. Extensions will only be given under exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the organisers.
Schools running late with their matches must keep the organisers and their future opponent informed
Failure to comply may result in disqualification
Tee times must be made to ensure there is enough light to finish the matches. Any matches not finished due to bad light or inclement weather must be replayed at a future date, or continued from the hole they finished on.
Schools that reach the Grand Finals must attend the finals except under exceptional circumstances.
Schools that fail to attend may not be invited to play in future events for a period of 2 years
11. Assistance
No buggies or caddies allowed. No outside assistance may be given to players by teachers, coaches or parents.
Schools found to have given advice to students during play will be disqualified from the competition
12 Rules Decisions
The decision of the organisers is final
13 Finals
New rule from 2011 The winning school and runner up are now not eligible to enter a B team into the knockout stages. This ensures that no school can have more than one team in the national finals. The winning school and runner up will gain automatic entry into the following years National finals, providing they have entered the Matchplay Tournament for the following year. See national finals rules for extra rules
14 National Finals
All schools that qualify for the National finals agree to attend. At least 3 months notice must be given if a school is likely to not be able to attend. If a school is unable to attend the place will in the first instance be offered to the next in line in that area. If they are unable to attend the cost of the finals will be borne by the initial winner of the area.
All payments for the National finals must be paid promptly. Any payments made less than 2 weeks prior to the Tournament will be charged a late payment fee
Further rules for the National Finals will be emailed to all finalists
