GUI AGM

Mister Sifter

I was reading the Irish Times there and it lists a few of the points to be debated at the GUI AGM. Highlighted points below i found quite interesting...

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Handicap system debate to continue at February agm

THE Congu Unified Handicap System (UHS) will be a matter for further debate at the Golfing Union of Ireland agm in February.

A motion from Youghal GC "that all societies return to member clubs, score cards of members that break SSS of course played for immediate handicap adjustment" at last week's delegates meetings in the four provinces was carried in Munster and Connacht but defeated in Leinster and Ulster.

This motion will now go forward to the union's agm for further deliberation and discussion, with the country as divided as ever on how best to administer the game in Ireland with respect to handicapping.
Meanwhile, a Connacht motion that Junior golfers will have to declare for their home clubs in the Fred Daly and Irish Junior Foursomes (defined, in accordance with the Congu UHS, as the club which administers and controls his handicap) was carried in Connacht, Munster and Leinster and will now go forward for ratification at the February meeting.

The Fred Daly Trophy will continue as a seven-player event after a motion form Tullamore GC to reduce the sides to five players was defeated in Ulster, Munster and Connacht.

The Connacht Branch venues and fixtures committee, with the approval of provincial council, proposed the introduction of a handicap eligibility clause for the Irish Senior Cup and Barton Shield "in order for a club to compete in the Irish Senior Cup/Barton Shield, each club must field a minimum of three players who held a playing handicap of category one status (not greater than 5.4) in the previous calendar year". Although carried in Connacht, this was defeated by the other three provinces.

Other changes sees the Barton Shield qualifying rounds in Leinster being played as a strokeplay event, breaking the long tradition of matchplay.

In Munster, a Gold Coast GC motion to have the 2009 Pierce Purcell Shield played at neutral venues on Friday evenings was defeated, while a Killarney motion that no club should have home advantage in any round prior to the provincial semi-final stages of cups and shields was carried.

ShriekingSheet

So the society handicapping thing means players will be cut for breaking SSS in a society outing? Wasn't this the case until very recently and they changed it? Personally I think players should be cut immediately on Society scores, even if there is no CSS. Fair enough, societies often have forward tees but usually the SSS reflects this if necessary. I've played in lots of societies as a member and visitor and find the competitions are often every bit as formal as club competitions, at least where GUI h'cap holders are concerned.

The Barton Shield/Senior Cup is an interesting one. It can be kind of awkward for all concerned when a team fields a 7 and 10 handicapper against two scratch players. I know a number of 5 & 6 h'cap players who really don't want to be playing at this level, yet feel obliged to by the club. Requiring 3 out of 4 Cat 1 players seems a bit much to me but some restriction might be a good thing IMO. Maybe if ruling out clubs who couldn't field 2 Cat 1 players might be the way to go. I'm a firm believer that it's an honour to represent your club in any competition, perhaps above all at Senior level, but sending players that will be more suited to the likes of Junior & Barton Cup to Senior competitions isn't great for anybody IMO.