WACA HANDICAPPING SUBCOMMITTEE

POLICY DOCUMENTS GOLF CROQUET

SEPTEMBER 2008

 

The WACA handicapping system for Golf croquet follows the ACA system (as issued November 2007) and available in full from the ACA website www.croquet-australia.com.au  with the following variations:

 

1.         Handicaps are adjusted solely by the State Handicapper (Golf).

           

2.         Handicaps do not change in the course of an event of short duration.

 

3.         Individual cards are not currently used within WA.

            Central records are kept and the list of handicaps is up-dated and published periodically after the State Handicapper has received the results from participating events.

            .

4.         Players’ handicaps change immediately their index reaches a new range consistent with a new handicap and the change has been authorised by the State Handicapper.

            The latest WA list is available on the Croquetwest website. www.croquetwest.org.au .

 

5.         Non-automatic changes are made only by the State Handicapper (Golf), in consultation with the WACA Handicap Sub-Committee.

            Club Handicappers/Committees are not empowered to make changes to official handicaps. They direct requests and recommendations to the State Handicapper, with supporting evidence.         

 

6.         The State Handicapper is the Tournament Handicapper in WA.

 

7.         Players are not responsible for the accuracy of their handicap but are encouraged to monitor index changes and contact the State Handicapper if they perceive an error.

 

8.         Players intending to play outside the state need to apply to the State Handicapper (Golf) for an official handicap card for use while absent. This card must be submitted to the State Handicapper on their return so that the official WA record can be up-dated.

 

WA uses the principles set out in the ACA Handicapping system. The variations are in the administration of the system.

POLICY FUNDAMENTALS & DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED

GOLF CROQUET

 

The handicap system is based on results of games in participating events.

 

A participating event is one recognised by the WACA and complying with WCF Golf Croquet Rules 2007 edition, in which official WACA handicaps apply and in which play is singles.

            International, Interstate and recognised events in other states are included in this definition.

 

 Registered players are players affiliated with the WACA through their home club. Players affiliated with another State Association within Australia or overseas players affiliated to a Croquet Organisation which is a member of the World Croquet Federation are classified as registered players if their entry has been accepted in a participating event in WA.

 

For events with handicap restrictions or limits, a player’s eligibility is established by his/her correct handicap at the closing date of entries. If a change in handicap has occurred between the close of entries and the commencement of play, a player must play on the handicap in force at the start of the event and all index calculations will be based on that handicap.

 

Changes to each player’s index are made at the conclusion of the event according to the published table.(WCF GCRules 2007)  Such changes are referred to as automatic changes.

 

A player’s handicap changes when his/her index reaches or passes the trigger point listed.

 

A change of handicap becomes effective immediately the State Handicapper has authorised it. The date of such authorisation will appear on the          published update list. Where there is a delay getting the new list on to the website, or out to clubs by any other agreed method, the State Handicapper will ensure that the Match Subcommittee and/or an organising club is informed in time for a forthcoming event. Calculations for automatic changes to an index will always be made using the correct official handicap in force at the time of play of the relevant match.

 

Non-automatic changes are made by the State Handicapper principally where the automatic system is not working appropriately for a particular player, eg for a new player, a fast-improving player, or for a player playing very few competitive games.

            Such changes must be based on evidence.  

 

The principal sources of evidence will be personal observation by the State Handicapper, Club-initiated requests and Tournament Managers’ recommendations. In this context, a player’s performance in a Doubles event may be used as evidence.

 

In a long-running event, ie with play over more than a 2 week period, handicap changes take effect immediately. A player’s eligibility for the event in progress will not be affected by such a change in handicap.

 

Handicap Update Lists will be published periodically during the year and will include only active players.

 

An active player has played in at least one WACA or WACA-recognised event in the previous 12 months.         

 

 

.ENTRY POINTS ON THE HANDICAP SCALE FOR PLAYERS NEW TO GOLF CROQUET

 

A player will be given an official WACA handicap the first time they enter a WACA or WACA-recognised event. A player needing a handicap for an event should contact the State Handicapper (Golf) before the close of entries to the event.

 

The following guidelines are used for allocating the initial handicap.

 

 

WACA  AC index

Initial  GC Handicap

2750 and over

1

2375 to 2749

2

2000 to 2374

3

1750 to 1999

4

1600 to 1749

5

1500 to 1599

6

 

 

                        Players on a lower index will be placed appropriately between 7 and 9.

 

 

 

CRITERIA FOR A PARTICIPATING EVENT

 

The event will include all the following features.

 

·         All players will be registered players.

·         Players will use their correct WACA handicap in force at the commencement of the event or their handicap in force on the day of play in an event classed as long-running.

·         A long-running event involves play over more than two weeks.

·         Play will be in accordance with the current WCF Golf Croquet Rules 2007 edition.

·         In a timed event, games will be of not less than forty-five minutes and not more than one hour in duration. In an unlimited-time event, games will be not less than forty-five minutes after which time the Tournament Manager may impose a further minimum five minute time limit at their discretion.

·         Results from all games will be submitted for handicapping purposes either for automatic changes (singles play) or as evidence (doubles play).

·         The event will normally be concluded within a three week period.

·         Results from a long running event will include details of the date when each match was played and the handicap used by each player on the day.

 

The Handicapping Subcommittee will make the decision whether results from an event can be accepted for handicapping purposes where there is any doubt that the stated criteria have been respected.