Rules and Conditions

1. Eligibility. All readers of the Grimsby Telegraph and Scunthorpe Telegraph who are over the age of 16 by the 1st January 2008 and who are members of a bona fide golf club affiliated to the Lincolnshire golf union are eligible for the tournaments. A bona fide club is one that is authorised to issue handicaps recognised by the council of national golf unions. Players who are members of more than one club represent only club in the competition. If a competitor ceases to be the member of a club, him/her and his/her partner must withdraw from the tournament immediately. Golf societies are NOT eligible for this tournament. Employees of Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media Group and or their families may not compete. 

2.  Eliminating rounds (a) Eliminating rounds in the Telegraph Golf Challenge will be won on a knockout basis decided over 18 hole better ball match play. Played off ¾ handicap difference (max 28 men) e.g. the three players with the highest handicaps of the four receive strokes amounting to ¾ of the difference between their own handicaps and that of the lowest handicap of the four. If the match is tied after the 18th, play continues until a hole is won on a’suddendeath’ basis. The partnership 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 if required and proof of handicap will be required after application. (b) Substitutes for one or both players can be accepted only until such time as the first match of the tournament. The pair that competes in the first match MUST play together in all further tournament matches. (c) The draw for each round of the competition will be published in the Telegraph. The partnership names as home players in the draw will have the choice of course and it will be their responsibility to get in touch with their opponents by no later than the date specified. (d) If a date has been agreed to play a match but is then subsequently cancelled by one side, and no further date can be agreed, the organisers must be notified and the match will be normally awarded to the opponents. (e) Any dispute about the arrangement of matches must be referred to the organisers whose decision will be final. Any breach of the rules and conditions can result in the disqualification of the partnership involved. (f) The course on which an eliminating round is to be played, maybe used for practice on the day of play or beforehand. (g) Visiting golfers must be aware of ALL local rules proper to the commencement of a match. (h) A minimum of a fortnight will be allowed for playing off each eliminating round. These rounds will take place from March till September. If a pair have not played their match by the deadline of the round date, they will be eliminated from the competition.

3. Green Fees Competing players will share green fees.

4. Notifying results It will be the responsibility of the winning pair in each match to notify the result to the tournament controller by Post or E-Mail. Late results should also be notified to the organiser Stuart Warren at lacebymanor@grimsby.ac.uk.  Results will be published in the Telegraph.

5. Finals – (a) The pairs reaching the final will compete in September 2008. The number of pairs reaching the final will be dependant on the number of entries and will be arranged before the first round but will be a minimum of 8 pairs. (b) The final will consist of one round of 18 holes better ball stableford played off ¾ current handicap unless circumstances make some other arrangement necessary. The pair with the most points on the day will be declared the winners. (c) Green Fees, Dinner, and other hospitality at the finals courtesy of Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media Group LTD and Laceby Manor Golf Club