Alford Golf Club Blogs: May 2010

Alford Golf Club Junior Section
Information Sheet – 2010

Introduction

Welcome to Alford Golf Club. Whether you are a new or an existing member, we are delighted that you have decided to play golf here at Alford and we wish you every success in the coming year. Above all, we hope you have a lot of fun.

The purpose of this information sheet is to pass on some information regarding:

• The various categories of Junior golfer;
• The competitions that run through the season;
• The coaching programme in place at Alford;
• The times allocated to Juniors on the course;
• Entry to the Clubhouse;
• How the handicap system works;
• Conduct on the course;
• Practice area;
• Contact names and telephone numbers.

Hopefully, the information you find within this sheet will allow you to make full use of the facilities and opportunities for juniors at Alford Golf Club. We want you to gain the maximum benefit and enjoyment from your membership.

Junior Categories

At Alford, we have put in place a structured system whereby junior golfers can play competition golf from an early age and skill level and continue progressing through the various levels to the time where they are ready to play in adult competitions.

The starting level is termed “Club Golf” and is designed to complement the national junior Club golf coaching programme. The Club golf competitions are played on the golf course in the normal manner. However, the length of each hole is shortened, with a specific Club golf tee (Blue Discs) located approximately 150 metres from the green. Two distinct Club golf categories are in place: You do not need to be part of Junior coaching at club to play in these categories as long as you are a member and meet any criteria.

Club golf [6-hole]
Designed for the younger and less experienced players, it is played over the first six holes of the course from the Club golf tees.

Club golf [9-hole]
As players become older and their golf game improves, the next step is to move on to playing nine holes, again using the Club golf tees.

The next step for our juniors is to progress to the level where they are able to play off the “normal” tees on the course. Again, there are two distinct levels:

Novice Junior
A Novice Junior is defined as a player under 14 years of age having a 9 hole handicap. For boys, the yellow markers on the tees are used for competitions and the yellow markers for all other rounds of golf (i.e. practice rounds). Girls should use the blue tees at all times.

Advanced Junior
An Advanced Junior is defined as a player between 14 and 18 years of age having an 18 hole handicap. In addition, at the discretion of the Junior Convenor, this may include players under 14 years of age who display the necessary behavioural and golfing competencies. For boys, the white and yellow markers on the tees are used for competitions but the yellow markers for all other rounds of golf (i.e. practice rounds). For girls, the red markers on the tees are used for competitions and the blue markers for all other rounds of golf (i.e. practice rounds).

The Handicap System
The handicap system is a way of allowing all levels of golfer to compete against each other fairly. We now have four categories, namely;

• Club golf 6-hole;
• Club golf 9-hole;
• Novice Junior;
• Advanced Junior.

To obtain a handicap, a player must play 3 rounds of golf (6, 9 or 18 holes, using the appropriate tees) and submit a scorecard for each round to the Junior Convenor, via the collection box in the clubhouse. This can be done outwith club competitions but under required supervision.

For an Advanced Junior handicap, the player must have their scorecards signed by an adult member. For Novice Junior and Club golf handicaps, the scorecards may be signed by another junior member with an official 18 Hole Handicap, and supervised by an Adult.

Once you have a handicap, it will be adjusted throughout the season based on your performance in the relevant competitions. Please allow Junior Match & Handicap time to collect any cards and update.

Progressing through the Junior Categories

You should aim to play in the Junior category best suited to your age and standard of play. The following is offered as a guide:

• 6 hole Clubgolf: Maximum handicap is 18. When your handicap is down to 12 or less, move to 9 hole Clubgolf.

• 9 hole Clubgolf: Maximum handicap is 27. When your handicap is down to 9 or less, move to Novice Junior.

• Novice Junior: Automatically move to Novice Junior when 12 years old (as of 1st January). Max handicap is 28 (for 9 holes). When your handicap is 9 or less, move to Advanced Junior.

• Advanced Junior: Automatically move to Advanced Junior when 14 years old (as of 1st January).

Junior Competitions

As you will see from your Fixtures List, we are very fortunate that there are a large number of competitions in place for the Junior Section. Therefore there are plenty of opportunities to win a trophy or medal.

Clubgolf

Flag Event
On the 6th June we hold our annual Open Flag event and this is open to all juniors under age of 12 on 1st Jan 2010, they do not require a handicap or have to be part of Junior coaching. Winners go forward to Paul Lawrie Flag Series finals.

Medals
Club golf medal competitions were successfully introduced at Alford in 2006. Normally, six sponsored events are held, one per month, from April through to September. There are first, second and third prizes awarded in four categories: 6-hole girls; 6-hole boys; 9-hole girls; 9-hole boys. The Clubgolf medals for Juniors will increase this season and are clearly marked CLUBGOLF on Fixture list. In total this year there will now be 16 Clubgolf medals with approx 6 sponsored. The remaining medals based on a league format where players accrue points for placings in their specific category in each medal with highest points total the overall winner, this favours those that are members playing in most medals. You do not need to be part of Junior coaching at club to play in these categories as long as you are a member and meet any criteria.

The format is handicap strokeplay.

Note: Players without a handicap are encouraged to play in these events as the gross score will still count in the competition and the card submitted will count towards getting a handicap.

These medals are played on a Saturday between 16:30 and 17:30. There is no need to book a tee time, just turn up on the day. It is advisable to pre-arrange a partner to play with, but if this is not possible, you will hopefully meet up with someone of a similar level to play with.

Note: Players must be accompanied by an adult on the course for these competitions, at least one adult per group. This supervision is not organised by the golf club and parents are expected to accompany their children.

Junior members must play their Club golf medal round at any time on the Saturday. Tee times out with the period noted above have to be booked as per normal, and all junior members must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that the course is normally very busy at the weekend and for their own enjoyment, players should select a tee time that is appropriate for their speed of play and that will not inconvenience others on the course.

Green Scorecard Box is clearly marked Jnr’s and located just inside door entering bar on floor area.

Only scorecards clearly marked Name, Competition, Handicap and Date with scores recorded will be accepted, cards not entered on the day will not be accepted.
Novice Juniors
The following competitions are open to Novice Juniors:

• Sandy Comfort Cup Scratch strokeplay
• Martin Reid Junior Cup Scratch strokeplay
• Cooper Cameron Shield Handicap strokeplay – League format (boys)
• Harper Robb Trophy Handicap strokeplay – League format (girls)
• 9 Hole Tower Trophy Eclectic
• Gladstone Quaich Eclectic (girls)

Green Scorecard Box is clearly marked Jnr’s and located just inside door entering bar on floor area.

Only scorecards clearly marked Name, Competition, Handicap and Date with scores recorded will be accepted, cards not entered on the day will not be accepted.

Advanced Juniors

The following competitions are open to Advanced Juniors:

• James A Gordon Cup Scratch strokeplay
• I & P McKenzie Cup Handicap strokeplay
• Gibson Cup Handicap stableford
• Donside Tyres trophy Handicap strokeplay
• 18 Hole Tower Trophy Eclectic

Novice and Advanced Juniors

The following competitions are open to Novice and Advanced Juniors: Closing date 11th April 2010 for entering these competitions and is detailed on your Fixture List.

• Gilbert Forbes Memorial Cup Under 15’s matchplay handicap
• Greenkeeper’s Shield Foursomes handicap matchplay

There are also three mixed competitions where you can compete with an adult member. These are:

• Grieve & McArthur Trophy Senior/Junior foursomes strokeplay
• Davidson – Philip Cup Senior/Junior foursomes matchplay
• Craig Ross Trophy Lady/Gent/Junior strokeplay

There will be NO extensions for Matchplay events unless under exceptional circumstances. Players must contact Junior Convenor for approval prior to closing date.

For full details of these competitions, please see the Junior Trophy Competitions sheet on the Junior Noticeboard.

Please refer to your Fixture List for the dates when these competitions take place. Please note the dates may have to change during the season and at short notice. You should always check with clubhouse or shop on the day.

Entry sheets for these competitions (excluding the eclectic and league format events) shall be posted on the Junior Noticeboards early in the year. Be sure to put your name down on the list if you wish to take part.

To enter the handicap competitions, you will need to have obtained your handicap and submitted four medal cards prior to the competition taking place.

Note: Players with a 9 hole handicap entering an 18 hole event will be entitled to 2 times their 9 hole handicap or 36, whichever is lower.

Monthly Medal and Stableford

In addition to the competitions listed above, from April to October, each month, a number of medal and stableford competitions are held for Novice and Advanced Juniors. These are clearly marked in fixture list.

This season 2010 we have added 5 new Advanced Jnr Medals on a Saturday played of the Yellow tee’s. First place will be awarded at end of season under a league format. Players accrue points for placings in each event with highest point’s total overall winner. This encourages all players to take part in as many as possible. Please refer to your Fixture List for the dates when these take place. Advanced Juniors will be given preference for Junior tee-time on a Saturday from 4.00-4.30 on these dates but can also play after this or following usual booking system. After 4.30 there may also be Novice & Clubgolf medals on course.

The Novice Junior Medal competitions are played on a Saturday between 16:30 and 17:30 or following club booking system, guidance for players of this category and age group detailed earlier in this letter. This season 2010 we have 17 Novice Jnr Medals on a Saturday played of the Yellow tee’s. In addition to Tower Trophy, Sandy Comfort & Martin Reid, first place will be awarded at end of season under a league format for these additional medals. Players accrue points for placings in each event with highest point’s total overall winner. This encourages all players to take part in as many as possible. Please refer to your Fixture List for the dates when these take place. There is no need to book a tee time (16.30-17.30), just turn up on the day, however you are free to book should you wish. It is advisable to pre-arrange a partner to play with, but if this is not possible, you will hopefully meet up with someone of a similar level to play with. It is essential that all Juniors play with other players where at all possible.

Competition formats

For those of you new to the game of golf, some of the terminology can be confusing, so here is a quick guide to the competition formats:

Strokeplay A competition where the player who plays the round in the fewest strokes is the winner. In a handicap competition, the player with the lowest net score for the round is the winner (i.e. the handicap is subtracted from the gross score).
Matchplay A match consists of one side (or player) playing another over a round. A hole is won by the side that holes its ball in the fewer strokes. In a handicap match, the lower net score wins the hole. A match is won when one side leads by a number of holes greater than the number remaining to be played.
Stableford The scoring in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a fixed score (par) at each hole; one point for a bogey, two points for par, three for a birdie, etc. The winner is the competitor who scores the highest number of points.
Eclectic Eclectic competitions are run over a number of rounds and require several strokeplay cards to be returned. The lowest score taken at each of the holes is taken to arrive at a final total.
Foursomes A team competition where partners share the same ball and play alternately from the tee and alternately during the play of each hole.

Coaching

Golf coaching is available at Alford Golf Club as part of the Clubgolf programme. We are able to provide coaching for the first two levels in the Clubgolf scheme, i.e. Level 1 and Level 2 by way of a series of twenty lessons held from May to October. Tuition is provided by Clubgolf trained local coaches and Andrew Locke, the Professional at Inchmarlo. The Level I lessons are normally on Saturday afternoon and are held at Alford and at Inchmarlo. The Level 2 lessons are held at Alford on Monday evening.

For details of the coaching scheme please contact Colin Hood (contact details given below).

Conduct on the course

We want all users of the course to enjoy themselves and this can be easily achieved if we all (adults and juniors) remember some basic rules of conduct on the course. These include:

• Raking bunkers after we have been in them;
• Repairing our pitchmarks on the greens;
• Replacing our divots;
• Being considerate of others by not moving, talking or making unnecessary noise;
• Avoiding slow play (keeping up with the group in front);
• Playing safely, ensuring no one is in a position to be hit by your club or the ball;
• Behaving in a disciplined manner, showing courtesy and sportsmanship at all times.

Entry to the Clubhouse

All juniors are permitted to use the locker room changing and toilet facilities within the Clubhouse. However, please be aware that juniors under the age of 14 are not allowed in the Clubhouse Lounges unless accompanied by an adult.

Juniors are asked not to approach the bar.

It goes without saying that you are expected to behave in an appropriate manner at all times when in the clubhouse. Please remember to remove all head-wear before entering the lounges.

Playing the course

We are fortunate in that the tee is reserved solely for the Junior Section on Saturdays between 16:00 and 17:30. The only exception to this is when an all day event, e.g. the Gents Open, is running. Your fixture list provides details.

Juniors can book tee times as follows:

Monday to Friday between 8am and 4.30pm (thereafter juniors must be accompanied by an adult)
Saturday to Sunday between 8am and 4.30pm (but juniors must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
Please note:

• Advanced juniors are exempt from the above.
• All juniors age 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Always check that the tee is not booked by someone else before going on the course.
• Follow golfing rules and etiquette at all times.
• Allow other golf parties to play through if you are holding them up.

Dress, whilst playing the course, and within the bar and dining areas of the clubhouse, must be recognised golf wear, or smart but casual wear, no football shirts. Your clothing should not cause offence to other members! Please note that caps and hats should not be worn in the clubhouse.

Practice Area

The practice area at Alford is ideal for working on your short game and you are free to use it at any time. However, please remember to always hit balls away from, and never towards, the adjacent houses. Please also always take care when using the practice area and the practice nets; be aware of what is going on around you and look out for other players. Also, remember it is in the middle of the golf course, so the usual rules and standards of etiquette still apply.

Last year saw the opening of two new facilities within the practice area: a putting green and a practice chipping/pitching/bunker area. These will be great assets to the club, but will have to be treated with care. In particular, do not practice chipping or pitching on to the putting green. This will damage the putting surface. It must be treated as you treat all the greens on the course – with tender loving care! This year will see the opening of the new practice bays with mats.

Junior Noticeboard

Please remember to take a look at the Junior Noticeboard in the clubhouse now and again. This is where you will find entry sheets for competitions, competition results and handicap listings. Any photographs or newspapers articles will usually appear there also.

Communications / Contact with Juniors

Plan this year is to communicate with all Junior members during the season so when filling out 2010 membership application please submit email address where applicable. We will do our best to improve in this area wit this information.

Contact Names

Should you have any queries regarding any of the information in this information sheet, or indeed, anything related to Alford Golf Club, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the following personnel:

Neil Buchan (Jnr Convenor)

Colin Hood (Coaching Co-ordinator) via Golf Club

Mike Gray 019755 62480

Friday 21 May 2010

Novice Juniors 9 Hole Medal (Yellow & Red Tees) MEMBERS

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Junior Information Sheet

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