Thornton Cup Plate

CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION – THORNTON CUP PLATE

Teams that are knocked out in the preliminary and/or first rounds of the Thornton Challenge Cup will be entered into the Thornton Cup Plate Competition. However, teams that fail to contest their first-round matches in the main competition will not be eligible for the Plate competition.

1. In addition to Golf Clubs affiliated to the Essex Golf Union, Golf Clubs in Middlesex and Hertfordshire originally served by the Great Eastern section of the former London and North Eastern Railway are eligible for the Thornton Cup Plate.

2. This is a Match Play Competition played annually between Clubs affiliated to the Essex Golf Union and those Clubs that comply as indicated in rule 1 above.

3. The draw for each round will normally be made by the Tuesday following the completion of each round. The Championships Committee has the right to declare any venue unsuitable for play in the Competition.

4. Each Club to be represented by ten players, who must be ‘home’ Club members (as of 1st February in the year of the competition).

5. Five matches will be played at home and five matches will be played away. Both home and away matches should commence simultaneously at 12 noon unless an alternative time is agreed by the Clubs.

6. All matches are singles Match Play from the Home Club’s normal medal tees.

The Tee Sets used for both practice rounds and on matchdays must be agreed, in writing, prior to any practice round being scheduled.

All matches are to be played off scratch. Any match finishing all square at the conclusion of the 18th hole shall be declared a halved match.

7. The winner will be the team with the greater number of matches won. In order to finish as early as possible, once the overall result of the match has been achieved any remaining games shall be declared halved and the players brought in. Home and Away - In the event of a tie. In the event of a tie, the team with the greater number of combined holes up in both Home and Away matches would be the winner. If the match remains tied, then the result will be decided by the greater number of combined holes up in away matches. If the match is still tied, then the result will be decided by the number of holes up compared in each first match and dropping down as needed to achieve a result.

Final – In the event of a tie The Winner will be decided by a player nominated by each team, competing in a sudden death play-off. A play-off player must be nominated by each Team Captain, after the results of all games have confirmed the overall result of the match is a tie. The play-off holes must be agreed by both Team Managers and deemed acceptable by the host Club before the play-off players are nominated. If Team Captains fail to reach an agreement on the holes to be used, the play-off will start from the first tee or holes selected by a County official.

Please Note: Play must be in 2 Balls. If a Club drawn at home is unable to fulfil this requirement the match must be played on the opponents course.

8. Captains should exchange their playing order at least 30 minutes before the starting time of each round. Once the playing order has been exchanged, no alterations will be permitted. However, if any player shall become unable to play by reason of illness or injury or other emergency before the start of their match, his place in the order of play may be taken by a substitute player qualified as above. Only one substitute per team to be allowed.

9. Each round must be played by the date specified and time agreed by both Clubs. (the exceptions to Rule 5-3a in the Rules of Golf will apply). Only under extreme circumstances can the Committee grant any extensions.

10. No Professional Golfer shall act as Team Captain or be allowed to caddie. A parent or another adult is allowed to caddie for players under 18 years of age in these events.

11. If for any reason either course is not playable, or there are conditions which render the proper playing of the match impossible, the two Captains, or authorised officials of the Host Club, may order a temporary suspension of play as prescribed in the Rules of Golf, Rule 5-7.

Please note: If the two Captains cannot agree, the final decision on whether the course is playable will be with the officials from the host Club.

If because of such conditions or circumstance either set of matches cannot be concluded on the appointed day, the following decisions will apply:

i) If play is unable to start at a venue because of adverse weather conditions such as thunder and lightning, those matches should be played as soon as possible on another day, to be agreed by the Clubs and the County Championships committee. Both teams are free to alter their original team and playing order.

ii) If play commences at a venue but is suspended before the completion of all the matches and is unable to re-start, the result of any completed matches will stand, and any unfinished matches will be treated as halved.

iii) In the event of an incomplete result, the Championships Committee will make the final decision. The Championships Committee reserves the right to alter the format during the competition to achieve an equitable result.

12. Each Club is responsible for their own catering costs. For the Final, both teams are required to attend the after-match meal provided by the host Club.

13. The winning Club is responsible for advising the County Office of the result of each match. The result sheet must arrive at the County Office by email no later than 10:00am on the next working day immediately following the closing date for that round.

The winning team manager must include the opposition’s email address as a recipient when submitting the result. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the Club being disqualified.

14. The Final will be played on a neutral course, selected by the Championships Committee and County officials will attend these matches.

15. The winning Club will hold the Trophy for 12 months. All players in the Final plus two reserves per team will receive a medal. (Additional medals may be purchased from the County Office).

Please note: There are no mandatory requirements to give courtesy practice rounds for this competition. It is at the discretion of competing Clubs.