DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS GOLF LEAGUE 

2025 RULES AND REGULATIONS

B. League Officers

PRESIDENT:  It shall be his responsibility to oversee the operation of the league, secure the golf course and appoint members of the Rules Committee.

SECRETARY:  It shall be his responsibility to record the results of all competition and compute the individual handicaps on a weekly basis.

TREASURER:  It shall be his responsibility to collect greens fees and league dues from each member, pay the golf course on a weekly basis, and maintain a proper record of the treasury balance.

RULES COMMITTEE:  A two (2) man committee having the responsibility of deciding protests and amending the league or USGA rules for the betterment of the league.

Scheduled matches shall be played at Topstone Golf Course, South Windsor, Connecticut commencing on April 28, 2025 at 4:16 p.m.

1.  The current years USGA rules will apply.

2.  In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen events, the matches for that evening will be cancelled as per the guidelines set forth in the league / course agreement.

3.  Course rules apply when listed in the club house or clearly marked on the course.

4.  Preferred lies will be permitted in your own fairway only.  Violation of this rule will result in a two (2) stroke penalty.

5.  It will be the responsibility of any player who will be on vacation or who will be unable to make his match to secure a substitute for that day and record it with the League Secretary.  Subs should come from the Sub List Roster.  If a player fails to secure a substitute for the match, that player will forfeit the (2) match points to the opposing team.

6.  If a player gets sick during the match and can not continue, his score will count to that point and his partner will play both opponents from that point. Handicap adjustments will be made at this time if necessary.

7. During the normal season, matching cards will be used to break all ties.

8.  Playoff for the League Championship will be a nine-hole playoff.  In the event of a tie, winners will be determined by matching cards.

9.  The Rules Committee will decide what penalty or penalties shall be imposed upon violation of any rule.

10.  If a team misses their tee time, then that match will automatically move to the last tee time of the night.

11.  If a player believes he may be out of bounds, he should hit a provisional ball from the original ball position.  Penalty is 1 stroke and distance.

If a player finds himself out of bounds, he may return to the original ball position (penalty of 1 stroke and distance) or he may play a second ball from where the shot entered the out of bounds area.  The penalty is 2 strokes.

PROTESTS

The Rules Committee will arbitrate any properly registered complaint and their decision will be final.

1.  If any player wishes to protest a match, the opposing player must be notified in accordance with USGA rules.

2.  Circumstances concerning disputes must be written and submitted to the League President within (72) hours after the completion of the disputed match.

3.  The President shall submit the protest to the Rules Committee for decision.

4.  If any member of the Rules Committee is involved in the protest, the remaining members shall decide with the President voting to break a tie.

HANDICAPS

A.  Handicaps are determined from the (5) lowest scores for the last (10) recorded, calculated by subtracting 36 (1/2 the course rating) from adjusted score (X) times 96%.  A fraction of .5 or greater is rounded to the next higher whole number.

B.  Maximum handicap for any player shall be twenty (25) strokes for nine holes.

C.  New players, (members and subs), will be assigned a provisional handicap mutually agreed upon by the officers, with preference given to State Handicaps.

SCORING

1.  This year's format will be based on Team scores and handicaps instead of individual match play.  In other words Team #1 vs. Team #2 instead of the old format of Team #1 “A” player vs. Team #2 “A” player and Team #1 “B” player vs. Team #2 “B” player.

2.  There will still be a point system in place.  This year the total number of points a Team may win is 20 points.  The breakdown will be 2 points per hole and 2 points for the Team Match.

3.  Here is how the scoring will work using each Team’s total score and handicap per hole.  An example is as follows: Team #1 has a total Team handicap of 10.  Team #2 has a total Team handicap of 19.  This means that Team #2 will receive a stroke per hole from Team #1.  An example of scoring per hole will look like this: On Hole Number 1, Team #1’s players score a 4 and 5, this would equal a total score of 9 for the hole. Team #2’s players score a 5 and 5, this would equal a total score of 10 for the hole.  Team #2 is getting 1 stroke per hole, therefore Team #2’s total score would now be a 9.  The points for the Hole #1 would be halved, 1 point for Team #1 and 1 point for Team #2.

4.  The 2 points for the Team Match will be determined off of the each Team’s total gross score minus the each Team’s combined total handicap.  Here’s an example; Team #1’s total gross score is 88.  Team #2’s total gross score is 98.   Team #1’s combined total handicap is 10.  Team #2’s combined total handicap is 19.  Team #1’s net score would be 78, and Team #2’s net score would be 79.  Team #1 would receive the 2 points for the Team Match.

For the purposes of determining “A” and “B” players for prizes, we have decided on the following: There will be no designated “A” or “B” players for the 1st round of League play.  “A” and “B” players will be determined at the start of the 2nd round and again it will only be for determining prizes at the end of the year.  The (8) low handicappers at the end of the 1st round will comprise the “A” player list and the remainder (8) players will comprise the “B” player list.  Individual gross, adjusted and net scores will continue to be kept starting with the 1st night of League play.  Low Putts will be kept starting with the beginning of the 2nd round as usual.

In the event that a player fails to secure a sub for that evening’s match, that Team will forfeit the (2) match points.  The remaining Team member will then play the opposing Team on an individual match basis utilizing individual handicaps.  The total number of points the remaining Team player can win will be 18 points, 9 points per individual match.

If both members of a team are absent for a scheduled match, the opposing team shall be awarded 15 points, provided both members are present.  If only one member is present from the opposing team, 10 points shall be awarded.  Qualified subs may be used for a regular league member.

NEW PLAYERS

1.  New players may enter the league after the season has started.

FEES AND DUES

The greens fees and League dues totals $465.00 for the 2025 season.  Three (3) payments of $155.00 must be made to League Treasurer.  The first payment is due to the League Treasurer prior to or on the start of League play on April 28, 2025.  Refer to League Payment Schedule for remainder of payment dates.

A.  Money collected will be used to finance League Award prizes, food, and refreshments on final night.

1.  A player who leaves the league before the season’s end for any reason shall forfeit his right to all prizes and money contributed.

A.  To be eligible for any individual league awards, the player must participate in ten (10) of the fourteen (14) scheduled matches.

B.  Subs are not eligible for any prizes or awards.

C.  Greens fees for subs will be $10.00, payable to the League Treasurer.

AWARDS

Division winner and Runners up - (4) Awards

A.  One award for first place, $50.00 each player

B.  One award for second place, $25.00 each player

League Awards - $20.00 each (8) Awards

A.  The “A” & “B” player with the Lowest Net Average for the season.

B.  The “A” & “B” player with the Lowest Gross Score in any one match during the season.

C.  The “A” & “B” player with the Lowest Net Score in any one match during the season.

D.  The “A” & “B” player with the Least Number of Putts in any one match during the last (7) matches of the season.