MGA Match Play Tournament Overview

1. Sign Up: All participants must play in their first round of Match Play on Monday/Tuesday as a regular MGA tournament.
2. Groups: Match play will be broken into our usual groups.. For Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, your Handicap Index the week prior to the event will determine your group. The Scratch Group will play “Scratch” (no handicap).
3. Number of Flights/Players: Each flight/bracket is 16 players. Number of flights will be determined by the total number of signups within a group. Desired minimum number of players per flight is 12. Total number of flights will be adjusted after the entry deadline. If any group doesn’t have enough signups to open another 16 player bracket, a waiting list will be created. Call the Match Play Tournament Director to get on the waiting list if you are unable to sign up in Total-E.
4. Pairings: First round groups, flights and pairings will be posted on the MGA website. First round results and future pairings will be as posted on the MGA Website.
5. Substitutes: No substitutes are allowed.
6. Subsequent Matches: Remaining match play rounds will be conducted by the two participants outside of regular MGA league play. The player listed lowest in the bracket is responsible for contacting his opponent, coordinating a time and date for the match. Which course to play is listed on the Match Play Bracket. Both players are equally responsible for finding a mutually agreeable tee time to complete the match before the No Later Than (NLT) date. Playing in other groups does not take precedence over your match play obligation. Failure to meet the NLT deadline or to get an extension from the Match Play Director will result in a double forfeit.  Please do not let this happen. It is mandatory that matches be completed by the NLT dates in order to ensure all flights are completed in time for the MGA Championship matches that will follow in August.
7. Deadlines: There are four matches in each flight and three (or four) additional matches in the Championship Bracket. The first match is the MGA event in May. The remaining matches must be completed by the NLT date published on the MGA Match Play Brackets. The Match Play Brackets can be found on the MGA website. www.hsvmga18.com
8. Championship Bracket: Rounds to determine the MGA Match Play Champion will begin in August. The Championship Bracket matches will be posted on the MGA website.
9. Net Play: Except for the Scratch Group Bracket, each match is contested using the stroke differential of the two players’ handicaps as of the day of play (except for round 1). All matches in the Scratch Group will be played without handicap – scratch. Contact the Match Play Tournament Directors with any questions.
10. Results Reporting:  The winner of all matches must call, text or email the results to the Match Play Tournament Director.

MATCH PLAY FORMAT

        Format:  Match Play is a format of play that is scored in a hole-by-hole competition. The player that holes his ball in fewer strokes than his opponent wins that particular hole.

        Handicap Competition:  In a handicapped match play competition, the player with the lowest net score wins the hole. If there is a difference in course handicaps for the two players, the difference is used and applied on the hardest holes. For example, if Player A has a 19 course handicap (CH) and Player B has a 15 CH, Player A gets one stroke on the 4 hardest holes.

        Playing Different Tee Boxes:  Groups 1, 2 and Scratch will play from the white tees. Groups 3 & 4 will play from the Silver tees. Round 1 score cards will be printed based on these tee assignments. Players are allowed to play from another tee box as long as they both agree. If opponents are playing from different tee boxes, applicable adjustments to handicaps must be applied. Score cards will need to be edited to reflect the new tee box choice. If an agreement can’t be made, players will play from the designated tee box.

        Winning: The player winning the most holes wins the match and advances to the next round. When a player is winning by more holes than there are holes remaining, the match is won.  A match can be won before all 18 holes are played. For example, if a player is “Up” by 5 holes with only 4 holes to play, he has won the match for his opponent cannot possibly win.  If “all square” (tied) after 18 holes, notify the starter or pro shop and continue play where directed until a winner is determined (sudden death). All handicapped stroke holes will be applied in the event of sudden death.

Opponents Decisions: The two players must decide prior to the match whether to play the ball down or up and rake/place in the bunkers. If no common decision can be reached, play the ball down through the green.  Putts may be conceded as per USGA rules.

Flights/Brackets:  The brackets for each flight will be posted on the MGA Website. When a match is completed, immediately notify the Match Play Tournament Director of the results.

Subsequent Match Play Rounds: The completion of rounds 2, 3 and 4 in each flight are the responsibility of the players involved and must be completed by the “Not Later Than” (NLT) dates posted on www.hsvmga18.com Match Play Brackets. The player listed lowest in the bracket is responsible for contacting his opponent, coordinating a time and date for the match. Which course to play is listed on the Match Play Bracket. Both players are equally responsible for finding a mutually agreeable tee time to complete the match before the No Later Than (NLT) date. Playing in other groups does not take precedence over your match play obligation. Failure to meet the NLT deadline or to get an extension from the Match Play Director will result in a double forfeit.  Please do not let this happen. It is mandatory that matches be completed by the NLT dates in order to ensure all flights are completed in time for the MGA Championship matches that will follow in August.

Match Play Rules:  The general penalty for a breach of a Rule in match play is loss of hole except when otherwise noted in the USGA Rules of Golf.  See the MGA Match Play Supplement (below) for some explanations of match play rules.  If you are not sure how to proceed, you may decide by agreement with your opponent, or proceed how you think is right. If your opponent disagrees, he may make a request for a ruling from the Committee.        NOTE: playing a second ball is not an option in match play.

      It is advised that all players download the “USGA RULES OF GOLF” mobile app. Under the “Topics” menu you will find “Match Play”. Here you will find an FAQ section and other useful information that covers most situations that arise. Review this section to familiarize yourself with the how rules are applied in Match Play.

MATCH PLAY FAQs

The following is a list of FAQs that will answer some of the questions about the MGA Match Play Tournament.

1. HOW DO I KNOW WHO I'M PLAYING?  The brackets for each group are posted on the MGA website; www.hsvmga18.com. These will be kept as current as possible.
2. WHAT COURSE DO WE PLAY? Each match play round is designated at a different HSV course. Check Match Play Bracket to see course designation.
3. WHEN/HOW DO I PLAY? Set up a time and date with your opponent and play it. You and your opponent must play each match head to head at the same time/course and in the same group/foursome.
4. WHAT IF A MATCH IS NOT COMPLETED BY THE NLT DATE? Both players are equally responsible for finding a mutually agreeable tee time to complete the match by the (NLT) date. Failure to meet the deadline or to get an extension from the Match Play Director will result in a double forfeit.
5. WHAT ARE THE NLT DATES? These dates are listed on the Match Play brackets posted on the MGA Website.
6. HOW ARE HANDICAPS DETERMINED? A Course handicap calculator can be found on www.GHIN.com or the GHIN mobile phone app. Select the course being played and enter the name of your opponent. The calculator will determine the number of strokes (if any) to apply for your match. The handicap can also be figured manually by following this formula; Course Handicap = Slope Rating  ÷ 113 x Player index + (Course Rating - Par). Example: If playing Silver tees at Ponce, slope is 126, with GHIN index of 18.5, CH = 126 ÷ 113 x 18.5 + (68 - 72), CH equals 16.62 rounded to 17 (CH=17). The formula above is built into these calculators.
7. WHAT IF WE ARE PLAYING FROM DIFFERENT TEES? If you and your opponent are playing from different tee boxes, you must determine each player’s CH (follow directions in #6 above). Once both CHs are determined, the player with the higher CH will receive the differential strokes on the hardest holes. Example; Player A has a 19 CH and Player B has a 15 CH, Player A gets one stroke on the 4 hardest holes.
8. WHAT DO I DO IF I WIN A MATCH? When a match is completed, please call, text or email the Match Play Tournament Director to report the results (example: Joe Player beat Sam Golfer).

Go to the MGA 18 Website for the most current information. www.hsvmga18.com

MATCH PLAY SUPPLEMENT

Match Play Terms   

Status of a Match:  The status of a match is expressed relationally.  Match play scoring does not indicate the number of holes won by a player, but rather how many more holes than his opponent a golfer has won. "Up" indicates that a player is winning by a number of holes and "Down" indicates that a player is losing by a number of holes (i.e. Player A is Up 3 or Player B is Down 3).

Halved Hole:  A halved hole is a hole where opponents score the same on a specific hole.  The opponents are said to have "halved" the hole and the status of the match remains the same.

Dormie: A match is said to be dormie when a player has won as many holes as the number of holes that remain, i.e. 3 up with 3 to play. The worst the leading player can do at this point is tie (by losing all the remaining holes).

All Square: Indicates a match is tied.

It is advised that all players download the “USGA RULES OF GOLF” mobile app. Under the “Topics” menu you will find “Match Play”. Here you will find an FAQ section and other useful information that covers most situations that arise. Review this section to familiarize yourself with the how rules are applied in Match Play.

Excerpts from the USGA Rules of Golf

The general penalty for a breach of a Rule in match play is loss of hole except when otherwise noted.  

Rule 3.2 – Match Play

          3.2b. Concession of Match, Hole, or Next Stroke

• A player may concede an opponent’s next stroke, a hole or the match.
• A concession is made only when clearly communicated.
• If the opponent lifts his ball in breach of a Rule because of a reasonable misunderstanding that the player’s statement or action was a concession of the next stroke, a hole or the match, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
• A concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn

Rule 3.2d – Responsibilities of Player and Opponent

(1) Telling the opponent about the number of strokes taken. At any time during play of a hole or after the hole is completed, the opponent may ask the player for the number of strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes) the player has taken on a hole.

When asked for the number of strokes taken, or when giving that information without being asked:

• The player must give the right number of strokes taken.
• A player who fails to respond to the opponent's request is treated as giving the wrong number of strokes taken.

The player gets the general penalty (loss of hole) if he gives the opponent the wrong number of strokes taken, unless the player corrects that mistake in time (before a concession is made or either player takes another stroke). Exception - No penalty if wrong information has no effect on the result of the hole.

Rule 6.1b – Ball must be played from inside the teeing area

(1) If you play a ball from outside the teeing area, there in No Penalty. The opponent may immediately cancel the stroke, but isn't required to do so. If the opponent cancels the stroke the player must play a ball from inside the teeing area.

Rule 6.4 – Order of Play

          6.4a. Match Play

• The player that has the honor on the first tee is decided by draw and the player winning the hole has the honor on the next teeing ground.
• During the round, the ball farther from the hole is played first.  If both balls are equidistant from the hole, the ball to be played first is decided by lot.
• If a player hits out of turn, there is no penalty but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke just made and, in correct order, play a ball as near as possible from the spot where the original ball was last played.