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The VSWGA has had a "State Day Penalty Policy" listed in the State Day book for many years. This policy has always been rather vague, so much so that it has never been enforced because, quite frankly, even though there has been a "penalty policy" there have never been any consequences spelled out.
Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of women receiving State Day penalties of one form or another. Last year, we had a record number of penalties with some women receiving more than the "allotted 2 penalties" but nothing was done about it!
The Board of Directors spent considerable time at their Fall Meeting discussing the situation of how State Day Penalties should be handled and what the consequences should be. Listed below is the revised policy that goes into effect immediately. Following the policy is an explanation of why the Board feels that it is necessary to have such a policy in effect and a clarification of what constitutes a "penalty".
What Constitutes a State Day Penalty?
(Page 17 of the State Day book)Posting a "No Card"
Does not show up for State Day and has not cancelled or sent a substitute
Does not have a current GHIN card (only when required).
Explanation of "no card" – A "no card" is when the player feels her score is too high and does not want to post that score or fails to complete the round or turn in a score card due to anger or
embarrassment. It also includes failure to complete a round or turn in a scorecard when the weather has become inclement but the tournament has not been cancelled or postponed.
Why are "no cards" considered penalties? We all have a bad round of golf now and then when it seems like we can’t do anything right. That is the game of golf. Not every round that we play will be to our satisfaction. However, if we get into the mode of not turning in a scorecard just because we are not happy with the way we played, or because we don’t like the weather, then we have taken away a spot in that State Day from a player who wanted to play, but couldn’t get in and would have gladly posted whatever score she shot. If a player "no cards" once, although not a practice we wish to encourage, we will let the player slide that one time. However, when a player "no cards" more than once, she is no longer being fair to the rest of the members of the VSWGA. She is taking a spot away from a player who wanted to play and have a chance to win points and she is not behaving in a manner that constitutes the "spirit of the game".
When do you need to bring your GHIN card? – Players who sign up using the Chelsea system do not need to present their GHIN card at registration, because the Committee will have a current listing of players who have pre-registered and their handicaps. Players who are substitutes or walk-ons MUST present a copy of their current GHIN handicap index. The women working registration do not have the time nor, in some cases, the resources to be looking up players’ handicap indexes.
Situations in Which a Penalty will NOT be Assessed:
Disqualification/Rules Violation: An example of a disqualification not resulting in a State Day Penalty would be when a player has hit several balls into a hazard, her group is holding up the entire field and she decides to pick up her ball and either not finish the hole or hit the ball from the wrong side of the hazard to continue play. This score cannot be used for competition but should be posted with the maximum strokes allowable for that hole. The scorecard should be noted "disqualified" or "DQ" by the appropriate name. No penalty will be assessed. Any player with an unusual number of "DQ’s" on her record will come under review by the Board of Directors and may be subject to sanctions.
A Medical Withdrawal: An example would be when a player starts to have chest pains or comes down with a medical condition, which prevents her from continuing play. "Medical withdrawal" should be noted next to the appropriate name. No penalty will be assessed. The key words here are "prevents her from continuing play". A medical withdrawal will not be granted to a player who claims to have a medical problem but continues to play out the round! Also, any player with an unusual number of "medical withdrawals" on her record will come under review by the Board of Directors and may be subject to sanctions.
