RLMGA - River Landing Mens Golf Association

Men’s Golf Association

Member Handbook

2012 Season

Dear Member:        

Welcome to the River Landing Men’s Golf Association (RLMGA).  The purpose of the RLMGA is to promote fellowship, encourage interest and confidence in golf, and familiarize members with USGA golf rules and etiquette.  Our events are designed for members to meet their neighbors and enjoy a fun golf experience, irrespective of skill or handicap levels.  The operative descriptor is FUN!  This handbook includes general information that will help you enjoy the 2011 season.  

By vote of the members, we offer two levels of membership.

1. $75.00 dues for tournament members who wish to play                      

          in RLMGA-sponsored tournaments and weekly Play Day events. 

2. $40.00 dues for social members who wish to join us for  

                     the social events and to play in the weekly Play Day events. 

There are four Saturday tournaments scheduled for 2011.  In these events, prizes will be awarded to winning teams and players.  All of the tournaments will include a social meal before or after.  Any additional cost to participate in these tournaments will be determined by the Board based on the budget and available funds. The dates of the tournaments are shown in the handbook.  Be sure to mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on the fun.  In addition, we will conduct an end of the year Medal Play Tournament, including the Annual MGA Banquet.

Our Play Days will be held two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering competitive and social golf.  For 2011, the entry fee for competitive golf will be maintained at $4.00 per round.  This entry fee also supports our RLMGA Players Championships at the end of the Play Day season.  

In addition to these RLMGA events, we will co-sponsor couples events and mixers that are conducted jointly with the River Landing Golf Association of Ladies (RLGALS).  The key dates are shown on our 2011 calendar. 

This handbook was designed to be a broad reference for RLMGA activities, but it was conceived as a living document, so there may be changes or additions during the year.  Please check www.rlmga.info periodically for updates.  This is the official communication site of the RLMGA.

We look forward to seeing you in River Landing and on the golf course.  

Richard Russell 

 RLMGA President

RLMGA By-Laws

Executive Summary

The RLMGA is a non-profit entity.  Our By-Laws are available at the website: rlmga.info.

The By-Laws are written to be inclusive for all River Landing golf members.

The By-Laws guide the administration of the RLMGA.  They were approved at the second annual meeting, and may be amended by the Executive Board as appropriate and upon approval by the general membership.

The Executive Board is the governing body of the RLMGA.  It consists of seven members with specific terms and job descriptions/responsibilities.  They are:

President

Vice-President

Treasurer

Secretary

Tournament Director

Two ‘At Large’ Directors to increase membership participation

The General Board consists of other members who may be performing specific tasks, e.g. the Tournament Committee, as assigned by the Executive Board.

The purpose of the By-Laws is to ensure an orderly and directed focus on creating an enhanced golf experience for Golf members at River Landing.

RLMGA  Board Members  2012

President: Richard Russell           285-3321

Vice President: Skip Romanet

Treasurer:  John Goodman

Secretary:  Dave Gray 285-3958

Tournament Director: Mike Masinick 285-3011

Tournament Vice Chair: 

At-Large Member: Benny Pulzone 

At Large Member: Paul Izzo

Past President             Gary Q. Coe (ex officio member) 285-8838

Membership Composition

Reference:  By laws Section I:  “All men who are members in good standing in the River Landing Golf Club will be permitted membership” in the RLMGA.  Membership is encouraged but not required for tournament or play day participation.

To become a member, an application should be completed and a check provided to one of the Executive Board members (preferably the Treasurer) prior to participation in any RLMGA-sponsored event.

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River Landing Golf Club includes two eligible categories:  Sports and Golf membership.  Non-Members may sign up and pay appropriate course fees in addition to the RLMGA Tournament Guest fees.

Out of State Golf Club Members, may become full RLMGA members, social members, or participate in Tournaments by paying Guest fees.

Residents of River Landing and members of the River Landing Golf Club may be full members of RLMGA or Social members.

Note:  It is the responsibility of the participant to notify the Pro Shop of their participation in play days and tournaments.  It is not the responsibility of the RLMGA to determine a participant’s status relative to River Landing Golf Club membership.

Play Days

The RLMGA Play Days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from March  through November 15.  Information about Play Days will be kept current on the RLMGA website and the electronic version of this handbook.

A $4.00 charge is made to the golf membership account of each player electing to play a competitive round on Play Days.  Payouts are made for the top team scores in the form of “chits” which can be redeemed through River Landing Pro Shop purchases.  The number of team payouts depends on the number of players that day.  Play Day golfers wishing to play social, non-competitive, golf do not incur this charge.

The third Thursday of each month is “Game Day,” for special format events, e.g., 3 clubs and a putter, red-white-blue, Captain’s Choice, etc. (sample descriptions are elsewhere in this handbook).

In addition to scheduled events, the golf pro will help the RLMGA organize golf outings and overnight golf trips.  For instance, a one-day golf tourney at an area course is planned, to the extent possible, for the final Monday of each month.

The RLMGA encourages those who are interested in golf at any level to consider Social golf membership.  Social golfers can be members of the RLMGA, take part in the social aspects of tournaments (food, drink and camaraderie) or may desire to play nine holes at a time because of injury or time commitment, to refresh skills, or for other reasons.  Social golfers have a lot of fun and play as much or as little golf as they choose.  Contact Mark Hopkins (markhopkins121@gmail.com) 910-285-2830, for more information.

RLMGA Players Championships

A mid-season and and of year tournament is scheduled this year.  To play in the mid season tournament any member must have played in at least 8 of the available 34 play dates. To participate in the end of year tournament members must have participated in at least 8 play dates in the second half of the season.  

Handicaps and Scoring

The score card on play days and tournaments is set up to provide valuable information to the players as well as facilitate accurate scorekeeping following the conclusion of your round. In this context, it is vitally important to know what type of information is on your card.

Key:

1. Format for the day
2. Your final team score for the day ( i.e. typical scores are 72.25 for average net team score, -6 for one net/one gross, 3&2 for match play, etc.)….scorer must compute and prominently display the result.
3. Your tee time and the holes you are playing
4. The players’ names
5. Each player’s total gross score…scorer must compute, players should concur.
6. Each player’s total net score (net score is gross score, less your full handicap)…..scorer must compute.
7. Your full handicap (100%) plus any allowances. Please note that for new members with no transferable handicaps, a handicap may be assigned until a RL handicap can be established. Also, on play days, handicaps exceeding 36 will be used for team scoring, but 36 will be the maximum handicap used for individual play payouts.
8. The handicap for the day used to calculate your team score (this is ordinarily 70% to 90% of your full handicap). Individual medal play is usually at 100%

When you turn in your card, another player on your team (other than the scorer) should ensure that the gross scores are added correctly, and the team score is prominently displayed.  Score cards must be signed by the scorer and attester to make them official.

It is the responsibility of each player to ensure that his completed rounds are posted in a timely manner in the USGA Handicap System. The club does not post your scores.

Under the rules of the USGA Handicap System:

• Every round you play whether medal or match play (other than a practice round), must be posted in the handicap system. This includes partial rounds that were played and ended prior to playing the full 18 holes.
• Scores must be adjusted for Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) prior to being posted.  ESC strokes per hole are dictated by your course handicap.
• The USGA adjusts handicap indexes on the 1^st and 15^th of each month, so be sure to check the system for your new handicaps.

(Details regarding posting particulars can be found in the RL Handicap Committee’s Trifold, as well as the Handicap Committee Binders located in the Proshop.  These Binders contain relevant updated material related to handicaps.)

Course Etiquette

Dress Code – Bermuda/cargo shorts, golf shirts with a collar (mock necks are the exception), and cotton and synthetic blend slacks are appropriate. Denim shorts (or jeans), tank tops, and tee shirts are not. This list is not exhaustive, so if you have any questions regarding golf apparel, see one of the golf professionals at the club house.

Pace of Play – The club has a target pace of play of 4 hours and 10 minutes. Ordinarily, a foursome not being held up can complete a round in 3½ hours. It is your responsibility to keep up with the group you follow. If your group falls behind, and you have a group following, please ask the group behind you to play through. A round lasting 4½ or more hours is unacceptable for almost any reason.

• As a rule, players should be ready to hit (i.e. “ready golf”)
• In the fairway, especially on “cart path only” days, take a few clubs to your ball if you are unsure of the yardage. If you do not have the correct club once you reach your ball, please make do with what you have
• On the green, quickly fix your ball mark, and mark your ball if you are in someone’s line. Check your line while others are putting; don’t wait until it is your turn to do so.
• After completing a hole, players should return the flag to the cup properly (i.e. squarely in the center and not leaning against the lip), and immediately leave the green. (As a courtesy, the first player who holes his putt is responsible for returning the flag to the hole.)  Scores should not be posted on the card while sitting in the cart next to the green just exited. Move out briskly and do the posting on the next tee.

Playing Through – If a group is holding you up, it is appropriate to ask them to let you play through, if they have not already asked you to do so. If they refuse, and there is an open hole ahead of them, call one of the golf professionals at the clubhouse to “help” them along. When you do play through, do so quickly. An example of poor etiquette is when it becomes apparent that a person’s ball will not be easily found, the group will search for 5 minutes (or more) before letting a group play through. Let them through first…then do your looking.

Communication

Events - Every event sponsored or co-sponsored by the RLMGA is widely promoted through:

• RLMGA.INFO for all events, dates etc.
• Membership e-mail announcements and reminders.
• Sign-up sheet at the Pro Shop front desk.
• Monthly schedule on the RLMGA website.
• Published schedule for the entire year (in this handbook)

Website – www.rlmga.info Members can use the site to see the golf schedule for the month, the results of matches for the current month, how much they have won to date, or particulars about current RLMGA activities. It is a useful site for potential members to find out about us.

Golfnet – www.golfnet.com  The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) manages a valuable website that provides a variety of services for RLMGA members.  You can post scores, get a glimpse of upcoming River Landing Club-Sponsored events, check your handicap, as well as the handicaps of others, and calculate your handicap for courses throughout the mid-Atlantic region.  Go to the Golfnet homepage, www.golfnet.com, link to the River Landing page, (you’ll want to bookmark at this point so you don’t have to go through extra steps each time you use the system), enter your member number and suffix, type in the password ‘riverlanding’ – in small letters.  Then follow the prompts.

Coastal Seniors Website – www.csgagolf.com Members who belong to the Coastal Seniors Golf Association can access this website for relevant play day information, standings, etc.  If you are not a CSGA member and wish to join please contact Mike Vandiver at 910-285-4737 or mtvandiver@gmail.com.

River Landing Electronic Publications – The River Landing administrators provide numerous announcements on Club activities.  You may receive ‘blast’ emails that describe upcoming events and contacts, (if you hear about these but aren’t receiving them, please contact Nedra Owens at nedra_owens@riverlanding.com to get on this important email list).  The Landings Newsletter comes out once a month, and an email announces its availability. It can be accessed either through the River Landing website: www.riverlanding.com, or you can get a printed copy (limited availability) at the Pro Shop and Fitness Center.

 Inclement Weather – In the event of inclement weather, call the Pro Shop (285-6693) to find out if RLMGA events have been cancelled or postponed, (i.e. frost delays are not uncommon in the winter months).  Do not call the Tournament Director.  Sirens will sound a warning to players if there is a threat of lightning in the area.  One long blast indicates lightning is imminent and you should leave the course and take appropriate shelter or return to the clubhouse.  Three blasts indicate all clear and play can then resume. If you are on the course and see lightning, get to the club house PRONTO! Don’t depend on the automated sirens to function. Use your head.

Tournament and Game Day Formats

The following examples describe some of the formats that may be used for certain events.

Alternate Shot   Two-man teams: the first player will tee off and the team will then alternate each shot until the ball is holed. If a player hits the ball into a hazard his partner will take the next shot.

One Best Ball Net  Two-man and four-man teams: lowest individual net score for each hole.

Two Best Ball Net  Four-man teams: two lowest individual net scores for each hole.

Two-Man Team Best Ball  Low net score and low gross score for each hole.

Modified Stableford On a net basis, one format is: 2 points for a par, 4 points for a birdie, 7 points for an eagle, 11 points for a double eagle, minus 2 points for a bogie or worse.  Two-man teams score one best ball net; four-man teams score two best balls net.  Other Modified Stableford formats may be used.

One-Two Best Ball  Two-man and four-man teams: score one best ball on the par-4 holes, score two best balls on the par-3 and par 5-holes

3,2,1 Four-man teams: three net balls on the par threes, two net balls on the par fours and one net ball on the par fives.  Can be played using gross scores.

Pinehurst Scramble  Two-man teams: each player tees off then plays his partner’s ball, then play your own ball to the green, then pick a ball and putt it.

Scramble/Captain’s Choice  Four-man teams: Each player tees off and the “A” player chooses which ball the team will play.  All four golfers play their shots from that position.  The same procedure is followed until the ball is holed out.

Shamble  Four-man teams: Each player tees off and the best drive is chosen.  All players move their balls to the spot of the best ball. From this point, the hole is played out at stroke play, with all members of the team playing their own ball into the hole.

Three Clubs and a Putter  Regular stroke play, except each player uses only three clubs (his choice) and a putter for the entire round.

Red, White, Blue Four-man teams: the first tee shot is played from the Red tee, the second from the White tee, the third from the Blue tee; this rotation continues through the eighteenth hole.  Golfers with handicaps based on the forward tees will alternate their tee shots from the Red, Yellow, and White tees.

Net Score All players’ scores are totaled and the handicap, or a percentage of the handicap (usually 70% to 90%) is deducted for a final total. 

Throw Out Holes will be picked to throw out of the scorecard and the total will be the final result (i.e. eliminate par five scores, worst holes etc.)

Flag Day Each player plays with a number corresponding to par plus his handicap.  Then each player will be given a flag and will place it where his last shot landed.  The person closest to the eighteenth hole will be the winner. (72+10= 82, wherever your eighty second shot lands is where you place the flag)

Yellow Ball Each team is issued three yellow balls.  Each player must play a yellow ball four times in the round.  The yellow ball counts on each hole as one best ball, plus one best ball from the other players.  One yellow ball must finish the game; if all three are lost the team cannot win.

2012 River Landing Men's Golf  Schedule of Golf Events 

Sat. Feb 25             Breakfast Shamble

Tues. Mar 6           RLMGA 2011 “Play Days” begins  

Sat. Mar 19            Opening Day Scramble (RLGALS) Ladies Season Opener

Sat. Mar 31            2-Man Team

Sat. April 21         Match Play Championship

Sat. May 12           North South Challenge

Sat. June 23           Medal Play

Sat. July 21            Modified Ryder Cup

Sat. Sept 22           4-Man Best Ball

Sat. Aug. 25           Village Cup 

Sat. Oct 22     Old Goats vs. Young Bucks (Old Goats lead this annual event 2-1)

Sat.Nov 19 Season Final

Pro Shop  910-285-6693

Larry George, Head Golf Professional  

Marshal Stott, Assistant Golf Professional  

Wes Wright, Assistant Golf Professional

Jeff Hale, Assistant Golf Professional

Jared Garbett, Assistant Golf Professional 

Danny Barnett, Golf Shop Assistant

These guys are helpful and professional.  Contact for anything having to do with golf.