Before the competition has started
Providing the golf course remains fit for play and hasn’t been closed by the Course Manager, or his team, for the rest of the day, then an advertised qualifying competition will remain as a qualifier.
Fit for play, means the golf course is open and is not affected by current weather conditions and forecasts that may affect the course later in the day.
In the CONGU guidelines, it is not in the spirit of UHS (Unified Handicapping System) to declare an otherwise qualifying competition as “non qualifying”. The scoring will determine whether the competition becomes ‘Reduction Only’.
If, before a competition has started, the weather conditions are dangerous, such as lightning or fog, then play will be delayed until the competition committee / Professional Staff say it is safe to begin.
During the competition
Suspension of Play
There are two types of suspensions of play, that the Committee/Professional Staff will implement. These are:
1. Immediate suspension of play:
THIS WILL BE INDICATED BY 1 LONG SOUND OF THE AIRHORN
If the Committee/Professional Staff suspends play, all players must stop at once and no further strokes should be played. This could be due to factors including imminent threat of danger such as lightning or reduction of visibility etc.
Players MUST mark their ball clearly and return to the Clubhouse as safely and quickly as possible.
2. Brief suspension of play:
THIS WILL BE INDICATED BY 2 SHORT SOUNDS OF THE AIRHORN
If the Committee/Professional Staff suspends play because the course has become unplayable, due to factors such as flooded greens or ball oscillating due to high winds, what happens next depends on where each playing group is. The scenarios in accordance with Rule 5.7b are:
Walking between holes/Waiting to tee off on their next hole
Players in this situation MUST NOT make another stroke or begin to play the next hole until the Committee/Professional Staff resume play.
While Playing a Hole
The players within the group may decide whether to finish the hole they are currently playing or to stop play. If the group decide to complete the hole, once completed they MUST NOT make another stroke or begin to play the next hole.
If it is clear that play will not resume within a short period of time, then players will be asked to return to the Clubhouse and the immediate suspension rules will apply.
Resumption of Play
If play has been Immediately Suspended, the Committee/Professional Staff will keep the players informed of when play will resume and request them to make their way back into position on the golf course at a stated time.
Play will resume at the stated time of the Committee/Professional Staff.
THIS WILL BE INDICATED BY 2 LONG SOUNDS OF THE AIRHORN
Players not wishing to resume will forfeit their qualifying round and be entered as a No Return (NR).
If play has been Briefly Suspended, players will be instructed to resume play once the restrictions have cleared and the competition can be resumed.
THIS WILL BE INDICATED BY 2 LONG SOUNDS OF THE AIRHORN
Penalties for Breaching Rules (5.7b):
During Matchplay, if one player stops play, then the opponent must also stop play. The match may then continue when the Professional Staff indicate play is to resume.
If the opponent does not stop play, they will receive the general penalty (LOSS OF HOLE)
During Strokeplay, any player resuming play after a suspension without permission is DISQUALIFIED
Exception: There is no penalty if the Committee/Professional Staff decide that the failure to stop is justified. For example, if the players did not hear the Airhorn and had not therefore been informed of the suspension in play, then the Committee/Professional Staff could deem this as justified.
The decision of the Committee/Professional Team is final.