Competition Rules

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The St Andrews Thistle Golf Club have a number of policies to make sure our competitions run smoothly and fairly.

They are all listed below. Each competition also has its own conditions. You can find these on the individual competition areas below.

Our Trophies, Medals & Competition Rules were last Amended on 24th May 2024 and is version 18.

Competition	Criteria	Rule
175th Anniversary Quaich (Presented by The St Andrews Thistle GC in 1992 to mark their 175th anniversary 1817 - 1992)	One medal round - optional courses	If tied on same course use countback, if tied on different courses a playoff will decide the winner
A.A. DUNCAN MEDAL (Seniors - 60 and over) (Original Thistle medal donated by grandson)	Best net aggregate score in the Spring & Autumn Prizes	In the event of a tie over both rounds, countback used over 2nd round
ARGYLE BREWERY SHIELD (Presented by J Wilson Bottling Co. Ltd in 1984)	One round Stableford Competition over a nominated course	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
AUTUMN QUAICH (Presented by Gerald Donlon)	Best net score at the Autumn Outing	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
BAKERY QUAICH (presented by Ian Rodger)	Best net aggregate score at the Spring & Autumn Outings	In the event of a tie over both rounds, countback used over 2nd round
BON ACCORD ROSEBOWL (Donated by the widow of John Riddell who was Treasurer of the Club at the time of his tragic death)	One medal round over the Eden Course	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
BOYD MEDAL	Best net aggregate score in the Spring & Autumn Prizes	In the event of a tie over both rounds, countback used over 2nd round
BROWN CUP (Presented by D H Brown Esq in 1913)	Knockout singles over the Eden Course, handicap allowance - full difference of course handicap	Matchplay
BRUCE TROPHY (Presented by W M Bruce, a Past-Captain and Past-President of the club)	Played in the winter October to February inclusive over three selected courses, Jubilee Bronze, Eden and either New/Old, player�s best net score on each course to form an aggregate total.	In the event of a tie a playoff will decide the winner N.B. Members may play twice on the same day but only on a different course
Captain and Vice Captain Prizes	One Stableford round over a nominated course with 1st place winning the Captains Prize and 2nd Place winning the Vice Captains prize.	In the event of a tie decide the winners on countback
CARNEGIE MEDAL	One medal round over the New Course (Reserved & unreserved tee times)	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
CASTLE INVITATIONAL	Two man better ball Stableford competition from the BLUE tees. Best net Stableford score at each hole to count. Handicap allowance 85%. (Reserved tee times only) N.B. This competition is open to all members who hold a Links Ticket, whether full or restricted. It is hoped that members will invite a non-member to play as their partner and guest. There will be no green fee charged for the member or the guest. This is a courtesy round over The Castle Course offered to all Links Ticket holders, members and their guests. The guest does not require a Links Ticket to play for free.	In the event of a tie decide the winners on countback
CASTLE STABLEFORD	Stableford competition, BLUE tees, full course handicap (Reserved & unreserved tee times)	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
CASTLE TROPHY	Singles knockout competition over the Castle Course BLUE tees, handicap allowance - full difference of course handicap	Matchplay
CHALLENGE MEDAL	Best scratch score at the Spring Outing	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
2nd CHALLENGE MEDAL	Best scratch aggregate score in the Spring & Autumn Prizes	In the event of a tie over both rounds, countback used over 2nd round
CHISHOLM TROPHY (Presented by the family of the late Douglas H Chisholm in 1979, a Past-Captain & Honorary Vice-President of the Club)	Tri-Am 3 man team Texas Scramble, each player must use 4 drives, no hcp limit. The following handicap calculation will be used - 30% + 20% + 10% from lowest to highest handicap - one medal round over a nominated course	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
D.L. JOY TROPHY (Presented by Duncan L Joy )	Best scratch score at the Autumn Outing	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
FIVE CLUB MEDAL (Medal found by D L Joy, Secretary , amongst Club possessions - it is the Silver Cross bought by the Club in 1865)	One round medal play over a nominated course, off BLUE tees, players to carry only 5 Clubs in their bags. (Not acceptable for handicap purposes)	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
JOHN LANG TROPHY (Originally the Cargill Cup donated by member David Cargill in 1907, won outright in 1926 by John Lang who won it 3 times in a row. Re-donated to the Club and re-named John Lang Trophy)	One medal round over the New Course	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
KINGSBARNS DAY	Stableford competition, GREEN tees, full handicap (Reserved tee times only)	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
MENZIES TROPHY (Donated by Willie Menzies, a Past-Captain & Honorary Vice-President and Life Member of the Club)	Second Class Championship (HCI 9.5 and over), qualifying Round on the Eden - Best 16 scratch scores go into the draw for the Knockout Section, knockout played over the Eden Course off scratch. The final to be refereed by the Vice-Captain. N.B. See Club Championship Draw below	Best 16 scores qualify. In the event of a tie for 16th place, decide the qualifiers on countback
MONTHLY MEDALS	One medal round - optional courses, 1st Class (Course handicap 9 & under) & 2nd Class (Course handicap 10 & over). Multi -Tee format permitted on the Castle Course only.	If tied on same course use countback, if tied on different courses a playoff will decide the winner
MONTHLY MEDAL FINALS	One round over the Old Course in October (Winners of 1st and 2nd class monthly medals qualify or if a player wins a subsequent medal in the same year, the 2nd place in that medal qualifies) (Reserved tee times only). If a restricted ticket holder qualifies for the Medals Final he will be granted a courtesy round on the Old Course free of charge.	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback. N.B. Players play in the class in which they qualified even though since then their handicap class may have changed.
MUNRO CUP (Presented by Munro (Butchers) in 1965)	First Class championship (HCI 9.4 and below), qualifying round over the Jubilee course- best 16 scratch scores go in to the draw for the Knockout Section - scratch knockout played over the Jubilee Course. The final to be refereed by the Captain. N.B. See Club Championship Draw below	Best 16 scores qualify. In the event of a tie for 16th place, decide the qualifiers on countback
NEIL WESTWOOD TROPHY (Presented by friends in memory of Neil Westwood)	One Medal Round over an optional course	If tied on same course use countback, if tied on different courses a playoff will decide the winner
PAST CAPTAINS� TROPHY (Presented by John G Gourlay)	Best net - Played for by All Past Captains and All Members of the current Committee at the Autumn Outing	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
PATON CUP (Donated by Club member Dr Hunter Paton in 1906)	Best Net Score (or Stableford points) at the Spring Outing	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
POWER VASE (Presented by W Power in 1960)	One Medal Round over the New Course (Reserved & unreserved tee times)	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
PRESIDENT�S PUTTER (Donated by Honorary President D Tosh in 1950)	One Medal Round over the Eden Course	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
SANDEMAN CUP (Presented by N S Sandeman, Kenly Green in 1921)	Foursomes knockout, the top team in the draw has the choice of course from either the Old, New, Jubilee or Eden course. Handicap allowance 50% of the difference between the combined team course handicap.	Matchplay
SENIORS QUAICH (60 and over) (Presented by D A Livingstone)	Singles knockout, the top player in the draw has the choice of course from either the Old, New, Jubilee, Eden or Strathtyrum. Handicap allowance - full difference of course handicap.	Matchplay
SMITH MEDAL (Donated by A Smith, Jeweller in 1960)	For Second Class, Best Scratch Aggregate Score in the Spring & Autumn Prizes	In the event of a tie over both rounds, countback used over 2nd round
STILLWELL ARROW TEAM COMPETITION	Three Man Team Medal Competition over a nominated course, best two net scores at each hole to count	In the event of a tie decide the winner's on countback
The K C WRIGHT MEMORIAL SHIELD	Played in the winter October to February inclusive, Eclectic score, over Strathtyrum Course - BLUE Tees. Players enter Gross Score for each hole played on scorecard. Play less than full round permitted, but all scores must be returned each week entered even if previous score at any hole is not bettered. The handicap allowance is to be exactly half of the players current playing handicap as at the date of the first round played, to be applied for the whole competition. If the course is open, play permitted at any time of the day.	In the event of a tie the winner will be decided on countback
THE JIM RUSSELL MEMORIAL TROPHY (presented by Mrs Russell in 2004)	Stableford Competition over the Eden Course	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback
THISTLE GOBLET (Presented by W L Dunne in 1980)	Four Ball Knockout, the top team in the draw has choice of course from either the Old, New, Jubilee or Eden course. Handicap allowance - All players get 90% of their course handicap, then lowest player goes to scratch, the others get the full difference of their adjusted handicap	Matchplay
TOM GORDON TROPHY (Made & presented by Tom Gordon)	Best Scratch Aggregate Score at the Spring & Autumn Outings	In the event of a tie over both rounds, countback used over 2nd round
WOOD MEDAL (Seniors 60 and over) (Donated by a relative)	Best Net Score in the Spring Prizes	In the event of a tie decide the winner on countback

OPTIONAL COURSE COMPETITIONS	Competitions on Optional Courses may be played on The Old, New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum or Castle course. The winning score will be determined by the lowest differential of net score compared to the Course Rating.
TEES	All competitions will be played from the BLACK tees, unless stated otherwise in the Competition Rules/Entry Sheet. Multi-tee choice is available to members playing only on the Castle Course.
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE	a. In the event of a tie by two or more players playing the same course the winner will be decided on count back.
	b. In the event of a tie by players on different courses, there will be a playoff, however, only the leading player on countback from each course qualifies for the playoff. A playoff will take place in the next individual medal or stableford competition being played on one course as advised by the committee. In the event that there is no competition on a single course prior to the medal finals, the playoff will take place in the next competition on optional courses with participants playing a course of their choice. If a player in the playoff is unable to play in the nominated competition the tie will be awarded to the other player. In the event of both players being unavailable the playoff will be deferred to the next available competition.
COURSE CLOSURES	a. Single Course - For competitions being played on a single course, where play is only permitted in reserved tee times, i.e. the Spring & Autumn Prizes on The Old Course, if the course is closed for the first 3 early morning reserved tee times, but opens for the afternoon tee times, the competition stands. If the competition is being played in reserved tee times and/or unreserved tee times i.e. where players make their own arrangements, if the course does not open until after 11 a.m. then the competition will be postponed until a later date.
	b. Optional Courses - If all courses do not open by 11 a.m. the competition will be postponed until a later date (excluding the Bruce Trophy & K C Wright Memorial Trophy)
	c. Any events outwith the above will be decided by the committee, whose decision is final in all circumstances
CHARGEABLE COMPETITIONS	If a member withdraws from a competition afer paying the entry fee and the Club have confirmed the numbers and paid the venue, he will only be entitled to a refund if his place is filled by another golfer. In all cases of withdrawal from chargeable competitions a �10 admin fee will be deducted from any refund due.
FAILURE TO RETURN SCORES/SCORE CARDS	The committee are required to close the competition on the day of the competition. Therefore, following completion of a round, scores should be submitted without undue delay, preferably within one hour. Any player who signs in for a competition and subsequently doesn't play or plays but does not return a score should email the Secretary providing an explanation.
SCORE ENTRY	It is a competition rule that members must input their scores via Club V1 after their round, unless notified otherwise by the committee
FOUR BALLS	Four ball medal play is permitted on all courses.
RULES FOR MATCH PLAY COMPETITIONS	Match play competitions were introduced to be played in the evenings Monday to Friday. Ties can only be arranged out with these times by mutual agreement of all parties involved.
	It is the responsibility of all participants to ensure that their matches are played by the date specified.
	The winners are responsible for ensuring that their names are put forward to the next round by the closing date of the current round using the ClubV1 app - Knockouts.
	Any dispute or problem in arranging a suitable date for a tie must be notified to the appropriate Competition Convener at least 7 days prior to the closing date for the round. The Convener will arrange a date and his decision is final. Failure to comply with the above will result in disqualification of either or both parties.
	Extensions will not be granted under any circumstances.
	In the event of a tie being halved after 18 holes, every effort should be made to play the match to a conclusion by the playing of extra holes, light permitting, unless both/all parties agree to play the tie again over 18 holes, as long as the tie can be completed by the due date.
Handicap Allowance:	a. Singles full difference of course handicap
(Based on Course Handicap)	b. 4 Ball All players get 90% of their handicap, then lowest player goes to scratch, the others get the full difference of their adjusted handicap
	c. Foursomes half the combined difference of course handicap
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS	The draws for the Club Championships should be made in accordance with the procedures notified by the R&A - https://www.randa.org/Rog/2019/Rules/Committee-Procedures/5F

SPRING & AUTUMN PRIZES & SPRING & AUTUMN OUTINGS



SPRING PRIZES (Old Course)	AUTUMN PRIZES (Old Course)

Best net	Best net
Best scratch	Best scratch
Wood Medal (60's & over best net)	Aggregates
	Boyd Medal (best net aggregate)
	2nd Challenge Medal (best scratch aggregate)
	A A Duncan Medal (60's & over, best net aggregate)
	Smith Medal (2nd class, best scratch aggregate)

SPRING OUTING (Not acceptable)	AUTUMN OUTING (Not acceptable)

Paton Cup (best net)	Autumn Quaich (best net)
Challenge Medal (best scratch)	D L Joy Trophy (best scratch)
	Past Captains Trophy (best net, past captains & current committee, who haven't won the best net or best scratch)
	Aggregates
	Bakery Quaich (best net aggregate)
	Tom Gordon Trophy (best scratch aggregate)


N.B. No player can win more than one trophy in the Prizes or at an Outing. The player with the best net takes the Net Trophy and the next best scratch player takes the Scratch Trophy, then Wood Medal (60's & over best net)/Past Captains Trophy.	N.B. No player can win more than one trophy in the prizes and outings aggregates. The prizes are allocated in the following order: Best net, best scratch, 60's & over best net, 2nd Class best scratch

Last updated: 27 Jun 2024 18:03