Oct
08
2020
2021 Season
New League rules and new Executive Committee voting shall be completed within 30 days after the completion of End of Season Tournament – 2 November, 2020.
To have rules considered for voting they must have membership support. Posting a recommendation does not mean it will be put up for a vote if there is no support from other members.
By Mike F, October 12, 2020 @ 8:51 am
Thoughts on 2021 Season
The 2020 golf season was a bit different with social distancing requirements, but for the most part, we completed the year with less drama than most years. In looking forward to 2021, I will throw out some general thoughts, then make some specific rules changes.
In a normal league golf season we play for 6 months (April 1 to September 30). Most years this provides an opportunity for members to play up to 26 leagues. In 2020 we had 2 rainout weeks, so there were 24 league rounds. Under current rules, to be league champion you must play in 10 league rounds to quality as Champion. If you play in 10 or more rounds you can drop your worse round in calculating league champion.
Under our current system, playing fewer rounds can be used as a benefit to a player that plays less. If a player is in the running for the league title, they can sit out the more challenging courses, or days with challenging weather conditions. Players that play 11 or 12 rounds and delete a bad score, potentially have an advantage over players that post 20 or more scores. I do not believe it is unreasonable for a player to become league champion be required to play in half the league rounds. I also believe the new 2020 rule of dropping a score was a failed experiment which resulted in gamesmanship. I think our goal should be to encourage league play.
Rule Change 1. To be league champion a player must compete in half or more of the league rounds played. (In 2020, that number was 12 due to rainouts).
Rule Change 2. Eliminate the rule which allows a player to drop a score if they play a certain number of rounds.
This next section addresses league dues, finances, payouts, and out end of the season tournament.
In 2020 we had several of our regular league players opt out of joining the league because they knew in advance that they would not be playing enough league rounds to qualify for being champion, or some continue to pay for the end of the season tournament (prize money and food), without ever playing in the tournament. We also have an aging league, and many players are physically unable to complete two rounds in a day without paying a price to their bodies.
I am proposing that we take the Liberty Mutual approach, “Pay for what you want”. This would require us to first pay our bills, then separate league dues from tournament fees and tournament food and drink.
In 2020, Rudy paid $57.91 so we can have the SSCN domain name ($17.99) and site hosting costs ($57.91). The league waiver his $20 membership fee. This does not need to be a rule change, but we need to pay our bills first. Non-members are receiving a free benefit of using our site, including handicap tracking services as well in some cases.
Rule Change 3. League membership fees are set at $15. After league expenses are paid by the Executive Committee, the remaining funds will be awarded to the top 3 league finishers. 1st place will receive 50 % of the remaining fundings, 2nd place 30%, and 3rd place 20%.
So, if there there are 24 league members we would collect $360. $60 would go for expenses, $150 to first, $90 to 2nd, and $60 to 3rd. It eliminates all guess work and decision making. Those not joining the league will not be tracked in our standings, nor will their handicaps maintained by Bob. Non-league members will not be eligible to play in the End of Season tournament.
Rule Change 4. The end of season tournament is only available to paid league members. No guests.
End of season tournament.
This is the primary reason that most members do not want to serve on the Executive Committee. This is where the real work of the Executive Committee happens. A one day event with 2 rounds of golf and a cookout following is becoming a bit too much.
Rule Change 5. The End of Season tournament will be played as a two day event. The first round will be played on the last day of our regular season. It will count in the regular season standings, but will also count in tournament standings. Those desiring to play will pay $5.00. The 2nd round will be played on the Friday following league play, or as soon thereafter, as determined by the Executive Committee. Payouts will be 50/30/20 percent of funds collected.
So, if you have 20 players and collect $100, the winner gets $50, 2nd place $30, and 3rd place $20. A league member that is unable to play in the 1st round of the tournament, can still play in the second round and will not be charged a fee or considered in the standings.
End of season cookout or dining event. If the tournament become a 2 day event, we should have plenty of time for social events. Food and drink can be at the course with each member playing for what they want. We can go to a nearby restaurant/bar, or if someone wants to host a cookout, each member pays a fee ($10), and the host makes the arrangements. If you do not want to participate, you do not sign up and pay for the cookout.
By Rudy, October 12, 2020 @ 9:17 am
Agree with majority of what Mike F posted.
One difference is the dropping of the high score. As mentioned some bail out of the tough courses, and for those that are trying to squeeze in the number of rounds needed bailing out is not an option. Also, playing a minimum number of rounds leaves the player with no room for error.
Instead of eliminating the bad score, reward the ones that play, lets say double of the minimum requirement with being able to drop 2 bad scores.
This will make reward those that play a lot as well.
By Bob, October 12, 2020 @ 7:37 pm
I agree with what Mike Fuller is proposing, except I would like to see the rule for dropping one bad round eliminated because I think it hurt more than it helped.
I definitely agree on reimbursing Rudy for the cost of the web site. I do not like the idea of eating in a restaurant as it eliminates the social interaction.
By Derek, October 14, 2020 @ 11:54 pm
I also agree with most of what Mike said, but let’s not forget this started as a “work” league, in face you have to work for NIWC to join or have a member sponser you, so let’s not punish people who cannot play sometimes because they are traveling for work. I like Rudy’s idea that reward the players who play more with if you play 20 rounds you can delete 2 rounds.
By Ron W, October 15, 2020 @ 4:44 am
Guess I’m in agreement with most of what is written above. I have a tendency to find the problems with certain rules and like to address them before they occur. Regarding the proposed EOS tournament changes having the last Wednesday of September as both the end of the league season and the first day of the two-day (Wednesday & Friday) tournament. If we get rained out on that EOS Wednesday, does the two-day tournament begin on the next Friday and finish on Wednesday? Or, do we wait until the following Wednesday/Friday? Regarding membership – you’re either a dues payment member of not a member.
By John D, October 15, 2020 @ 8:14 am
I propose we just increase the requirement for 10 rounds to 20 rounds. That way you eliminate the gamesmanship and rewards players who are active participants and recognize they are more likely to have a bad round than someone with minimum rounds
By Ron W, October 15, 2020 @ 10:44 am
20 rounds is quite a lot for a league that had only 4 members meet or exceed that number. We normally have 26 rounds per season and with the possibility of a round or two being rained out, ……
By Rudy, October 22, 2020 @ 12:39 pm
I agree with Ron, 20 rounds is a lot of rounds for someone to meet. Still think that the best award for someone that does play 20 plus rounds, is to allow them to remove another low score.
By Chris H., October 27, 2020 @ 10:58 pm
How about we keep the 10 rounds to qualify, but modify the rule from 11 rounds to drop your first score to 15 rounds to drop your first score, and 20 rounds to drop a second score.
By Ron Williams, October 29, 2020 @ 9:05 am
It seems to me that we have our order of events regarding executive committee elections, voting on rule changes, and payment of league dues in the wroing order. It would seem that before any voting is presented, dues for the upcoming year should already be paid. Why would we accept a vote from anyone who may decide to not join the league for the upcoming year? I suggest that we adopt a rule that states that league dues for the upcoming year must be paid by 1 December. The current executive committee will offer a ballot to the membership to elect the new committee for the upcoming year with a closing date of 1 January. The newly elected committee will then advise the membership that any proposed changes to the league rules be entered to the league blog for all to read/comment. As the league season begins on 1 April, there will be more than enough time for the committee to determine those potential rule changes to appear on a ballot. Those dates already in the league rules would be amended. I just don’t like the idea that someone could vote on anything before they are a paid member. We have had cases where votes were cast by non-paying members.
By Ron Williams, October 29, 2020 @ 9:10 am
Would also like to ensure that all members be “paid” members regardless of many rounds they anticipate playing. Any existing member who does not pay his dues by the announced date should be removed from the membership role – to include handicap calculations.
By Rob, October 30, 2020 @ 1:19 pm
I agree with Ron’s comments concerning the order of events and the fact that members should pay before voting on rules changes.
The question is, can we make that happen now before a rules change? I recommend that we adopt this now because it makes sense to do it that way. We’ve already missed the rules change deadline already. And I recommend we keep the dues at $20 for now.
By Rob, October 30, 2020 @ 1:31 pm
What I’m suggesting is to collect dues by 1 December. And since we’re already working on the rules changes, we can get them out for vote by the middle of December. But only those who paid their dues can vote. I can put out an email letting everyone know.
By Rob, October 31, 2020 @ 10:13 am
On second thought, what I suggested above is jumping the gun (changing the rules before they are voted on) and there’s no real need to do that. We should keep things the way they are and then incorporate the rule changes after voted on by the League members. More comments to follow.
By Bob Coppock, November 2, 2020 @ 4:21 pm
I agree that the dues be paid by all members, no matter how many rounds the member is going to play. I also would like to comment on the number of minimum rounds needed for the Championship. I think it should be a floating number due to weather 26/13, 24/12, 22/11,etc. I think half the number of total rounds should be sufficient.
By Bob Coppock, November 2, 2020 @ 4:28 pm
I would also like to recommend that the courses played must be a certain number of hard courses, and medium courses. These courses should be determined by the scheduler. This way all members will have had to play at least these courses to qualify for the Championship.
By Chris Hathcock, November 2, 2020 @ 11:55 pm
There have been few comments about the number of rounds needed to be played to qualify for the league champion / EOS Tourney, and comments about the rule to drop a round after playing 11 rounds. I propose we keep the 10 rounds to qualify, but change the rule to drop a round from 11 rounds to 15 rounds to drop one score and 20 rounds to drop two scores. I think this is a way to reward those who do play more rounds.
By John D, November 3, 2020 @ 2:31 pm
I modify my proposal. If a member completes 15 rounds then they can eliminate 1 bad score. If the can get to 20 rounds then they can eliminate a 2nd bad round. So for the 4 diehards 4 members get rewarded for their participation.
By Doug Hampton, November 3, 2020 @ 3:12 pm
I like Mike’s proposal to make the end of season tournament a 2 day (pay to play) event. It will eliminate trying to get a course to host 2 rounds, especially on a nice Friday like this past year where we barely finished before dark. I think we would have more participation in the after round get together as if it doesn’t start after 8 oclock. Paying a fee for the tournament also takes the decision on how much to pay the winners out of the committees hands which is another task eliminated.
By Mitch, November 3, 2020 @ 4:34 pm
I really like Mr Fullers end of season pay to play idea. Rudy should be reimbursed and Chris’s idea of 15 rounds drop a score and 20 rounds drop 2. Members must pay dues to win money. These ideas are simple, solve real issues and make sense.
By Ron Williams, January 10, 2021 @ 8:40 am
I’m pretty much in agreement with the last 3-4 comments. The EOS tournament has always been a challenge since we went to two rounds. Maybe changing to two rounds in two days will work better. Any member unable to play two rounds can still play with the league on either of the days – just unable to win the tournament.
By Steve, January 19, 2021 @ 12:30 pm
I agree with much of what’s been written. Most members seem to give good critical thoughts to their suggestion.
My thoughts are:
-Ron makes a good point about the# of rounds. It certainly is a hardship on the working stiffs and favors those of us that are retired. Keep in mind that this is a ‘work’ league.
-Agree w/Ron on sequence of events.
-I disagree with dropping any scores. Again, seems to favor the retired and/or better players. If we’re going too play golf, I say just play golf and let the chips fall as they may. Where did that suggestion originally come from
and why?
-Just for my own clarification; Mitch’s suggestion that only members can win money only applies to post season play?
-I suggest that the end of season rounds be played on courses of no more than moderately difficult courses. For example: If either of the EOS courses were to be Riverfront, many in the league would be automatically be out of contention. Steve for example
-As Ron said, as with this year, only 4 members played 20 rounds. If that’s going to be the norm, we might as well just give those that can play that often maybe we should just give those that can 20 rounds in the prize money at the beginning of the season and let them work it out among themselves. No need to get everyone else involved in something that doesn’t involve them.
-Whats the deal about no guests during EOS play? I can’t see why it should matter. Guests pay their own way and can’t way and can’t win any money. We let guests during the regular season and even let them win money. Seems pointless to me.
-I suggest that in the future any rule change submitted for consideration must be submitted with an explanation of why the change is proposed and the expected desired/results of the change.
By Doug Hampton, January 21, 2021 @ 11:06 am
Can I ask where the rolling of the ball in the fairway during off season rounds came from, and what does it mean? Is it just possibly rolling the ball from a divot, or can I clean a clump of mud from my ball?