Controversial CONGU handicap system set for long discussion at ADM

The controversial handicap system operated by CONGU (Council of National Golf Unions of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) will be discussed at the Annual Delegates Meetings of the Irish provinces.

There has long been a view that those golfers intent on building their handicaps in pursuit of the game’s most desirable prizes are having their aims assisted by a structure that allows for an increase of 0.1 on each occasion that they return a score that exceeds the standard scratch score of the day as well as a club’s buffer zone.

A source of particular aggravation is the fact that once a player has entered a competition and paid the entrance fee, he need not go out at all and still qualify for a handicap increase.

Castletroy are putting a motion before the Munster ADM on November 26 that “if a player fails to return a score card, his exact handicap shall not be adjusted. If a player fails to complete the stipulated course or returns an incomplete score card without providing an adequate explanation, his exact handicap shall not be adjusted.”

“It is our view the automatic upward adjustment in these circumstances has the potential to facilitate handicap building and goes against the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play inherent in golf”, say Castletroy.

“We propose to only award 0.1 in the event of the completion of the stipulated round and return of a completed score card.”

Limerick Golf Club are also proposing that “no player can receive more than 20 point ones (0.1s) from qualifying competitions during a calendar year” while West Waterford wish to see clubs “have the discretion to apply exceptional score reductions.”

The outgoing officers, John Moloughney (Templemore), Chairman; Jim Long (Monkstown), Hon Secretary; Liam Harkin (Muskerry), Hon Match Secretary and Michael J Murphy (Tramore), Hon Treasurer, will all be returned unopposed at the Munster meeting while there are three new nominations, Michael Coote (Tralee), John Slye (Ceann Sibeal) and Sean Turner (Castleisland) for places on the provincial council.