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How is the Volvo Matchplay Championship played? |
The Championship includes a Better-Ball (team of 2) and Individual competition and
competitors may enter both. For the purpose of this text we refer to the Better-Ball
competition but the format is identical for the Individual competition with the
exception of stroke allowance – see below.
The closing date for entries is Friday 14th May. The Draw is made on a regional
basis to minimise traveling for competitors. Each region consists of 16 pairs and
each pair receive a copy their Regional Draw which contains the names, golf clubs,
handicaps and telephone numbers of each of the 16 pairs in that specific region.
Play commences in June and the format is knockout matchplay with a maximum of four
rounds played between June and September. After four rounds the winning pair in
each region qualify for their Regional Final of which there are usually eight, one
in Northern Ireland, one in Scotland and six throughout England, held at top class
courses in October. The top 2 or 3 pairs from each Regional Final, depending on
the number of pairs taking part on the day, qualify for the Grand Final in Portugal
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Who Can Enter? |
Current golf club members who have an ACTIVE handicap issued by a CONGU affiliated
golf club. To have an Active handicap a player MUST have played in at least 3 handicap
qualifying competitions in the 2009 calendar year.
Handicap limits are 24 for men and 30 for ladies. Golfers with higher handicap may
enter and play off these limits. Better-Ball teams may be mixed and players may
come from different clubs.
Golfers under 18 yrs may compete in the Better-Ball competition but MUST be partnered
by an adult. Competitors in the Individual competition MUST be 18 yrs and over.
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Where are the matches played? |
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In the first round the team drawn at the top in each pair will play at home. The
winning team who are first to inform the Tournament Office of the match result will
be the home team in the next round and so on.
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Complimentary or reduced green fees? |
Every competitor in the tournament must be a current member of a golf club so that
they can offer their opponents a Member’s Guest green fee. Courtesy of the course
is often granted but any green fees payable will be charged at the member's guest
rate and shared equally between each competitor:
For example, if the member's guest green fees is £10 then each player in the fourball
will pay £5 each.
One of the most popular reasons for entering the tournament is that it provides
an opportunity to play competitive golf on different courses for a fraction of the
normal green fee.
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How are matches arranged? |
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Player A in each team is sent a copy of the Draw for their particular region which
includes the names, handicaps, telephone numbers and golf clubs of the other competitors
in that Draw. Matches are arranged by the competitors on a mutually convenient date
and time. A period of at least 4 weeks is allocated to complete each round.
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How are the strokes worked out? |
Better Ball - Strokes will be taken on the basis of 3/4 of the handicap difference
and taken from the lowest handicap of the fourball.
Singles – Strokes are taken on the basis of the FULL handicap difference.
The maximum permitted playing handicap is 24 for men and 30 for ladies.
In addition to their normal stroke allowance ladies will also receive the difference
between the mens and ladies standard scratch score from the tees to be used. These
extra shots are added to the lady's handicap before 3/4 of the difference is calculated.
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How much is the entry fee? |
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The entry fee for the Better-Ball competition is £40 per pair and for the Individual
competition £20 per person.
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