Munster Golf have just released an updated list of key points for club handicap committees. The initiative follows a commitment made at the Annual Delegates Meeting to continue the efforts to stamp out handicap cheating.
The eight page document includes a very important piece on the mandatory reporting of all golf scores – including non qualifying events. There is a feeling that not all golfers of club officials realise the obligations that are already in place regarding the reporting of scores. The document also contains important references to the Rules of Golf and the CONGU rulebook which should help to educate and empower Handicap Secretary’s, Competition Secretary’s and everyone involved with competitions at club level.
Reporting Scores – Mandatory – Home or Away – All forms of Golf
(b) Non Qualifying Scores. – 4 Balls/ Scrambles/Classics/Societies – Relevant clauses are at (4.5(b), pg 19), (8.10 + 8.12, pg 24), (23.7 IrelandNote- pg 51) Direction from Union to report NQ Scores for immediate consideration/action for General Play Adjustment (Except Category 1 players). NB: In Ireland Players and Clubs must report Non Qualifying scores to Home Clubs: See 8.12 GP Adjustment based on Nett Diff, with Clause 19 adjustment if necessary, and SSS. This is a GPA and can not take effect until the player is notified personally agreed method, 23.5) Players who fail to comply with their obligations or responsibilities may be dealt with under Clause 24.1 pg 55 All other forms of Golf are for consideration as notable using the guidelines as set out in Appendix M at Page 86
Full text of Munster Golf’s Key Points for Handicap Committees:
https://www.golfnet.ie/about-us/handicapping/315/munster-golf-key-points-for-handicap-committees
Kinsale’s John Murphy capped off a great year last week when he announced that he would be heading to the US in the second half of 2017 on a golf scholarship. Later this year Murphy will head for Kentucky to take up a place with the Cardinals at the University of Louisville. Murphy will join Galway’s Devin Morley who started in Louisville in 2016, and Assistant Coach Aaron O’Callaghan who is in his third year coaching at the division one college.
John Murphy became the only golfer to win the Munster Junior Golfer of the Year in November. Murphy picked up his second successive award from Munster Golf having also won the Boys Order of Merit. Having competed in all of the provincial events at Boys and Youths levels, Murphy gave himself every chance of performing well in the Order of Merit. He scored well in the Irish Youths and the Irish Boys which ultimately separated him from the other contenders.
On course, 2016 had a very slow start with record rain-fall levels meaning that there was no play until late February. After that though the season got underway pretty quickly, and the mild weather in the past three months has allowed clubs to catch up on the slow start.
Normally the transition from Boy’s golf to Men’s golf can take a few years, but this season Cathal Butler proved the jump can happen very quickly. The Kinsale golfer started his first season after Boy’s golf with three big wins. In March he won the Fota Island Senior Scratch Cup, shooting an impressive 67 on the two-time Irish Open course, and what’s more impressive is that he finished five clear of a strong field. He followed that in May by winning the Munster strokeplay, beating Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty on the second hole of a sudden death play-off. After being selected for the Munster Interprovincial team, Cathal rounded off the summer with a win in the Killarney Senior Scratch Cup. Outside of the scratch cups, Butler had several good performances in the national championships. He made it through to the last 16 in the West, and the last 32 in the East. He also finished tied for 
Cork Golf News 