GCO Golf League

2.19 - Players are required to enter start and end times for all rounds of golf for their score to be official

4.16 - Mid-Season 9-hole 2-man event introduced in place of one week of match play.

1.1 TEEING AREA. For weekly nine hole play at Shale Creek, the League shall play the course in this order: Blue front tees, Blue back Tees, Black front tees, Black back tees, Gold (tips) front tees, Gold back tees. Then repeat the order until the season is complete. However, the Gold tees shall not be used until week 9. Also, to offset the added blue tees during the beginning of the season, should the final week or final two weeks of the schedule end on Blue tees, it shall be changed to Black tees. For majors, the teeing area for all league play shall be the tees closest to and at least 6600 for a par 72 yard course. The Commissioner reserves the right to make reasonable tee alteration to accommodate the league for weather, conditions, construction and conflicting play considerations.

1.5 PROVISIONAL BALL. Whenever there is the slightest doubt that your ball may have come to rest near or past the white stakes (out of bounds) or you believe your ball may be lost outside of a hazard, you are to declare a provisional ball, and hit a second ball. There is no penalty if your first ball is still in bounds or not lost. You then pick up the provisional ball and play your original. If you determine later that your original ball has come to rest out of bounds, you take a penalty and play the provisional ball. If you have not played a provisional ball by mistake, you are to return to the spot of your last shot and play another under a one stroke penalty. If you fail to comply with this rule, you will be assessed another two-stoke penalty, on top of the penalty for the lost ball.

1.6.1 PLAY BALL AS IT LIES. The default form of play is to play the ball as it lies under USGA rules and applicable local and GCO rules unless Preferred Lies is announced.

1.6.2 PREFERRED LIES. Preferred Lies - Fairway may be announced by the Commissioner's Office when conditions warrant such as snowy or muddy conditions, excessive moisture in the soil, extreme heat and un-mown fairways. The Commissioner will post Preferred Lies in the Commissioner's Notes when applicable. When Preferred Lies is announced, a ball lying on your fairway may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within six inches of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed. If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless another USGA rule apples. If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. Preferred Lies - Everywhere may be announce by the Commissioner's Office and provides the same relief as Preferred Lies - Fairway except you may lift clean and place anywhere on the course, except a hazard.

1.7 EMBEDDED BALL. You may lift, clean and replace an embedded ball anywhere EXCEPT in a hazard, including bunkers, or any non-mown area such as the woods, naturalized areas and tall heather grasses. You may lift clean and replace an embedded ball in any cut of rough which is mown regularly. An embedded ball is a ball which lies, in whole or in part, within its own pitch or ball mark.

1.8 POWER LINES. If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable, the stroke MUST be canceled and replayed, without penalty. If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted. This rule does not apply to the support structures of power lines or cables.

1.9 WEATHER RULES. Scattered showers and light rain do not cancel golf. Cool, cold or windy weather does not cancel golf. Golf is canceled by reason of thunderstorms that are ongoing at tee off, snow accumulation, tornado, ongoing heavy rain at tee off which has little hope of letup and the golf course being closed. If the weather situation is particularly threatening, please check you emails before heading to the golf course. We try to send out a last minute cancel / no-cancel notice, if possible.

1.9.1 (Repealed 2018) ~~MINIMUM TEMPERATURE~~ ~~(The Brian Pinto Rule) No golf shall be played on Wednesdays if the actual temperature in Medina at 3 o'clock p.m. is less than 40 degrees F, according to~~ ~~www.accuweather.com~~ ~~on the Wednesday of the day of play.~~ The Commissioner shall deterimine if the termperature is suitable for play together with all other factors..

1.10 USGA AND LOCAL RULES. USGA Rules apply except where local course rules apply and the listed GCO league rules. In all instances where GCO, local and USGA rules contradict or contravene each other, the GCO rules shall control, followed by local rules then USGA.

1.11 LOSE OF HOLE. Breach of any USGA, Local or GCO rule during match play will result in a lose of hole in addition to the scheduled penalty.

1.12 COMMON INFORMATION. Sharing information with your opponent or other players as to the distance to the hole from a tee box, yardage marker, gps unit info, distance laser info, paced off yardages, topographic feature or other similar circumstance, are considered commonly known facts and no penalty shall be incurred by either party. Sharing information as to the direction of the hole or the pin position are also considered commonly known facts and no penalty shall be incurred by either party. Sharing of said common information is intended to help the speed of play but one is not required to share such information.

1.13 REPAIR OF SPIKE MARKS. USGA rules apply. Golfers are permitted to repair spike marks or other damage caused by shoes, on the greens at Shale Creek and only Shale Creek. Repairing a spike mark or other shoe damage is not permitted at other courses. Repairing of spike marks or other shoe damage does not extend the time a golf has to execute a stroke. You may repair any spike mark once you have hole out.

1.14 GIMMIES. Gimmies shall not be permitted at anytime during league play.You may not offer a gimmie nor may you accept one. Not in weekly match play, not during a major and not during any other event such as the Samsh-up unless specifically permitted at such event. should a player execute a gimmie, he shall replace the ball as near as possible to the last know position prior to the gimmie and play out the hole with the addition of a one stroke penalty.

15 STIMPMETER. The Commissioner or other Vice Commissioner or Marshall, shall be permitted, without penalty or disqualification, to measure the green speeds with a Stimpmeter, either immediately before the round or immediately after, provided however, that such measurement numbers are posted for the members to access as soon as practical following the measurement.

2.1 SCORING FORMAT. Scoring shall be the combined point totals of the weekly league matches and the point totals for the Majors.

2.1.1 WEEKLY REGISTRATION AND TEE SHEET. You are required to register to play if you wish to remain scheduled to compete. This is accomplished by clicking the "register" button on the website. This includes play against your scheduled opponent, or placing your name in the available pool of players who do not have an opponent to be automatically re-paired prior to league play. The deadline to register for nine-hole play is 8pm on the day before play (Tuesday night). If you have not registered or have unregistered to play by 8pm, you will not be scheduled to play and your opponent will be released to play against another in the automatic tee toss process. You may still come to the course to play, but in this instance, you will play against the course regardless if there are others who also do not have a match.

You are stongly encouraged to utilize the tee sheet each week you play and select an available tee time. The tee sheet is first come first served. An individual who does not have a confirmed match, may not block a tee time. Only individuals who have a registered opponent, are playing the course or are playing the median, may select a tee time from the tee sheet

2.2 WEEKLY MATCH PLAY SCORING. The weekly format will be match play against other golfers according to a random schedule. With the number of members larger than the number of weeks of league play, it is not possible to schedule a matches whereby each golfer will play every other golfer in the league. Scores are handicapped using established GCO handicaps system which is USGA compliant. Provisional handicaps will be used for players without an established GCO handicap.

You receive one point for winning a hole, a 1/2 point for a tie. You also receive 2 points if you have the net low score in your match. In case of a net low tie, each player will receive 1 point. You will also receive 2 point if your net score bests the field's median net score for that day. The maximum point total is 9+2NL+2M=13 (exclusive of the Sean Jones Rule Points). Players are to calculate their scores with their handicaps and submit a joint scorecard with names, scores, net scores, points and handicaps used, at the end of the round to the designated league Commissioner or coordinator. The median point (MP) will be calculated after all the day's rounds have been submitted.

An example of this format in play is as follows: Player A plays Player B. Player A has a 9 hole handicap of 9 and player B has a handicap of 0. Player A and B both par hole number 1. Player A is awarded one point because Player B has to give Player A 1 stroke for each hole ( the difference between their handicaps.) If the difference in handicaps between the players is something less or more than 9, then strokes are given to holes based on the hole's difficulty. For instance, if Player A has a handicap of 10 and Player B has a handicap of 6, Player B gives 4 strokes to Player A by giving one stroke on the four hardest holes as designated by handicap of the hole. The #1 handicap hole is the most difficult hole. Whoever has the lowest net score (total score after taking into account one's handicap) after 9 holes wins the net and is awarded an extra 1 net score point to his total hole point score. Each player will be awarded 1/2 points in the case of a net score tie.. After all score cards are turned in for the day, the median net score and net median hole scores for the day will be calculated. Any player that bests the the median net score, will win an extra 2 points under the Sean Jones Rule. It is possible to lose your match and lose your net low, and still win two points for the median point. Both players in a match may win or lose the median point. The winner and loser will have both of their respective scores added to their running totals for the year.

2.3 MAJORS. In addition to the weekly match play scoring format, the league will also have 4 "Majors" of stroke play which will be counted towards the point totals. Majors shall be scheduled, as best as possible, at least 28 days apart. The following points will be awarded in each Major according the finishing position:

If more than one player tie for first place, then first place shall be awarded to the player with the best net-score on the hardest handicap hole. If still tied, then the second handicap hole and so forth will be examined until a winner is determined. If the course handicap holes are based on nine hole sides, the backside shall be used first as the first hardest hole, then the front side for the 2nd hardest hole, then back and front alterating unitl the tie is broken. If more than one player tie for a certain finishing position other than first place, for instance, three players finish tied for second, then each player will be awarded the points of the average points awarded for 2nd, 3rd and 4th places, rounded up to the nearest 0.5 point. For example, all three shall be awarded .16.5 points (18+16+15 / 3 = 16.333; round up to 16.5) The points are always rounded up, regardless of how small the decimal number is. (11.001 is rounded up to 11.5) However, if 3 players tie for second, there shall be no third or fourth place points. The next lowest score shall receive fifth place points.

All Majors will be fully handicapped regardless of format. If a player does not have an established GCO handicap for a Major, he must use a temporary handicap consisting of the provisional handicap minus two strokes, unless otherwise exempted from this modification by the Commissioner. In no event may the temporary handicap exceed two strokes per hole. The common formats for the Majors shall be stroke play and GCO modified stableford.

If weather is preventing the playing of a Major, all effort will be made to play to completion on the scheduled day. If the event cannot be completed in full on the scheduled day, it shall be cancelled and not be rescheduled, with the exception of the final Major. If the final major is required to be cancelled, it shall be played on the following Sunday, in lieu of the GCO Smashup.

2.4 LEAGUE CHAMPION. The GCO League Champion (winner of the GCO Cup) shall be the individual with the most total combined weekly match play and Major point totals at the conclusion of the season following deduction for §2.5 Worst Score Drop Rule.

2.5 WORST SCORE DROP RULE. Your point total for the year will be modified at the end of the season by the dropping of your three (3) worst scores. No-shows are calculated as zero points for the purposes of this rule. While players are encouraged to compete on a weekly basis, it is usually inevitable that some players must miss a week or two due to work obligations or vacation plans. You will now be able to drop that zero from your totals. For the purposes of this rule, a Major shall be considered the equivalent of two weekly matches, therefore, if you miss a Major, you exhaust (2) of the allotted worst score drops. A Major cannot be dropped unless you miss it. You must drop your missed Majors before you drop any weekly scores. If you only miss one weekly match, you drop that missed weekly match zero and also your two other lowest weekly match scores. If you miss more than your allotted bye weeks, all other no-shows will be tabulated as zero points. If you do not miss any weekly matches and do not miss any Majors, you must drop your three (3) worst weekly match scores.

2.6 OPPONENT NO SHOW. Provided you have registered under rule 2.1.1 for nine holes, if you opponent has failed to register to play or has unregistered to play, you will be randomly paired against any other league member whose opponent has also failed to register via the "automated Tee Toss." The scoring will remain the same as if a regularly schedule match was taking place. An automated tee toss is authorized to be implemented provided it re-pairs players via a computer randomization of the available players without opponents based on registration. If after the automated tee toss you still have not been paired, you will enter the "Orphan Player Pool."

The Orphan Player Pool will consist of those registered players that after the automated tee toss still do not have an opponent or their opponent has failed to show on the day of play. If there is more than one orphan player, they shall attempt a live tee toss and re-pair with other orphan players, making a good faith effort to incorporate all orphan players in such live tee toss. If any orphan player fails to enter the live tee toss or are the odd man out following the live tee toss, they shall play against the median.

Those golfers that did not register to play yet shows up to play; or those golfers that did not timely show up and their opponent had already re-paired in the live tee toss, such players shall play against the course.

2.7.1 QUALIFY PLAY AGAINST THE COURSE. A golfer in GCO qualifying must play against the course. Such a player does not play a match against other league members. Hole to hole, playing against the course means your hole net-score in relation to par. If your hole net is par, you tie with the course and are awarded 1/2 a point. You need a net birdie to score a 1 hole point against the course. There is also an overall net score. 2 points is awarded if you overall net beats the course. You do not need to break par, after factoring in your handicap, to get the 1 points for net low. In order to beat the course, you must score at least even par to be awarded the 2 points for net low. A net score of one over par will be equated as a tie with the course and you will be awarded 1 points. A net of +2 or higher will be considered a net low loss to the course. Players in GCO qualifying are also awarded 2 median point if the golfer's net score is equal to or less than the net median score of the day.

2.7.2 REGULATION PLAY AGAINST THE MEDIAN. For players with GCO exempt or partially exempt status and no other league member is available to play against, you play against the median. Hole to hole, playing against the median means your net hole score versus the net-median hole score for that hole. If you net hole score is better than the net median hole score, you win the hole and are awarded one hole point. If the net hole score is equal to the net median hole score, you are awarded 1/2 a hole point. A net hole score worse than the net median hole score receives no points. There is also an overall net score. For players playing the median, if a players overall net is better than the overall net median, he is awarded 1 point. If the overall net score is equal to the median, 1/2 a point is awarded. An overall net score worse than the median receives no points. In addition, there are also 2 median points . The golfer is also awarded 2 median point if his score is equal to or less than the median score of the day. Points are tabulated buy hole points plus net points plus median points.

2.8 PAIRINGS. Only paired opponents may tee off alone. A single must play with another single or with another two-some, unless and only unless the Commissioner approves of single play under special circumstances. Foursomes have no restrictions. You may tee off as soon as you are ready at your alloted tee time and the course allows play. If you expect to be late or a no-show on a given day, a courtesy e-mail to your opponent is appropriate. This prevents guys from rushing down to the course only to wait 45 minutes for the guy who knew he was going to be late. If you playing opponent does not give you notice of his status, and the opponent fails to appear by the set tee time, you may tee off or wait, it is your option. If you opponent gives you notice of his late arrival, and with good cause, you are required to permit up to 5:30 pm for his arrival.

2.9 LATE SEASON LEAGUE LEADERS TEE-TIMES. In the last three weeks of league play, it is strongly encouraged that the league leaders in points be permitted to tee off as early as possible. The purpose for this rule is to minimize the effect of darkness due to late season tee times for those in a position to compete for the league title. Golfers out of the running for the championship late in the season, should, in good etiquette, permit those groups with players in position to compete for the league title to tee-off earlier.

Furthermore, the league leaders are to play in the same groupings for the final major. The top-3 will play in the group with the Commissioner. If the Commissioner is in the top-3, then the Vice-Commissioner shall play in the final group consisting of the top-3. Should it be determined that at least 4 or more golfers are in close contention at the final major, the Commissioner may appoint the Vice-Commissioner to play in the second highest ranked group.

2.10 SEASON LENGTH AND SCHEDULE. The length of the schedule, shall in most cases, be determine by the length of the season. Should a week be cancelled due to inclement weather, course closure or a declared holiday layoff, the schedule shall resume by skipping the canceled week and scheduled opponent. The league schedule shall commence on the first or second Wednesday of April, weather permitting. All regular league play will end on the day of the Final Major on the third Sunday of Septembner, regardless of the number of weeks of competition actually completed.

2.11 PLAYOFF. In the event that two golfers finish the season tied with the most points, a nine hole playoff will occur the following week based upon the regular season match play format. They play the nine holes which would have been next on the league rotation. The tees will be one forward from the tips. In the event that more than two golfers finish the season tied with the most points, a nine hole playoff will occur the following week, however, this three or more golfer format will be based on stroke play using handicaps. In other words, the lowest net-score will win. In either case, if the golfers are still tied after the playoff round, the winner shall be determined by the lowest score on the most difficult rated holes based on the score card's handicap. If still tied after the number one handicap hole, then to the second, and so on. If there is still a tie after considering the scores from all nine handicapped holes, the tied golfers will play another nine holes along the same format and so forth until a winner is determined.

2.12 READY GOLF. Please play ready golf, that is, if you are ready to hit while your opponent is dinking around, go ahead. Ready golf also implies you should prepare yourself to hit as soon as possible, whether or not it is your turn. A good example of this is go to your ball with the correct club and figure out your shot while your opponent is preparing to hit and hitting. Don't wait for him to hit and then saunter over to your ball. This does not mean hit at the same time or be a distraction to your opponent or other golfers. Common Etiquette is still required. If a golfer feels that the order of play may effect the match, a golfer may, at his option, require his opponent to abide by the order of play.

2.13 TEE PRIORITY IN MAJORS. The order of foursomes in Majors is pre-determined by leaderboard rank. That is, 1, 2, 3, 4 play in the first group, 5, 6, 7, 8 play in the second grouped and so on. Should a player fail to make his allotted slot, he shall tee off with the last group. In case of ranking ties, the tie breaker shall be net-low, and if still tied, the number of birdies and if still tied, alphabetically based on the last name of the player.

For the Final Major only, the order of foursomes will be the reverse of the leaderboard with the top players playing in the last group. Please also refer to GCO Rule 2.9 which takes priority as to the final major and league leaders.

2.14 TRACKING PUTTS. Players are required to report the number of putts taken on each hole for every round played, match play as well as majors. A stroke is considered a "putt" when the player's ball first comes to rest on the green and all strokes taken from that point forward are counted as putts regarless of the club used. A gimmie is considered a stroke. Putts will be continued to be counted even if the ball leaves the putting surface and is played from off the green provided it had previously come to rest on the green, even if the stroke is taken with a non-putter. A stroke is not considered a "putt" even if a putter is used from off the green when the ball has not earlier come to rest on the green.

2.15 WITHDRAWAL. (The Greg Drew Rule) Should a player withdraw from a match once play has commenced, the non-withdrawing player shall be awarded the net for winning the match but the median point must still be earned. The non-withdrawing player will play against the withdrawing player through the holes that the withdrawing player completed. Thereafter, the non-withdrawing player will play against the course. The withdrawing player shall also be entitled to all hole points earned against the non-withdrawing player. Should a player withdraw from a Major, it shall be deemed as if the player did not play in the Major.

2.16 CONCESSION. In match play, should a player concede a hole without a hole-out, he shall be deemed to have lost the net in the match and the median point, in addition to losing the hole conceded. Furthermore, for purpose of handicapping, his score for the hole conceded shall be all his strokes made on the hole plus one as if the concession was a gimmie, but in no case, shall the net score on the hole be tied or less than the net score of the non-conceding player.

2.17 EARLY PLAY. Players are permitted to commence their match thirty minutes (30) before the first Wednesday schedule tee time without prior Commissioner approval. Players in a match not against the course, are permitted to commence their match as early a 3:00pm on Wednesday, provided there is good cause for teeing off early and they obtain prior Commissioner approval. If they do not satisfy this prerequisite, the match will be nullified and no replay will be permitted.

2.18 FIELD NET LOW. (The Sean Jones Rule) In nine hole match play, all players with the net low for the field receive a 2 point bonus. Players in qualifying may not receive the 2 point bonus and it shall pass to the next partially or fully exempt GCO member.

2.19 TIME TRACKING. All players at all events are required to enter the start and finsih times for their group, regardless if the group it is a 2-some, 3-some, 4-some or more. The start time for each group is when the last player of the group tees off. The finish time for the group is when the last player of the group holes out. Failure to enter times correctly will result in disqualification unless such timing data is entered within a reasonable time following the end of a round. Timing data is required even when there is a delay in play. Players need not enter timing data for cancelled rounds. Said timing data is solely for statistical data at this time.

3.1 GCO HANDICAP INDEX. A GCO Handicap index for this league will be calculated based on a minimum of five adjusted 18-hole scores from the home course or eligible seed scores and then at weekly increments throughout the season. The GCO Handicap system maxes out at your most recent 20 scores in the golfer's experience. The Handicap index is based on the USGA formula using the average of your best eligible Adjusted Gross Scores for the given period while taking into consideration a bonus for excellence as defined by the USGA. A golfer's playing handicap is derived by applying the USGA formula to the index which takes into account the slope and course rating of the course to be played. The handicap index will an 18-hole index.

No playing handicaps can exceed the stroke limits set in section 3.5 for a nine-hole round or an eighteen-hole round. Handicaps are not effected by the Worst Score Drop Rule. The index may exceed the stoke limit but the playing handicap cannot.

While weekly play is normally nine holes, the handicap index will be derived from 18-hole rounds. A major is a single 18-hole round. Consecutive nine hole rounds will be combined into a single 18-hole round for handicap purposes.

Handicaps will be derived from a players handicap history which may include permitted seed scores. No historical scores shall be considered for calculating a handicap which are older than two prior seasons. For instance, if the date is August 1, 2020, any historical score from the 2020 season, or 2019 or 2018 may be used to derive a handicap. This remain subject to the 20 most recent scores rule.

3.2 EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL. For the sole purposes of calculating and tracking handicaps, not for calculating match or net points, Adjusted Scores will be used. The concept is to make handicaps consistent and limit abuse of the handicapping process. The amount of equitable stroke control being applied to a score depends on your handicap for the given day. An Adjusted Score will be determined by applying the following stroke control which follows the USGA guidelines:

For instance, if a player with a 5 handicap has a final score of 48 and such score includes a 9 on a par 4, the 9 will be adjusted to a 7 and the Adjusted Gross Score will be two less, or 46. No Adjusted Score can exceed 20 over par and no handicap can exceed 18.

New members who have not registered at least 5 rounds will utilized the equitable stroke control table with the provisional handicap accepted by the league for said first five rounds. Following that, the normal playing handicap calculated by the GCO will be utilized in equitable stroke control.

3.4 QUALIFYING WITH PROVISIONAL HANDICAP SYSTEM. The GCO golf league will provide a provisional handicap for all new/non-exempt players until such time as they have played four ~~five~~ official nine-hole rounds with the league plus three accepted 18-hole seed scores, after which, an official USGA-GCO handicap will be issued. During this qualifying period, the new/non-exempt player shall only play against the course with the provisional handicap in lieu of playing exempt members. The new/non-exempt player shall earn points as any match against the course. To obtain a provision handicap, new players must submit a verifiable USGA handicap index, or in the alternative, their best 18-holes with name of the golf course, which tees used and approximate date played. The GCO will calculate a provisional handicap based on those submissions, using USGA calculations. The provisional handicap generally should not go up during the provisional period. However, if any single round is below the provisional handicap, the provisional handicap will be adjusted downward based solely on that sub-provisional round for the following week's play. Furthermore, if the Commissioner's office determines that the provisional handicap is substantially above or below the level of play of a new golfer, the Commissioner's office upon committee, may adjust the handicap, even retroactively, to correct the inaccuracy in the interest of fair play. Furthermore, the Commissioner's office upon committee, may remove seed scores at any time, in the interest of fair play.

3.5 HANDICAP PROBATION. (The Adam Sroka Rule) Any time a GCO member's playing handicap exceeds 10 for nine-holes in match play, said golfer shall be put on probation. On probation, said golfer is prohibited from playing other GCO members and shall only play against the median with a maximum nine hole handicap of 12. The period of probation shall continue until such time as the playing handicap is 10 or less. GCO members on probation cannot compete in games of prizes, but may still accumulate GCO points. If a player is able to come off of probation, his points earned during probation will count toward the league championship. A golfer on probation may play in a Major, but only with the maximum 18-hole handicap of 18. Any GCO member in good standing that was scheduled to play against a golfer on probation will have his match canceled and will enter the tee-toss procedure to determine his opponent.

3.6 EXEMPT MEMBERS. Any GCO member, current or former, that maintains at least ten qualified scores in any GCO handicap system that are not less than five years old, shall have full GCO exempt status and his handicap of record shall apply. Should a member, current or former, not have ten (10) qualified scores, he shall play the course under the provisional handicap system for five rounds and then shall have full exempt status again. The scoring will be as any other match against the course. The handicap used by a player that has lost his exempt status shall be his old GCO handicap, and it shall be adjusted each week. He may accumulate points and compete in a Major but not other games of prizes during the non-exempt period.

3.7 PARTIALLY-EXEMPT MEMBERS. A partially-exempt golfer is one who does not have to play the course during the provisional handicap period but rather plays a regular match according to the schedule. A new golfer with at least 4 nine hole GCO scores (creating two 18 hole rounds) and three other acceptable 18 hole seed scores and is also vouched for by a current GCO member or commissioner, shall have partially-exempt status. A new golfer coming from any other GCO league, such as the Top-20 Tour, shall have partially-exempt status. The Commissioner shall have the sole discretion to accept or reject submitted rounds.

4.1 PRIZES AND LEAGUE CHAMPION. The top 5 finishers by points shall be awarded prize money. At the completion of league play, prizes are awarded based on the following formula: 1st place, i.e., most points, receives the GCO trophy (value approximately $100) and 43% of the pot, 2nd place receives 24%, 3rd place receives 15%, 4th place receives 11% and 5th place receives 7%. All amounts are calculated after the league expense such as the trophy, buck-a-bird, net-low-dough, major points, GCO Convention allocations, and Smash-Up/Ryder Cup funding are subtracted from the pot.

If there is more than one golfer tied for first, there shall be a playoff ( §2.11). If two or more golfers are tied for second place, then there shall be no third place prize and all second place winners shall equally divide the remaining pot. If there is more than one third place winner, then the third place prized shall be divided equally between the third place winners.

4.2 BUCK-A-BIRD. Every gross birdie scored will be worth one birdie point, gross eagles will be three points and double eagles worth six. All players that post buck-a-bird points will receive a payout at the end of the season of four (4) dollars for each point. The buck-a-birds will be tracked along with the point totals and all players are responsible for informing the Commissioner of the number of birdies scored each week by designating the birdies on the score card turned in for posting. If players fail to inform the league within seven days of the birdie or fail to take steps to correct a posting error on the part of the Commissioner or the league within twenty-one days, that buck-a-bird will be waived. Buck-A-Bird points are awarded during a Major. They are not awarded during other play where league points are not awarded.

4.3 NET-LOW-DOUGH. To be eligible for net-low-dough, the golfer must have logged a minimum of six (6) eligible matches prior to competing for the net-low. The golfer that posts the lowest net-score each week will earn one net low point. In the event two or more golfers tie for the net-low, each will earn one net-low point. All players that post low-dough points will receive a payout at the end of the season of ten dollars ($10.00) for each net-low point. The low-dough will be tracked along with the point totals and all players are responsible for informing the Commissioner of their net-low number by designating both the gross and net scores on the card turned in for posting. If players fail to inform the league within seven days of the claimed net-low score, or fails to take steps to correct a posting error on the part of the Commissioner or the league, within twenty-one days, that net-low-dough will be waived. Net-Low-Dough points are NOT awarded during a Major.

4.4 LEAGUE DUES. To be eligible to compete in the league and to be eligible for any prizes of the league, including the hole-in-one prize, your league dues must be paid in advance. To wit, if you make a birdie on week one and have not paid your league dues yet, you will not be eligible for the birdie money. Proof of delivery to paypal with a time stamp shall serve as evidence of payment, for example. Delivering cash to the Commissioner after you have played your round will not retroactively qualify you for money prizes. Only when the Commissioner is in receipt of league dues will you qualify for prize money going forward. If your league dues are not paid at the season opening, you will not be awarded money for any birdies, net-low, major points, hole-in-one prize or any other money prize until such time as you have paid your league dues. There will be no retroactive awarding of prizes following late payment of league dues. If you fail to pay your league dues as proscribed by the Commissioner, you are also subject to removal from the league. The Commission may permit the non-paying member to still compete for league points (not money) until the Commissioner, at Commissioner's sole discretion, deems you non-compliant. League dues as of the 2025 season shall be $150.00.

4.5 MAJOR MONEY. First through sixth place at each Major will be awarded the following Major Money points respectively: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . Each Major Money point is worth $10.00. In the event that one or more majors are cancelled and not rescheduled, the value of a major point will be adjusted as a proportion to the payout for major points based on there being four majors per year.

4.6 (Repealed 2018) ~~RYDER CUP.~~ Ryder Cup teams are comprised of 12 GCO golfers for competition against another local league. Only the top-10 golfers by points automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup(s). Should more than one golfer be tied for 10th or any other position, the tie breaker for the Ryder Cup shall be net-lows, if still tied, then birdies, and if still tied, then major points.

The 11th and 12th team member as well as any necessary alternate, shall be selected as Commissioner's picks following committee with all Commissioners and the current GCO League Champion. The league shall allocate $600.00 from the leagues general fund the Ryder Cup(s) team.

4.7 GCO CHAMPION MAJOR SITE SELECTION. The reigning GCO Champion may select the site of one of the four majors, provided that the site is available and meets the minimum league requirements for an adequate Major site. In the event that the GCO Champion does not return the following year, the site selection shall fall to the 2nd place winner, 3rd place winner and then Commissioner, in that order of priority.

4.8 PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATION. (The Chad Volkmer Rule) In order to be eligible to receive any prize winnings earned, that golfer must have attended a minimum of 66% of the league weekly play that year. Attendance at Majors does not count toward weekly play. All monies that would have been awarded to a player but for the failure to meet the minimum weekly requirement shall be add to the GCO Convention fund.

4.9 GCO SMASH-UP. A Two-Man best ball tournaments shall take place on the Sunday following the final Major. It shall also serve as the backup date and site in case the final Major is cancelled. 10% of league dues shall be allocated toward the Smash-Up. The Tournament shall have an entry fee of $50 per team ($25 per player). The event is voluntary and shall not count towards handicaps nor GCO league points. Team pairings shall be up to the individuals. Handicaps shall be limited to 80% of their total playing handicap for the course. The only eligibility to compete in the tournament is to be a player in good standing in the GCO with a minimum of 8 18-hole rounds in your GCO history and payment of the entry fee.

The Smash-up shall be played from the tees closest to 6300 yards for a par 72 course.

The tee order for the Smash-up is based on the registration order. First team registered, first tee. You must be current in your league dues in order to register. There MUST be two teams in a tee time slot or in the alternative, a two some with an approved marker. The obligation to obtain a marker, if necessary, is upon the last team to register. Teams without another team in their group or a single team without a marker, may not compete for prize money.

The Commissioner shall establish the prize payouts before the event. If the smashup is cancelled, all money allocated for the smashup shall be reallocated to the following years' Smash Up event. This does not include team fees.

4.10 GCO CONVENTION FUND. The league shall allocate $200 to the GCO Convention from the general fund. Also, all penalties and forfeitures shall go to the GCO Convention fund. If a shortfall occurs due to an under funded convention, the Commissioner is authorized to expend such funds to cover such shortfall out of the following seasons general funds provided such expenditure is not unreasonable.

4.11 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. The rookie player in good standing with the most points at the conclusion of the season, shall win $25 from the league funds as the Rookie Of The Year. Said rookie must satisfy rule 4.8 the "Volkmer Rule." Tie breaker shall be most major points, followed by most birdie points. If still tied, the award shall be evenly divided. If no rookie qualifies, there shall be no award. A player is considered a rookie if he has not been been a member of the GCO for at least 10 years. There must be at least 4 rookies who qualify for the award in a given season otherwise there shall be no rookie of the year award.

4.12 MOST IMPROVED PLAYER. The player in good standing, who has shown the most improvement in his handicap, from the first day of the current season to the last day of the current season, shall win $25 from the league funds as Most Improved Player of the Year." Said player must satisfy rule 4.8 the "Volkmer Rule," must have completed at least one season previously, not been on probation during anytime during the current season, and must have maintained a qualifed handicap at all times during the season. The tie breaker shall be first the most major points, followed by most birdie points. If still tied, the award shall be evenly divided.

4.13 RACE TO 100. The first player to reach or exceed 100 points or more during the season shall be awarded $100. Should more than one player reach or exceed 100 points on the same day, then the $100 shall be divided equally between all players at 100 or more points regardless of the actual point totals. For instance, should one player reach 102 points and another reach 101 points, the $100 shall be divided between them equally.

4.14 HOLE-IN-ONE FUND. The Commissioner shall establish a hole-in-one fund of $10 from each player in the initial year of the fund such as following a hole-in-one payout. Thereafter $5 from each player each year shall come out the league dues each following year. Such a fund shall continue from year to year and with each succeeding year, $5 from each member's league dues shall be added to the hole-in-one fund. Such fund shall be kept separately from the league general fund and the Commissioner shall make efforts to grow the funds without risk to the funds. The Commissioner may invest the funds in CDs of treasuries at a reasonable rate. The Commissioner shall not be liable for failure to invest the funds. The Commissioner shall also be reimbursed for any taxes owed on the increase in value of the fund, if any. The player that scores a hole-in-one during league play, which shall include weekly play, a major, or the smashup, for the purpose of this rule, shall receive the entire hole-in-one fund including appreciation, regardless of how large it has grown over the years. The hole-in-one must be witnessed by another GCO member in good standing and confirmation of the hole in one must withstand a reasonable inquiry by the Commissioner. Should more than one person make a hole-in-one during league play during the same year, the entire fund shall be split equally at the end on the year among all the hole-in-ones. For example, should one player have two holes-in-one and another player have just one during the same season, the player with 2 holes-in-one shall receive 2/3 of the hole-in-one fund and the other player will receive 1/3. The following year, a new hole-in-one fund will be established by the $5 a player contribution and will continue until there is another winner. A hole-in-one is defined as a single stroke on any hole, regardless of par, which holes out.

4.15 SEASON LOW PUTTS. The player with the lowest average putts per round or per hole (tbd based on tech) for the season as reported on netbirdieirdie shall be awarded $50. If tied, all tied players shall shall equally in the prize. To be eligible for this lowest average putts per round prize, the player must complete at least 2/3 of all weekly matches as per the "Volkmer Rule.".

5.1 RULE ARBITRATOR. In the event of a good faith ruling dispute, you may play out the hole and continue to conclusion upon agreement with your opponent. If the ruling is still in dispute by the time you reach the club house, and after consulting the rules, consult with a Commissioner who will settle the dispute and determine the scoring for that particular hole. An appeal of said ruling may be made to the Board of Commissioners with supporting evidence. The Board of Commissioners shall consider any supporting evidence and make a ruling and such a ruling shall be final.

5.2 PROCEDURE WHEN RULING UNKNOWN. In the event of a good faith ruling dispute, you may play out the hole and continue to conclusion upon agreement with your opponent. If there is a good faith dispute as to whether a golfer can or should play out a hole with a particular ball, a second ball may be played following announcement of this intention, without penalty, as an alternative, along with the first ball, and the score with each ball must be recorded. The two balls must be played in parallel as much as reasonable and not in series. Following the match, upon consultation with the Commissioner or Vice Commissioner and the Rules of Golf, the correct score shall be determined for that hole. A party may appeal the ruling to a the Board of Commissioners and any such ruling from the Board shall be final.

5.3 FINAL SCORES. All scores become final on the week following the week in question at 10:30 p.m. unless a formal protest/appeal is filed with the Commissioner or Vice-Commissioner before the deadline.

5.4 OBLIGATION TO REVIEW. All GCO members are required to review their own scores and points and the posting of those scores and points. It is the obligation of the individual member to insure that the league and Commissioner's office has recorded and calculated said scores and points correctly.

6.1 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. The league shall have an executive committee, called The Board of Commissioners, which shall consist of two positions, a Commissioner and a Vice Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners shall:

a. Hear all appeals on rulings, penalties and infractions;

b. Hear and debate all GCO Bills in a timely manner then put to a yea or nay vote to determine if the Bill becomes a rule;

c. Create or amend new rules where appropriate;

d. Amend or abolish old rules;

e. Provide information and assistance to league members as required;

f. Take input and hear grievances from the league or league representatives and auxiliaries;

g. Issues sanctions and penalties against league members when appropriate;

h. Conduct handicap hearing to determine the validity of a current handicap;

i. Appoint Pace Marshals; and

j. Do all that is necessary or appropriate to serve the best interest of the GCO Golf League.

6.2 BOARD VOTING. The Board of Commissioners shall vote on all issue put to it, by a majority vote. In case of ties in voting, the Commissioner may cast the tie breaking vote. Board voting may be assisted by league representatives who may also cast a valid vote. The Board must take up all Bills of Convention for consideration and vote, in the off season in which the Bill was passed.

6.3 VOIDS AND AMBIGUITIES. In rare instances where a situation or occurrence cannot be resolved by the rules and the Commissioner has determined there is a void or ambiguity in said rules, the Commissioner shall issue a ruling and resolve such void or ambiguity in the best interest of the league. The Commissioners MAY at any time, for the purposes of emergency rule clarifications, dispute resolutions, or other emergent issues not explicitly addressed in the established GCO Rules, call a vote of the GCO members in order to resolve said issue. The result or impact of passage and failure of the proposal as well as the timing of implementation must be explicitly written in the proposal.

6.4 PENALTIES. The Commissioner reserves the right to issue penalties to league member for serious transgressions of the league rules, league customs, directives of the Commissioner or the etiquette of the game of golf. Penalties may be issued for, but not limited to:

f. All golfer that fail to attend league play Wednesdays when attendance falls below 20 golfer;

g. Failing to unregister for weekly play under 2.1.1 and then failing to appear to play;

i. Being late or failing to appear for your registered tee time. Late is defined as not being on the tee when your registered tee time group can in fact tee off. Example 1: You registered for a 4:40pm tee time against your opponent and at 4:40pm the the fairway is open and you are not on the tee.You are late. Example 2: You registered for a 4:40pm tee time against your opponent and you show up at 4:50pm but the tee times are delayed and still not open for your 4:40 tee time. You are not late. Example 3: You registered for a 4:40pm tee time against your opponent and you have become aware your opponent has unreigistered, confirmed he is not coming or is going to be late. You are ready to play on time, even though you are not on the tee. You are not late. Your opponent is late.

A single penalty will be equated to $4.00 and shall be only deducted from the winnings, if any, of the party assessed. Serious violations may serve as sufficient grounds for an inquiry into whether revocation or non-renewal of league membership is appropriate.

6.5 PACE OF PLAY VIOLATIONS. A pace of play will be enforced. A violation may be issued when any of the following occur:

a. Out of Position: Any group will be considered out of position if (i) it reaches the teeing ground of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee, (ii) reaches the teeing ground of a par-4 hole and the preceding group is on the next tee, or (iii) reaches the teeing ground of a par-5 hole when the preceding group has left the putting green of the par-5. Reaching the teeing ground for the purposes of this rule means not having a player in the group tee off yet. This rule does not apply to groups following a group of less golfers, such as a 4-some following a 3-some. The warning will apply to all golfers in the group.

b. Timing: Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player's stroke will begin when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach and find his ball, it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage and clubs will count as part of the time taken for the stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. Time spent looking at the line, including from beyond the hole and/or behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke. A player is permitted 45 seconds to play a stroke.

c. Bad Time: A "bad time" may be assessed to a single player or players in a group which is out of position if the player or players makes no effort to help the group get back in position. An example of this would be a player who delays play between shots or a group which is already behind and continues to fall further behind with no effort to catch up.

Unless special circumstances exist for a group being out of position, slow play timing, or a bad time delay, a pace violation may be issued. The Commissioner's Office will solely determine if a pace warning is warranted and if any special circumstances existed, exempting the warning. Opportunity to explain special circumstances shall be permitted.

Every pace violation shall be documented. For every pace violation after the first, a three (3) point penalty deduction will be applied to the player(s) found guilty that week. Pace violations are reset with each new season. Only the Commissioner or Vice Commissioner may assess a pace violation, however, any appointed GCO Marshals or any three GCO members acting together, may lodge a pace violation complaint against another golfer or group of golfers.

6.6 GCO CONVENTION PENALTY. (The Steve Lukaszewicz Rule) Members who do not attend the Convention will forfeit $20 of their total season winnings to the Convention fund. This is to be only applied up to and against their season winnings, if any. If you fail to appear by the time the winnings recounting has commence at the convention, you will be considered to be in forfeit of the $20.

a. The purpose of the GCO Convention is to award the GCO Trophy and distribute all winnings from the season;

b. To involve the GCO Membership in a once a year process that has the potential to improve the GCO as a whole and to provide a forum whereby input from the Members can be formalized;

7.2 Quorum. 10 GCO Members will constitute a Quorum, exclusive of Commissioners.

a. Any Member that is recognized at the GCO Convention, except a Commissioner, may have the floor for one minute to make a proposal, provided said proposal was posted on the forum at least 48 hours prior to making of said proposal. An exemption may be made by the Commissioner upon showing of excusable neglect or other good cause. Extended time beyond one minue may only be granted by the Commissioner. Each additional proposals by the same Member shall have an additional thirty seconds for each additional proposal. A member may yield the balance of his time to any convention participant.

b. A proposal will only be considered for discussion if it has a second before the discussion phase begins.

c. A proposal that has a second, will be discussed openly, along with any other proposals that are seconded.

d. Discussed proposals may be amended and similar discussed proposals may be merged, with another second.

g. Proposals that receive a simple majority vote of the Quorum, shall become a GCO Bill of Convention

h. All Bills of Convention must go to the Board of Commissioners of the GCO for an affirmative vote before becoming a GCO Rule.

a. Votes shall be cast by a vote of aye, nay or abstain, at the Convention and the votes shall be recorded.

1	22 points	7	12 pts	13	8 pts	19	5 pts	25	3 pts	31	2 pts
2	18 points	8	11 pts	14	7.5 pts	20	4.5 pts	26	2.5 pts	32	2 pts
3	16 points	9	10 pts	15	7 pts	21	4 pts	27	2.5 pts	33	2 pts
4	15 points	10	9.5 pts	16	6.5 pts	22	3.5 pts	28	2.5 pts	34	2 pts
5	14 points	11	9 pts	17	6 pts	23	3 pts	29	2.5 pts	35	2 pts
6	13 points	12	8.5 pts	18	5.5 pts	24	3 pts	30	2 pts	36+	2 pts

9 Hole Handicap	MaxNumber on Any Hole	18 Hole Handicap	Max Number on Any Hole
4 or less	Double Bogey	9 or less	Double Bogey
5 through 9	7	10 through 19	7
10 through 14	8	20 thorugh 29	8