top of page

Invitational

June 11-13th 2021

Hamilton Mill Country Club Staff

 

The entire staff at Hamilton Mill is here to assist you and ensure that you have an enjoyable experience during the 2020 Hamilton Mill Invitational sponsored by the Men’s Golf Association  Please find one of the staff members listed below to assist you in any needs you may have.

 

Cliff Kofelt       General Manager

Nate Whitt       Head Golf Professional

Mitch Davies    Asst. Head Golf Professional

Joe Kotula         Golf Course Superintendent

Tristan Thompson   Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

Mark Momany         Director, Food & Beverage

Tim Kotula                Executive Chef

Steve Stonecypher   Membership Director

 

 

Schedule of Events

 

Thursday June  10th

  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm - Practice Round/Optional skins game

  • pm - Dinner Specials (optional and costs are not included in your entry fee)

 

Friday June  11th

 

  • 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

    • Registration

    • Buffet Lunch

    • Team Purchase – Club House Lobby

    • Team/Flight announcement

                 

  • 2:15 pm - Players to their Carts

  • 2:30 pm - Match #1 Shotgun

  • 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm - Welcome Reception (Gentlemen only please)

  • 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm - Skills Challenge

 

Saturday June 12th

 

  • 7:00 am – 8:15 am

    • Range Open

    • Full Breakfast

  • 8:15 am - Players to their carts

  • 8:30 am - Match #2 Shotgun

  • 11:15 am - Match #3 Shotgun

  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm - Buffet Lunch – Grand Hall

  • 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm - Reception –Grand Hall

  • 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm - Dinner (Reservations Required)

​

 

 

Sunday June 13th

 

  • 7:00 am – 8:15 am

    • Range Open

    • Light Breakfast

  • 8:15 am - Players to their carts

  • 8:30 am - Match #4 Shotgun

  • 11:15 am - Match #5 Shotgun

  • 1:30 am – 2:30 pm - Buffet Lunch – Grand Hall

  • 2:45 pm - Players to their carts

  • 3:00 pm - Shootout

 

Awards to follow in front of scoreboard

 

 

 

 

 

General Information

 

 

HANDICAPS

Handicap index is based on the October 1st updates to your particular handicap system.  Course handicaps have been established based on your pre-selection of playing the TOURNAMENT tees (course rating 72.2, slope 136) or the WHITE tees (course rating 69.3, slope 123).  There is a maximum 10 point differential in handicap index for playing partners.  If the maximum of 10 is exceeded the highest index will be reduced so the differential is 10.  The tournament committee reserves the right to review, modify and approve all handicaps.

 

PRACTICE ROUND TEE TIMES

Tee times for your practice round on Thursday October 8th can be made by calling the Hamilton Mill golf shop at 770-945-4653 opt#1.  Normal golf fees will apply. 

 

IN THE EVENT OF RAIN

We will make every effort to complete all 45 holes and the Shoot Out.  There will be no rain dates.  If any portion is rained out, it will be the sole decision of the Committee in determining final winners.

 

PACE OF PLAY

For the enjoyment of everyone we ask that you please do your part to help the pace of play during the tournament.  The expectation is that each 9-hole match is completed in 2 hours and 10 minutes or less. 

 

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

The Tournament/Rules Committee comprised of Nate Whitt and Cliff Kofelt will settle all protests, appeals and tournament decisions.  This committee will also determine any changes in format due to adverse weather conditions.  Any decision of the Tournament Committee is final.

 

CLOSEST TO THE PINS

There will be team prizes awarded for CTP’s on all four par 3’s on Saturday. You are eligible to win only one prize.

 

DAY MONEY

The Men’s Golf Association is providing a cash payout for the teams that finish first and second in their flights after the first three matches (Friday and Saturday) and then after the last two matches on Sunday

 

 

 

 

Tournament Format

 

The Matches

 

  • The event is a two-person Best Ball Match Play tournament.

  • Teams have been pre-flighted based on the team aggregate handicap and index. 

  • Play will consist of five (5) nine-hole matches; one against each team in your flight; each match will be handicapped off the low handicap in the match. 

  • There will be nine (9) points per match. Points will be awarded as follows:

    • 1 point for winning a hole

    • ½ point for halving a hole

  • The team with the highest total after the end of the five matches will be the flight winner and will compete in a shootout for the overall Invitational champion.  For payout purposes only, in the event of a tie for a Flight winner, the winner will be determined based on the team’s head to head match during the tournament.   

  • Official score cards will be provided prior to play.  The competitors will be responsible for the team’s hole by hole score.  SCORECARDS ARE TO BE SIGNED, ATTESTED AND TURNED IN AT THE SCORBOARD AFTER THE COMPLETION OF EACH ROUND.  Failure to have two signatures will result in the match being halved.

 

The Shoot Out

​

  • There will be a four-hole Shoot Out to determine the Hamilton Mill Invitational Overall Champions. 

  • All teams tied with the highest number of points in their flight will compete in the Shoot Out.Also, any team that does not win their flight, but does not lose any of the five (5) matches will qualify for the Shoot Out.

  • The Shoot Out will be Alternate Shot using full handicaps.  The team handicap will be based on 60% of the lowest handicap of the team and 40% of the highest handicap of the team.  The strokes will be applied on the individual holes as indicated on the scorecard.

  • All teams will play off the low team’s handicap. 

  • Partners will have to alternate tee shots (i.e. if player A drives on 1 then player B drives on 2 regardless of which player holed out on 1.)  All ties will be settled by a chip off.  Both players will hit the chip and the better of the two chips will represent the team’s chip off distance.  Team closest to the hole will advance.  The Rules Committee will determine the number of teams dropped each hole to compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place on the fourth and final hole of the shootout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tournament Rules of Play

 

The 2019 USGA Rules of Golf for Match Play will govern all play. The following are a few highlights of the new USGA Rules that you should be aware of. Also, how some of the new rules apply to Hamilton Mill golf course.

  • Rule 4: Players Equipment

    • 4.3(1) - Distance and Directional Information –

    • Allowed: Getting information on distance and direction from a distance measuring device or compass. 

    • Not Allowed: Measuring elevation changes (SLOPE).

Penalty for the first breach from a single act is loss of hole. Penalty for the second breach is disqualification.

 

  • Rule 5: Playing the Round

    • 5.6a – Unreasonable Delay: A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between two holes.

      • Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.6a

      • Penalty for first breach: One penalty stroke.

      • Penalty for second breach: General Penalty.

      • Penalty for third breach: Disqualification.

    • 5.6b – Prompt Pace of Play – The expectation is that each 9-hole match is completed in 2 hours and 10 minutes or less.  It is your responsibility to stay up with the group ahead of you, not the group behind you.

      • It is recommended that the player make the stroke in after he is able to play without interference or distraction.

​

  • Rule 10.2 – Advice and Other Help

    • The current prohibition will be extended so that, once the player begins taking a stance for the stroke, and until the stroke is made, the player’s caddie must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason.

    • There will be no penalty if the caddie accidentally stands on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball, rather than in trying to help in lining up.

    • By definition the Caddie and Playing Partner are one in the same. Rule 23.5a.

 

  • Rule 12: Bunkers –

    • 12.2a - Removing Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions

      • Before playing a ball in a bunker, a player may remove loose impediments under and movable obstructions under. This includes any reasonable touching or movement of the sand in the bunker that happens while doing so.

 

  • Rule 16: Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions – This Rule covers free relief that is allowed from interference by animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions or temporary water:

    • 16.1a - Relief is Allowed When:

      • The player’s ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition,

      • An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing, or

      • Only when the ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.

    • 16.1b – Relief for a Ball in General Area: If a player’s ball is in the general area and there is interference by an abnormal course condition on the course, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area.

      • Reference Point: The nearest point of complete relief in the general area

      • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length, but with these limits

        • Must be in the general area,

        • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and

        • There must be complete relief from all interference by the abnormal course condition.

 

  • 16.3 – Embedded Ball in General Area: When a player’s ball is embedded in the general area and relief is allowed, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area:

    • Reference Point: The spot right behind where the ball is embedded.

    • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length, but with these limits:

    • Must be in the general area, and

    • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point.

 

  • Rule 17 - Penalty Areas:  Are identified by Red or Yellow stakes and defined by Red or Yellow lines.

    • 17.1a - A ball is in a penalty area when any part of the ball lies on or touches the ground or anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the edge of the penalty area.

    • 17.1b - Play the Ball as It Lies Without Penalty,

      • You may play the ball as it lies without penalty under the same Rules that apply to a ball in the general area (which means there are no special Rules limiting how a ball may be played from a penalty area).

    • 17.1d – Relief for a Ball in a Penalty Area

      • Yellow Penalty Areas – Two Options

        • Stroke and Distance: Play the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was played from;

        • Back-On-the Line Relief: The player may the original ball or another ball a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball:

          • Reference Point: A point on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball (with no limit on how far back on the line):

          • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length.

      • Red Penalty Areas – Three Options

        • Stroke and Distance as above

        • Back-On-the Line Relief as above

        • Lateral Relief: The player may the original ball or another ball in this lateral relief area:

          • Reference Point – The estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area

          • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:

          • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point;

          • May be in any area of the course except in the same penalty area.

 

  • Rule 18 - Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball

 

White Stakes identify and define Out of Bounds.A ball which crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course.

​

  • 18.2b – When a Ball is Lost or Out of Bounds

    • A ball is lost if not found after the player or his caddie/partner begins to search for it.

    • A ball at rest is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course

    • If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made.

 

  • 18.3a – Provisional Ball

If a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance.

 

  • 18.3b – Announcing Play of a Provisional Ball

Before the stroke is made, the player must announce that he or she is going to play a provisional ball:

It is not enough for the player only to say that he is playing another ball or is playing again.

The player must use the word “provisional” or otherwise clearly indicate that he is playing the ball provisionally under .

 

  • 18.3c – Playing a Provisional Ball Until It Becomes the Ball of Play or Abandoned Playing Provisional Ball More Than Once.

The player may continue to play the provisional ball without it losing its status as a provisional ball so long as it is played from a spot that is the same distance or farther from the hole than where the original ball is estimated to be.

 

 

 

  • Rule 19: Unplayable Ball - The walls on #3 and #18 are integral parts of the course.  You may play ball as it lies, or, take an unplayable lie under penalty of one stroke.  Your options are:

​

  • 19.2a - Stroke and Distance: Play the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was played from;

​

  • 19.2b - Back-On-the Line Relief: The player may drop the original ball or another ball (see in a relief area that is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball:

    • Reference Point: A point on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball (with no limit on how far back on the line):

    • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length.

 

  • 19.2c – Lateral Relief: The player may drop the original ball or another ball in this lateral relief area:

    • Reference Point: The spot of the original ball.

    • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:

      1. Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and

      2. May be in any area of the course

      3. If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped in the relief area.

 

  • 19.3b – Unplayable Ball in Bunker

    • The player may take unplayable ball relief for a one stroke penalty under any of the options in Rule 19.2 above except the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the bunker for 19.2b and 19.2c.

    • As an extra relief option when a player’s ball is in a bunker, for a , the player may take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker.

 

 

 

 

  1. The four main differences in the rules of stroke play versus match play:

 

  • If the breach of a rule in stroke play incurs a general penalty then in match play it would be loss of hole.  If the breach of a rule in stroke play incurs a one stroke penalty then in match play it would be a one stroke penalty.

 

  • In stroke play the player must finish every hole by holing out.  In match play a player may concede a stroke to his opponent so that he can pick-up without holing out.  Once given, a concession cannot be declined or withdrawn under any circumstance. If a putt is conceded you must pick it up. There is no penalty if your opponent plays a shot after it is conceded because the ball is already considered hole-out.  A player may concede a hole or the match.

 

  • In stroke play, if competitors are unsure of a rule or procedure the player can play a second ball(provisional) and get an official ruling when a rules official is available or at the end of the round.  Match play rules do not make allowance for a player to play a second ball.  Players should try and resolve the issue between themselves.  If you cannot agree, you must notify your opponent before teeing-off on the next hole that you are making a claim; agree to the facts of the situation and make it clear that you will be asking for an official ruling when a rules official is available or at the end of the round.  If the claim by your opponent is upheld you lose the hole or the hole is halved.  If the claim is denied the results of the hole stands as played.

 

  • In both stroke play and match play when balls are to be played from the teeing ground, the player with the honor plays first.  Everywhere else on the course the ball farthest from the hole is to be played first.  In consideration of pace of play, there is no penalty in stroke play for playing in the wrong order.  There also is no penalty in match play.  However, in match play, if a player makes a stroke when his opponent should have played first the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel that stroke and play again in the correct order as nearly as possible from the spot which the original ball was played from. This applies on the greens as well.In consideration of PACE of PLAY, we highly recommend that players” may agree to play out of turn”. 

bottom of page