The TOURNAMENT PLAYERS GOLF LEAGUE (TPGL) 2013

 

 LEAGUE INFORMATION

 

Welcome to a new season, a new home course, and a new website for the TPGL.

 

The League has existed for over 40 years at a number of challenging golf courses, using handicapped stroke play as our basic competitive format. We take great pride in maintaining a dynamic roster of members and exibiting a spirited commitment to playing the game as well as observing the rules of golf. Steeple Chase Golf Club promises to be a fantastic new venue for the TPGL in the new season.

 

The Committee expects 2013 will be an exciting year with a number of new competitions and a little tweaking of some events that have been popular in the past.  As in prior years, the League's challenge is to structure compelling events around a season-long format culminating with the League Championship and complemented by robust social interaction of its members.

 

Our new website will make it easy to locate the information you need, whether you are a player considering joining the League or you are an existing member looking for last week’s scores or next month’s events. Some areas of the website are password protected and only available to registered members of the league, including the roster Information and League Talk.

 

This League Information section has information about how the League is structured, how it functions, and the many of the responsibilities of the Members and the Committee. Let us know if you feel there are areas that need greater detail or further explanation.

 

 

    The Mission Statement for the TPGL

 

• Play by the Rules of Golf with sportsmanship of highest priority
• Create a competitive atmosphere encompassing a season-long format
• Promote fairness for all members of varying levels of skill (handicaps)
• Respond to player  inquiries and suggestions to improve the league in a timely manner 
• Control the costs of playing golf by working closely with our home course
• Sustain membership levels that promote increased play, competition, and enjoyment

 

 

 

1. THE LEAGUE:

 

The TPGL is a men’s golf league consisting of a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 50 players at least 21 years old. The primary competition format is individual handicapped stroke play, augmented by handicapped match play, and special 2 and 4-man events. Some events are season-long, some are multiple-day, and some are single-day competitions.  All players will abide by all League rules described here or amended from time to time by the TPGL Committee. Each “current season” begins and ends with the TPGL Annual Banquet in October or November of each year.

 

For information on how to renew membership or join the TPGL click here.

 

2. THE HOME COURSE:

 

           Steeple Chase Golf Course is our "Home Course" for 2013

  200 N. La Vista Drive

  Mundelein, Illinois 60060

  847-949-8900

  golf@mundeleinparks.org

 

From time to time, the TPGL may organize “Road Trips” to area courses during the week, on some holiday weekends, or if the Home Course is unplayable or closed. The format of the “Road Trips” will be announced in advance and be similar to the format of events at the Home Course.

 

3. THE COMMITTEE: 

 

The Committee consists of 5 League members in good standing, elected from the TPGL active membership after the League Championship, for a term of 2 years. The Committee’s responsibility is to direct the TPGL in all matters relating to the function of the League and include (but are not limited to): electing Committee Officers and establishing their responsibilities within the Committee; creating a budget; establishing  and collecting membership fees; negotiating with golf courses on behalf of the membership; paying all League bills; establishing competitions, events, and rules of play; distributing all player awards from competitions;  administering local golf rules for TPGL events; setting schedules and formats; arranging tee times and pairings; administrating Member handicaps within the League; monitoring pace of play; maintaining a TPGL Website; and communicating all information pertinent to smooth operation of the TPGL to its Members. Communication may be in writing, by Email, or posted on the League’s website.

 

            The TPGL Website is:     tpgl2013.golfleaguegenius.com

 

Election of new Committee Members will take place after the conclusion of the League Championship and before the Annual League Banquet every two years. Candidates are self-nominated and elected by achieving the highest numbers of votes from all active TPGL Members that vote. Officers of the Committee are elected by and from the Committee Members at the Committee’s first meeting.  There are no restrictions in the number of terms a Member may serve on the Committee. Ties in voting will be resolved with a coin toss in the event mutual agreement by the individuals tied cannot be resolved (i.e. if one or more of the tied individuals does not withdraw).

 

1. If a Member of the Committee resigns or needs to be replaced at the discretion of a majority of the Committee, he can be replaced by appointment by the Commissioner followed by simple majority agreement by the Members of the League. A decision to replace or leave vacant a resigning Committee member's position is decided by majority agreement of the Committee.
2. The Committee will meet at the discretion of the Commissioner and/or when at least three Members of the Committee agree a meeting is required for any reason.
3. All decisions made by the Committee require a simple majority vote that will be considered at that point a unanimous decision.

 

Please go to the COMMITTEE section for further information.

 

4. OFFICERS OF THE COMMITTEE:

 

• Commissioner. The Commissioner is elected from and by the Committee to preside over all League and Committee meetings, to establish meeting agendas, to appoint and oversee other Committeemen and their responsibilities, to oversee league rules and competitions, to represent the TPGL with golf courses, and to generally administer and facilitate all TPGL matters with its Members. The Commissioner can appoint any Member of the League in good standing to supervise specific events, perform certain League duties, or act as a representative of the League. These appointments outside of the Committee must be approved unanimously by the Committee prior to taking place. The Commissioner will direct the election process of Committee members at the appropriate time.

• Treasurer. The Treasurer is appointed by the Commissioner to recommend a budget for the TPGL based on membership fees established by the Committee, to pay all bills approved by the Committee, to collect all fees of TPGL membership, to account for and oversee distribution of all awards from competitions, and to advise the Committee and membership of the financial status of the TPGL bi-annually (prior to or at the season opening League Meeting, and after the conclusion of the League Championship, i.e. prior to or at the year-end banquet).

• Secretary.  The Secretary is appointed by the Commissioner to record the topics and decisions of the Committee at meetings and to advise the membership of decisions, information, or related matters that pertain to smooth function of the League. While any Member may contact any Committeeman with questions, concerns, or suggestions, the Secretary will record this information and record the Committee action. The Secretary will maintain a current roster of members with telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.

• Rules & Competition:  The Rules and Competition Officer is appointed by the Commissioner to maintain the League Information of the TPGL, to establish and inform the Members of local rules of play, to help administer the competition formats, and to review handicaps and revisions.

• Committee as a Whole:  The Committee as a Whole will share in the task of maintaining an acceptable Website for the League, establishing competition formats, maintaining a handicap system for the League, scheduling tee times, creating pairings, making ad hoc rulings pertaining to play as needed, and to assure ongoing smooth functioning of the TPGL.  As a general rule, a quorum of the TPGL Committee (a majority, or three Members) can make non-monetary decisions on behalf of the League or the Committee by a simple majority vote. Telephonic or email votes are equal to “in person” votes in matters pertaining to the Committee.

 

5. HANDICAPS:

 

For existing Members, League handicaps are derived solely from their most recent 20 League scores. For new Members, a USGA handicap is the starting handicap in the League, and will adjust appropriately as League rounds are submitted.  New Members are asked to provide a copy of their most recent handicap index card showing their most recent scores, or their CDGA player number so that their handicap can be reviewed. For new Members without a USGA handicap, the Committee will assign a temporary handicap based on the following criteria: (1) the player’s stated recent scores (2) the player’s initial score(s) in League play, and (3) the Committee’s assessment of playing ability. The Committee will review handicaps regularly and has the ability to modify any player’s League handicap in either direction in the event there is evidence that the handicap within the League is not consistent with performance in the League.

The League will post handicap revisions at least every two  weeks. For revision dates in 2014 click here: revision dates

 

Please go to the PLAYERS page in the HOME section to view current handicap indexes.

 

6. MEMBERSHIP DUES:

 

Annual membership dues are $225 for all Members. Full payment is due by APRIL 1, 2013.

No returning Member can be scheduled to play in any League event unless they are paid in full by the due date.

New Members entering the League during the season may be offered a prorated fee at the discretion of the Committee; however, late entry into the League may make the player ineligible for certain events and awards.

REFUND POLICY:

There is a no refund policy in place:

Please go to the FINANCES section for further information about the budget and dues.

 

For information on how to pay click here

 

If you are curious about How Your Dues are Spent  click here.

 

7. REGULAR WEEKEND TEE TIMES:

 

To begin the season, FIVE TPGL tee times are available on Saturday and FOUR TPGL tee times are available on Sunday beginning approximately at 8:00 AM. Tee times are at Steeple Chase normal intervals, approximately 8 minutes.

 

• The First TPGL Golf Event is Saturday, April 6, 2013.

 

• The Sign up Deadline for All Golf Events is 17 Days Prior to the Event.

 

• Pairings and Tee Times will be posted on the Website on or before the Monday prior to the weekend.

 

 

Please click here for more information about Registering for an Event

 

You are encouraged to be ready to play at the earliest tee time no matter what tee time is published for you on the website for any day. Last minute changes due to no shows, unforeseen circumstances, matches, and competitions are always possible and solely at the discretion of the Committee. The goal is to absolutely minimize ANY game day changes. Nonetheless, changes may be made , if necessary, to promote pace of play, balance groupings, and accommodate special needs.

If we are over-subscribed, it MAY be possible to add additional tee times at Steeple Chase, but this is not a guarantee due to the popularity of the course and the Course's reservation policies. The goal is to AVOID shutting anyone out or creating an alternate list.

In general, the Committee’s goal is to balance tee times in terms of early/late, exposure to a variety of players, and to honor (on limited occasions) requests from Members for specific playing partners. If a member does not Resgister to play in an event PRIOR to the Registration Closing, it is very likely he will not be scheduled to play.

It cannot be over emphasized that Registration to play in a Golf Event must be on time.

 

Please go to the TEE SHEETS section for further details on pairings and tee times.

 

8. SPECIAL EVENTS: 

 

The Committee will publish on the website the specifics of any Special Events that will occur. This will            

include format, pairings, special fees, awards, etc. Some Special Events may require an additional            

charge.  Anticipated Special Events include:

 

• Champions’ Dinner: Invitational for all past TPGL Champions. Date TBD
• Road Trips: During the week at various courses
• Ryder Cup against another course
• Spring Barbeque: Date TBD; Steeple Chase Club House with wives/significant others
• TPGL Banquet: Date TBD; Steeple Chase Club House with wives/significant others

         

Please go to the CALENDAR & EVENTS Section to watch for further details.

 

9. LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:

           

The League Championship is a 72-hole net-medal score tournament over two weekends at the end of the

season played at the Home Course.

 

The "Stroke Play Tour Championship" is the only event that a Member must qualify to play.

click for more details

 

              A.   Qualifications for the Championship:

                         15 Rounds of League play.

                          Lowest 24 players based on season net average score

              B.  Format of the Championship:

                          1.  72 holes on four days over two weekends. The Committee will modify the number of 

                               rounds or days as needed for inclement weather.

                          2. The field is cut to the lowest 16 net scores and any player within 7 strokes of the

                               leader after 36 holes

                          3. Handicaps are fixed at the beginning of Round 1.

                          4. A tie for first place at the conclusion of Round 4 will initiate a three-hole playoff on holes

                              determined by the Committee prior to the start of the Championship.

                          5. Ties for other places will split the award

                          6. The Committee will determine the format (# of rounds, dates, etc.) of play should weather

                               force the cancellation of any of the four rounds.

 

Please go to the TPGL Major Tournaments Section for a complete listing of the "TPGL Majors".