1)
Membership: The Saturday Golf League (SGL) is open to all levels of golfers who enjoy competition along with a fun social friendship.
The 5 stages of membership are as follows:
a) Prospective Player – information about the league / newsletter
b) Qualifier – participation in events (5 rounds needed for active membership)
c) Active Member – full membership privileges
d) Lifetime Member – complimentary SGL Membership *
e) Expired Member – less than 5 events per calendar year
* Any member with 10 years of consecutive memberships will receive a lifetime membership.
All new players in the league must play 5 qualifying rounds under the Callaway Handicap System to check out our league and establish a true
handicap for future membership. Once this is done, you can decide if you want to join the league by paying the membership dues (you do not have to pay any
membership dues before your qualifying rounds are complete and you decide to join).
2)
SGL dues: will now be paid thru the Arizona Golf Association (AGA) on a yearly basis (Jan – Dec) which will
include a handicap index calculation thru the World Handicap System (WHS) along with the SGL annual dues. Qualifiers may apply for membership thru the AGA to
establish a GHIN handicap after completing 1 qualifying round. Members will now be required to compete in a minimum
5 rounds of SGL scheduled events within a
given calendar year in order to hold status as an Active Member. Being an Active Member will now be a requirement for qualification in Special Events such as
Ringers, Match Play, Summer Series and the Tony Albrecht Championship.
3) Qualification for competing in season ending
events such as the Tony Albrecht Cup Championship and SGL Summer Series Finals will now require a 25% participation in their respective
seasons.
1)
A
hard sign up deadline
has been established for entering events,
11:59 PM on the date posted will be the
cut off time to enter the proceeding Saturday event. Maximum players for each event will be listed on the signup status page on the website and will be filled
on a first-come, first-serve basis. Event signups can only be made by the
Signup to Play form on the website. All entries are time
stamped when submitted and will be posted on the Signup Status page when received.
Please check this page often to verify your entry.
2) A
new Signup and Payment policy has
been adopted and approved by the SGL Board of Directors to help manage the tournament process. Please read this
New Policy and be aware of
the many changes, any new signups will have to agree to this new policy. Only 3
weeks of events at a time will be listed on the website for signups and will rotate weekly.
3) After the midnight deadline, any no shows or cancellations without a good excuse will be charged the tournament fee. Players, who cancel or are unable
to make the event and are listed on the pairing sheet that was sent to the course, will be charged the tournament entry fee. If an event becomes filled with alternates,
players who have paid will have priority over players that haven’t.
4) You must now have money in your player account or
Pay On-Line by
the deadline at midnight, to hold a place on the roster and to be included on the pairing sheet for
Saturday's event. No cash will be accepted at the event. Individual account balances can be obtained by texting or e-mailing Dave at (480) 747-7821 or
dave@saturdaygolfleague.com.
5) Pairings will be put together by the pairings
committee and posted to the
Golf Genius Portal and
SGL Facebook page by Friday preceding the event by the
Tournament Coordinator; they will also be e-mailed to the players.
Pairing requests can be made on the signup to play form before submitting and
must be made prior to the deadline at midnight.
6)
Tee Box Policy:
(Approved by the SGL Board of Directors on 8/19/2023)
a) Male and female tee boxes will be picked each week by
the Tournament Coordinator and based on the rating/slope, yardage, and course
conditions. These tee box choices will be published each week with
the tournament invite
which will reflect a fair competition, fastest play and the most fun.
b) In accordance with SGL’s emphasis on maintaining a good pace of
play, players with an 18.0 or higher index will be
required to move forward to the next published tee box from the base tee
which will be listed on the score cards, pairing sheet and in the Golf Genius
Portal, unless such tees are unavailable depending on course setup.
c) Players (age 65 and older) have the
option to move up to the published forward set of tees
regardless of handicap index without forfeiting their participation in side
games.
d) Unless stipulated by handicap restrictions, players
have the option to move back from their required tee box without penalty. Net
scores will be adjusted to reflect played tee box.
e) Qualifiers (without a verifiable handicap), regardless of experience, age or gender, must play the base tee
at minimum, but may choose to move back to a higher rated tee box. (tee box must
be marked on the score card)
f) Players will be responsible for knowing their current
handicap index and choosing the correct tee box to play. Failure to do so will
result in immediate disqualification from side games.
The World Handicap System formula will be applied to adjust handicap
strokes for the chosen tee for the net flights portion of the competition.
flights.
g) Players need to declare their tee box to be used before hitting
their first shot.
7)
Pace of Play: The league uses the ready golf rules,
which is simply defined as "Hit When Ready" (No honors). We want you to enjoy your
round but for the sake of everyone’s enjoyment you need to please stay in
position. If you reach your ball and are ready to hit, when other members of
your group are not yet prepared, then go ahead and hit. Keep in mind that in
stroke play competition there are no penalties under the Rules of Golf for
playing out of turn. All group members are expected to recognize the group is
slow and take action to speed the group up. Tips below
a) Keep up to the group ahead of you. Do not just stay
ahead of the group behind you.
b) When in the fairway, If not in their line of flight,
drop off your fellow cart player and drive to your ball. There is no need to
watch him / her hit and then drive to your ball to get distance and choose a
club. Be ready to hit, golf cart management is key.
c) If not in another player’s line or sight, please
clean your ball and read your putt when another player is putting. Again, be
ready to take your shot.
d) Players should always hit a provisional ball when a
ball goes into an area where it may be lost or OB and does not cross any grass
line where the SGL Desert Rule can be applied.
e) MAS, read it, learn
it, live it (see Rules of Play below for details)
8)
SGL Handicaps: The SGL uses the World Handicap System (WHS) to calculate a
members handicap index.
Player indexes will be downloaded the morning before each SGL event and used to determine flight assignments as described below (100% of the player’s current
WHS index will be used for the calculation of the “Course Handicap” for flight results). Players in the Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) will have scores
automatically posted to the GHIN system after each event using the Golf Genius Program. Players will now be responsible for tracking their own handicaps and posting
scores daily after each round played outside of the league. Learn more about how handicaps are calculated;
USGA Handicap Manual Questions regarding handicaps can be
directed to our Handicap Chairman Ken Slagle. Qualifiers will still need to play 5 qualifying rounds of league play (under the Callaway Handicap System)
for membership consideration.
9) We ask that you arrive at the course at least 45 minutes prior to the first scheduled tee time or shotgun start.
Players are now automatically checked in and are responsible to be ready to go at your given hole and start time. If you are unable
to attend, please let the tournament director or the course know ASAP by text or phone.
1)
Individual stroke play with handicap: The format of the SGL is individual stroke play with prize payouts to the low net scores in each flight
and players are flighted with the same skill level to promote fair competition within the flight. In addition, we offer optional side games at every event such as skins,
closest to the pin, low putts, etc. We welcome golfers of all levels and genders, including couples, who enjoy competition and would like to improve their tournament skills.
Set up criteria for all SGL events, (course rating, slope, yardages, stroke allocation and par) will be based from the
National Course Rating Database (NCRD).
2)
Flight assignments: Members with established
World Handicap System (WHS) indexes will be split into three evenly divided net
flights based on the player’s WHS index ranking. WHS index ranking ties in
splitting the flights will be broken by the Golf Genius Program. Any tournament
with less than 32 net players will play a 2 flight format and 1 flight if the
net player count is less than 16 players. The first flight will get the first
extra player, second flight the second extra player, and so on. (Example: a 35
net player field, 1st flight – 12 players, 2nd flight – 12 players and 3rd
flight – 11 players).
3)
New and Qualifying Players: Will be flighted together and compete in a separate flight using the Callaway 16 Handicap System (from the Golf Genius Program).
All players must go through this stage and complete five 5 qualifying rounds to check out our league and establish a true handicap for future membership.
These rounds are also used in evaluating the player’s etiquette, knowledge of the rules, speed of play, etc. Once this is done, you can decide if you want to
join the league by joining the Saturday Golf League as a Active Member through the Arizona Golf Association (you do not have to pay any membership fees before your qualifying
rounds are complete and you decide to join). Qualifiers may join the SGL thru the AGA after their 1st qualifying event to establish a WHS handicap index.
4)
Optional Side Games: Since no cash is accepted at events, you now must have money in your player account or pay online for these side games.
Side games
that have been entered for an event will carry over to your next event. Change in any side games from your last previous event need to be done earlier than 1 hour before
the start of the first tee time or shotgun start of the present event (text Dave at (480) 747-7821).
5)
Hole in One pool: You must now be a active member of the league
to enter the Hole in One pool. $5 will be the one time charge per member and
accumulate until won.
6)
SGL Point Schedule: Points will be awarded to the top 4 places in each flight and accumulate over the season. Total points at the end of the season will be used
for seeding the 4 week playoff at the end of the regular season and 2 week playoff at the end of the summer season.
SGL Point Schedule |
1st Place in Flight - 5 Points
2nd Place in Flight - 3 Points
3rd Place in Flight - 2 Points
4th Place in Flight - 1 Point
(Any ties will be broken by a scorecard
playoff) |
| | | |
7)
Tie Breaks: Tie breaks in the flight competition will be broken by using "Most to least difficult hole"
by hole allocation (handicap) as listed by the USGA national Course Rating
Database and calculated using the Golf Genius Program.
8)
Score Cards and "Real Time Scoring": From time to time the SGL
will utilize a courses Premium Golf Genius service for Real Time Scoring of an
event. GGID numbers will be listed on the official score cards and at least one
player in each group needs to record and post the groups score after each hole.
The official score cards (2) still need to be turned into the scorer with at
least 2 signatures, tees played and start / finish times.
9)
Player Stats: Although keeping statistics (putts, greens and fairways hit) is optional,
the SGL again will encourage players to keep their individual stats, it does
enhance the website and the promotion of the league; you will also be able to
see how you measure up against other golfers.
10)
Score Posting: Any players with an active GHIN handicap will
have their tournament score posted automatically after each event using the Golf
Genius Program.
11)
Tournament Results: Will be posted on the
Golf Genius Portal
and SGL Website for review within 24 hrs of play, any questions regarding the results may be made
until the following Tuesday at midnight, at which time, the results become official. Please refer any result questions to
Dave Dean.
The SGL will now be playing exclusively by current
USGA Rules with the exception of
two "Speed of Play" rules and four "Local" rules. They are as follows:
1)
Desert Rule:
The SGL has established a desert rule to help pace of play. If a ball comes to rest in a natural desert area
or in an area landscaped to resemble a natural desert, a player may either choose to hit their ball from the desert with no penalty or take a drop as
if the ball entered a lateral hazard. If a player chooses to play from the desert, grounding the club and moving loose impediments will be allowed with
no penalty including the desert is marked as a penalty area by the local golf course. The following rule definitions will be applied to taking a drop from the desert
with a 1 stroke penalty
a) A player has 60 seconds to locate their ball in the desert to have the option to play from the desert. The 60 second clock starts once the
player starts their search in the desert area. After the 60 seconds search in the desert, the player must abandon their search in the desert and the ball cannot be
played from the desert even if found after the 60 seconds. Searching for a ball outside of the desert can continue based on USGA rules searching for lost balls.
(3 minutes search time starting in 2019 based on USGA rules. Rule prior to 2019 allows 5 minutes). The following gives examples based on
USGA rules of 3 minutes of
search time for lost balls.
Player hits ball toward desert area but ball may have come to rest in fairway/rough. Player may spend 3 minutes searching
for ball in fairway/rough but only 1 minute of search can be spent on searching for ball in desert. After spending 1 minute of search in desert, player must abandon
search in desert and may continue the remaining time of the 3 minutes searching fairway/rough.
-
Player spends 3 minutes searching ball in fairway/rough and believes ball
may be in desert, player will not be allowed to search desert and must invoke desert rule.
-
Player spends 2 minutes searching ball in fairway/rough and believes ball may be in desert,
player will be allowed 1 minute to search for ball in desert.
-
Player spends 1 minute searching ball in fairway/rough and believes ball may be in desert,
player will be allowed 1 minute to search for ball in desert and if not found may resume search in fairway/rough
for last remaining minute of the 3 minutes.
b) The margin of the desert is the line established by the end of the grass
line and the beginning of the desert area.
c) The original ball does not have to be found to apply the “Desert Rule” when there is reasonable certainty that the ball did in fact
come to rest in the desert / rough and searching for the ball would likely delay play.
d) If the ball is clearly
hit out of bounds or in a desert area where an out of bounds designated area or marker exists,
a provisional ball must be played. All players are encouraged
to hit provisional balls when hitting into the desert where houses or out-of-bound markers are clearly seen in the desert. There will be no consensus
by the group on this ruling. The ball must be found in the desert and in
bounds to apply the desert rule. If the ball is not found in
3 minutes the provisional ball must be
played which will apply the stroke and distance penalty prescribed by the USGA rule for a ball hit out of bounds. If a provisional ball was not played, the desert
rule will be applied based on the following:
e) If a player chooses to apply the “Desert Rule”,
and the point of entry is in question, the player and playing group must agree to the point of entry by consensus opinion. Consensus means a majority of the playing
group of which the player is a part of.
f) A provisional ball should be played if the ball
does not clearly pass over a grass area. If the playing group cannot reach a consensus opinion about the point of entry into the desert a provisional ball should
immediately be played.
2)
Maximum Allowable Score (MAS): To help with pace of play, a player will now pick up after the (MAS) for a
given hole has been reached (double par plus penalty) and the score will be recorded on the card with a box around it (no more X outs).
a) Double PAR for the hole plus penalty stroke(s) as defined:
-
If MAS is reached for a hole and the ball is picked up on the green, a score of double par plus a 1 stroke penalty will be recorded for the hole.
If MAS is reached for a hole and the ball is picked up off of the green, a score of double par
plus a 2 stroke penalty will be recorded for the hole.
b) Balls will be immediately picked up from their
spot upon reaching double par for the hole, with the exception of players in the putts side game and have reached the green and are lying at or less than double par can
continue to putt out. Refer to section c) below for exception.
Scorecards should reflect a person taking a MAS score by recording the MAS plus the penalty stroke(s).
Example 1: A person playing on a par 3 takes a MAS by picking up off the green will record a score of 8 (double par plus 2 stroke penalty).
An x2 will also be recorded on the scorecard for that hole.
Example 2: A person playing on a par 3 takes a MAS by picking up on the green will record a score of 7 (double par plus 1 stroke penalty).
An x1 will also be recorded on the scorecard for that hole.
c) MAS exception for players in the putts side game.
A player in the putts side game may continue to putt out on the green until they reach double par + 1. This rule is to allow a player reaching double par on the green
to have a chance to remain in the putts side game.
Example 1: Player has reached a par 4 green in 6 shots may continue to putt out until they reach MAS of 9 (3 putts in this scenario). If the player
manages to 3 putt the ball into the hole, the player's score will reflect a 9 with 3 putts. If the player fails to putt the ball into the hole after 3 putts,
the player will immediately pick up their ball and record a score of 9 x1 on the scorecard for the hole and is eliminated from the putts side game.
Example 2: Player has reached a par 3 green in 6 shots may continue to putt out until they reach MAS of 7 (1 putt in this scenario). If the player manages
to 1 putt the ball into the hole, the player's score will reflect a 7 with 1 putt. If the player fails to putt the ball into the hole after 1 putt, the player will
immediately pick up their ball and record a score of 7 x1 on the scorecard for the hole and is eliminated from the putts side game.
d) If you hit a tee shot (or any shot) and there
is any question as to whether it is OB, immediately hit a provisional shot (with the appropriate penalty). If you do not and you find your ball is OB, you must take a
drop where the ball last crossed grass with a 2-stroke penalty. There is no going back to the tee, as we wish to maintain the speed of play. If you go all the way back to
the tee, it still counts as a two-stroke penalty because you chose not to hit your provisional when you had the opportunity.
e) If there is a question about a rule, call your
foursome together to get a ruling. If it is still in question, finish the hole with that ball and a second ball with the secondary rule application. Upon completion of
play, you and at least one other member from your foursome will explain the issue to the Tournament coordinator and any rules committee members in attendance for a decision.
If needed, the Head Pro of the club will help make the appropriate Rule Decision and count the applicable score.
3)
Local Rule E-5: As mentioned above, if a player’s ball is hit out of bounds or lost, a player may invoke the local rule known as
the E-5 rule. Drop a ball two club lengths in the fairway, no closer to the hole, from the point the player believes the ball was lost. The player must take a
two-stroke penalty. You may not use this rule on the original ball if you have hit a provisional ball. You may use the rule on your provisional ball if it is lost
or out of bounds. You may not use this rule if your ball is lost in a penalty area (formerly known as a hazard). The rule has been recommended by the USGA and R&A
to speed-up play. For more information, refer to this
video.
4)
Local 2 & 2 Rule F-5: is titled "Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens" and specifically addresses the issue: "When a ball lies anywhere
other than on the putting green, an immovable obstruction on the player’s line of play is not, of itself, interference under Rule 16.1. You may take line of play relief
when a sprinkler head is within two club-lengths of the putting surface and your ball is within two club-lengths of the sprinkler head.
Ball can be placed no nearer the hole and not on the green. (decision by playing partners)
5)
Fairway Divot Rule:
If a ball comes to lie in a divot on the fairway, the ball may be picked up and
the divot repaired and the ball placed back in the repaired divot. (Decision by playing partners)
To repair the divot the following applies:
a)
Fill the divot with sand provided by the course.
b)
The sand must be packed down to being level with the ground (below the grass
line).
i)
The sand cannot be piled into a mound allowing the ball to be teed up above the
grass line.
c)
The ball will be placed back in the repaired divot.
d)
If no sand is available, with group approval, the player can move the ball
within 12 inches of the divot no closer to the hole. Anytime a player creates a
divot, that player should repair the divot with sand provided by the course.
6)
Bunker Repair Rule:
If a ball hit into a bunker comes to rest in a disturbed
area in the bunker, the player may mark the area where their ball came to rest,
pick their ball up, rake the disturbed area and place their ball back in the
original spot where their ball came to rest. (Decision by playing partners)
a)
A disturbed area is a footprint and/or divot created by
another player.
b)
This rule does not apply when the ball comes to rest in a
disturbed area created by the same player who hit their ball into the bunker. An
example would be when a player hits into a bunker and fails to hit out of the
bunker and the ball comes to rest in a disturbed area created by that player.
1)
Event Cost: The price that is advertised on the schedule page of the website reflects a all inclusive price which includes not only the green fees
but also cart fees, taxes, range balls, handling and service fees, gratuities, $10 into flight game, $2 to end of season championship fee and $4 to SGL administration / PayPal
fees. Our League mainly plays at the peak time (Saturday morning) of a courses operation and generally reflects their top price. Most courses charge a premium for any tournament
groups because of the extra work needed by the staff. Contracts for courses are negotiated and signed sometimes 6 months in advance getting the best inclusive price we can at
the time.
2)
Optional Side Games: Gross Skins (Birdie or better), Net Skins (must be a member), Low putts, CTP’s
on all Par 3's and Deuces. Skins for both the gross and net
games will now be split evenly between winners. Any side games that don’t produce a clear winner, all funds for that given game will be put into the general fund.
Qualifiers may enter any/all side games except for the Net Skins. No game
refunds will be given.
3)
Player Accounts: Since no cash will be accepted at events (a league policy that has been adopted), you now must have money in your player
account by the preceding deadline, prior to an event, to hold a spot and to be included on the player roster. All monies paid for events from our
Pay On-Line payment page and any winnings go into each player’s individual account. These monies can
then be used for any future events, side games, dues, special events, swag, etc. and are deducted at your next event at check in. Individual account balances can be obtained
by texting or e-mailing Dave at (480) 747-7821 or dave@saturdaygolfleague.com.
4)
IRS Requirements: No cash or checks will be paid out after a tournament or before Tuesday at midnight when the results become final. All credits / winnings will be
kept in the players account for future events. You can always cash out at any time by a request in writing. All payouts / cash outs will be made by US mail only, no deliveries
or pick-ups.
5)
Member Account Balances: If you discontinue your membership in the league, kindly send a written request for payout of any account funds balance to the league
President and/or Treasurer, along with your current address & phone number. If we cannot locate a former member within five years after their membership lapses, the league will
send the former members account funds balance to the State of Arizona In accordance with Arizona’s Unclaimed Property laws.
6)
Payout Schedules:
a) Net and Callaway Flight Payouts
(new for 2024 Summer Series)
b) Low Putt Payouts
c) Skins (both gross and net) Payouts: will be divided evenly and rounded down to the next $1.
d) Closest to the Pins (CTP's) on all Par 3's: the cost for this side game will be $1 per par 3 hole and will vary depending on the course. Thus
the payout for each CTP will be $1 times the players entered.
e) Deuces Payouts: will be divided evenly and rounded down to the next $1,
additionally, any player getting an "Eagle 3" on a par 5 will get a equal
cut in the deuce pot if the player has been entered in the deuce game.
Note: If no clear winners are determined in any side game, all monies will go into the general fund and be put towards the end of the season championship
payouts.
1)
Tony Albrecht Cup Championship: Similar to the PGA’s FedEx Cup Race, the
SGL points awarded each week will be based on the competition in the tournament
flights. Points will accumulate all season long and will be used to seed players with active status and who have qualified for the end of season 4 week playoff in May.
Flight seeding will take place before the start of the championship which will also take into account events played and flight wins.
Players must play in 1 of the first 3 playoff events and re-seeding again will take place
before the final round which will create a lot more excitement towards the final outcome. Players will need to meet qualifications to compete for the big bucks and
awards (see SGL Membership - item #3 above).
2023 Final Results
2)
Summer Series: This short 3 month season will highlight some top tier courses that were unobtainable during the regular season and will also include
a trip to the cool north. A 2 event playoff is scheduled for the end of August with $500 payouts to each flight. Qualifications for the SGL Summer Series Finals
involved playing in at least 25% of the scheduled events along with being an active member of the league. Seeding points for the finals were based on the accumulated
SGL points over the summer in combination with events played and flight wins.
2023 Final Results
3)
Ringers: This is a unique event scored over 5 rounds of play at the same venue. This season’s Ringers course will be the
Aguila Golf Club and will
consist of 5 rounds spaced over 5 months (Oct – Feb). Your best "18 hole" scorecard using the scores from all five (or less) times you play the Ringers course determines
the winners. Payouts will be to both Gross & Net places by the four flights. Final flights will be set-up the same as our weekly tournament with the flight players divided
evenly between the flights and frozen after the third Ringers tournament index has been calculated. There is no signup deadline and you don’t need to play in all of the
events but you will need to be a active member. Don’t miss playing in the league’s most popular format. The one time entry fee for Ringers will be $25.00.
2023 Final
Results
4)
Wigwam Warriors: This is a three-event competition (54 hole special event) using all three courses at the resort. The rules are simple. Just post the best
net scoring average over the three tournaments, and you win! The entry fee is $25, payouts will go to the best net scoring average of the 3 rounds and will depend upon
participation. You must play in all three to win.
2023 Final Results
5)
SGL Major: This will be a first for the SGL, open only to
current Active Members (no SGL points will be awarded), this event will take
place at the new Sterling Grove
Golf Club on
December 17, 2022. Flight payouts will be Gross and Net, similar to the Ringers
above (no side games will be offered). Lunch
(menu)
will be provided and sponsored by WhiteClaw.
Trophies will be awarded to the overall Gross and Flight winners along with a
raffle for prizes. The entry fee is $153.26 total and is done in a two-step process. You will be required to
register and pay
the course $118.26 (green fees) and also pay an additional $35.00 (for prize pool
and administrative fees) either thru your Player Account or thru the SGL Payment Page of the website. The League is adding an additional $20 per player to bring the prize pool to $50 per player.
A maximum of 60 players will be allowed for this event.
Gross Results
Net Results
6)
Singles Match Play: Again this year matches will be played in conjunction with our regular season schedule and will start after the first of the year. This
year’s format has yet to be determined and will be run by our Special Events Chairman
Dan Gallegos. Entry for this year’s event will be $20. Keep checking back for further
details and updates on the website. 2022 Final Results:
Low HDCP
High HDCP
7)
Team Match Play: This will be a four-ball match play event using the net score per hole of each team member. This year’s format has yet to be determined and
will be run by our Special Events Chairman
Dan Gallegos. Entry for this year’s event will be $20. Keep checking back for further details and updates on the website. Players
can choose their own partners and this year will be limited to the first 16 teams to sign up.
2023 Final Results
1)
New Bylaws were adopted and unanimously approved by SGL Board Members on 4/18/2015. The SGL Bylaws were updated and approved in February 2020 -
SGL Bylaws