Singles Competition Rules

• Rules originally printed by Kevin Lamacraft in 2002; now updated for 2012
• The "first" or "top" name that appears in any singles competition will be referred to as the "challenger". The "second" or "bottom" name shall be referred to as the "opponent".
• The challenger will offer their opponent three dates, one of which is to be a weekend. These dates must have no less than 8 Days between the first and the last date offered, in the event that the challenger does not contact the opponent in time to comply with this rule the opponent will be entitled to claim a "walk over".
• It is the challenger's responsibility to supply a marker who is a member of the Letchworth Garden City Bowls club for all singles matches other than the final, In the event that a marker is not present at any match and subject to the same conditions applicable to challenger and opponent as laid out in rule 4, the opponent will be entitled to claim a "walk over".

  COMPETITIONS COVERED MENS SINGLES, G & T (NOVICES CUP), SENIOR SINGLES:-  Winner is first to 21 shots LADIES SINGLES – Because only 5 ladies have entered in 2012 this will be league. Each match will be 14 ends (all ends played). 3 points will be awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw. The winner will be based on points scored, in the event of a tie then ‘shot difference’, and if still a tie ‘shots scored’. HANDICAP:-  Winner is first to reach 21 shots +/- their handicap 2-WOOD SINGLES:-  Played with 2 woods over 21 ends only. Winner is the player with the highest number of shots. In the event of a draw an extra end shall be played. 3-SET SINGLES:-  This is a 3-set competition. Each set to be over 7 ends. The winner is the first to win 2 sets. Each set must be played to completion, an extra end will be played if the scores are tied after the seven ends (ie no tied sets) and must be played before continuing to the next set.

• If a party arrives more than half an hour after the time fixed for the match, the other will be entitled to claim a "walk over"
• All Questions or disputes that may arise and which do not come within the scope of the markers duties shall be referred to the Competition Secretary whose decision is final, this includes ALL matters relating to the competitions AND interpretation of the rules.
• Any claims to default by challenger or opponent must be forwarded to the Competition Secretary within 48 hours.
• If during competition matches the assistance of an umpire is required the challenger or opponent may call upon the services of any impartial witness, in the absence of said witness the markers decision is final.
• Under no circumstances will the closing date of any round be extended, if matches have not been played by the specified date one or both of the parties concerned will be disqualified.
• Whilst the responsibility for contact and arrangements for all matches rest with the challenger, it is the responsibility of the opponent to notify the challenger as early as possible if he/she knows that they are not going to be available for a period of seven days or more at any given time during a round. If a challenger has made every effort to contact an opponent and is finally left in a position where they cannot comply with rule 2, then subject to confirmation by the Competitions Secretary that the opponent has not been available for contact the challenger will be entitled to claim a "walk over".
• Grey’s must be worn by ALL COMPETITORS AND MARKERS during all competition rounds except for the finals where the "dress" shall be whites.
• The ‘Handicap’ competition will be played under the same rules and conditions as any of the singles competitions, but with the following addition: Each player entering the Handicap will be allotted a number based on their previous season(s) performance(s). The handicap will be in the range of ‘- 4’ to ‘+ 4’ and will be determined by the current seasons selection committee. The handicap (number) will be added to the 21 shots that is normally required to win a singles match, i.e. if you have a handicap of ‘+ 3’ you will need to reach 24 shots to win, whilst your opponent who may have ‘- 2’ would only need to reach 19 shots to win etc.   
• If during your competition you stop playing because the green keeper instructs it or, due to adverse weather conditions or, some other catastrophic event declares the green unfit for play, or if by mutual agreement between the competitors it is decided to halt play for any reason the match shall be rescheduled within the allotted time for the round and 'the game shall continue from the last completed end' under no circumstances should the game be restarted from scratch. Should it not be possible to reschedule the match within the allotted time the result shall be determined from the existing score card, or by the competitions secretary based on the circumstances relating to the incident.
• The date of "FINALS DAY" will be pre-determined and printed on the fixture cards at the start of each season. It is the responsibility of every individual to make sure that they will be available to play on Finals day if they enter the competitions. Any competitor who progresses through to a Final and is then not available to play on 'Finals day' will be disqualified and the opponent beaten by them in the previous round promoted. Should it not be possible to contact the previous opponent in time for them to play on Finals day the other Finalist will be awarded the title of 'Winner by default' and the competitor who is unable to play shall be disqualified, no position of runner up will be awarded. In the event that an explanation "acceptable to the committee" is presented to the Competitions Secretary prior to the commencement of the Find the Finalist who is available to play will be awarded the title of 'Winner by default' and the competitor who is unable to play shall be awarded the title of 'Runner up by default'. Except in extreme weather conditions where the green may be unplayable there will be no other postponements.

• Entry into any club competition is taken as acceptance of these rules and therefore…      “ALL COMPETITORS” shall be bound by their conditions.

 

Christopher Ottaway
Competitions Secretary