377 clubs throughout Scotland, representing over 143,000 players, have registered so far with the Central Database Of handicaps scheme being undertaken by the SGU in association with the SLGA and the Welsh Golf Union.
The Scottish Golf Union continue to make
good progress with the promotion of the scheme and have been assisting with club/player registration
enquiries.
The SGU are hoping that as many clubs as possible will register for the scheme, maximising the benefits of the
automatic transfer of away scores between clubs.
A paper outling the benefits of the schem has been in circulation for some time :-
CENTRAL DATABASE OF HANDICAPS
BENEFITS
For the Individual Golfer:
Players
able to access their Exact and Playing Handicap online (including date of last
update and itemising any away scores Nett Differentials pending processing at
the Player’s home golf club)
Once all golf clubs actively participating, removes the requirement for
player’s to return away score information to their ‘home’ golf club
Using unique identification numbers ensures all player’s scores are recorded on
their own individual Player Handicap Record, eliminating the possibility of
scores being recorded against the wrong name
Full annual playing record readily available to all players
Assurance that the integrity of the CONGU®
Unified Handicapping System is being
maintained and the System is being consistently applied throughout
Scotland/Wales creating as level a playing field as possible across all
handicap categories
Current handicap position available to all players on central server
Personalised ‘Scottish
Golf/Welsh Golf’ member card, facilitating easy access/reference to CDH
For the Club Administrators:
A
standardised system of assured integrity
All ‘away’ scores returned to the ‘home’ club of players automatically – these
will contain correct CSS information along with applicable Stableford / Nett
Double Bogey Adjustments
No
further need for golf clubs hosting competitions to manually return the results
back to the ‘home’ clubs of participating players
‘Away’ score administration streamlined through batch data processing of all
members ‘away’ scores
Significantly reduces the possibility of double entry of ‘away’ scores
Eliminates requirement for clubs to file returns for the annual National
Handicap Audit
CDH provides a Handicap history / archive, available when player changes club
or leaves the game for a period and later, rejoins a golf club
Tournament organisers able to authenticate handicaps online for competition
entrants in real time
If a club loses its handicap data for any reason then they can immediately
access the full handicap records of their members and reinstate these to
minimise disruption to their operations.
Ability to verify members of affiliated golf clubs and hence provide benefits
to such members that are not available to other golfers
Provision of ‘Scottish
Golf/Welsh Golf’ member card enabling clubs to automatically verify handicaps
of all competitors. Also, at the clubs discretion, the potential to use this
member card as a club card e.g. door entry systems
For the Governing Bodies:
Ability to verify members of affiliated clubs and hence provide benefits to
such members that are not available to other golfers
Monitor trends in golf club membership
Automated information available for annual National Handicap Audit purposes
Unions,
Associations, Areas and Counties have ability to access up-to-date handicap
information for team and coaching squad selection purposes
Gives the potential for tournament organisers to access up-to-date information
for entry qualification and authenticate handicaps online for competition
entrants
Provides a wealth of statistical information readily accessible to monitor
trends in handicapping, participation within the game and assure a fair and
equitable handicapping system for all amateur golfers
Greater assurance that the handicapping system is being applied consistently by
all clubs and players throughout golf clubs affiliated to the participating
Governing Bodies – thereby increasing integrity of the CONGU Unified
Handicapping System
Provision of ‘Scottish
Golf/Welsh Golf’ member card to all members of golf clubs affiliated to the
participating Governing Bodies
The clubs in Ayrshire who have registered so far are :-
ABBOTSFORD
ARDEER
AYR CARRICK
AYR DALMILLING
AYR SEAFIELD
AYR NEPTUNE
BALLOCHMYLE
BEITH
BRODICK
GIRVAN
IRVINE
IRVINE RAVENSPARK
KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE)
LARGS
LOUDOUN
MACHRIE BAY
MUIRKIRK
NEW CUMNOCK
PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS
ROYAL TROON
SHISKINE
SKELMORLIE
TAM O SHANTER
TROON WELBECK
TURNBERRY
TURNBERRY STAFF
WEST KILBRIDE
WHITING BAY
Any club who have not yet registered, are considering doing so now or in the future, or have no intention to register are requested to contact the SGU direct and update the governing body of the present position, to assist in future planning and development of the Central database of handicap scheme.
