CENTRAL DATABASE OF HANDICAPS - Increasing number of clubs registering for scheme

 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 SGU are aware that some clubs do not have computer equipment or handicap software but would still like to hear from these clubs to buld a comprehensive picture of involvement, or future intent, with regard to the scheme.

 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.