Dear Members,

I am advised that some of you may have received an email recently from Mr Wolf Dietrich regarding the A,B & C Grade System and the allocation of prizes amongst winners in A, B and C grades. The content of the email purports that it was sent to ALL YGC members, but only a few have apparently been recipients. I for one was not included in the mailing list.

Wolf forwarded his original email (one of many it must be stated) on this topic back in February, and was rightfully advised that the Club had been operating with A, B & C Grades, and allocating prizes, in this manner for it’s full 15-year existence, as it evolved from a weekend competition Club, to include Thursdays (now Wednesdays) and then Mondays – and it was not appropriate for the  Committee to change things without an appropriate evaluation and consultation with the members. He was then asked to conduct an evaluation of the past 12 months of ALL YGC competitions – to support his proposal, and enable an understanding of the basis of that proposal. He was further afforded the opportunity to present his proposal to the Committee at the March meeting, which he accepted and then he, supported by David Morley, presented his findings at that meeting.

At the March Committee meeting, after hearing his presentation,  the Committee advised Wolf that they would consider his proposal; but that it was more likely that changing the way we had operated for 15 years was something that should most likely be presented to all members – at the appropriate time and place; that being the next Annual General Meeting.

For those who did not receive a copy, Wolf opened his email with the following paragraph:

Dear Members of Yarrambat Golf Club, I am writing to seek your support to change what I and other fellow members consider to be the ‘Unfair’ way in which our Competition Prizes are currently being awarded. I say unfair because, as it stands, not all members have an equal chance of winning.   further along his email he went on to say: No need for grade separations Since the introduction of our Golf Link handicapping system there is no need for Grade separations anymore. The system is an Australian Standard with World recognition that ensures that our Competition Outcomes are fair in giving every player in the Competition an equal opportunity of winning regardless of their handicap.

 So, if as stated, the handicapping system gives all players an equal chance of winning, then the crux of Wolf’s email must actually about the division of prize monies amongst winners.

I feel it is important to point out at this time, that we don’t believe that any of us actually play for prize money, or even golf balls – these are just the fortunate benefit of a good day. Nor do we believe that ANY Grade is a parasite being propped up, or supported,  subsidised or unjustly taking prize money away from anyone else and to suggest otherwise is both selfish and divisive.

I think that YGC members are mature enough to understand that the $5 competition entry fee – is just that – an entry fee – not a guarantee of prize money, nor a percentage of available prize money to be won. The $5 entry fee is paid to the Club to enable participation in that day’s competition, and includes eligibility for Golf link handicapping; Nearest the pin, Eagle’s Nest and Holes-in-One.

Based on the number of participants in any daily competition, the YGC Committee (as has occurred for many years) determine the Grade breakdown – and it must be pointed out, that these numbers of players in each grade are NOT KNOWN prior to the last player registration, nor until after play has commenced.  (And for a daily competition I don’t think anyone stands on the first tee wondering what grade they are in – they just hope that they clear the tee box and miss the bunker!)

As a general rule, at present, and as the result of a number of our regular Monday and Wednesday ‘A Grade’ players being injured, away or otherwise unavailable – (there at least 10 or so out of action) – the numbers of ‘traditional’ A Grade players playing these on days have reduced.

The Match Committee have taken steps, as is provided in the By-Laws, to provide a more ”balanced’ field (and only for Monday and Wednesday Daily Comps where these conditions prevail – and not for Board events), without enforcing an excessive or unnecessary stroke differential / or ”penalty”, by staying as close to the ‘standard grades’ as is reasonably practicable.  As stated in a recent letter from Golf Australia “Currently the competitive bias can shift slightly towards higher markers in the summer months in most parts of Australia, and slightly towards the lower markers in the winter months in most parts of Australia.”

As a result, the grade separations at present will generally be (and unless entrant numbers dictate significantly otherwise)

Monday:       A +8-14; B 15-19; C 20-36 

Wednesday: A +8-13; B 14-19; C 20-36

Saturday:       A +8-12; B 13-19; C 20-36

Sundays: are generally a 2 grade competition;A 0-15 & B 16-36 or if less than 28 players are entered – one grade.

It is also noted that;

A Grade has a minimum differential of 12 strokes and up to 22 strokes

B Grade has a minimum differential of 5 strokes and up to a maximum of 7 strokes

C Grade has a constant 16 stroke differential

Graded Board Events will not vary from A +8-12; B 13-19; C 20-36

As stated, any substantive change to the way the Club has operated is a matter for the entire membership, and will be presented as a resolution at the AGM, and not before. Until then the Committee will continue to administer the Competitions as stated above. The YGC Committee were elected to represent the best interests of the entire Club membership, and will continue to fulfill this function.

Any person who feels that they do not wish to enter a YGC Competition, does not have to do so. Competition entry is voluntary and the terms of such entry are very clear. Please note the “Block Bookings” available on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday are reserved for players entered in YGC Competitions.

 

Stuart Thompson

President YGC on behalf of the YGC Committee.

 

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