Gentleman,
Men’s League is scheduled to begin the first week in May. I’m happy to announce that we will be able to start playing as scheduled but we have a few challenges to navigate. We will not be able to offer the 6pm Shotgun for all teams to play at the same time, as a group of 144 players is outside of the State of Montana Covid-19 phase 1 and 2 guidelines. We also have an issue with carts as we need to practice social distancing standards of only one rider per cart unless residing in the same household. For these two reasons we need to spread out.
For the month of May, Men’s League will consist of Team Play. Your Team will play together in a foursome. League Play in May, will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays utilizing tee times. League tee times may be booked between 10:30am and 6:30pm on any of these three days. League Punch cards and the League Daily Fees will be available to use for league rounds at any point in the day. I know some of you can only play at 6pm on Wednesdays, but we can only accommodate 7 teams between the hours of 5:30 and 6:30, so if your team can play earlier in the day or on one of the other days I strongly encourage you to help us disperse by playing at an alternative time or day.
Please reach out to your team members and find a time as well as a backup time that will work for your players. As this is a new process, I’m sure we will see a hiccup or two and things may not be perfect at first, but I want you to know we are committed to providing a safe outdoor activity for all players.
Captains may begin booking league tee times on Monday, April 27th at 9:30am. Please let the Golf Shop know you are booking your league time and it will be booked under your team name.
Team Play ~ Team's will compete against the field over the first 3 weeks in May. Players will be playing their own ball and the team score will be tabulated using multiple scores of the four teammates. Teams will be flighted after the second round. Flight winners will be paid out after the 3rd round. We plan to play the back week one, the front week two, and the back for week 3. For the last week in May we plan on holding a scrambled team scramble (aeration week) with payouts for gross and net.
2020 Team Play Procedures
*New ~ Captains are to have 4 team members check in with the Golf Shop. The Golf Shop will not need to know in advance who is playing. Golf Genius will not be used to submit your players prior to playing. ALL PLAYERS MUST CHECK IN PRIOR TO THEIR STARTING TIME.
Scorecards will be issued at check in. They will include the weekly format/team game and any other rules or information for the round.
Rental Golf Carts will be available on a first come first serve basis. We will not be able to reserve rental carts. I suspect this will not be an issue (fingers crossed).
Pace of Play. All rounds will conclude in under 2 hours. No exceptions. Teams will be assessed one penalty stroke per minute over the 120 minute limit. Village Greens has seen some very busy days and with the 10 minute tee time interval and 18 hole rounds are averaging under 4 hours. Do your part and hit when ready.
Flagsticks are to remain in and are to never be touched.
Circle of Friendship ~ We will be promoting gimmes in Team Play. If your ball is within a putter length (35 inches or less) of the hole, the next putt is deemed good and pick up your ball. It’s easy to measure, stay honest.
When on the putting green, if a putt hits the flagstick and is rejected, but stays within the circle of friendship (35 inches) the putt will be deemed holed. If you are putting from the fringe this rule does not apply, but your next shot would be a gimme.
Sand Rakes are not on the course. You may use a preferred lie in the bunker. Please use your foot rake after hitting.
Upon Completion of your League Round, Turn your scorecard into the Golf Shop, Return your cart and remove your trash and belongings. Golf Carts must be in prior to 8pm except for the few groups who tee off after 6pm.
At this time we are going to ask you leave after play. The patio will not be available before or after play.
Lum’s 19th Hole will be open until 6:30 for food and beverage service on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays offering league specials on beer and food.
Tentative 2020 League Schedule
May ~ Team Play
June/July ~ Regular Season Match Play
August ~ Post Season Match Play
September ~ League Championship
I'm looking forward to making this work and we will adapt as needed. If you did not enter your team through the online golf genius registration portal there is a good chance your players will not receive this communication. Please share this plan with your players.
If you have not submitted your players please do so on our website at montanagolf.com/events then scroll down to click on Wednesday Men's League then click the 2020 online registration. You could also email me directly at jessroper@pga.com.
Thanks for making VG league great,
Jess Roper, PGA