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HANDICAPPING & COURSE RATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Bill Eby, Chairman
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
Tom Newbanks, Chairman
The Iowa Golf Association had lots
of updates, tournament results and
other exciting news that most of
you heard about in 2016 - in one
way or another.
The IGA web page (a new look
coming in early 2017 - be sure
to stay tuned!) continues to offer the gateway to
information golfers across the state are seeking. Just
under half a million pages were viewed in 2016 by just
over 74,000 different people this year on the IGA web
page. It is exciting to report that the following by golfers
on the IGA’s social media channels continues to grow
and grow. With over 1,200 likes (a 63% increase since
Jan. 1, 2015) on Facebook and now just shy of 1,900
followers (up from 1,500 this time last year) on Twitter
those seeking news from and about the IGA always can
find it, whether on or off the course.
The yearly highlight, without question, for the
Communications Committee is to recommend and
announce those honored for the IGA Annual Awards
in the six different categories. This year those were:
• 9-Hole Superintendent: Mike McAllister, Stone
Creek Golf Club, Williamsburg
• 18-Hole Superintendent: Tom Feller, Cedar
Rapids Country Club, Cedar Rapids
• 9-Hole Course of the Year: Urbandale Country
Club, Urbandale
• 18-Hole Course of the Year: Otter Creek Golf
Course, Ankeny
• PGA Pro of the Year: Greg Mason, Spirit Hollow
Golf Course, Burlington
• Club Manager of the Year: Jeff Kuhn, Whispering
Creek Golf Club, Sioux City
We look forward to sharing even more news and
excitement from the world of golf in Iowa in 2017.
In conjunction with the 2016 Rules
of Golf updates the USGA released
a new Handicap System Manual and
Course Rating Guide. The changes
further enhance the credibility of the
USGA Handicap System worldwide
and move the USGA much closer to a
global handicap system.
“The USGA Handicap System is constantly evolving to ensure
that the System works for the game today and tomorrow,”
Steven Edmondson of the USGA said.
Six significant changes were made to the USGA Handicap
System:
1.
Definition of a tournament score
2.
Adjusting hole scores
3.
Posting scores when a player is disqualified
4.
Anchoring and posting
5.
Playing alone and necessary peer review
6.
Committee responsibilities
The most discussed change of the six was undeniably “playing
alone and peer review”.
The USGA explains that, “Players are not prohibited from
playing alone, only from posting solo-round scores for handicap
purposes. By playing alone, a player loses the advantage of
someone alongside who can remind the play of a Rule or verify
that they made a 5 and not a 6. The amendment to clarify a
round played alone as an unacceptable score is an important
part of building greater confidence in a player’s Handicap
Index.”
The simple fact is, peer review is essential to the USGA
Handicap System and without it a Handicap Index loses it
meaning and is just a number.
The Course Rating System also experienced significant
alterations in 2016. In order to stay current on these changes
the IGA hosted a USGA Course Rating Seminar in April at
Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk. Lee Rainwater of the
USGA coordinated the full-day seminar and educated the
attendees with a PowerPoint presentation and on-course
training. Just under 35 volunteers from around the state
participated in the event.
The IGA rating teams put their training into practice this
golf season by visiting a combined 16 clubs and rating over
80 sets of tees for men and women. The IGA has six ratings
teams housed in various regions of the state including
Northwest Iowa, Pella, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and the
Quad Cities. Combined, there are over 50 volunteers that
dedicate their time and energy to providing accurate ratings
for golfers to utilize.
If you have any questions about the USGA Handicap System
or Course Rating please don’t hesitate to contact the IGA
staff in Ankeny. They field numerous questions each year on
these topics and are always willing to help.
Take care and have a great 2017!
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HANDICAP COMMITTEE RE ORT
Bill Eby, Chairman