2018 Yearbook

14 In reviewing Handicapping and Course Rating for the 2018 sea- son I think it’s best described as a year of preparation for changes to come, more specifically the 2020 launch of the World Handi- cap System. There’s a lot to be excited about with the new World Handicap System. New features include daily updates to your Handicap Index, reduced number of scores required to obtain a Handicap and abnormal course and weather condition adjustment. The idea behind the alterations is to make golf more fun and inviting for players everywhere. We’re very excited about the changes in store, but we also know as the state association we have the responsibility of educating the golf community and maintaining the system’s integrity. Because of this, we knew 2018 would be an important year to boost our administrative support. As per our new agreement with the USGA, the Authorized Golf Association (that’s us) must have a Handicap Committee that meets on a regular basis to review and settle any disputes at the golf club level pertaining to any part of the USGA Handicap System. That being said, it was our mis- sion in 2018 to strengthen our association com- mittee in order to conform to USGA roles and responsibilities for Course Rating and Handicap oversight. Currently we have five active members that meet formally twice a year to discuss topics pertain- ing to the USGA Handicap System. This group currently consists of club Handicap Chairs and Course Rating captains but it is our goal in the near future to add more members from diverse golf backgrounds. Committee Members Bill Eby, Davenport CC (chair) Bill Tank, Crow Valley GC Jamie Blackburn, Wakonda Club Handicap Report Bill Eby Vice President Tom Christensen, Sunnyside CC Patty Iogha, Pella G&CC Goals of this committee and the IGA staff include conducting USGA Course Rating Seminars for our volunteers, completing 100% of requested Course Ratings and communicating with the Handicap Com- mittees and PGA Professionals in our region for in- sight on the changes to the IGA and USGA roles (to name just a few). Our plan is to evaluate these goals each year and adapt to the needs of the Handicap administrators and golfers in our area so please feel free to reach out to the IGA staff if you have ideas you would like to share. In alignment with our 2018 goals we conducted an IGA/USGA Course Rating Seminar in April at Wil- low Creek Golf Course in West Des Moines. Thirty- one volunteers attended the seminar directed by USGA staff member Matt Duffy. The “raters” reviewed basic definitions and covered obstacle categories in detail in the morning and then the class moved outside for a three-hole mock calibration seminar in the afternoon. It’s become our practice to host a state seminar on a biennial basis for our teams to keep them up to speed on the current USGA rating meth- ods. As far as Course Ratings go it was another quiet year for our teams with seven full visits and 16 partial rat- ings (minor changes made to the golf course). Course Ratings are valid for 10 years, but for the courses in our region we like to stay on a seven or eight year cycle. That being the case, we know there will be an uptick in ratings completed in 2019 and 2020. Also, the relaxed use of Penalty Areas in the new Rules of Golf will require the IGA to evaluate all active rat- ings in our region and determine if an adjustment is necessary. As we wrap up the 2018 year you can see we are already anticipating the changes to come in 2019 and beyond. Progress is impossible without change, so lets embrace it. Have a great 2019 season!