2020 IGA Yearbook

did have an extremely busy year in the Course Rating department. In 2020 our team of almost 50 volunteers with the help of the IGA staff performed 36 full Course Ratings and five partial ratings around the state. This totaled 134 tees for men and 79 tees for women. In 2019 we had 32 full ratings and that was over four times the normal amount. The reason for the surge in ratings this year was a combination of 15 new clubs joining the IGA (the most we’ve had in the last decade) and the cycle of existing member clubs approaching their 10-year expiration date. Because the rating process can be done with a team of three people and is performed outside, it was a task that could be completed during the COVID-19 shutdown. Early in the season, while we were keeping busy with Course Ratings, there were also modifications being done to the newly released WHS to accommodate the CDC health recommendations to minimize the surface spread of COVID-19. Courses in Iowa found creative ways to limit touchpoints on the golf course including bunker rakes, flagsticks, and hole liners. The temporary measure put in place within the United States to accept scores played under these conditions for handicap purposes is affiliated with Most Likely Score. This allowed golfers to post scores even if there was a device in the hole or on the flagstick that did not allow the golf ball to be holed out. The image above explains MLS in a graphic way, but hopefully you're somewhat familiar at this point with the procedure. Temporary changes like this to the WHS make state level supervision thatmuchmore important.The IGA Handicapping and Course Rating Committee was originally formed to meet the oversight requirement set forth by the USGA, but it also serves as a resource for club and golfers when conducting a handicap review (which includes evaluating scores posted during COVID-19). In the subsequent two pages we will walk you through how a Handicap Committee review works and how it can (and should) be used at your club. Hopefully you’ll see the value a strong Handicap Committee brings to a facility and work to strengthen or establish one at your home club. In closing, I want to thank you for keeping golf in your life through this trying year. We hope your enjoyment of the game continues to grow in 2021 and beyond! Stay safe and healthy and thanks for your continued support.