I. SK Golf LeagueA. Organization of the League

1. The league consists of 5 teams, each headed by a captain, the membership is comprised of people employed at GSK (see rule D7).

B. The Governing Committee1. The league is administered by a committee, made up of the Captains, each

representing a team of players.C. President

1. President may be a Captain of one of the 5 teams.2. Administers the details involved in starting play each year.3. Administers the operation of the league, including selection of a scorekeeper.4. Organization of Mid-year and End-of-Year Tournaments and banquets.5. Organization of playoff rounds.6. Decides or delegates the decision regarding "play or no play" on rainy days.7. Rules on any grievances or disputes.8. Coordinates the start of play, including assignment of new players and

establishment of new teams.9. The president remains in office until he/she resigns or if there is a request for

an election of a new president. If an election is needed, the president will send a ballot to all active golf players.

D. Teams1. Teams are formed by a process of mutual consent among the existing teams,

new teams and new players to the league. 2. Each team selects a captain who represents them in committee meetings.3. Each team is identified by the last name of a well-known golfer, typically a

PGA tour player. 4. New Captains have the right to rename their team if they desire.

5. Teams are reviewed before the start of the season to ensure fairness.6. All league players will be assigned to a team.

a) Captains will assign players to their teams.b) Player assignment will be approved by all league captains.c) Final Rosters will be approved by committee before the season starts.

(1) Changes during the season will be approved by the president.7. Eligibility. The following are permitted to play in the league and will be

assigned to a team.a) GlaxoSmithKline employeesb) Former/Retired GSK employeesc) Contractors

E. Order of Play1. Play (front or back nine) will be at the discretion of the starter.2. All players will play the same nine holes.3. Foursomes may be made up as they arrive at the first tee. If a golfer wishes

to golf with a specific foursome, he/she cannot get into line until his/her entire foursome is at the tee.

F. Alternate League night1. Players who are unable to play on League Night (Thursday), may play on an

alternate night during the same week.2. Posted scores for the competition will consist of the first 9 holes played

regardless of whether it is front or back nine.3. Complete scorecards must be submitted to the score keeper by Friday 9PM,

no exceptions.4. Players who plan to submit an alternate night score must inform the score

keeper no later than 9PM Thursday.5. In order for a week to be official, 4 players must finish their rounds on

Thursday, regardless of how many players play on an alternative night that week. If play is cancelled on League Night (Thursday), no rounds will be counted.

II. Rules of Play

A. USGA Rules of Golf apply, with some exceptions:1. Local club rules (out of bounds, hazards, etc.) apply.

a) All players must register in the golf shop.b) Proper golf attire including non-metal spikes are required.c) Observe proper etiquette- repair ball marks and reseed divots.d) Players are responsible for damage they cause during their rounds. Including

golf carts, houses clubhouses, all properties.e) Facility is not equipped with lightning detection system- all play is at players

own safety risk.f) All yardages measured are to the center of the green- 150-yard poles middle

of the fairway.g) Hazards are defined by stakes; red/yellow- water hazards; white- out of

bounds.h) Environmentally sensitive areas defined with green tipped white stakes.

Played as lateral hazard- PLEASE DO NOT ENTER.i) Trespassing on private property is prohibited.

2. If your ball is on the wrong putting green, drop off, no closer to the hole and continue play with no penalty.

3. Winter rules apply year-round. This means that if your ball is clearly in the YOUR fairway, you may move your ball no closer to the hole to a better lie.

4. If a player plays a ball and it is likely to be lost or out of bounds, the golfer must decide to use the Alternative Stroke & Distance rule or hit a second ball before leaving the tee. If a second ball is played and the original ball is found, the original ball must be played. ( Figure 3.)

5. In the event of rain and/or lightening, golfers should assemble in the clubhouse, or a similar "safe spot". If the match is not completed, the scorecards must be turned in.

B. The following rules carry a one stroke penalty:1. A golfer playing the wrong ball, assessed a 1-stroke penalty at the conclusion

of the hole.a) It is suggested that you mark your ball prior to the start so that it may be

easily identifiable.2. A ball lost in water must be replaced on the tee side of the water.

a) unless local rules indicate a “Drop Zone near the green”, orb) If a ball hits safely over water, but kicks back in, it may be played on the

green side, no nearer the hole.

(1) On hole #14, the Island green, if the ball hits the island before going in the water, you can place the ball as close as possible to where the ball entered the water and no closer to the hole.

3. If a player declares their ball unplayable where it lies, they maya) Under penalty of 1-stroke. Drop it within two club lengths from the spot, no

nearer the hole. OR

b) Under penalty of 1-stroke. Draw a straight line from the hole to where the ball was located and drop anywhere behind that point, keeping that point between you and the hole. (See Figure 1.)

4. If a player declares their ball unplayable after finding it in the woods, they may

a) Under penalty of 1-stroke. Drop within two club lengths from the estimated spot where the ball crossed the boundary of the woods.

C. Rule Changes for 2019 (See Figure 3.)1. Ball hit out of bounds or lost from the tee. Decision to use option a. or b.

needs to be made before leaving the tee box. If the original ball is found not out of bounds the original shall be played.

a) Local (League) rule will be adopted: Under penalty of 2-strokes.(1) A ball may be dropped between the point where the ball crossed the

boundary and the fairway, no nearer the hole. The ball may be dropped within two clubs of the edge of the fairway no nearer the hole. (Please, see Figure 2 for detail)

ORb) The player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke

and playing another ball from where the previous stroke was made. 2. A ball should be considered lost if it is not found within three minutes.

a) Local (League) rule will be adopted: Under penalty of 2-strokes.(1) A ball may be dropped between the approximate point where the ball

was lost and the fairway, extended by two club lengths, no nearer the hole. (Please, See Figure 2 for detail.)

3. Exceptions for the Par 3s.a) On hole #12, if the ball is lost in the penalty areas, you take relief in

designated drop area with a 1 stroke penalty. if your ball goes OB, you may take relief in the designated drop area, with a 2 stroke penalty.

b) On hole #14, the Island green, if the ball hits the island before going in the water, you can place the ball in the rough as close as possible to where the ball entered the water and no closer to the hole.

c) On hole #18, if the ball is lost in the penalty areas, you take relief in designated drop area with a 1 stroke penalty. if your ball goes OB, you may take relief in the designated drop area, with a 2 stroke penalty.

4. Dropping procedure: The ball must be dropped straight down from knee height (the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position).

5. Repair of spike marks, damage caused by a person, animal or maintenance practices is permitted.

6. No penalty if a ball played from the putting green (or anywhere else) hits the unattended flagstick in hole.

7. A player may take relief without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere in the “general area” (new term for “through the green”, i.e. everywhere not just the fairway).

8. Grounding your club and moving loose impediments in a penalty area is permitted.

a) Moving loose impediments in a bunker is permitted.b) No penalty except when a player touches sand (1) with his or her hand or

club to test the conditions of the bunker, (2) in making a practice swing, (3) with the club in the area right behind or in front of the ball or (4) in making the backswing for the stroke.

9. Use of Distance measuring devices are permitted.10. Double par +1 is the maximum score allowed.11. Player accidentally moves his or her ball during search. NO Penalty.

a) Ball is replaced.12. Player accidentally moves his or her ball, ball-marker on the putting green.

NO Penalty.a) Ball or Ball-marker is replaced.

13. Players will be allowed to improve their lie within the sandtraps. (COVID-19 Rule)

a) Player must place their ball within the bunker.b) Player must replace their ball within 6 inches of the original spot.

14. The maximum league handicap is 18.

D. Handicapping.1. Scores used for handicaps will be based on all scores recorded for each

player.2. WHS Rules will be used for the league.3. The handicap (INDEX ) will be used to determine each player’s League

handicap for Bella Vista golf course, 90% of the players Bella Vista handicap will be used for league point determination.

4. New players in the league will not have official league handicaps until they have completed three rounds. (practice rounds can count toward new players 1st , 3 rounds)

a) Players officially assigned to a roster will not be handicapped until they have 3 rounds posted.

b) Scores from their 1st 3 rounds will not be handicapped. Gross scores will be used for individual points and team point determinations.

5. Net double bogey will be the maximum score used for a player’s handicap calculation. (See Figure 4.)

a) Maximum score recorded for handicap calculation is:(1) Par + 2(dbl bogey)+Strokes Received= MAX

6. Handicap Differential CalculationHandicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating.

Step1: Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating: 95 - 71.5 = 23.5Step 2: Difference x Standard Slope Rating: 23.5 x 113 = 2655.5Step 3: Result / Slope Rating: 2655.5 / 125 = 21.24Step 4: Handicap Differential (rounded): 21.2

7. Handicap Index Calculationa) If 3-5 league scores are available the lowest 1 will be used.b) If 6-8 league scores are posted lowest 2 differentials will be used.c) If 9-11 league scores are posted lowest 3 differentials will be used.d) If 12-14 league scores are posted lowest 4 differentials will be used.e) If 15 or 16 league scores are posted lowest 5 differentials will be used.f) If 17 or 18 league scores are posted lowest 6 differentials will be used.g) If 19 league scores are posted lowest 7 differentials will be used.h) If 20 league scores are posted lowest 8 differentials will be used.

(1) Example calculation: Player with 10 league scores posted.Step 1: Average 5 lowest differentials (8.5+8.5+10.2+8.5+3.2)/5=7.78Step 2: Multiply the average by 0.96, 0.96 x 7.78= 7.4688Step 3: Truncate to the nearest tenth, Handicap = 7.4

8. The maximum league handicap is 18.9. At the beginning of the season and before their first match is played, a player

may elect to play from a different tee than he/she played the previous year. Players will be allowed to move one set shorter or one set longer. For example: If a player played from the white tees last year, he may elect to play from the Blues or the Gold this year. He cannot jump 2 sets of tees and play the Reds.

a) If a player elects to change tees his handicap will be adjusted according to the difference in tee ratings on the card.

b) Players must be 55 or older to move to the Gold (Senior) tees.c) Bella Vista GC tee ratings are as follows:

18 Hole rating Blue=71.7 White=69.6 Gold=67.7 Red=68.4 d) All tee changes must be approved by the league president.

10. All players must turn in their scorecards. All scores will be included in the weekly handicap calculation.

III. League ScoringA. GSK CUP (Individual Competition)

1. Scoring will be based on individual stroke play (medal play).2. Points will be awarded to all players who submit a completed scorecard to

the scorekeeper.a) Scorecard must be turned in after the round.

(1) Digital photo is acceptable.(2) Scorecard must be received by scorekeeper before weekly scores are

posted.(3) No scorecard, No points.

b) Players will be placed relative to the field.(1) Net score will be used for placing.(2) Top 15 players will get points determined by their rank.

(a) Ties share equal points.(b) Example: 3 players tied for 3rd.

(i) Points for 3rd(452),4th(430),5th(409) will be averaged and players will receive equal points.

(ii) (452+430+409)/3=431, 3 players will be awarded 431 points.

c) Points per week(1) 500pts. will be available for 1st place each week.(2) Point values for each place will be reduced by 5% accordingly, Places

2-15.(a) 2nd place = 1st place x 0.95= 500 x 0.95= 475.(b) 3rd place = 2nd place x 0.95= 475 x 0.95= 452.(c) 4th place = 3rd place x 0.95= 452 x 0.95= 430.(d) 5th place = 1st place x 0.6= 430 x 0.95= 409.(e) 6th place = 1st place x 0.5= 409 x 0.95= 389.

(i) Totals rounded up. (3) Players outside the top 15 places, that submit a completed scorecard,

will be awarded 125 points.3. Rain/Lightening ending a round.

a) If 4 or more players submit a complete scorecard on League Night (Thursday), points will be awarded.

(1) Individuals unable to finish due to rain/lightening but submitting an incomplete scorecard will be awarded 125 points.

b) If <4 players submit complete scorecards on League Night (Thursday), points will not be awarded, regardless of how many alternate night scorecards are submitted.

4. Individual Playoffsa) Week 1 (9-holes)

(1) Top 50-point getters will be eligible to play in the 1st round (Week 1) of the playoffs.

(2) 1st Place will be worth 2000pts.(a) Point values will decrease by 10%.

(i) 1st Place= 2000, 2nd Place= 1800, etc.… (3) Top 30 players will advance to Week 2.

b) Week 2 (9-holes)(1) Top 30-point getters will be eligible to play in the 2nd round (Week 2) of

the playoffs.(2) 1st Place will be worth 2500pts.

(a) Point values will decrease by 20%.(i) 1st Place= 2500, 2nd Place= 2000, etc.…

(3) Top 20 Players will advance to Week 3.c) Week 3 (9-holes)

(1) Top 20-point getters will be eligible to play in the 3rd round (Week 3) of the playoffs.

(2) 1st Place will be worth 5000pts.(a) Point values will decrease by 20%.

(i) 1st Place= 5000, 2nd Place= 4000, etc.… d) Individual accumulating the most points after the 3rd week of the playoffs will

be the GSK CUP CHAMPION!

e) Prizes will be decided by committee before the beginning of the season.

Prizes for 2020 are as follows:(1) 1st Place = $100.00 + Championship BELT.(2) 2nd Place = $75.00(3) 3rd Place = $50.00(4) 4th Place = $25.00(5) 5th Place = $20.00

B. GSK CUP (Team Competition)1. Team competition will be in conjunction with the individual competition,

a) The 4 individuals from each team who accumulate the most points each week, will contribute to their team point total throughout the season.

2. The 2 teams accumulating the most points after the regular season will play a match-play 9-hole playoff.

3. In the event of a tie after 18, each individual match will go to a Sudden death playoff.

a) If there is an even number of matches and the number of matches won by each team is tied. Captains will pick 3 players each to decide the match. Holes to be played will also be determined by the captains of the 2 teams.

4. A trophy will be presented to the captain of the winning team, at the E.O.Y. tournament.

a) The trophy can be passed around for players to display until the beginning of the following season, at which time the trophy will be returned to the president of the league.

C. League Awards1. If one player is eligible for more than one award, that player shall receive

only the highest ranked award and the other award shall be given to the runner-up.

2. In case of ties, the league will award duplicate prizes.3. Individual Scoring Awards: are ranked in importance as listed below.

a) Best Gross Average : The player with the lowest regular season gross average score

b) Low Gross Score : The player with the lowest single regular season gross score.

c) Most Valuable Player (MVP): The player who scored the most points for his team.

d) Most Improved Golfer : The player who has improved the most from last season. First year players are not eligible for this award Computation.

(1) Method to Determine Most Improved GolferStep 1: Multiply the player's handicap at the start of the season by 2.Step 2: Multiply the player's handicap at the end of the season by 3.Step 3: Step1 - Step2 = Improvement rating.(a) Player A was a 20 handicapper at the beginning of the season and

improved to a 15. 20x2=40, 15x3=45, 40-45= -5 (b) Player B was a 9 handicapper at the beginning of the season and

improved to a 6. 9x2=18, 6x3=18, 18-18=0 (c) Player C was a 4 handicapper at the beginning of the season and

improved to a 1. 4x2=8, 1x3=3, 8-3= +5 CONCLUSION: Player C (+5) is most improved; Player B (0) ranks second and Player A (-5) is least improved.

e) Low Net Score : for a single round minus golfer's handicap. A new golfer must have competed in three rounds before being eligible.

f) Hole in One : Any player who achieves a hole in one will receive a plaque.D. Grievances and Disputes

1. When a grievance or dispute arises, the captain of the aggrieved team should present his case to the League's President.

a) The President may contact the other captain or gather facts as he/she sees it, then rule on the grievance.

2. Grievances must be filed within 1 weeks of the event.3. If it is found that a round is scored with an incorrect handicap. The round will

be rescored using the correct handicap. Appeal must be made within 1 week of the round.

4. If the aggrieved captain wants to appeal further, he/she may appeal to the team captains whose majority vote will be binding in the matter.

5. Disputes involving the president's team will be settled by the appeal process.6. To deal with unsportsmanlike or unethical conduct by an individual or team,

a team captain will state his grievance in writing to the president. a) The president will convene a committee meeting, made up of team captains

and rule on the outcome. A majority vote (70%) will be required to ban that individual or team from participating in the golf league.

7. Changes to Rules

a) Any captain wishing to change these rules must present the proposed change to the President of the league, who will discuss the proposal with/and submit the proposal for a majority vote by the captains, if they do not feel the proposal is worth voting on, they may reject the proposal.

IV. Golf Etiquette:A. Please keep up with the 4some in front of you.B. Repair your ball marks on green.C. Rake sand traps after play, leave it better than you found it.D. No golf bags or carts on greens.E. No talking or movements while players are addressing the ball.F. Allow faster groups to play through.G. Play with a purpose: Play at a quick enough pace so as not to delay other

golfers.

V. Golf and your HealthA. Hold Harmless forms are not required for employees/retirees who play in the

Golf League. However, as with all physical activity, certain risks are associated with the game of golf such as sprains, overexertion and heat stress. All these conditions are preventable if you follow the simple rules for safe exercise:

B. If you have been inactive for a period, begin with a few minutes of stretching and muscle warm-up exercises. Warm-up and cool-down activities may include mild aerobic, calisthenics and/or flexibility exercises. On very hot or humid days, drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself. Consult your doctor if you have a history of medical problems or if you are currently being treated for a condition which may be aggravated by physical exertion. By joining the league, you agree to play at your own risk. The league shall not be liable for any injury.

Figure 1. An Unplayable lie.

All options include a 1- stroke penalty.

Option 1: To repeat the original shot (in order to speed

up play returning to the original spot

should be avoided unless it

is the ONLY option). Option

2: Take a drop within two club lengths of where the ball is

at rest, not nearer the hole. Option 3:

Draw a line from the hole to where the ball is at rest and drop anywhere behind that point, keeping the point between you and the hole.

Figure 2. New league procedure for a ball hit out of bounds. Options: #1 Stroke and distance, #2 Above diagram.

Figure 3. New rules for 2019.

Figure 4. WHS double bogey maximum for handicap calculation.