GC B-Level League

Golf Croquet B-Level League Rules – 2019

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1. General
   1. All games shall be played under the current CA-approved Laws of Golf Croquet (NB: new 5th Edition, March 2019) unless modified below.
   2. The start time of the match should be 10.00 am, unless otherwise agreed by team captains.
   3. Any number of courts may be used, subject to a minimum of two; but note that the format differs substantially depending on the number available. Standard Courts should be used wherever possible, and all courts must be at least ¾-size with the correct proportions. All courts should be in adequate condition such that there is a possibility of accurate positioning, and of hitting a ball from one corner of the court to the opposite corner. Play should be equably spread where the quality of the courts differs.
   4. Each team shall consist of four players, not necessarily the same players each match. Prior to the start of each match, the Captains will exchange team lists with players listed as A (H1/A1), B (H2/A2), C (H3/A3) & D (H4/A4). The listings shall be firstly in order of handicap, and secondly in actual index.
   5. The order of play shall be:-
      - First (normally in the morning): all players of both sides play two doubles games with the following format:–
      
      • #1: H1 & H4 vs. A1 & A4, H2 & H3 vs. A2 & A3
      • #2: H1 & H4 vs. A2 & A3, H2 & H3 vs. A1 & A4
      - Second (normally in the afternoon): 16 singles games, in an all-play-all format.
   6. All games shall consist of a single 13-point game.
   7. The default time limit is 50 minutes per game, but captains may mutually agree to waive this. At the end of the 50 minutes standard CA rules apply: an extension period of 8 shots, at the conclusion of which the leading player is declared the winner. If the score is tied, then play will continue until the next hoop-point is scored to give a clear winner. Drawn games are not an acceptable result.
   8. Substitutes in matches shall be allowed only by prior agreement between the Team Captains.
   9. No player may play for more than one team in a season. In the event of a violation all illegal games won by that player shall be forfeit to the opponent with a 0-0 hoop score; all illegal games lost by that player remain valid.
   10. For those Clubs with two teams in the same region, the matches between those teams must be played as the first fixture otherwise the result of that game will be void.
   11. Teams may wear coloured attire, provided all team members (other than those wearing white) wear the same design. [Comment: This is in line with CA Tournament Regulation P4(d)(2).]
2. Handicaps
   1. Players must have a current handicap in the range 3 to 8.
   2. Teams are allowed one player with a handicap greater than 8, but for the purposes of exchanging points won/lost in a game, that player will be deemed to be playing off 8 for the duration of the match.
   3. Subject to the application of rules 2a and 2b above, where a player's handicap changes less than a week before a match, that player and/or team shall remain eligible in accordance with CA Tournament Regulations.
   4. Handicap Cards should be handed to opposing Team Captain before the start of play. All handicap cards must be up to date and verified correct by the Team Captain, Club handicapper or Official CA Handicapper. If a player forgets their card, they should orally declare their handicap, but must provide a copy of the card to the opposing Captain and/or League Manager within 24 hours of the match. If a player's handicap turns out to be lower than that declared on the day, and the change would have been material in establishing eligibility for the individual or the team, then all illegal games won by that player shall be forfeit to the opponent with a 0-0 hoop score; all illegal games lost by that player remain valid.
3. Results
   1. The home Team Captain should submit to the League Manager a copy of the completed score-sheet within 48 hours. [Comment: The score sheet must show the club names, location, date, full names of all players, handicaps, and all results. Email is preferred.]
   2. The home Team Captain is also responsible for submitting results to "results#croquet.org.uk" for inclusion in the Golf Croquet Grading System, within 5 days.
   3. Matches not played by the published cut-off date will be declared void and no points awarded unless a later date has been agreed beforehand by the League Manager. If a team cancels a match unilaterally less than 5 clear days before a scheduled match, then that team forfeits its points and the non-offending team shall be awarded the match and 2 points.
   4. In the case of a tie on points between two or more teams in an Area Group, then the winner will be determined by net hoops in all matches; and, then by other means determined by the Manager.
4. Disputes: In the event of a dispute, the League Manager's decision shall be final.

Geoff Johnson
Manager