Do I need a handicap certificate?
No, after playing 3 rounds of golf with the society, you will be issued with a SCC Golf Society handicap. Unless you already have a valid CONGU handicap certificate issued by a golf club, then you will be required to submit your handicap certificate and only have to play 1 qualifying round with the society to get your card.
Do I have to play in all the events?
Not at all. The beauty of the 'Swing' system means you can miss a few tournaments, but still compete for the Order of Merit in any Swing. You may only need to play in 3 tournaments in a particular Swing to win it. Also, if you only make one tournament in a particular Swing it doesn't mean that you cannot compete for The Swing Finale. Wait until the next Swing and hopefully you can play in more tournaments in that Swing and win it.
What is the Most Consistent Player (MCP)?
We understand that some members wont be able to play in as many tournaments as they would like. So we have the MCP. We take your best 2 scores in each Swing throughout the year, add those scores together, then divide that by your category. This will be your Average Swing Points (ASP). The player at the end of the season with the highest ASP who has NOT won a swing is the MCP and receives a trophy. For a more detailed explanation, visit the Most Consistent Player (MCP) page.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely. Guests are welcome to join us for the day. We often have new members bring along a friend for a bit of support on their first tournament. They end up joining us as well, once they see what we are all about. Also established members bring along friends to enter the spirit of an SCC tournament. However, guests are not be eligible to win a SCC tournament.
How do I know what my tee-time is?
Usually on the Friday before a tournament, on the Next Tournament module
which appears at the top of most pages, a link will appear on the right
side stating: 'Start Sheet'. You can click this link to view the start
times of the players entered into the tournament. Players are requested
to turn up at the Arrival Time, which is usually set around 1 hour
before the first tee-time if we are having food. Players going out
in the later groups can turn up a bit later than the Arrival Time,
but please make sure you leave plenty of time for your food. If you
are not marked down as Paid on the Players List, then you must turn
up at the Arrival Time, regardless of your starting time.
When do I pay for a tournament?
As soon as you sign up for one. You can either pay by Electronic Bank
Transfer (BACS) or Cheque. Our payment deadline is usually 10 days
before a tournament for a cheque or 6 days for BACS. This helps us to confirm final numbers with the Golf
Club. If we have spaces available, then the Tournament Entry Sheet
will remain open. Many of our members pay for a few tournaments in
advance. This goes into their SCC Account, so next time they sign up
for a tournament, they know they payment is taken care of. We encourage
all our members to keep at least £40.00
in their SCC Account. Not only does this guarantee their payment for
the next tournament, but it also helps us pay for deposits to Golf
Clubs well in advance.
What if my money hasn't cleared?
On the rare occasion that the money hasn't cleared into the account by the time the Start Sheet has been posted, you will be requested to bring the cash with you on the day. But this must be requested by you in an email, to the secretary. If we have not received the money by the time the Start Sheet has been posted and we have not had an email requesting if you can pay cash on the day, you may be removed from the Tournament Players List. If this happens, you will be informed by email and any money that has been received after this date will be returned by recorded delivery. Unless you wish the money to be placed into your SCC Account for the next tournament. It is always easier to have the necessary funds in place as soon as you sign up for a tournament.
Can you tell me more about the SCC Account?
Many of our members put money into their SCC Account for upcoming tournaments. This can cover their next 2-4 tournaments and sometimes even more. A few of our members will put in enough money to cover the next 6 months. When they sign up for a tournament, the money owed is deducted from their SCC Account accordingly. This helps us out, as we can place deposits at future tournaments to secure the time and date. It also means if they sign up quite late for a tournament, their money is already cleared into the account, so they will not be removed from the Players List. Members have the advantage of being able to sign up for a tournament up to the Thursday before.
Can I sign up for a
tournament with less than a week to go?
Only logged-in members can sign up when there is less than a week to go before a tournament. Members can sign up for a tournament up until the Thursday before the tournament. After this final numbers have been confirmed to the Golf Club. If the Start Sheet states there are Places Available on certain tee-times, then members can email the secretary to request the available place. These are awarded on a first come, first served basis. That's another advantage of membership. If you unexpectedly are available to play on the Sunday, you have a greater chance of signing up at the last minute.
If I win, will I get a prize?
All eligible tournament winners get a trophy. You will also, have your portrait hung in the SCC Hall of Fame for all the world to see. We also have medals for Longest Drive & Nearest The Pin. The medals can be won by any player entered into the tournament, members or guests.
Who are 'eligible' tournament winners?
Members who have a SCC Handicap. That includes members who have a CONGU
handicap issued by their golf club and have played at least one qualifying
tournament with the SCC Golf Society. Guests are NOT eligible. If a
player misses 3 months* or more from the SCC Tour, then they will have to
play 1 qualifying round in a competition to ensure that their handicap is
accurate to their current ability. They will not be eligible to win that
qualifying competition.
* This is extended to 4 months during the December/January layoff.
Is this the same for Majors?
It is slightly different for some of The Majors. The SCC Matchplay, The Foxbridge Season Classic & The MB Ryder Cup are the same as normal tournament eligibility. For The SCC Masters & The SCC Invitational, existing members, (those who have held SCC membership from the beginning of the year) will have to play at least 3 tournaments in that year prior to the SCC Major to qualify. (With at least one in the swing leading up to the Major). New members (members joining in the current year) will have to achieve their SCC Handicap and play at least a further 2 tournaments (Again, with at least one in the swing leading up to the Major).
Why is that?
This is to make sure players handicaps are relevant to their current ability. It also stops players turning up just for the big events, taking the trophy and disappearing. It also makes sure that the members support the SCC Golf Society by playing in the SCC Tour events.
Anything else regarding eligibility?
Members who miss a full swing (other than through injury) are not eligible
to become The Southern Counties Cup Champion. If they win a Swing,
they will still receive the trophy for being a Swing winner, but their name
is removed from The Swing Finale entrants list. SCC Major winners who miss
a full swing after they have won the SCC Major are not eligible for The SCC
Players Championship. Anyone missing a full swing are also removed from the
MCP (Most Consistent Player) league table. This ensures that players are
playing to their current ability and also supporting the SCC Tour on a regular
basis.
Why aren't guests eligible?
We hope to encourage everyone that comes along to our tournaments to join the SCC Golf Society. We have many tournaments throughout the season, so there will be plenty of opportunity to win a trophy. It also stops that rare breed, the bandit, turning up once and taking home a trophy after stating a much higher handicap. Our members are a loyal bunch and it is only fair that the time and effort they put in to making this society one of the best is rewarded. Exclusivity to members encourages that.
If I win the Southern Counties Cup, do I get to keep it?
We have a Southen Counties Cup Trophy in the form of a Claret Jug with shields on it. You get to keep that for a year. After that you hand it on to the new Southern Counties Cup Champion. You will then be awarded your personal SCC Trophy which is a slightly smaller claret jug, with your name engraved on it and that one is yours to keep forever.
Why do your forms have a verification code?
The verification code is to stop internet 'bots' from filling in forms and mass emailing or 'spamming' websites. The code is a generated image that humans see, but bots do not. This is in place so we know form submissions are genuine.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to go to our Contact Us page and ask away.
