SAPS Rules/Bylaws
SAPS 2024 Updated Rules / Details:
President:
Adam Railing
Membership Chairman:
Mark Wittmeyer
Handicap Chairman:
Bryan Asbury
Treasurer:
RC Mitchell
Secretary:
Kevin White
Prize Chairman:
Nick Tyler
Midyear Chairman:
Luke Shanahan
Year End Chairman:
Nick Wampach
Hospitality Chairman:
Ian Borman
HCP Chairman Assistant (non-voting)
Juston Morgan
The total cost for SAPS is $680… which includes Dues and Green Fees for the 2024 season.
The first payment is due 2/15/24… anything remaining is due 5/15/24
Optional Monthly Payments of $100 or more a month can be worked out with our SAPS Treasurer…
Payment Info for 2024:
If you want to mail a check...You have to make it out to "SAPS Golf League" and mail it to:
Mark Wittmeyer
1696 NE 27th Terrace
Gresham, OR 97030
If you want to pay electronically ... you have to send it to our SAPS Treasurer...
RC Mitchell... rmitch3950@aol.com360-430-4306
Venmo...@RamaMitchell
CashApp...$TeslaRama
Payment Info for 2024: Other Optional Payments…
Optional KP Game due 4/15/24… one time $20 payment… 1,2,3 men are one division… 4,5,6 men are one division
Optional Gross/Net Pot Game… due 4/15/24… one time $100 payment1,2,3 men are one division… 4,5,6 men are one division
Optional: Mid-Year Tournament played Saturday, 6/8/24, or 6/22/24. TBD… Approx $140 due 6/3/23
Optional Horse Race Monday 6/24 after our round (2-man teams playing 16,17,18 Green Back) $10 entry fee
Optional Horse Race Monday 7/8 after our round (2-man teams playing 16,17,18 Green Back) $10 entry fee
2024 SAPS regular season starts April 15th and Ends August 19th.
Mid Year Tournament is going to be in early June… TBD…
Horse Races will be on 6/24 & 7/8
The team that won the regular season last year… will stay together to defend their title… and if one or more of those players are not playing in 2021… we will draw for those open spots.
Senior Tees Options for any SAPS Player…
Senior Tee Rules…
Anyone who qualifies… and wants to play a forward tee needs to inform the HCP Chairman Bryan Asbury before the season starts…
Over 70, you can play the Yellow Tees
Over 60 & a 1man, 2man or 3man… can play White Tees instead of Blue Tees
RULES OF PLAY:
Effective 2024 season
U.S.G.A. — All USGA, Local course and SAPS Special rules will apply.
End of Year: Top 6 or 7 teams with the most points cash:
Last 3 weeks of the regular season are our playoffs…. And the top teams will play each other to figure out the winners
Teams that are not playing for the Top places… during our playoffs … will play a team game, and the teams with the most points over those 3 weeks will win a Consolation Bracket… and those teams will win a reduction in dues for the next year.
Any late payments for unpaid Green Fees & Dues could cause you to forfeit matches till you are caught up… please work out all payments and payment schedules with the SAPS Treasurer
Note: Any guy who still owes any money SAPS Dues / Green Fees or Year End Green Fees on August 4th will NOT be allowed on a Calcutta Betting Team. We draw Calcutta Teams the evening of August 4th.
Dropping Out of League
If you start playing SAPS and have to drop out… There are no refunds for SAPS dues … We will always refund Green Fees if you have to drop out of the SAPS Golf League…
Any player who paid SAPS Dues / Greenfees and ends up on the waiting list at the start of the season will get their money refunded.
Teams are now made up of 6 divisions.
1men, 2men & 3men will play off the Blue Tees (unless there is a senior tee exception)
4men, 5men & 6men will play off the White Tees (unless there is a senior tee exception)
We start out by separating all the guys into 6 divisions by index. 1men, 2men, 3men, 4men, 5men, 6men. Each Monday… Guys will only play against guys in their same division.
-
Go to the schedule section of our website to see which team plays which team each Monday.
-
Go to the SAPS Teams section to see which guy you are playing that Monday
-
Go to the Member List section of the website to reach out to your opponent… let them know when you will arrive at Heron… talk between you guys and see if you need to adjust your tee time… if you are absent, you have to let your opponent know… etc.…
You all need to do these 3 things each week…
Team points determine your standings in each half of the season… The top 4 teams in each half get into our playoffs.
Each Monday… out of the 6 possible matches your team will play… Only the top 4 points earned in those 6 matches count towards your team total.
So, the top 4 point earners on your team … are the only points that count for your team. If a teammate misses a Monday… it doesn’t hurt your team. IF 2 of your teammates miss the same Monday… it doesn’t hurt your team. But if 3 of your 6 guys on your team don’t show up… on a Monday… that could really hurt… It is hard to place in the top 4 when guys are earning zero points.
With that… I expect and request every Team Captain… Every 1man to talk to their teammates… make sure at least 4 of your teammates are showing up on a Monday. I would also request if you are going to miss a Monday… let your team captain know.
Behavior Detrimental to the League:
All behavior and rule violations will be brought to the board. All parties will be requested to meet with the board before any action is taken. If the person in question refuses to meet with the board… he can be suspended until that meeting occurs. If a majority of the quorum of the board votes to expel the member from SAPS… all unused green fees of that player will be refunded. (Dues will not be refunded)
Regarding Forfeits:
If you are absent on a Monday… you earn zero points. Your opponent must play 9 holes… turn in a signed scorecard with your scores blank… and your opponent then earns 8pts… no more no less.
If both players are absent on a Monday… both players earn zero points.
-
Any player who walks off the course before finishing 9 holes… auto forfeits that round… and their opponent earns 8pts assuming they finish the round. AND note… any player who walks off the course without finishing and if it is not done due to weather or injury… could be brought before the board and asked to leave SAPS….
-
any player who quits their round due to anger is not the type of player we want in SAPS.
-
-
Obviously, if both players walk off the course due to bad weather… then both players get zero… but it is not an offense that could cause anyone to get kicked out of SAPS.
-
If one guy walks off due to bad weather… but the other guy finishes… then the forfeit rule takes effect… zero for the guy who quit… and 8 for the guy who finishes...
-
Guests of SAPS Players:
No Non-SAPS member can win any prize money in any SAPS event. All guests must pay their own greens fees.
New Member HCP Rule:
For any guy who did not play most of the previous SAPS Regular Season the HCP chairman has your name in RED… we do this for new members… or returning SAPS players who did not play last season… your SAPS scores will count more often. In the first 6 rounds a new player plays, each SAPS score counts 3 times towards your HCP…. And after your 6th SAPS round… every other SAPS round for the rest of the Regular Season counts twice towards your HCP.
We do this to quickly smoke out what your real SAPS HCP…
Everyone’s SAPS HCP is your best 8 rounds out of your last 20.
So, at the end of the year… a new guy’s HCP is his best 4 rounds at Heron out of his last 10 rounds played…
Your SAPS HCP also has your best 8 SAPS tournament rounds (if you have played in our Mid Year or Year End tournaments) out of your last 20… affecting 33% of your SAPS HCP… We do this… to push guys' HCPs up or down based on how well they play tournament golf. It takes a couple of years for old tournament scores to drop off…
If you played a full season of SAPS… the next year, your HCPs are figured normally. The New Member HCP Rule falls off…
Regarding everyone’s HCP… over time… your SAPS HCP should be lower than your Ghin or what you normally shoot… because we play Match Play… and give putts… so do not be surprised if your SAPS HCP is lower than you think it should be.
Reordering the 6 divisions:
After every SAPS round, I adjust HCPs. Only… If you played a match against another person. If your opponent did not show up… and you won by forfeit… what you shot does NOT affect your SAPS HCP.
So, each week, everyone’s HCPs will move up or down… but I only reorder the teams… after Week 5, after Week 9, after Week 13, after Week 15… and after each round of the playoffs / 2man Net Best Ball Tourney. So if you are a 4man… but shoot really good the first few weeks… your HCP will adjust… but you won’t move up to a 3man until after Week 5 (assuming your index is lower than your current 3man on your team.)
PUTTS:
An opponent may concede a Putt if you are on the Green (Par or higher only). Once conceded you must accept… You can Putt out, but the conceded score must be posted. You cannot refuse a conceded Putt.
Giving Putts:
We play match play rules… BUT there is a medal game you have to pay attention to… (the best net score after 9 holes also wins some points). So I understand caring about stroke play. But if a guy is close on a putt…(a couple of feet)… tell him that putt is good and pick up and go. If you are beating the guy by 2 or 3 or more strokes on a hole… tell him to pick up and get to the next hole… I really want you guys to play fast… but fair… so you need to be keeping track of the match so you know when it is safe to tell your opponent who is blowing up a hole… when he should pick up his ball.
LOCAL RULES AND PREFERRED LIES:
Local Rules. Any local rules that are to be in effect during Team Match play, must appear printed on the club scorecard, or be published and distributed to all players in advance of the start of the match.
Rain Out
In case of rain out see section:
Winter Rules…
We will be playing Winter Rules all year…. Lift clean place 6” (in same ground type)… Winter Rules are allowed even in bunkers… You can move your ball in the bunker to a new spot in the bunker 6” from your current spot… You are allowed to rake the bunker before placing your ball in its new spot.
We do this due to the poor conditions of Heron Lakes Bunkers.
DISPUTES:
During a league match, any dispute, which cannot be resolved, must be referred to the rules committee for a ruling to be resolved prior to leaving the course. The scorecard should be marked to indicate that a dispute or question exists. All players involved in the dispute must meet with the rules committee.
TEAM CAPTAINS:
The team captains will ensure their team members show up and play each scheduled match. The 1man on your team is your Team Captain.
UNPLAYABLE BALL (LIE):
The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he shall, under penalty of one stroke: a) play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played, or b) drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or c) drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but no nearer the hole.
GROUND UNDER-REPAIR:
Allow you to drop out of area without penalty. You must drop to the nearest point of relief.
Whole 10 – Right side of fairway to right of trees is a free drop no nearer the hole, Only when the ball is inside the roped off area.
Water Hazards/Any Hole:
USGA rules apply. You may give up on any hole. If you do, you must take an “X” on that hole. You will lose the “2” points for stoke play for taking the “X”. You will only loose the hole you have taken an “X” for match play, you can continue on to the next tee and play the rest of the holes. You could still win “2” points for match play.
Par 3 water rules...
IF on a Par 3 and only on a Par 3 at Heron Lakes... If you hit your first ball in the water... you have choices... to either... re-tee laying 2 / hitting 3... or if there is a drop zone, you may drop in a marked drop zone laying 2 / hitting 3... OR you can choose to drop on the front of the green putting laying 4 / putting for 5
-
The option to drop on the front of the green… is only allowed after the first ball goes in the water…
-
Your opponent picks a spot for you to drop…on the front of the green on a line between the tee box and flag.
-
-
This rule is for players who do not want to lose multiple balls on the par 3's at Heron.
Plugged & Lost Ball Rule
Between the First Day of SAPS and July 1st… the plugged & lost ball rule is in effect. IF you lose a ball out in play… AND your opponent agrees it is plugged and lost… you are allowed to drop the ball for free in a location where your opponent agrees that your ball landed.
-
IF you are near a hazard, this rule is not an option.
-
IF your opponent disagrees… then you have to go back take the penalty and re-hit.
-
The point of this rule is to speed up pace of play during the wet season when we plug and cant find the ball…
-
SCORECARDS:
Each player is responsible for adding up their scores and turning in to the handicap chairman within ten minutes immediately after the play is done each week. The Handicap Chairman will post scorecards and correct cards if necessary. Each player is responsible for checking his score on each hole to make sure it is the right score. Each player must sign the card showing he has validated the card.
An accepted unsigned card is an assumption his score is ok and taken as is, with no changes allowed later.
Handwriting…
-
Please try to write clearly on your scorecards… I have had a lot of trouble over the years reading your guy’s handwriting…
Scoring (12) pts per match on Weeks 2-18
This has been a good addition to our league, which we started a few years ago… 1pt can be won by winning a hole Net… and 3pts for winning the overall net.
-
12pts available to win each match (9pts for the holes / 3pts for the net)… 1pt for each hole NET… 0.5pts for ties…
-
then whoever shoots the best NET score wins 3pts… 1.5pt each for a Net overall tie…
-
PROCEDURES UNDER POSTPONEMENT/SUSPENSION.
All Team Matches are to be played as scheduled unless postponed/suspended by course management or Saps Golf League.
(1) If the match is postponed by either course management and fewer than 9 holes have been played in any of the matches, the entire match must be rescheduled.
(2) If the match is postponed and all players have completed 9 holes, the match stands as completed at the time play is halted
(3) When play is suspended, if the players are between the play of two holes, they should not resume play until ordered to do so. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they have the option of marking the position of their ball or completing play of the hole. They may not, after being notified of the suspension, commence play of another hole.
(4) If play is resumed after suspension but with certain conditions imposed (e.g. no golf carts, preferred lies, etc.) play will continue from the point at which it was suspended and the conditions imposed shall remain in effect for the remainder of the stipulated round.
(5) If suspended play cannot be resumed, the match is considered to be postponed and shall be treated as prescribed herein.
(6) All postponements, for whatever reason, must be rescheduled on the course for which originally scheduled, at the earliest available date mutually agreeable.
(7) Handicap Chairman must be notified of all make-up dates for postponed matches and all such matches must be completed prior to the start of Playoff Matches (Final Position Round). Any match not completed by that date, will be treated as No Match for both teams in determining final team standings.
Tournament HCP Configuration…
Each SAPS Player has a Heron Lakes HCP spreadsheet… his best 8 out of his last 20 scores during match play at Heron Lakes… He will also have a separate Tournament HCP spreadsheet… where only his Mid-Year Tournament Scores, Year End Friday and Saturday scores will be entered.
Every SAPS player will have a melded SAPS index… which is 2/3 your scores at Heron Lakes and 1/3 your scores in Tournaments.
Your melded SAPS index is what I use at each match and at every SAPS event…
For your Tournament HCP Spreadsheet… I enter each nine-hole score twice for the mid-year and the Thursday Practice Round (at Year End) in your Tournament HCP spreadsheet. For the Friday & Saturday Calcutta rounds… I enter each nine-hole score 3 times. Tournament scores can only be replaced by other tournament scores. SO… let’s say you shoot really well in a tournament… last year… it will take playing poorly at the mid-year, Friday and Saturday Year End… this year…. to get most (but not all) of those low scores to drop off your HCP calculation.
The point is… that your tournament scores have a constant and sizable effect on your SAPS HCP…
Split Season / Playoffs
We have a split season… and 3-week of playoffs…(also 3 weeks of a fun Consolidation Bracket Tourney for those not in the Top 8)
Weeks 2 thru 8 are the 1st Half… Weeks 9 thru 15 are the 2nd half
Weeks 16 thru 18 are the playoffs…
To allow more teams a chance at 1st place…
Top 4 teams in the first half… play top 4 teams in the 2nd half for top 8 overall… see the schedule for how the season is split
Those Top 8 Teams will play against each other over the final 3 weeks… to determine the Top 8… and which team is our winner… IF a team is in 4th place in one of the halves… they have a shot to win 1st place overall.
When those Top 8 Teams play each other… there is an aggregate of points over those 3 Mondays. The team that wins the most points over 3 weeks wins SAPS. Tie Breakers go to who won the head-to-head matchup during the season.
Top 4 in each Half of the season Playoff Schedule… playing for Top 8 overall…
BYLAWS
Year 2024
Article I
Name and Purpose
-
SECTION I
-
The name of this organization is the S.A.P.S. Golf League. It is a “not for profit” organization. The purpose of this league is to provide an organized schedule of golf matches, tournaments, and social activities.
Article II
The Board
-
SECTION I
-
The board consists of nine (9) members. Four of those positions are officers. All board members and officers are entitled to a vote on all motions brought forth by the board. Five members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
-
SECTION II
-
The board shall only have meetings if the president and four members of the board are present.
-
The President and Treasurer can serve a two-year term with a maximum of three years with the board’s approval. Membership and Handicap chairman can be voted for unlimited two-year terms.
-
Section III
-
No board member may make a unilateral decision on any SAPS matter (not directly spelled out in their responsibilities below) without at least two other board members approving.
Article III
Membership & Eligibility
-
SECTION I
-
Members must be 18 years of age and over.
-
Potential new members must supply at least three 18-hole scorecards or six 9-hole cards, or a USGA handicap card. The maximum handicap for new members will be 20 for 9 holes. All dues and green fees must be paid by the schedule worked out for matches to be valid.
-
SECTION II
-
All members shall have the right to attend meetings and to participate in the functions sponsored by the league. Any member shall have the right to hold office in the league.
-
SECTION III
-
Past members (in good standing) have the right to return before other new members are considered.
Article IV
Rules Committee
-
SECTION I
-
The Rules Committee consists of either a chairman or vice-chairman and two board members. Its job is to manage and control the rules and by-laws of the league. The Committee has the sole power to enforce rules regulating the S.A.P.S. golf league and generally perform every act that the Committee shall deem necessary.
-
The board shall have the power to reprimand, suspend, or expel any member guilty of any of the by-laws or rules of the league for conduct not in the best interest of the league or the reputation of the league. If a member is asked to leave the league for inappropriate behavior there will be no refund for dues.
-
The Rules Committee is responsible for resolving disputes governed by the SAPS golf league, USGA rules, SAPS rules, and by-laws.
Article V
-
Section I
Scorekeeping for Friday & Saturday Calcutta… -
(2) Scorecards for all 4 players for each Saturday tee time will be printed. Each power cart will have a scorecard and each cart is tasked with keeping score for all 4 players. At the end of the round… The two scorecards will be double checked for any conflicts… then one card will be signed by all 4 players and turned in.
OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES:
President:
1.) Oversees all league functions.
2.) He calls and confirms with Heron Lakes for the Monday night times and dates for the coming year.
3.) He obtains the awards for year-end
Membership Chairman:
1.) Responsible for supplying the list of names and handicaps to the handicap chairman.
2.) He is also responsible for keeping records on each member (addresses, telephone numbers, etc.), keeping records of ex-members rejoining the league and new member information.
4.) All dues are payable to the membership chairman or Treasurer.
5.) Will assist the Handicap Chairman with notification if necessary.
Secretary:
1.) Responsible for meeting minutes.
Treasurer:
1.) Responsible for paying all debts of the league.
2.) A bank accounts (checking) to be reconciled on a monthly basis.
3.) He is to submit to the board a financial report of the past years’ collections and expenditures.
4.) All fees and other membership dues.
5.) All expenditures must have a receipt for reimbursement.
6.) Upon request, he will give an accounting of the most recent bank statement to any member in good standing.
7.) Collect dues / green fees from players.
8.) Collect all YE Calcutta Bets and bring down all prize money for our Calcutta.
Handicap Chairman:
1.) Keeping track of player’s scores and points on a weekly basis and posting each Monday night.
2.) Keeping track of handicap changes and posting.
3.) Making out the scorecards for Monday nights so that the players know which side they are playing and who they are playing that night.
4.) Keeping track of how many games each player misses and makes up.
5.) Putting together all names and handicaps. He will start with the lowest handicap and go to highest for team drawing night. The board selects the lowest handicap players for the number one man on each team, number two man, etc.
6.) Compiling a years-end handicap list for the year-end tournament. Also supply a list of individual points, team points, top five individual points, and top five teams for year-end tournament and how many points each player has won for year and has a running record of forfeits and weeks not played by each member.
7.) Build Website for the league
8.) Email the league with updates each week.
MID-YEAR AND YEAR-END RESPONSIBILITIES:
Mid-Year Chairman:
-
Responsible for making arrangements for golf, carts, beverages, food, games, recruiting helpers, scoring and prizes.
Year-end Chairman:
-
Responsible for finding the year-end golf course (must be approved by the board), lodging/accommodations, setting-up banquet facility, and reserving the hospitality room.
-
Also responsible for tee times, scoring, recruiting helpers, making sure year-end prizes are collected, and making sure proper arrangements are made for the hospitality room.
-
The banquet room should accommodate 100 people for dinner and include the following:
-
*Room for door prizes (tables, etc.)
-
*A microphone for the chairman
-
*A bar for the cocktail hour and dinner hour
Year-end prize Chairman:
-
Responsible for collecting prizes for year-end.
Hospitality Room Chairman:
Responsible for the following:
-
Setting up and running all outside SAPS Gatherings (e.g. Christmas Party)
-
Year End: Friday afternoon: Snacks, liquor and beer.
-
Year End: Saturday afternoon: Lunch – should include sandwich material, snacks, beer and any other food that the Chairman might want to prepare.
Code of Conduct: IF you sign up for SAPS… You automatically agree to follow the SAPS Code of Conduct…
Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or tournament official. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules of Golf, as maintained by the USGA. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
Any action contrary to the spirit of the game such as abusive language, throwing of clubs, cheating, or other disruptive behavior, will not be tolerated and, depending on the severity of the breach, may result in a written warning, disqualification from our league at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors (hereinafter the Board). Upon review and consideration of a contrary action, the Board will send notification by e-mail of the incident to the member informing him of the board’s decision regarding the violation.
A first incident, depending on the severity of the breach, may warrant only a written warning against future negative actions, or it may warrant a suspension from SAPS for 1 year.
If a player commits a very serious breach of conduct, such as but not limited to, intentionally cheating, deceiving or altering his scorecard, fighting with other SAPS members, actions that lead the SAPS organization to be banned from hotels or golf courses… the player will be suspended from SAPS for a minimum of 1 year up to permanent expulsion.
A player may appeal any suspension or expulsion at a hearing with the Board upon written request to the Board. The Board shall notify all parties involved of the time and place of the hearing by e-mail not less than ten (10) days prior to such hearing. The decision of the Board shall be final.