Senior Match Play Tournament

Official Rules & Procedures

Eligibility: Players must be current LVMGC members and must be 55 or older as of the first day of tournament play.

Field Size: 64 players maximum.

Please read these rules carefully before participating. By entering this tournament, each player agrees to follow all tournament procedures, deadlines, scorecard requirements, Golf Genius procedures, and pace-of-play requirements.

1) Rules of Golf, Local Rules, and Tees

All play will follow the USGA Rules of Golf and Los Verdes local rules.

“Winter Rules” will not be in effect unless specifically authorized by the Greens Chairman / Tournament Committee and communicated in writing for that day.

Tees: Play will be from the white movable tee markers, not the permanent tee plates.

2) Format and Round Schedule

This is an individual single-elimination match play tournament governed by USGA Match Play rules.

Each round must be completed within its assigned month. No extensions are guaranteed.

Monthly Round Schedule:

May: Round of 64
June: Round of 32
July: Sweet Sixteen
August: Elite Eight
September: Final Four
October: Championship Match

3) Match Play Only — No Mixed Formats

This event is Match Play only. Your match must be played and scored strictly under USGA Match Play rules.

Match Play may not be combined with Stroke Play under any circumstance. This includes, but is not limited to, playing your match during a monthly tournament or any other event where a separate stroke-play format is being conducted.

If players choose to play on the same day as another event, the Senior Match must still be conducted as a standalone match with match-play procedures, match-play scoring, and match-play priorities.

Any ambiguity, disagreement, or scoring issue caused by attempting to mix formats may result in disqualification, at the discretion of the Satellite Tournament Captain.

When in doubt, Match Play rules control. Play on without delay, apply Match Play rules to the best of your ability, and report the situation to the Satellite Tournament Captain immediately after the round.

4) Handicaps

Handicaps will be based on each player’s Los Verdes Tournament Index.

The Los Verdes Tournament Index used for this event will be fixed for the entire tournament and will not change from round to round.

The fixed tournament index will be used to determine the handicap strokes for each match. Strokes will be allocated according to the scorecard handicap holes.

5) Scheduling Responsibilities and Deadlines

Both players are equally responsible for coordinating the match and securing a tee time.

Players must make a good-faith effort to schedule the match early enough to ensure completion within the assigned month.

After a match is completed, the winner must notify their next opponent within 24 hours so the next match can be scheduled promptly.

If a match is not completed by the end of the scheduled month, both players may be disqualified, pending review by the Satellite Tournament Captain. The next bracket position may receive a bye.

This tournament allows one month to play one match. If you cannot reliably complete matches within the assigned month, including vacations or extended absences, please do not enter this event.

6) Match Completion and Hole-by-Hole Scoring

If a match ends early, such as 4 & 3, players may continue playing for practice.

Do not record or post scores for holes not played in competition. For example, in a 4 & 3 match, do not enter holes 16–18 as match holes.

If the match goes beyond 18 holes, enter the additional hole results on the back of the scorecard.

7) Golf Genius and GHIN Posting

Golf Genius will be used for tournament administration and score posting.

One player should enter the match results in Golf Genius during the match, while the other player keeps the printed scorecard.

Do not post your own score to GHIN. The Satellite Tournament Captain will post the round through Golf Genius as a competition score after validating the Golf Genius entry and signed scorecard.

8) Scorecard Requirements

To reduce disputes and ensure integrity:

One player should use Golf Genius during the match.

The other player should keep the printed scorecard.

Both players must review and sign the printed scorecard after the match.

The signed scorecard must be deposited in the wooden box at the pro shop.

The Satellite Tournament Captain will validate the Golf Genius scoring and the signed scorecard. The signed scorecard is the official record.

If there is a scoring issue, missing card, disagreement, or incomplete information, the Satellite Tournament Captain may request additional clarification from the players.

9) Posting Results

Winners must update the Senior Match Play pairings sheet located at the locker room entryway.

The winner must also notify the next opponent within 24 hours so the next match can be scheduled promptly.

10) Ties After 18 Holes

If the match is tied after 18 holes, the default playoff method is sudden death.

Sudden death begins on Hole #1 using the same handicaps as the original match. Players must coordinate with the starter for continued play.

All extra-hole results must be recorded on the scorecard.

Optional Alternative — Card-Off

A card-off may only be used if both players agree before the match begins.

The card-off method is:

Most holes won over the last 9 holes
If still tied, most holes won over the last 6 holes
If still tied, most holes won over the last 3 holes
If still tied, Hole 18

Availability constraints from one player do not force a card-off. A card-off is optional only by mutual agreement before play begins.

11) Pace of Play

LVMGC has instituted a maximum pace of play of 4 hours and 30 minutes for all tournament rounds, including Senior Match Play rounds played outside monthly tournaments.

Any round exceeding 4 hours and 30 minutes may trigger a 3-month tournament suspension, including satellite tournaments.

A player under suspension is effectively disqualified from the Senior Match Play event. Matches will not be held or postponed during the suspension period.

Board members and/or on-course ambassadors may verify pace and position.

Even if your pace feels acceptable, being more than one hole behind the group in front means you are out of position. If you are creating backups, it will be addressed.

There is no exception for exceeding 4 hours and 30 minutes unless you are clearly waiting on the group ahead. 4:31 is over the limit.

If you do not believe you can comply with these pace-of-play rules, please do not enter this event.

12) If You Are Falling Behind

Use these actions immediately until you regain position:

Pay attention to your position and act early. Do not wait for a warning.

Lost ball searches are limited to 3 minutes. If there is any chance the ball may not be found, play a provisional right away.

Play ready golf to the green when your group is out of position.

When behind, players are expected to take no more than 45 seconds once they arrive at the ball. This includes discussion, practice swings, club selection, and decisions.

After holing out, move directly to the next tee and be ready to play.

Your priority is to regain position.

Questions?

Please contact your Satellite Tournament Captain

Good luck to all competitors, and thank you for respecting the rules, deadlines, and pace of play.