Competitions

Competitions are held on a Saturday, all year round and many of the trophies we play for are reminders of past stalwarts of the Club. Our Club is well organised with over 160 members ensuring not only diverse friendships but also a financially secure future.

During the Summer months, as well as the weekly Saturday competitions, we hold regular Tuesday competitions to encourage the social aspect of the club. Some of these Tuesday competitions are usually 18 hole medals which will also count for handicapping purposes. There are also the annual singles and pairs knock out competitions which are open to all members of the Club.

There is also a Wirral League in which all the Municipal Golf Clubs take part and all Hoylake members are encouraged to put their names forward to play for the Club.    

The organiser of this team will always try to ensure that every member wishing to play will get at least one game during the season and the emphasis is more on the social side of golf. The fixtures are arranged on a home and away basis, usually played on a Wednesday evening, with each team playing each other twice a season. 

The highlights of our year include Captain’s Day, President’s Day, the Club Day Out and the Annual Dinner (with a competition held on the day). 

Competition Procedures

There are certain things you must do when playing in a club competition. Firstly, on the day there will be a signing in sheet in the locker room. You must sign this in order to enter the competition and you must also pay the nominal entry fee of  £2.50. It is a rule of the Club that a Green Fee must be paid to the Professional, who will then issue you with a stamped scorecard.

At the end of your round you must check that your marker has recorded your score and that you agree with his figures. Any discrepancies should be resolved and you should also make sure that both yourself and your marker sign the card. 

All cards should be entered into the computer for handicapping purposes (whether you have completed the 18 holes or not) and at the end of the day, the computer calculates the changes to your handicap. The computer will also calculate the on-going standings for many other Club competition formats. Once you have entered your score into the computer you must place your completed and signed card in the competition box.

Remember it is your responsibility to check your scores are correct, and that your card is placed in the box. It is a rule of golf that any card taken out in competition MUST be returned for handicapping purposes.

It is a good idea to read the Notice Board before going out to play as there may be information relating to the day's competition. The Notice Board is also one of the ways the Club keeps members informed regarding the announcements of events.

You should always check the handicap sheet on the board to ensure that you play off the correct one and avoid being disqualified from the competition!

It is strongly recommended that you read the notice board or check the Club website at least once a week. 

Handicaps

The possession of an EGU handicap is recognised throughout the country and enables you to play in many open competitions that are held all year round.

 

If you are joining from another Golf Club and that Club is CONGU recognised, then usually Hoylake will accept your handicap as valid. If you are joining Hoylake as a second Club and wish the administration of your handicap to remain at your existing Club, then it is your responsibility to report any scores to your 'Home' Club and also to notify Hoylake of any change to your playing handicap.

Club Council

The Club is for the members. It is administered by the Club Council, which consists of the Captain, Vice Captain, Immediate Past Captain, Club Secretary, Council Secretary, Treasurer, Handicap Secretary, Competition Secretary, Events Secretary, Liaison Secretary, Communications Secretary and Assistant Handicap and Competition Secretaries. The President of the club also attends meetings to pass on invaluable constitutional and general advice. The Committee (apart from the Captain, the vice Captain, and the Immediate Past Captain) are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting, held usually towards the end of February each year. All members are actively encouraged to attend, to observe how the Club is operating and to raise any issues that individual members may have.

It takes a lot of work to run a successful club the size of Hoylake and the Committee tirelessly undertakes this work on your behalf.  It meets monthly, and one of its functions is to consider applications of prospective members. Once the membership application is approved, the applicant will be sent a letter confirming this but subject to all monies being paid on time. The Committee is elected at the AGM, and if you feel you want to be a part of it and have something to offer to the running of the Club, you can stand for election. New ideas are always welcome.