Revised Spring 2017
Revised May, 2016
Revised November, 2021

Revised November 2022 

The Board of Directors shall, establish and amend Standing Rules and Procedures for the conduct of all business of the association not specifically provided for in the by-laws, and may prescribe and enforce such measures as it may deem necessary or advisable for the observance of such Standing Rules and Procedures.

The Standing Rules may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, a majority being present and voting, providing there has been no vote or mandate by the general membership on the rule. No vote or mandate by the general membership shall be rescinded by the Executive Board, the Board of Directors or the Committee Chairmen.

Standing Rules and Procedures are binding on this association and have the same authority as the By-laws.

RULES AND PROCEDURES I – GENERAL
1. All new members shall have an established U.S.G.A. maximum index of 30.0 to be eligible for membership. A member may be on a medical leave of absence for one year and be reinstated at her current index.
2. The annual dues shall be $40.00
3. All tournaments shall be governed by U.S.G.A. rules unless modified by local rules.
4. All tournaments shall be played under the “posted lie” rule of the host course. If the “preferred lie” or “winter rules” are in effect, it shall be defined as “Lift, clean, and place through the green. Procedure-Mark your ball, lift and clean it. Place it within 12” of the original spot, NOT NEARER THE HOLE. Once placed, the ball is in play and may not be moved.”
5. Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies)
6. A player may use a distance-measuring device, however, the use of devices that gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g. wind or gradient) is not permitted. (Decision 14-3/0.5)
7. Proper golf attire must be worn on the golf course at all times. Shirts and shorts or skirts of proper length are acceptable. No halter or bra tops, tennis or jogging shorts, or blue jeans will be permitted.

RULES AND PROCEDURES II – PRIZES
1. The value of each prize shall be determined by the Executive Board and announced to the membership at the first meeting of the season or whenever a change is made.
2. Prizes shall be given in each class at regular interclub tournaments for low gross, second low gross, first and second low net,  special tournament (par 3s,) and putts.
3. Prizes in each flight shall be of equal value.
4. Prizes shall be made in the form certificates payable to the club where the tournament is played or to the members’ clubs. 
5. A member is eligible for only one prize at each tournament.
6. No player is eligible for a prize until her dues are paid.
7. There shall be a mandatory check-in at the starter’s table. If not done, the offender will be disqualified for prizes.
8. Any individual change in pairings shall disqualify that person from the day’s tournament and prizes.

RULES AND PROCEDURE III – INTERCLUB TOURNAMENTS
1. Players will be flighted based on the number of participants in the tournament. There will be a minimum of 3 flights per Interclub Event. The maximum index in an Interclub event will be 30.0.
2. A shotgun start is preferred by this association. If not feasible for the Host Club, we shall abide by that club’s procedures.
3. It is each player’s responsibility to check in before each tournament.
4. The use of riding carts is mandatory.
5. Each player must assume the responsibility of notifying the Host Club Representative and/or the Pro Shop if she is unable to play. The member must cancel at least 48 hours before to receive a refund.
6. Disqualification shall result if a player changes her own pairing.

RULES AND PROCEDURES IV – TEAM PLAY (Interclub)
1. Teams compete for the circulating McBrier Cup, which is presented to the winning club at the annual meeting.
2. 20 points toward the team trophy will be awarded at each interclub event.
3. All team members will participate in the point system.

a. Ten points total will be awarded for low gross and low net:

4 points for 1st low gross and 4 points for 1st low net
3 points for 2nd low gross and 3 points for 2nd low net
2 points for 3rd low gross and 2 points for 3rd low net
1 point for 4th low gross and 1 point for 4th low net

b. A member can receive points in one category only in each tournament.
c. Each member will turn in her results to the Team Play Committee at the completion of the round.
d. The results will be announced at that day’s tournament or at the next scheduled interclub tournament. The points for the final tournament and the presentation of the team trophy will be announced immediately after the final tournament.

4. The Erie and Venango Golf Clubs may field one team, known as the Publics Team. This option must be declared prior to the first match each year and remain in effect throughout that season.

RULES AND PROCEDURES V – CITY MATCH PLAY TOURNAMENT
1. There shall be an entry fee, determined by the chairperson, for all participants.
2. There is no handicap restriction for entry.
3. Qualifications for the City Tournament shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Participants must be female golfers (ages 12+) who are full or part-time residents of Erie, Crawford and surrounding counties of PA or members of an EDWGA member course for six months prior to the date of the tournament.

4. Only women golfers of amateur status are eligible for City Tournament play.
5. Tournament play shall be on or about mid July to mid August and adhere to the following Established Procedures:

a. Posted lie rule shall apply at the discretion of Tournament Chair and Host Pro
b. The Tournament Committee determines, and posts the time and order of starting for all play.
c. The tournament shall be played on a match-play basis.

d. The tournament will be played in two divisions

Championship Division:  anyone is  eligible to play in this division if they choose.  However, any player who has a current index of less than 10 (in the GHIN system) must play in the championship division  and is not eligible for play in the Net division.

Net Division:  any player who has a current index of 10-22 (in the GHIN system) is eligible to participate.

It was decided to eliminate the qualification round for the match play tournament and do a ladder using the  Indexes of the participants.  The Champion from the previous year is seeded 1^st.   If byes are necessary, they will only be given to qualifying players if their GHIN index has been updated within the last year.  

e. The number of flights, with 16 players in each, shall be determined by the Tournament Committee
h. In Match Play rounds, the Championship Flight will follow all other flights
g. The general numerical draw of the U.S.G.A. shall be used for pairings in the match.
h. The winner of the Championship Flight shall be entrusted with the City Tournament traveling trophy. She shall have her name engraved on the trophy and hold it until the next City Tournament.
i. Any player who has defaulted in the finals is not eligible for receiving a prize at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
j. The Championship final shall be an eighteen hole match.
k. Riding carts are permitted.
l. A member of a player’s immediate family is permitted to caddie at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. A tournament participant may caddie for another participant on the same day of the tournament or on future days.
m. Rules for the City Tournament are to be provided to each contestant at the qualifying round.

RULES AND PROCEDURES VI CITY STROKE PLAY TOURNAMENT
1. There shall be an entry fee, determined by the chairperson, for all participants.
2. There is no handicap restriction for entry.
3. Qualifications for the City Tournament shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  Participants must be female golfers (ages 12+) who are full or part-time residents of Erie, Crawford and surrounding counties of PA or members of an EDWGA member course for six months prior to the date of the tournament.
4. Only women golfers of amateur status are eligible for City Tournament play.
5. Tournament play shall be on or about mid July to mid August and adhere to the following Established Procedures:

6. Under local rules, ties shall be broken by matching cards beginning with the 1st handicap hole for ALL flights.

a. Posted lie rule shall apply at the discretion of Tournament Chair and Host Pro
b. The Tournament Committee determines, and posts the time and order of starting for all play.
c. Players having similar handicaps shall be paired for play.
d. Players shall be paired in groups of three if acceptable to the host club.
e. In the first round, players with lower handicaps will be assigned earlier tee times.
f. The low gross winner shall be awarded a plaque.
g. Any player who has defaulted in the finals is not eligible for receiving a prize at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
h. Riding carts are permitted.
i. A member of a player’s immediate family is permitted to caddie at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. A tournament participant may caddie for another participant on the same day of the tournament or on future days.
j. Rules for the City Tournament are to be provided to each contestant

RULES AND PROCEDURES –VII – SENIOR TOURNAMENT
1. Qualifications for the Senior championship shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Participants must be female golfers who are full or parttime residents of Erie, Crawford and surrounding counties of PA or members of an EDWGA member course for six months prior to the date of the tournament; be at least fifty (50) years of age and have a USGA approved handicap.
2. There will be 3 entry divisions, distributed by age group. Each age grouping will be determined after the applications are received. The applicants will be asked to indicate their age on the application form and the committee will form three divisions. This will make the prize distribution more equitable. This resolution was passed by the Board of Directors in October 2023.
3. There shall be an entry fee, determined by the chairperson, for all participants.
4. The date and location of play shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
5. Only women golfers of amateur status are eligible for this tournament.
6. The posted lie rule shall apply at the discretion of the Tournament Chair and the Host Pro.
7. This tournament shall be played on the stroke play basis.
8. Gross score shall determine the Champion, regardless of division. Division prizes shall be based on the number of entries.
9. If the lowest score for 18 holes is made by two or more players, the tie or ties shall be decided by a hole-by-hole play-off, beginning at Hole #1. All other prizes for ties shall be determined by splitting the value of the related places.
10. Riding carts are required.

RULES AND PROCEDURES VIII – MIXED COUPLES TOURNAMENT
1. Each team shall be comprised of one woman and one man. Both participants must be members in good standing of an EDWGA course or an Erie, Crawford, or surrounding County resident for six months prior to the date of the tournament.
NOTE: If the field is oversubscribed, participants shall be determined by the date their entry was received.
2. Handicaps for the couples tournament will be determined using the standard Chapman format. The maximum combined team handicap shall be no greater than 50. Participants without a current USGA index shall play with a zero handicap.
3. The tournament is Chapman Format. This is a modified alternating shot where the partners both tee off and then hit each other’s ball for the second shot. After two strokes have been taken with each ball, one by each partner, the play ball is chosen. The third stroke will then be played by the partner whose ball is not chosen. The hole is completed by alternating strokes with the play ball (one ball) until the ball is holed.
4. Entry fee shall be determined by the tournament chairman.
5. Prizes will be awarded to, but not limited to, winners and runners-up in gross, net and senior divisions. The number and amount of prizes is contingent upon the number of entries. The chairperson may elect to conduct an optional skins game, funded by those choosing to participate.
6. Prizes for ties shall be determined by splitting the value of the related places.
7. Tournament rules shall be provided to each team at the time of registration.
8. The tournament shall be scheduled as close to Labor Day as possible.

Rules and Procedures IX – BETTER BALL TOURNAMENT

1. Each team shall be comprised of two women. 
NOTE: If the field is oversubscribed, participants shall be determined by the date their entry was received.

2. Each team member will receive a full handicap.  Participants without a current USGA index shall play with a zero handicap.

3.  The tournament is a Better Ball format.  The better net score of the team on each hole will be used for the tournament score.  

4. Entry fee shall be determined by the tournament chairman.

5. Prizes will be awarded to, but not limited to, winners and runners-up. The number and amount of prizes is contingent upon the number of entries. The chairperson may elect to conduct an optional skins game, funded by those choosing to participate.

6. When deciding a tie the scorer will go to the cards beginning with the Number 1 handicap hole and decide the tie in that manner.  This change was passed by the Board of directors in October 2023.

7. Tournament rules shall be provided to each team at the time of registration.

8. Riding carts are required.

Rules and Procedures X – CLUB REPRESENTATIVE
1. The Club Representative, appointed by her club, shall serve for one year.
2. She shall notify all members of her club of all E.D.W.G.A. meetings.
3. She shall collect dues that shall be turned over to the Treasurer with a complete list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers and e-Mail addresses of members from her club.
4. She shall procure members from her club for membership, and submit reservations to the host representative not later than Tuesday of the week preceding the tournament. No woman shall be eligible to compete for prizes or shall be paired until her dues are paid. Late entries will be allowed at the discretion of the host representative.
5. She shall submit with each reservation the converted handicap to the host representative for each tournament.
6. Cancellations may be replaced only by the host representative on tournament day. Pairing changes can be made only by the host representative on tournament day.
7. A $10.00 user fee shall be added to entry fee to be submitted to the host club.
8. Place sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for all EDWGA events stating site, date, time, cost and deadline for the event.
9. Pairings: It is advisable for the representative to review the pairings from previous tournaments to avoid having members playing with the same competitors at multiple events.
10. Pairings Sheet Format: Location, Date, and Time in Header. A “Table format” is preferred. Tee assignment plus names of players in the group with home club initials in parentheses, all in one row. Double-spaced lines will facilitate making changes. Email pairings to each club representative by Thursday of the week prior to the tournament.
11. Flighted Tournament Sheets: List participants according to handicap on the flight sheets. All flights need not have the same number of players.
12. It is recommended that each representative assure that adjusted scores are posted for handicap purposes by submitting the scores to her club professional for posting. In the case where there is no professional, she should check that her members have accurately posted their tournament scores and firmly remind them to do so within three (3) days of the event. If necessary, learn how to post for her members.
13. New Members: Shall have an established U.S.G.A. handicap. One may join any time of the season. After the first year, membership continues upon payment of the yearly dues regardless of index. In the event membership is cancelled, the current index requirement stands for re-entry.