Following representations by a significant number of members the Match Committee has reviewed the policy of playing all Men’s Monthly Medals from the Black tees. It is clear that some members have been avoiding playing in the Monthly Medal due to the difficulty posed by primarily using length as the core test, while others consider that playing in the Monthly Medal is no longer an enjoyable challenge.
Following consideration of the points made, the Match Committee has concluded that while the length of hole, and thus the overall course length, is an appropriate challenge to the average club golfer, other aspects affecting shot-making, such as pin position and tee box alignment, are equally part of the test that we should face in a medal round.
Consequently, the decision has been made that Black Tee Monthly Medals will in future be played on a quarterly basis. On these occasions the intention would be to provide pin positions that are sympathetic to the fact that members will be coming into the green with a longer iron, hybrid or wood in their hand than they would when playing off the Blue Tees. On the flip side, when we are playing the Monthly Medal off the Blue tees we would seek to set more challenging pin positions, and where possible set up the tee alignment to perhaps require more accuracy or shot-shaping off the tee.
The final decision on pin position and tee box location resides with the Course Superintendent as the key consideration must be maintaining the condition of the course and thus, on occasion, avoiding heavy traffic on specific areas. However as far as is practicable we will seek to apply the above outlined criteria when setting up the course for the Monthly Medal.
The Men’s Club Championship will however remain four rounds of stroke play from the Black Tees.
On completion of the 2024 Club Championship on 25th May, the next Monthly Medal is scheduled for late June. That will be played off the Blue tees and from that point onwards the policy of one Black Tee Medal per quarter will be implemented. The Match Committee believes this will provide a reasonable compromise for members, whilst maintaining an appropriate challenge for golfers at all levels.
Going forward from 2025 the annual competition program will include details as to whether a Monthly Medal is Black Tees or Blue.
Match Committee
21 May 2024
