MINUTES...
ZONE 3 SPRING AGM MARCH 20 2024
ZONE 3 WOMEN’ CAPTAIN/VICE CAPTAIN
In Attendance: Lynda Grant Meadow Gardens, Kelly Francis Chilliwack, Helen Yoon Hazelmere, Judy Christensen Hazelmere, Linda Winterhoff Mission, Barb Kroeker Chilliwack, Faye Hung Poppy Estates, Cathy Chow the Hills at Peace Portal, Donna Ogilvie Nico Wynd, Keala Zack Nico Wynd, Jennifer Park Guildford, Karen Lee Guildford, Jackie Ross Surrey, Karen O’Byrne Surrey.
Zoom: Alice Gibbons Pitt Meadows, Michelle McManus Maple Ridge, Lynda-Lee Saunier Poppy Estates (Team 2/3 Chair) Gail Thurston University Club (Zone ¾ Business Women Chair)
Regrets: Chris Thurlow Pitt Meadows
• Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chair Val Barker
• Confirmation of Quorum- 12 clubs represented 11 required for quorum
• Approval of Agenda- moved by Hazelmere, seconded by Surrey
• Adoption of Minutes of Fall AGM 2023-moved by Maple Ridge, seconded by Chilliwack
• Report from Chair
• B.C. Golf is providing the program Golf Genius free of charge for us to use for our 3 upcoming tournaments. Players will be able to register directly on site and e transfer to the zone. No more paper registration and mailing of cheques. The Zone chairs are in the process of learning this system.
• Cloud Series: This is the 2nd year BC Golf is running this series of 6 events from April to Sept. They averaged 381 players per event last year and are hoping to increase that to over 400 for 2024. Each event is a different format, you play any course you like, and have the last 20 days of the month to play and post your score. Prizes are awarded after each event. The top 3 teams both net and gross will receive credit to their home pro shop. Please encourage your members to support the zone events. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/41sqBtS
• Captains Manual: The Captains Manual has been updated and available on the website.
• Rule 25: This rule helps support players with a disability who may need an accommodation to participate in competitive play. I have attached the review and information done by Zone 4 Chair Brenda Burroughs who dealt with this issue last year. It is available on the BC Golf website as well:
25 Review
The introduction of Rule 25 to the 2023 Rules of Golf is an important statement in terms of the inclusivity of the Rules of Golf and the accessibility of the game. R&A USGA Rule 25 – Guidance for National Governing Body
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A review of Rule 25 and its implications Rule for Zone 4 membership was conducted this winter. Documents reviewed and personnel contacted included:
R&A, USGA Rule 25 – Guidance for National Governing Bodies
Golf Canada Policy for Eligibility Requirements of Players with Disabilities under Rule 25
Guidance to Local Committees for Determining Player Eligibility for use of Rule 25
All Abilities Assessment Process
Rule 25 Request Form
BC Golf Kris Jonassen, Chief Executive Officer, Emails
EDGA Mark Smith, Consultant/Physical Therapist, Netherlands, Emails
Specifically, the details pertaining to acquisition of an EDGA or WR4GD Player pass and to eligibility of a player to use the modified rules under Rule 25 in competition according to their category of disability was the focus of the review.
The categories covered by Rule 25:
Player who is Blind or has a Visual Impairment
Player who is an Amputee
Player who uses an Assistive Mobility Device
Player who has an Intellectual Disability
Golfers are encouraged to submit the necessary form to Golf Canada which is then processed to EDGA for assessment and determination of eligibility for a EDGA pass or conditional WR4GD Access Pass. EDGA can only award passes based on the information they have about player impairments. They can then suggest relief under Rule 25 but note that they do not make or apply the rules of golf – USGA and the R&A has that mandate.
Once a pass is granted, the player is registered on the EDGA golf site and has a lifetime standing for the reported disability. The player is notified of the pass received, accommodation suggested, and has access to a copy of the pass to present to league, tournament and championship committees for acceptance and follow-up Rule 25 application. “In each of the EDGA member countries, it’s the responsibility of the event organizer working together with the nationally appointed eligibility assessor to establish if individual conditional pass holders are eligible to participate or otherwise.”
Golf Canada requires a submission date of 60 days prior to Golf Canada competition for consideration of accommodation based on EDGA/WR4GD status. Included in this process, always, is the opportunity for players (not covered by Rule 25) to request specific permission of the committee in charge of a competition for accommodations. The committee may grant accommodations and not be in Breach of Rule 4.3 if
The player has a medical reason for using the equipment, and
The use of that equipment would not give the player an unfair advantage over other players.
From January 1, 2023, the former Modified Rules for Players with Disabilities became Rule 25 and the modifications in Rule 25 apply automatically in all competitions and general play for anyone who is eligible to use them. Rule 25 does not alter the existing responsibility of organizers …more information regarding eligibility for Rule 25 can be found in Section 5D of the Committee procedures within the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf.
For Zone 3 and 4
1. Encourage club players to apply for the EDGA/WR4GA pass if they identify with one of the four disability categories identified by EDGA. The application process takes time. Zone club executives and tournament committees are not ‘assessors’ for the purpose of Rule 25.
2. For BC Golf sanctioned Zone tournaments, leagues, and championships; information posters and Terms of Competition should aim to provide an inclusive, accessible environment for play. Details possibly including use of caddies, carts and application of Rule 25, should infer, that in certain instances, a caddie or an aide or a specialized piece of equipment may be allowed for a player under Rule 25. It does not mean that, in general, caddies or other equipment are then available for everyone.
3. A submission date for consideration of accommodations prior to competition should also be declared. A reasonable period may be 30 days. This provides time for committee deliberations, possible appeal of decisions prior to finalizing tournaments details. Please note: Rules Chairs do not make these decisions or assess granting of accommodations. Rules Chairs apply the Rules under the information given to them by the Tournament Committees for exceptions and within the Rules of Golf.
3. A player may appeal a tournament committee decision regarding eligibility. A player that seeks accommodation from a tournament committee for a zone sanctioned event and is denied, may appeal the committee decision in a timely manner to a secondary body. The recommendation is that the appeal be in writing and would be submitted to the Chair of the Zone Executive Committee who in consultation with the BC Golf Tournament Manager would conduct a review. The onus is on players to have the necessary documentation and assessment completed.
A player that would meet the criteria of eligibility for a Golf Canada, BC Golf event such as the BC Disabilities Games, would be eligible for Zone sanctioned events. Again, BC Golf and Zone Executive Committee members are not ‘assessors’ of disabilities.
Example A
Player applies to enter tournament for stroke play. Player provides Doctor’s note providing detail of disability.
Tournament Information specified that there would be no caddies for tournament and that Rule 25 would be adhered to.
Tournament Committee determined that the player was not eligible for accommodation as the criteria of disability provided for in Rule 25 was not met. Player did not have EDGA or WR4GA documentation. Player appealed the decision back to the committee several days prior to tournament. The tournament committee reviewed their process and in accordance with the Section 5D – Committee Guidance upheld their decision.
Player subsequently formally completed the EDGA application through Golf Canada. After securing additional medical support from their doctor, the Player received confirmation that she was eligible for an EDGA Access Conditional Pass and had her player status upgraded and posted on the EDGA site. In addition, BC Golf has confirmed that the EDGA Access Conditional Pass indicates that the player falls under the provisions of Rule 25 and the accommodation of an aide is given. The player would be eligible for the BC Golf Disabilities Tournament and other sanctioned BC Golf events (Zone events).
The Rules Chair of the event entered will advise the player and aide, before the round, what is and isn’t allowed by an aide. Concern regarding ‘slow play’ is separate and distinct from use of an aide or caddie. Pace of Play and caddies/aides are sometimes related but should be two separate elements of the competition. Pace of Play issues warrant ‘liable to penalty’ regardless of whether or not a caddie/aide is involved.
• Nominating Committee: Zone 4 currently rotates a nominating committee that is tasked with finding candidates to serve in executive positions for the following year. This was discussed briefly at the Fall AGM. There was a brief discussion on how and why this would be beneficial for our Zone.
Motion from Karen O’Byrne Surrey: Zone 3 will create a nominating committee consisting of three clubs in alphabetical order from year to year to seek candidates as required to serve on the Zone 3 executive.
Seconded by Donna Ogilvie Nico Wynd.
Carried.
• Webmaster Sherry Work from Zone 4 currently updates our website but we are looking for someone to handle this important role. She has offered to convert our current format to the format of Zone 4, which has much more useful information.
Executive Reports
• Treasurer; Lynda Grant
Invoices are all sent out to the clubs for the levies.
Women’s programs are very poorly supported, Dorothy Olive Franklin, Beat the Champ and Pin rounds. These programs help support Junior Golf events. There are 14 junior girls in the Zone 3 clubs. They are trying to expand their programs. Pin orders: Pins for the women’s programs are free and can’t be ordered.
Spring budget was sent out with notice of AGM and will be attached to these minutes.
• First Team: No report from Karen Pultz
• 2nd / 3rd Lynda -Lee Saunier
Report submitted Feb 28 to Executive Meeting
Schedules have been distributed to the 2nd and 3rd Team captains. This is also available on website. An email account has been set up zone3.2nd3rdteamcaptain@gmail.
A small change to the Team manual now requires that the names of the team players be submitted with the results. It is a task of the Team Captain to ensure all players post their scores from the team games.
• Rules: Chris Thurlow
Submitted by Chris; There are no major rules of golf updates for 2024. We are holding a Rules Seminar on Friday April 19 at Pitt Meadows Golf club. Cost is $10 and our zone is subsidizing half, so cost is $5. Please see website for more details and how to register.
• B.C. Golf Representative: Rosalie May
No report available. Discussion from executive meeting: BC Golf looking to include women in the men’s events. This would be for next year. BC Golf AGM will be held by zoom on March 27. Zone chair will attend.
• Junior Golf: Christine Wong
No report. We have supplied monies to the Junior girls to fund their efforts at promoting the events. This was for banners and tents. This was a shared cost with Zone 4. Christine has committed to have someone be at the Fall AGM to explain what they are doing.
• Business Women: Gail Thurston
New to this position, taking over from Joanne Dorman. Meeting scheduled for Business women March 24th at Langara golf club.
• Zone ¾ Coordinator: Holly Horwood
Discussion
Chilliwack expressed concerns about the scheduling of Team games, that the 8th player on Team One could get bumped by 1st player on Team Two if their handicap dropped before Team One played another game. This could occur because of the delay in between games. Suggestion put out was to freeze handicaps at the beginning of each month, or freeze handicaps until all 3 teams have played their matches.
No solutions so they were directed to discuss this issue with Team Chairs Karen Pultz and Lynda-Lee Saunier.
It was clear that this issue has not happened, only that it has the potential to happen.
Spring Break It was suggested that the Spring AGM not be booked during school spring break. Will be noted.
No further discussion
Fall AGM booked for Oct 16, 2024 10:30 AM at Surrey Golf Course. All other clubs charge for the room.
Lunch will be offered.
Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm.