Only ten matches have been completed since the last formal update on the brackets (mid-June) and some great playing conditions are being missed.   But here are the updated brackets as they stand today.  Getting short on time as we have only 18 playing days until the October 11th course shutdown.

Well, since we just went through the Summer Solstice and it is technically summer here in the Northern Hemisphere (duh, I think I knew that by the temperatures), it is time for another match play update.  

We have a few matches that are close to the deadline and the course has been wide open with tee times. So please review the brackets and schedule those matches.   

All Brackets looking good other than the Gross 4 Ball which is only 55% complete.  Tough to get four players to agree on a time so work those schedules. Otherwise, we have completed 241 out of 296 matches (only 55 matches left) and have 58 players out of the original 135 players still in competition.  Three of the players are still involved in 4 different brackets and another 2 players are still involved in 3 different brackets.

Updated Match Play Bracket file show below.

Good Luck to all remaining players.

The 2021 Match Play Tournaments continue to move along nicely this year.  Some great matches going on out there with many going into extra holes.  Either the handicap system/committee is doing a great job with handicaps or everyone seems to be able to sandbag to the same extent.  And if you are missing out on the excitement of Match Play, just sit at the bar in the Grove and you can hear the full play by play of most matches from both the winner’s and the loser’s perspective.  Either way, the $20 entry is worth every dollar for the great competition and adrenaline rush.

Looks like most brackets are doing very well in hitting their deadlines.  We are actually 74% of the way through the 296 scheduled matches while we are less than half-way through the year.  Great job in getting those matches completed.  Matches are expected to slow down a bit due to the summer so nice to be a bit ahead of the game.  Gross 4 Ball match participants should get their matches scheduled as they are the only bracket that looks to be close to falling behind.  And you know how difficult it is to get four players scheduled for a match at the same time.

The updated brackets are attached.

Originally the Match Play Committee had initiated a rule that said net pars should be posted for any holes after a match has been completed.  This rule was developed due to several reports of players purposefully fluffing the remaining holes to manage their handicap to a higher number.  Whatever happened to golfer integrity?

The Handicap Committee has informed us that this posting rule is not in accordance with WHS handicapping practices and that this rule should be discontinued for match play. The Match Play Committee has agreed to drop this rule and allow normal WHS posting rules to apply.

The Handicap Committee will rely on players directly contacting the committee if they witness score posting issues

Reminder of correct pertinent posting practices

If less than14 holes are played, then a 9-hole score is posted. 

If 14 or more holes are played, then an 18-hole score is posted.

If a match is over and players continue to finish the round, then normal posting of actual scores should occur (net double bogey max).

If a match is over and the players decide not to continue the round, then net pars are posted for the remaining holes.

Match Play Committee

Here is the updated SMGA Match Play Brackets as of 2-1-2021.  Time is getting short on the next deadline (3-7-2021) for most brackets so get out there and schedule your matches.  That will have been a little over 2 months to get the first round end for most of the players.  So please be proactive in your approach to getting them done.  We always dread having to flip a coin to determine a winner.

We cannot publish the email list of all SMGA Match Play participants as some have asked that their email addressed not be included in lists.  However, if you have any difficulty making contact with your next match play opponent, contact the club or the SMGA and they will provide you the contact information you need.

Congrats to all the winners in the 2020 Match Play tournament. Also attached are the full results of every bracket.

The 2021 Match Play sign up is complete and we have a 26% increase in participation over 2020 match play. Great that more and more players are enjoying the thrill of match play. The Match Play brackets, Match Play rules and a simple spreadsheet to help you with the 4 Ball Playing Handicaps are attached below. 

The committee took extra effort in the schedules this year by looking at the true available tee times for each day (1 hour after sunrise to 4.5 hours before sunset, holidays, other tournaments, course conditions and the average number of brackets for which players signed).  Hopefully this extra effort spreads the Match Play deadlines out to a comfortable level for all.  But remember, it is up to you to make sure you know your deadlines and make connections with your opponent to get your matches scheduled before the deadline.  Especially for those of you who have signed up for 3 or more brackets.

Have fun and enjoy the thrill of the competition.