G. R. THOMSON SHIELD

2025

Rules of the Competition

1. Member clubs shall compete annually for the G. R. Thomson Shield and the winning club will hold it for one year. The winning club is responsible for having the Shield engraved and the associated costs.

2. The League shall award individual medals to all members of the registered pool of players from the winning club on condition they have played in at least one match during the competition.

3. The competition will take place on dates agreed at the previous year’s Annual General Meeting of the League, and preferably be during a weekend in May of each year.

4. The venue for the League will be by rotation of the following sequence: – Forres, Nairn, Elgin, Nairn Dunbar and Moray. This rotation may be altered only by agreement of the member clubs.

5. The Secretary will make the draw with the preceding year’s host having “their bye” in the mid-week series of matches. The bye in the final series of matches will rotate in line with the venue and be as follows: – Elgin @ Forres, Nairn Dunbar @ Nairn, Moray @ Elgin, Nairn @ Nairn Dunbar and Forres @ Moray.

6. Clubs must submit a pool of players up to a maximum of fifteen to the Secretary or his representative prior to their first match.
Any player, who is a member of more than one member club of the League and wishes to play in the Moray and Nairn Golf League, must declare by 31st March each year which member club is his Home club. He may only represent his Home club in the League during that year and under no circumstances will be allowed to represent another member club until the following season.
Exception to the Rule:
If a player is a member of more than one club only one of which is a member club of the League this rule does not apply.

7. Each club will play a match against the other competing clubs and each match will consist of eight singles by match-play over 18 holes, games level after 18 holes counting as a halved game. Teams will be listed on the score sheets provided by the Secretary and given to the Secretary (or his representative) prior to the commencement of the match. Once the team sheet has been submitted, play will commence at the allotted time with the No.8 game teeing off first, followed by the No.7 game etc. until the top game plays off last.
If following submission of the team list, a player fails to appear, then the team captain may use a substitute from his nominated pool on notification to the Secretary or his representative and the opposing team captain, provided it is done before the time the final game is due to tee off. That player shall be a direct replacement for the absent
player. Under no circumstances will a team captain be able to alter the order of his team. Should a substitute not be available within the time, that individual game will be forfeited.

8. In each match the club winning the most games will be awarded two points for a win. In tied matches each club will be awarded one point. The winners of the league will be the club accumulating the most points.

9. In the event of two or more clubs being equal on points then the number of individual games won (including halved games) will be used to determine the winner. If there is still a tie at this stage between:-

1. Two clubs, then the club winning the match between the clubs will be declared the winner.
2. Three or more clubs, again the individual match results between these clubs will be used to determine the winner. If this does not produce a clear decision, then the total of individual games won (including halved games) from all of the relevant matches between these clubs involved will be aggregated, with the club having the most winning the League. (see example below)

Should these methods fail to give a result, there will be a sudden death play-off between a nominated player from each of the clubs concerned. Any such play-off would commence as soon as possible after the conclusion of the last match. The League Executive will determine the holes to be used and appoint a referee for the play-off.
Example: Rule 9 (B)
Clubs A, B and C all finish on 6 points with 19 individual games won each.
Club A has beaten Club B 6-2
Club B has beaten Club C 5 ½ -2 ½
Club A has lost to Club C 3 ½-4 ½
So each club has won one and lost one => individual games
Club A = 9 ½ games won
Club B = 7 ½ games won
Club C = 7 games won
Therefore Club A wins League!!!!

10. In the event of adverse weather occurring whilst the matches are being/scheduled to be played, the Executive, or their nominated representative, shall be empowered to make the decision to suspend play for the appropriate time until the course is playable again and/or safe to do so. If any such suspension of play results in insufficient time remaining to complete the fixtures within the weekend then the following will apply:-
(A) For a fixture with no possible bearing on who might win the League:

1. If one club has secured 4 ½ points before play is abandoned, that club shall be declared the winner and awarded two points with any games still on the course at the time play was suspended being declared as halved matches.
2. If the match has not commenced or neither club has secured the minimum of 4 ½ points for a win, then the match will be abandoned with no scores recorded and each club being awarded one point.

(B) For a fixture which could have a bearing on who might win the League:

1. If one club has secured 4 ½ points before play is abandoned, that club shall be declared the winner and awarded two points with any games still on the course at the time play was suspended being declared as halved matches.
2. If the match has not commenced or neither club has secured the minimum of 4 ½ points for a win, then the match will be abandoned with no scores recorded and be replayed at the Club hosting the event, as soon as practicable at a time and date mutually convenient to the host club and the participating teams, but no later than 30th September of that season. On any re-arranged date, the teams must be drawn from the previously submitted pool of players. In the event of the competing clubs being unable to reach agreement on a convenient date, then the Executive shall, in consultation with the host club, determine a time and date for the fixture(s) to be played.

11. Should any matter not be covered by the rules, the decision of the League Executive will be final.

G.R.THOMSON SHIELD

To be played at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club