How Low Can One Go?

Super Active Golfer Posts : 2100 Join date : 2009-11-30

No, it's not about shooting your personal best score

In a recently concluded amateur event (that shall remain unnamed), the winning team came back with some spectacular stableford 45pts

A bit of simple CSI revealed that both players went from
- as low as a mid single hcp (one chap 5.9 as of May 2014, the other chap's hcp hovered between 7-9 hcp from Sept 2013 to as recent as Aug 2014)
- to become 11-12 hcp for the competition(Sept 2014)

My point is these chaps are possibly gaming the system, they didn't cheat. They were systematically racking up high scores (90s) for the last 20 games to get a higher hcp in time for the tournament.

We talked about such buayas before. How can we honour the game if we still have such golfers among us? If you realized one of your golf kakis doing this, will you condone it? What can tournament organizers do to overcome them?

I know some of you will shrug your shoulders and say - don't take part lor...
But two wrongs don't make one right. I would like to hear your thoughts.

Newbie Golfer Posts : 48 Join date : 2014-07-09

Expose and shame them in public?

after playing in this sports for so long, i learned that the only thing you can control is yourself.

unless you turn PRO and take part in the PRO tournaments, else there will be such people around to game the system and take advantage from it.

there could be other scoring systems that are fairer, i shall leave those recommendation to the experts.

just my 2 cents

Senior Golfer Posts : 398 Join date : 2011-07-22

There is no way to catch these golfers, unless the organizers do something like announce any personal best score of 5 under (or whatever score) better than their hcp will be deem void. I know some US competition have such house rules.
But then again, it's hard to verify if they really had their best rounds on that day assuming it's white tee, easy pin placement, their home ground, etc.

You can send your CSI to the organizers and see what they say.

When one wants to cheat, there is no way to stop them, right?

Super Active Golfer Posts : 2100 Join date : 2009-11-30

Already sent the csi to organiser
Doubt they will do anything to these 2 chaps as they didn't break any rules but merely contravene the spirit of the game

Some suggestions I put forth were:
- don't let participants choose their partners
- apply system 36 to calculate tournament hcp for the day

Btw, yes it was off white tee, but it's on a championship course known for its punishing layout and tough greens. Anyway like you guys say, always got such ppl around. Just disappointing.

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Tue Sep 16, 2014 4:11 pm

Sure to have such people around to sully the game. Imagine golfers pocketing balls that veered slightly off course, all for something less than $2. If such small value also greedy to take, then tournament prize anything that can be done will be done & shall be done.

That's why this game will see the true nature of people. Those who do it, probably already very thick-skin liao.

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Tue Sep 16, 2014 4:19 pm

Well... when the stars all align, it is possible to get 45 points. I have fortunately achieved it in one of our club's monthly medals. Tee off went straight, irons somehow work and high % of GIR.

When I thought I have a chance to win, someone posted 48 points.

I agree with nkglfrs..the only thing we can control are ourselves.

Senior Golfer Posts : 472 Join date : 2009-07-13

The only amateur tournament that I know using such rules as you stated is the Audi Quattro Cup. The winning team from each course had to compete in a sudden death playoff, so I guess it does not guarantee you a win but increase your chances of winning.

But then again, Golf is a game of integrity. There are definitely buayas out there who will maintain a higher HCP.

Very Active Golfer Posts : 831 Join date : 2009-08-26

And the tanjung champs beat the serapong champs

Senior Golfer Posts : 439 Join date : 2010-07-16

Wow. Like that also can?

Honorary Landscaper Posts : 361 Join date : 2009-06-23

Lol, i recently played in a Charity Open ... and played one of my best rounds in a few years (42-43 stableford points).

I came in 2nd though. The winner had 51 stableford points.

CSI revealed his handicap hovered about the same 20+ region for the past few years as well. But what can you do/say? My pals and I have always been thinking he must had some creative recording during the game. But i guess the key is to let go and let live.

Senior Golfer Posts : 289 Join date : 2010-12-18

My galfriend took part in a friendly tourney organized by some association... Champion came back nett 50! Stroke play !

Very Active Golfer Posts : 831 Join date : 2009-08-26

50 and 51 stableford points?????
14 and 15 under??????
Shameless, disgusting, I dunno what to say

Super Active Golfer Posts : 2100 Join date : 2009-11-30

mariateo wrote:: My galfriend took part in a friendly tourney organized by some association... Champion came back nett 50! Stroke play !

9-hole tournament? Razz

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:55 pm

How you doing PA? When will we ever have a game in HCMC???

Anyways, I totally agree with you that 2 wrongs does not make a right. As you mentioned, it does not contravene the rules of the game. It does however shows that integrity is somewhat lacking in the person.

From personal experience, I have played with single handicappers who played extremely well on that day only to lose out to another player based on the stableford system. And we know that this person is obviously using a "Loophole". Even the organisers knew it and where not very "enthused" when announcing his name. Off course we all added fuel to the fire by embarrassing him in front off all the other participants throughout the whole dinner / prize presentation. He never dared play with any of us anymore.

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Wed Sep 17, 2014 11:44 am

mariateo wrote:: My galfriend took part in a friendly tourney organized by some association... Champion came back nett 50! Stroke play !

the champion is Kim Jong Il??

Senior Golfer Posts : 289 Join date : 2010-12-18

Which is why I refuse also to part take in any of these tourney anymore. Inclusive of the much publicized SPH WGC game.

Senior Golfer Posts : 289 Join date : 2010-12-18

Yz426 wrote:

mariateo wrote:: My galfriend took part in a friendly tourney organized by some association... Champion came back nett 50! Stroke play !

the champion is Kim Jong Il??

Guess what? I heard that the 1st runner up also nett 50 (22 under) she lost OCB hahahahaha

Senior Golfer Posts : 472 Join date : 2009-07-13

Take part for the fun and excitement. For example, my playing partner and I were aiming for the hole-in-one prize of Audi A3 and A8. Even winning the lucky draw $14,000 watch or the Leica camera would be satisfying.

We also had a lot of fun challenging each other on driving distance, one-putting stroke etc.

Senior Golfer Posts : 289 Join date : 2010-12-18

pug wrote:: Take part for the fun and excitement. For example, my playing partner and I were aiming for the hole-in-one prize of Audi A3 and A8. Even winning the lucky draw $14,000 watch or the Leica camera would be satisfying.

We also had a lot of fun challenging each other on driving distance, one-putting stroke etc

For fun booze and laughter... I go with charity games, ladies open, and of course.... GOLF PUNK

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:09 pm

nowadays champion only get a token gift, the big prizes all go to lucky draw, so the buayas dun get much

Senior Golfer Posts : 472 Join date : 2009-07-13

Wonder if those 2 persons-of-interest are fellow GRians and reading this thread.... Shocked

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:23 am

zhenxua wrote:: nowadays champion only get a token gift, the big prizes all go to lucky draw, so the buayas dun get much

You mean you get shortchanged? clown

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:34 am

blee67 wrote:

zhenxua wrote:: nowadays champion only get a token gift, the big prizes all go to lucky draw, so the buayas dun get much

You mean you get shortchanged? clown

i usually only get free beer from my flight mates What a Face

Subject: Re: How Low Can One Go? Thu Sep 18, 2014 10:53 am

zhenxua wrote:

blee67 wrote:

zhenxua wrote:: nowadays champion only get a token gift, the big prizes all go to lucky draw, so the buayas dun get much

You mean you get shortchanged? clown

i usually only get free beer from my flight mates What a Face

Expensive beer..... clown