FAQ
Q: What is Windy City Golf League?
A: Windy City Golf League is Metro Chicago’s first flexible and affordable amateur league for golfers of all skill levels! WCGL gives you the ability to exercise your competitive spirit by playing Head-to-Head, and 2-Person Team-Scramble matches against players of similar ability.
Windy City Golf League offers men and women of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to meet and compete against other golfers in their area. With flexible scheduling and the ability to choose which course to play, WCGL caters to your busy schedule while offering more variety and competition than any other league format.
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Q: When is league play?
A: The 2010 schedule and registration deadlines are as follows:
2010 Spring Season: - Registration: March 3 – April 10
- Late Registration: April 11 – April 14
- League play: April 18 – July 10
- Arghe Isle Cup Tournament: July 17
2010 Summer Season: - Registration: June 1 – July 10
- Late Registration: July 11 – July 14
- League play: July 18 – October 9
- Arghe Isle Cup Tournament: TBD
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Q: How many seasons are there per year?
A: There are two (2), 12-week seasons per year (Spring, Summer).
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Q: What is the cost to join WCGL?
A: WCGL membership fee is $60 per season. The late registration fee is $10.
WCGL offers discounts to members who register for more than one league within the same season, and for those who prepay for more than one season at a time.
Click here to view a breakdown of WCGL registration discounts.
As an added benefit, WCGL members receive discounts on greens fees at member courses, and also have the chance to win prizes.
Click here to visit our Partners page for discounts at local courses and businesses. Late registration requires an additional $10 fee.
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Q: What league formats does WCGL offer?
A: Windy City Golf League offers two (2) league formats: Individual and Team Scramble
Individual Head-to-Head League
In the Head-to-Head league, you will play your matches against each of your opponents as regular stroke-play matches. You will abide by USGA rules and scores for each hole will be entered on the website after the match. Although matches are head-to-head, don’t feel as if you’re stuck playing in a twosome all season long. We encourage you to round out your foursomes with friends, family, or other league members. Just make sure to coordinate with your opponent who you’re bringing.
2-Person Team Scramble
In the Team Scramble league, you and your teammate will play matches against other 2-person teams. The matches will be played in a 2-person scramble format, but will still be played in stroke-play format, where team scores are entered for each hole on the WCGL website. You will be grouped with your opponents, based on your preferred playing time (weekdays, weeknights or weekends) and team-average skill level (handicap, adjusted scoring avg., etc.) For a complete list of Team Scramble rules,
Click here.
The Individual and 2-Person Scramble Leagues run simultaneously. While you are certainly welcome to sign up for more than one league within the same season, keep in mind that that the number of leagues you join determines how many matches you will play in each 2-week period (i.e. signing up for the Individual League and one 2-Person Scramble League means you will play 2 matches in each 2-week match period. Join 2 teams and play in the Individual League, and you’ll be playing 3 matches each period.)
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Q: Can I join in mid season?
A: You may not register past the registration deadlines listed.
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Q: What golf courses do I play?
A: WCGL allows you and your opponent to determine the time and location for each of your 6 regular season matches at the golf course of your choice.
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Q: What set of golf rules does WCGL follow?
A: All WCGL Head-to-Head League play will be governed by the USGA rules for stroke-play format. 2-Person Team-Scramble League rules can be found by
Clicking Here. You may find all updated USGA rules by visiting the USGA website,
http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules.html . If you cannot find an applicable USGA rule, resolve all ruling discrepancies by consulting the club professional.
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Q: Who is responsible for scheduling a tee time?
A: The home player/team is responsible for scheduling the agreed upon tee time at the agreed upon golf course.
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Q: How are points won?
A:
During the season, you have the opportunity to earn points to qualify for the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament! All matches will be played in head-to-head, stroke play format, and points are earned based on how competitively you play. The breakdown for earning points is as follows:
|
9-Hole Match
|
|
18-Hole Match
|
| Win by (# of Strokes): |
Points Earned |
| 3+ |
80 |
| 2 |
70 |
| 1 |
60 |
| |
|
| Tie |
40 |
| |
|
| Lose By: |
|
| 1 |
30 |
| 2 |
20 |
| 3+ |
10 |
|
|
| Win by (# of Strokes): |
Points Earned |
| 4+ |
100 |
| 3 |
90 |
| 2 |
80 |
| 1 |
70 |
| Tie |
50 |
| |
|
| Lose by: |
|
| 1 |
40 |
| 2 |
30 |
| 3 |
20 |
| 4+ |
10 |
|
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Q: How is my overall adjusted scoring average calculated?
A: You can also earn a wildcard spot in the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament by achieving a low adjusted scoring average. The adjusted scoring average is a handicapping system developed by WCGL that relates your actual scores to the course rating and slope, thus leveling the playing field for you and other flight members. This ensures a fair comparison of other flight members who play different courses and who play from different tees.
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Q: How is my rating calculated?
A: WCGL strives to provide a fair and competitive experience for all members. To ensure that members are in the proper flight, WCGL developed a player rating system. This system relates your points earned to your adjusted scoring average, compared to your competition. In order to encourage honesty and eliminate sandbagging, a player whose rating is substantially higher than those of other flight members during the regular season will be forced to play in a more competitive flight in the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament. When you register for next season, you will be flighted based on your previous season's rating.
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Q: How are my scores entered after each match?
A: For each match, a player or team is designated the home player/team by the WCGL. After each match, the home player/team is responsible for entering each player’s/team’s scores in an electronic scorecard accessible from the Player Profile page. The home player will select the course played, which 9 or 9’s played, and the tees played from. Once scores have been submitted and verified by the other player or team, the WCGL website will update player and team statistics and leaderboards. Golf is a game of integrity and we do not anticipate any problems, but in the case of typos or errors, you can submit a protest if you believe your score has been reported incorrectly.
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Q: What is the maximum score a player can take on a hole?
A: The maximum score a player or team can take on one hole is a quadruple bogey; 7 on par 3; 8 on par 4; 9 on par 5.
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Q: How do I know who my opponent is at the golf course?
A: At the beginning of each season, you are given each of your opponents’ names and email addresses. We encourage you to swap phone numbers during your communications to schedule your matches. Ensure you bring your opponent’s contact information to the golf course. When you arrive at the golf course, check in with the pro shop and ask if your opponent has arrived.
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Q: What if my opponent and I can't agree on which course to play?
A:> If opponents cannot agree on a course to play, the decision goes to the home player or team.
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Q: What if my opponent and I can't agree on the number of holes to play?
A: If there is a disagreement regarding the number of holes to play, players must play a 9-hole match.
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Q: What if my opponent and I can't agree on which tees to play?
A: If opponents cannot agree on a course to play, the decision goes to the home player or team, taking into account the limitations of the other player/team.
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Q: Can I walk or ride a cart during my match?
A: You can do either, regardless of what your opponent chooses.
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Q: What if I can't contact my opponent?
A: You will have access to your opponent’s email address(es). Once you contact each other via email, it is suggested you also share phone numbers. If you attempt to contact your opponent more than once on each of their listed points of contact and your two week time period elapses, your opponent will forfeit the match. You will receive 50 points and your opponent will receive 10 points, and neither of you will receive a score towards your adjusted scoring averages. Upon receiving notification from the home player, WCGL administration will contact both parties to verify the details of the situation. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will require verification from both opponents.
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Q: What if we can't play the match within the two-week time period?
A:WCGL understands that life is busy. That’s why we offer such a flexible structure. We don’t allow you to play your matches after the two-week time period, but you are allowed to play any of your matches earlier in the season. If you know you’ll be unavailable during a two-week match period, you can always schedule and play your match ahead of time. In the event that you do not play a match earlier in the season, and the two-week period expires, whichever player was available on more days during the two-week time period will be the winner of the match. The winner of the match will receive 50 points and their opponent will receive 10 points. Neither opponent will receive a score towards their adjusted scoring averages. Upon receiving notification from the home player/team, WCGL administration will contact both parties to verify the details of the situation. WCGL encourages you to keep track of your email chain of communications, and make notes of any phone calls with opponents, as this is typically what WCGL will use to determine the winner by forfeit. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will require verification from both opponents.
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Q: I am unavailable to play my 1st match of the season within the two-week period – What now?
A: WCGL understands that life is busy. That’s why we offer such a flexible structure. For the first match of each season, we do allow a one-week extension to complete and enter scores for the match. Every other match must be completed by the end of the respective two-week period.
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Q: What happens if I am out of town for several weeks in a row but want to get all of my matches in for the season?
A: You can schedule any of your matches at any point in time prior to the due date. If you know you will not be available for a match, you can attempt to schedule the match before the match start date.
Q: What if my opponent does not show?
A: If your opponent does not show, choose no-show from the scoring entry menu. You will receive 50 points for the match and your opponent will receive 10 points. Neither opponent will receive a score towards their adjusted scoring averages.
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Q: What if I want to contest the scores submitted?
A: If you would like to contest a submitted score, email the details to Windy City Golf League at
scoring@windycitygolfleague.com. We will contact your opponent to verify the score in question and will resolve any issues and update the scoring entry.
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Q: What is the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament and how do I qualify?
A: The Arghe Isle Cup Tournament is the WCGL’s one-day, postseason tournament/golf outing. If you finish the season as the points leader of your bracket, you automatically qualify for the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament. You can also earn a wildcard spot in the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament by achieving a high player rating or a low adjusted scoring average relative to others within your flight. At the end of the day, there will be an overall winner from each flight that walks away with the Arghe Isle Cup!
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Q: How much does the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament cost?
A: The cost to play in the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament will be determined during the present season. However, the entry fee will cover your green fee, cart fee, range balls, lunch and awards ceremony, where various prizes will be given and overall flight winners will be awarded the Arghe Isle Cup! WCGL will strive to find a venue suitable for quality play at a reasonable cost.
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Q: Where will the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament be played?
A: WCGL will schedule the Arghe Isle Cup Tournament at one of Metro Chicago's top public golf courses. Players will be notified prior to the end of each regular season as to the date, cost and location of the postseason tournament.
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Q: Which courses offer discounts to WCGL members?
A: WCGL is constantly pursuing new opportunities with local golf clubs.
Click here to see a list of WCGL's partner clubs and their corresponding discounts.
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Q: Which retailers offer discounts to WCGL members?
A: WCGL is constantly pursuing new opportunities with local retailers.
Click here to see a list of WCGL's partners and their corresponding discounts.
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Q: How do I verify that I'm a WCGL member to receive my discounts?
A:Some golf courses require the printed coupon from our website. In addition to mentioning a WCGL discount when booking a tee time, you may also be required to print the coupon & show it when checking in at the course.
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Q: What happens if my match gets rained out?
A: If you complete at least 9 holes, players must take their 9-hole score and enter scores as a 9-hole match. If fewer than 9 holes are completed, players can either reschedule or record an agreed upon tie. If a tie is recorded due to a rain-shortened match, neither player’s score will count towards their adjusted scoring averages.
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Q: What happens if my opponent and I do not finish our match due to darkness or another factor?
A: If you complete at least 9 holes, players must take their 9-hole score and enter scores as a 9-hole match. If fewer than 9 holes are completed, players can either reschedule or record an agreed upon tie. If a tie is recorded due to a darkness-shortened match, neither player’s score will count towards their adjusted scoring averages.
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Q: What happens to my member profile page if I sit out a season?
A: WCGL understands that life events happen. In the event that you need to sit out a season, your member profile page will still be active even if you are not playing the current season. Your scoring averages and statistics will be tracked from season to season regardless of whether you play each season. You can view your historical scores and statistics at any point in time.
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Q: Is there going to be a kids division?
A: There is currently not a kids division, although WCGL is exploring that possibility for future seasons. In the initial season WCGL will offer men's and women's divisions only. Depending on the number of golfers who qualify, there may also be senior divisions for men and women.
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Q: How do I submit my digital picture for my Player Page?
A: From the "Update Information" section of your Player Page, select “Upload Photo.” Your Player Page allows you to view and edit your information such as contact email, playing preferences, etc.
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Q: What if I change my mind about becoming a member?
A: WCGL understands that life events happen and things change. In the event that you notify the league administration within the registration period, a full refund will be given (minus any applicable credit card processing or other fees). Once the registration period closes, however, any refund given will be reasonably determined on a case-by-case basis. Due to the complexity of flighting and bracketing players to provide them their season match schedule, WCGL expects members to honor their commitments to the league.
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Q: What happens if I have a question that is not listed here?
A: Feel free to contact
info@windycitygolfleague.com at any time with any questions, concerns, or comments.
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