2020 Season is Near

• Reminders should be making it to your inbox for renewing your RPMC membership for the 2020 season. 
  
• One full member will be selected at the opening meeting for a refund of their dues.  Must be paid in full by March 22 to be eligible for the raffle.
  
• GHIN services will be reset on April 1st for all members.

Active Season begins April 1st

• The USGA has issued a general update on Covid-19 and guidance as it relates to Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping.
  
• • Provided guidance from health and governmental officials is being followed, a temporary measure is in place within the United States to accept scores played under these conditions for handicap purposes using the most likely score guidelines, even though the player has not holed out.  If the ball lies on the putting green, no more than 5 feet from the hole, add 1 additional stroke.
    
    
    
  •  It is advisable to encourage that players try their best to smooth the disturbed area with a foot or a club. Disturbed areas in bunkers may be treated as ground under repair. This would allow a player free relief from such areas, but would require such relief to be taken elsewhere within the bunker.  An additional available option is to take relief outside the bunker for one penalty stroke. Relief options are illustrated below.
    
    
    
• Rounds played in Danbury area may be posted starting April 1st.  Rounds played in regions observing a year round active season may be posted anytime. 
  
• As handicaps are revised on a daily basis, scores should be posted on the date played.
  
• Now is a good time to make sure to download the latest USGA GHIN app.

Omaha Beef Cup

• David Lajoie, owner of Omaha Beef and RPMC Board member has again agreed to sponsor the season long points race for the Omaha Beef Cup. Points are earned for participation and placing in RPMC events throughout the year.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 point earners.

CSGA Events

• The Connecticut Golf Show will return to the Connecticut Convention Center on March 20-22.
• The One Day Tournament schedule is available at here These events are a great opportunity to play at other courses across the state.
• More information on the one day series can found here.
  

2020 RPMC Officers and Board

President: Frank Kunst
Vice President: Tucker Keating
Secretary: Joe Capirichio
Treasurer: Peter Walz
Members: Dave Lajoie, Kevin Nadeau, Pete Siecienski, Russell Lopez

New Handicap System Arrives in January 2020

Coming in 2020 is the new World Golf Handicap System – there are some interesting changes – learn more on the USGA site

Here's a quick screencast video to demonstrate the process.
Please follow these steps to renew your membership:

1. Login using your email address you registered with last year.  If you have never logged in, use the "Forgot Password" link near the sign in box to receive a new password.
2. After logging in, click View Profile, you will see a message that you are already a member - click on "Edit your member profile".  Review and update your contact information if necessary - do not modify your GHIN or local number.
3. Confirm or modify your membership level and continue through to payment.
4. Remember your login information and use it to sign up for events throughout the season.

The RPMC Board reviews various aspects of the club operations and policies and will make changes from time to time.  The policy to allow players to use the Gold Tees was implemented a few years ago to permit maximum participation in our events.  This should be seen as an accommodation for eligible players and not an advantage.  Accordingly, after reviewing results from 2016 and discussion among the Board the eligibility criteria remain:

• Players of Minimum Age of 65 years
  
• GOLD Course Minimum Handicap of 22 (Index of 21.4)
  

Equitable Stroke Control & Posting Scores

Once in a while during a round, there may be one or two holes that can just make a mess of your scorecard.  If you don't believe it, play in the Danbury Amateur or watch the 8th or 15th holes during the event.   A loose swing here, rinse a ball there, trouble in the bunker, three-jack on the green and all of a sudden it's a big number on the card.

Equitable Stroke Control is a procedure for adjusting your gross score for posting.  This procedure places a maximum on the score recorded for any hole.  First convert your handicap index to the COURSE HANDICAP.  This can be done through the course handicap charts at the golf course, the GHIN app or by the following calculation HcpIndex x Course Tee Slope/113 and round accordingly.  For example, an index of 11.7 converts to a COURSE HANDICAP on the WHITE TEES of 14.  Using ESC for a COURSE HANDICAP of 14 is 7.  So any score higher than a 7 should be reduced to a 7 for posting purposes.