-New policy mandates player-marking, interim score checks and 15-minute card submission to curb disputes.
-It places direct responsibility on players to mark each other’s cards and introduces mandatory interim score checks on the course to prevent disputes and errors.
-Under the new guidelines, every player in a Junior Golf Foundation competition will be issued with a scorecard to record both their own scores and those of the player they are marking.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
The Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) has unveiled new scoring guidelines aimed at strengthening integrity, transparency and character development in junior golf competitions across Kenya.
The policy, released this week by JGF based in Nairobi, Kenya, sets out clear procedures for recording, submitting and verifying scores during junior tournaments.
It places direct responsibility on players to mark each other’s cards and introduces mandatory interim score checks on the course to prevent disputes and errors.
The JGF states in the introduction to the guidelines that, “The integrity of the score is paramount to ensure that the right results are achieved. Maintaining scoring integrity involves players honestly reporting their scores and adhering to the rules of the game and therefore fostering a sense of sportsmanship and character development.”
Under the new guidelines, every player in a Junior Golf Foundation competition will be issued with a scorecard to record both their own scores and those of the player they are marking.
The top section of the card including name of competition, date, time and handicap details, may be filled in by the competition organizer, but players remain responsible for ensuring all entries are legible and accurate.
“Cards must be marked by players and not caddies or marshals. Scores are to be written in sharp pencil to ensure clarity. Players are required to record scores on a hole-to-hole basis and to agree with their marker before proceeding to the next hole. Only when the player and marker are in agreement on the scores for each of them for a hole will they proceed to the next hole,” the guidelines state.
The Foundation says this system of mutual marking is designed to build accountability from an early age and reduce the risk of score discrepancies that have in the past led to protests and delayed results.
In a major departure from previous practice, the policy introduces interim score submission during the round. Marshals will be posted at strategic points on the course typically after every three holes to receive verbal score reports.
Both the player and the marker must approach the marshal together to read out their scores and this, the Foundation says, ensures accuracy and allows any disputes to be resolved immediately.
“A player shall not read out their scores to the marshal without their marker being present to ensure that the read-out score is accurate for both players and to avoid disputes that can be resolved at the point of reading out the score,” the guidelines state.
If there is disagreement on a particular hole, players will count back the strokes in the presence of the marshal and update both the card and the marshal’s record.
Unresolved issues will be noted by the marshal and passed to the tournament referee or competition committee for a final decision before cards are submitted.
The Foundation says the on-course checks will also help the scoring desk keep the leaderboard updated in real time and reduce pressure at the end of play.
After completing their round, players must submit final scores within 15 minutes and the procedure requires the player, their marker and where applicable their caddie to read out hole-by-hole scores to the scorer or a member of the competition committee at the designated scoring desk.
“Players should submit the scorecard containing their final scores to the scoring desk set out by the competitions committee within fifteen (15) minutes of completing their round of golf to enable the scoring desk to update the scoreboard for the juniors’ age category as soon as possible,” the policy reads.
If a dispute arises at the scoring desk, the scorer will first attempt to resolve it with the player, marker and caddie. If no agreement is reached, the matter goes to the tournament referee, whose decision is final.
The Foundation warns that failure to submit cards within the stipulated time will attract automatic disqualification.
“Any player who does not hand in their card within the time stipulated by the competition committee will be disqualified and their scores disregarded for purposes of scoring and awards,” noted the policy.
The guidelines will apply to all junior competitions organized by the Junior Golf Foundation and those listed in the JGF Calendar.
The Foundation notes that where there is a conflict between these scoring guidelines and specific tournament terms and conditions, the tournament terms will take precedence.
The new policy should also be read alongside the Junior Golf Foundation Integrity Policy, which outlines broader expectations on conduct, honesty and respect for the rules.
Officials say the scoring framework is part of a wider push to use golf as a tool for mentorship and personal growth.
By requiring juniors to take responsibility for both their own score and that of a fellow competitor, the Foundation hopes to instill values of honesty, fairness and respect.
Golf in Kenya has seen growing junior participation in recent years, with tournaments drawing players from across the country.
However, organizers have previously cited scoring disputes and late submissions as challenges that affect the smooth running of events.
The new measures, the Foundation believes, will streamline operations and reinforce the educational role of the sport.
“This policy seeks to act as a guide on the scoring procedure for juniors in Kenya with a view of promoting honesty and integrity,” the release concludes.
ENDS.
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