Amateur Championship Rules

Sussex County Golf Amateur Championship 2025 - Cowdray Park Golf Club

Local Rules in addition to the England Golf Hard Card

No other local rules are in operation for the Sussex County Golf Amateur Championship 2025 unless otherwise advised by the Championship Committee. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a local rule is the general penalty (two penalty strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play).

THE LOCAL RULES ON THE COWDRAY PARK GOLF CLUB SCORECARD OR AS ADVERTISED IN THE CLUBHOUSE OR PRO SHOP DO NOT APPLY TO THE SUSSEX COUNTY GOLF AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP 2025.

1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
a) Beyond any fence defining the boundary of the course. Where the boundary is defined by a fence the boundary edge is the course side edge of the fence posts at ground level.

b) On or over the Driving Range on the right hand side of the 1st hole as defined by the white line or fence. Where defined by a fence the boundary edge is the course side edge of the fence posts at ground level. Any white stakes are for indication only and do not define the boundary, these stakes are Boundary Objects.

c) When playing the 13th hole the right hand side of the hole as defined by the white line. Any white stakes are for indication only and do not define the boundary, these stakes are Boundary Objects.

d) When playing the 18th hole the left hand side of the hole and behind the 18th green as defined by the white line. Any white stakes are for indication only and do not define the boundary, these stakes are Boundary Objects.

2. Abnormal Course Condition – Immovable Obstructions

a) The bells on the 2nd hole including the support post and surround should be treated as a single immovable obstruction from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1b.

b) The wooden supports on the trees on the 4th and 5th holes are immovable obstructions from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1b.

3. Abnormal Course Condition – Ground Under Repair

a) The green for the 7th and 14th holes is a single green. When playing the 7th or 14th holes the hole on the shared green for the hole not being played is Ground Under Repair from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1d.

b) The green for the 8th and 16th holes is a single green. When playing the 8th or 16th holes the hole on the shared green for the hole not being played is Ground Under Repair from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1d.

4. Animal Dung
MLR F-12 applies. At the player’s option deer or dog dung may be treated as a loose impediment that may be removed under Rule 15.1 or treated as Ground Under Repair, from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

5. Animal Hoof Damage
Damage that is caused by animal hoofs is Ground Under Repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1 but on the Putting Green this Local Rule does not apply and such damage on the Putting Green may be repaired under Rule 13.1.

6. Pace of Play and Code of Conduct
There are Pace of Play and Code of Conduct policies, as published on the Sussex County Golf website under “Competition Policies”, in operation for this event. Penalties will apply as set out in these policies. The Pace of Play Policy paragraph 2) is amended. The stroke play competition is a two tee start, Pace of Play Checkpoints are still in operation. Players are expected to meet their pin in times on all holes, there will be Pace of Play Checkpoints after play of 4, 9 and 13 holes. Time Par for 18 holes = 4 hours 13 minutes. Individual timings may also be applied under the Pace of Play Policy.

7. Caddies
A player must not have another player who has or will play in the 2025 Sussex County Amateur Championship as their caddie.
Penalty for breach of this Local Rule: The player gets the General Penalty for each hole during which they are helped by such caddie. If the breach happens or continues between two holes, the player gets the general penalty for the next hole.

8. Rulings
Rulings may only be given by a Championship Referee Championship Referees Chris Spencer, Steve Williamson, Stephen Wise and Jeff King.

a) Stroke Play

If you need a ruling, please call a referee over or call the Tournament Director – Emma Whitlock  07873 849304

If a referee is unavailable, you may also play 2 balls until the end of the hole, by proceeding under Rule 20.1c. Note – you must then resolve the rules issue when you finish your round and before you sign and return your scorecard.

b) Match Play

Round of 16 and Quarter Finals Matches - No referees will be assigned to the Round of 16 and Quarter Final matches. Players should resolve any rules issues between them but a player may request a referee to rule on their own play or their opponents play. Please call a referee over or call the Tournament Director – Emma Whitlock 07873 849304

Sunday – Referees will be assigned to the Semi-Final and Final matches.

9. Tee Markers and Score Recording Area
Play will be from White Tee markers. The Score Recording Area is located in the bar area of the Clubhouse.
Stroke Play - a player’s score is deemed as officially returned to the Committee when the player has left their chair at the Championship Scorer’s table in the Score Recording Area. The stroke play competition is closed when the player tees off in the match play.

Match Play - the result of a match is officially announced when it has been recorded with the Tournament Director in the Score Recording Area by both players.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PUBLIC FOOTPATHS CROSS THE GOLF COURSE – PLEASE SHOW APPROPRIATE CAUTION AT ALL TIMES.
PLEASE ALSO BE AWARE OF THE PROXIMITY OF THE MAIN ROUND IF YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE YOUR GOLF BAG AT THE 18th TEE WHEN PLAYING THE 17th HOLE.

Sussex County Golf Amateur Championship 2025 - Championship Committee

Emma Whitlock – Tournament Director
Chris Spencer – Chief Referee
Steve Williamson – Chief Referee