Officers, SafeGolf, Competitions, and More.

Welcome to Ventnor Golf Club, where golfing dreams come true. Our club is home to a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to the sport and the community it fosters. Let us introduce you to the esteemed officers who lead our club with unwavering commitment and expertise.

Ventnor Golf Club Officers

• Directors ~ Sid Lines, Lee Dawson
• Club Captain ~ Lee Simpkins
• Vice Captain ~ Billy Creighton
• Seniors’ Captain ~ Bob Ventress
• Membership Secretary ~ Michael Janvrin
• Match & Handicap Secretary ~ David Griffiths
• Course Manager ~ Peter Norcutt

Safety is our top priority, and we are proud to be a part of the SafeGolf initiative. We strive to create a secure and inclusive environment for all golfers, ensuring everyone can enjoy the game they love without worries.

England Golf Statement

We want everyone to have a safe, fun experience in golf. That’s why we’ve launched the SafeGolf accreditation for affiliated clubs and facilities.

The SafeGolf accreditation process is designed to enable clubs, through easily accessible documents and templates, to ensure they are delivering a safe environment for the sport to be played in.

Ventnor Golf Club has been awarded the SafeGolf Standard. The necessary work was undertaken by the Club’s Welfare Officer, Richard Peace.  Contact details for Richard together with information on the SafeGolf Standards are on the attached pages.

Richard Peace – Club Welfare Officer

Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Safeguarding Adults Policy

Dear Secretary/Manager,

Congratulations, we are delighted to inform you that Ventnor Golf Club has been awarded the SafeGolf standard.

England Golf would like to thank your club for working through the SafeGolf process which demonstrates your commitment to the standards set by the SafeGolf partnership in safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, as well as adults at risk in the sport of golf.

Please note a certificate is attached for you to display to promote your award to current members and future visitors.

The SafeGolf standard is assessed annually by your Club Support Officer. You will be notified leading up to your renewal date via email and your Club Support Officer will be in contact to support you to action this.  During the year, your club should look to continually update records within the SafeGolf standard so that relevant training does not expire and all information remains accurate.  Please note your club’s SafeGolf standard may be withdrawn at any time if we are made aware of any changes that are not consistent with the standards of SafeGolf.

Finally, as part of joining the SafeGolf family of clubs and facilities across England who share in the commitment to safeguarding children and adults at risk, we have included a SafeGolf Marketing Pack. This will include a press release template to support the promotion of your achievement plus the SafeGolf logo for use on your website.

Once again congratulations on achieving the SafeGolf standard and please do not hesitate to contact your Club Support Officer or the Participation & Club Support Team should you have any queries.

Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Tomlinson

Chief Executive, England Golf

Competitions

Competitions are the heart and soul of Ventnor Golf Club. We offer a range of exciting events that cater to golfers of all skill levels.
Curious about the results? Look no further than our Masterscoreboard, where you can view the outcomes of our thrilling competitions. Stay up to date with the latest scores and see how your fellow golfers are faring on the course.
To view the past month’s results and to check the start times available for forthcoming competitions, click Masterscoreboard software. The club uses this software for recording our competition scores. Masterscoreboard software has introduced a password facility, which enables members to access handicap records and histories; you can also print out your own handicap certificates online.
To do this, you must access the Masterscoreboard website and enter the password “water10.” You will then be asked to choose your own unique password. The system will only allow registered members to enter their passwords.

Course Record—The Club’s amateur course record is held by Pat Smith, who, on 13th July, 2003, playing off a handicap of 6, completed a record-breaking round with a Gross score of just 66.

Competition Rules

Competition Rules

1.0 Eligibility – Competitions are open to members with a current published handicap. Some competitions will have additional qualifying requirements, and these will be clearly indicated on the notice board.

2.0 Whenever possible please book a tee time for a competition, either on the Clubroom computer or Online. However, if you turn up to play in a competition without having booked a tee time, please give priority to those members who have booked a tee time.

3.0 Entry Fees – Entry Fees for competitions will automatically be deducted from the Member’s Club Account.

4.0 Start Times – The Match & Handicap committee has decided to adopt rule 6.3 regarding starting times. Players must tee off at the stipulated times. To facilitate this, players are advised to arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to their tee off time. Players who tee off within five minutes after their allotted time will incur a penalty of two strokes, at the first hole (stroke play) or loss of the first hole (match play). Players who are more than five minutes late on the tee will be automatically disqualified from the competition.

5.0 General & Local Rules – General & Local rules apply to all competitions. It is the responsibility of every player to obtain and understand the rules. A copy of the Rules of Golf is available in the Clubhouse. Local rules are published on the score card and additional local rules may be published on the Notice Board. Player should check the Notice Board periodically for changes to the local rules. If in doubt or if a ruling is needed, contact the Match & Handicap Secretary.

6.0 Obtaining a Handicap – If you do not have a current handicap index, you may obtain one by submitting three counting score cards. Each round must be completed with a club member who holds an official handicap. Once you have submitted the three score cards, the Match & Handicap Secretary will register you with England Golf who, in turn, will issue you with a registration number and a Handicap Index, enabling you to play in competitions. Juniors have a separate system for calculating handicaps but should also submit three cards. If you find it difficult to find players to mark your card, you should contact the Match and Handicap Secretary and they will arrange for someone to play with you.

7.0 Handicaps – It is a player’s responsibility to check the handicap list or England Golf App before each competition to ensure that they apply the correct handicap. If player uses a higher handicap than they are entitled to, they will be disqualified. Using a lower handicap will not cause disqualification but will result in the player getting less strokes than they are entitled to receive.

8.0 World Handicap System – The results from each day’s competition are uploaded to England Golf. The system then issues a revised handicap index for the next day’s play. Players may find that there is no change to the index from day to day. The index is derived from calculating the best eight scores from the last twenty competitions.

9.0 Score Cards – It is a player’s responsibility to ensure that their cards are checked for correctness and signed before leaving the course. All cards are to be handed in, including Nil Return Cards. Cards not signed or filled in incorrectly will lead to disqualification. Any alterations must be initialled by the marker. The following information must be entered on a card, or it will be disqualified.
Competition Name and Date
Players Name(s)
Handicap(s)
Gross score for each hole
Players and markers signatures

10.0 Slow Play – Beware of slow play, keep up with the group in front, keep ahead of the group behind and wave players through rather than delaying the game. Consistent slow play will result in players being banned from the next competition. If you hit a ball, which may be lost (i.e., in the rough or out of bounds) you must play a provisional ball. If the 1st ball is not found within 3 minutes, then it must be declared lost, and the provisional ball played (stroke and distance apply). Note that if the first ball is found, and is not out of bounds, it is “in play”, and the provisional ball cannot be played under any circumstances, even if the first ball is in an unplayable lie.

11.0 Bad Weather – Unless informed by the Club that the course is closed, players must turn up for their Tee-off time. If the weather is bad, it is the player’s responsibility to check that the course is open.
If bad weather descends on the course whilst you are playing in a competition a siren will be sounded by the Captain or appointed person. On hearing the Siren, you should take the following action:
Discontinue Play Immediately (Lightening) – One prolonged note on the siren. Mark the position of your ball and take cover.
Discontinue Play – 3 consecutive notes of the siren, repeated. Finish the current hole.
Resume Play – 2 short notes of the siren, repeated.
It is the responsibility of the Club Captain (In their absence the Vice Captain or in their absence an elected member of the Management Committee or in the absence of a committee member a past Captain) to decide whether a competition should be abandoned due to bad weather. If you decide to discontinue play and walk in without the competition being officially call off, you will immediately be disqualified from that competition.

12.0 Validity of a Competition – Although not a R & A Rule, the Committee has decided that the minimum number of competitors taking part in a stroke play competition shall be four (4). Except for Peter Hurst Competitions. If less than four (4) competitors start a competition, then the competition shall be declared void and the entry fee money refunded.

13.0 Match Play Competitions – Ventnor Golf Club holds four match play competitions throughout the season:
The Town Cup – Singles Match Play (max. handicap 18)
The Par Plus – Singles Match Play (for handicap 19-28)
The George Stoten – Singles Match Play (scratch)
Ron Thompson Rose Bowl (formerly the Frank McConnell) – Chosen Pairs four ball better ball match play.
In the event of a tie after 18 holes all competitions will go to a sudden death play-off where strokes are given and received on the same basis as the first 18 holes. Dates for completion of respective rounds must be strictly adhered to.
Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Only illness will be considered as reasons for time extensions to be granted by the Match & Handicap Secretary.
The first named player or players in the draw shall offer their opponents three dates to play their match, one of which shall be on a Saturday or Sunday. However, failure of the first named competitor(s) to offer dates will not be considered a valid reason for an extension of time.
The choice of honour on the first tee shall be decided by lot.
The Finals will be played on a date to be decided by the Committee and published in the Diary. On this day the course will be closed to other play. Members are invited to follow the matches as spectators. Time extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances by the Match & Handicap Secretary.
Winners of matches will be responsible for writing their names in the next round on the draw sheet.
All disputes should be made in writing to the Match & Handicap Sub Committee whose decision will be final.

14.0 Tied and Equal Scores in Stroke Play – In the event of equal scores in stroke play competitions the winning order will be decided by a card count back (i.e. better back nine, better back 6, etc etc.)

15.0 Club Championship – The Club Championship is a stroke play medal competition of 36 holes played over two days. (18 holes each day) for both scratch and handicap competitors. Juniors are also invited to play for the title of Junior Club Champion, based on handicap play.
By entering the competition, you will be automatically entered in both scratch and handicap competitions. Players must play on both days.
In the unlikely event of a tie for first place the following procedures will be adopted:
Handicap – Tied scores in the handicap competition will be decided by a card count back.
Scratch – Tied scores in the scratch competition will result in a three-hole play-off, played on holes 1, 2 and 18. If the scores are still equal the competitors will play sudden death over the same three holes, until a winner is established.

16.0 Aggregate Competitions – Ventnor Golf Club holds four aggregate competitions throughout the year:
The Ken Tomes Summer Eclectic Trophy – this competition is a net eclectic of medal rounds played from the 1st May to 31st October each year. A net eclectic is each player’s best net score on each of the 18 holes, over the period to give a “Fantasy Round” score probably in the 55 – 65 range. No entry is necessary as all scores in competition medal rounds will automatically count, be they midweek or weekend competitions.
R.R.Sparkes Aggregate – this competition runs from 1st January – 31st December, each year. Each time you enter a board competition at the weekend you are automatically entered into the aggregate competition. The winner of each competition receives ten points down to one point in tenth place. The points are added up at the end of each year and the player with the player with the most points is awarded the winning prize. The winner of this competition is regarded as the most consistent player of the year. Please note that only competitions that everyone is entitled to enter will count. The Club Championship, Captain’s and President’s Days are excluded.
R.Hose Mid-Week Aggregate – This competition is run exactly as per the Sparkes Aggregate but is for mid-week competitions only.
Peter Hurst Trophy – This competition is played over six events (weather permitting) on various Sundays through the season when an Alliance Meeting is taking place elsewhere on the Island. Competitors are entitled to enter all six competitions with their best four scores to count. Points will be awarded for each competition (i.e. 10 points for the winner down to 1 point for tenth place). The competitor with the most points from their best four rounds will be the overall winner.

17.0 Preferred Lies – During the period 1st October to 31st March preferred lies (winter rules) will come into operation. Preferred lies enable a player to mark their ball, when it comes to rest on a fairway, clean it and replace it within six inches no nearer the hole. Throughout the rest of the year, where a ball comes to rest on a ‘Daisy Plant’ or ‘Broad Leaf Plantain Weed’, on a fairway, the ball may be lifted and placed within six inches no nearer the hole.

18.0 Equipment – In accord with IWGU competition rules, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
Ventnor Golf Club prides itself on being a small but friendly club. These rules have been produced to help the golfer maximise their enjoyment of the game and promote fairness for all.

Competition Entries – Please note that entries for weekly competitions now have to be made using the computer in the Club Room or online at the Masterscoreboard web site. There is also a Smartphone App available. The entry form software is easy to use, just follow the instructions on the screen.
The General Rules of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club shall apply. In addition, all players who enter a competition at Ventnor Golf Club agree to abide by the Local Rules.
In the Town Cup and Par Plus the higher handicapper receives the full difference between the two handicaps from the lower handicapped opponent. In the Ron Thompson Rose Bowl handicaps are taken on a three-quarter handicap basis, whereby three players take handicap strokes from the lowest handicap player in the group.
Conclusion – These rules are reviewed and revised annually by the Match & Handicap Sub Committee as found necessary.

Competition Formats

Stroke or Medal Play – This is a form of competition in which the player totals their score for each of the 18 holes, giving a gross score before the deduction of the handicap. The full handicap is then deducted to give the net score. This is usually considered the most testing from of golf.

Stableford – This is a popular form of competition. On the card the competitor records the gross score and the appropriate number of points, as follows: Two points for a hole completed with a net score of par, one point for a net score of one over par, three points for a net score of one under par, four points for a net score two under par, and so on. The player with the most points for the 18 holes wins. Winning scores usually range from 35 to 42 points. The Stableford form of competition can be played in singles, foursomes, four balls or greensomes.

Bogey Competition – This is an alternative to the Stableford and is, in effect, a Matchplay competition in which the golfer plays a hole-by-hole match against par (bogey). Unlike a true match, the whole round is completed and the player records on each hole whether, after receipt of their handicap stroke(s) for the hole, they have won, drawn or lost against the bogey. A bogey competition is scored plus (+) for a score better than net par, zero (0) for a score of net par and minus (-) for a score worse than net par. At the end of the round the player records how many up or down they are against par. For example, three up (+3) to six down (-6). This is a difficult form of competition with winning scores ranging from two up to three down.

Flag – A Flag competition is a stroke play competition in which each player adds the SSS for the course (68) to their playing handicap to calculate the number of strokes they will receive. Score card should be marked as for medal competition until the respective number of strokes has been played. It should then be recorded on the card how far the player has progressed round the course (i.e. holed out on the 17th, 50 yards from the 18th hole, etc.)

Texas Scramble (4 Ball) – Involves a 4-person team playing 4 balls, but with each shot being played from the same spot. Once all players have teed off, they then choose which one of the four balls to play next. The position of the chosen ball is marked and then played by its owner. Their partners then place their own balls within six inches of the marked position, no nearer the hole (if the marked ball is played from the rough then all balls must be dropped and played from the rough – not placed). The team then chooses the position they wish to continue from and so on until they putt out. A medal score is recorded as soon as one of the balls is holed out. Each player must provide at least three tee shots during each round. Each team will receive a tenth of their combined handicap with a maximum of six shots.
Texas Scramble (2 Ball) – Is played similar to the (4 Ball) version but with a team of two persons. Each player must provide at least six tee shots in each round. Each team receives twenty five percent of their combined handicaps.

Matchplay – This is a head-to-head match between two players or two groups of two players. if played off handicap, with two players, the lower handicap player gives the full handicap difference to the higher handicap player. With two groups of two players the lower handicap player gives three-quarters of the difference to the higher handicap players. A stroke index guide is provided on the notice board.

Fourball Better Ball – This is a form of play in which four players play together, each using a ball. It is played in partnership, matching the lower score for each partnership in a Matchplay format. In a match, the handicapping is taken on a three-quarter basis, the players taking handicap strokes from the lower handicap of the four.

Greensomes – In this competition players go out in fours, made up of two pairs. All four players drive on each hole. The players of each partnership choose the better drive of the two and finish the hole playing alternate shots. The player whose drive was not taken plays the second shot. Partners receive three-eighths of their combined handicaps. A Greensomes can be played as a Matchplay, a Medal or a Stableford Bogey.

Foursomes – In this, four golfers play together in pairs, but use one ball between a pair and take alternate shots for each hole. One player elects to drive the first hole and will then drive on every odd numbered hole, the other partner playing the even hole tee shots. This can then be played on a matchplay or stroke play format. Partners receive three-quarters of the difference in their combined handicaps.

But it’s not just about the game here. We pride ourselves on extending visitors a warm and welcoming atmosphere, prioritizing their enjoyment and satisfaction. While adhering to the importance of dress code and etiquette, we also encourage you to revel in the sheer beauty of the surroundings, allowing the stunning scenery to enhance your experience.

Join us at the oldest golf club on the Island, The Course at Ventnor Golf Club, and discover why we are renowned for our exceptional hospitality and the sheer splendour of our course.

We’re more than just golf – a friendly members club perched on Ventnor Downs, offering a stunning golf course that will take your breath away.