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MDSL – Welcome to the 2021 Season
We wish to welcome all existing and new Clubs to the 2021 Season of MDSL and hope that you have kept well during the difficult recent pandemic months.
To remind, the League will comprise 20 Clubs comprising Zone South (5 Clubs), Zone Central (6 Clubs), and Zone North (9 Clubs playing 10 League matches as a temporary structure for 2021). The Play-Off Final will feature 2 Clubs each from Zones South and Central, and 3 Clubs from Zone North to reflect the increased number in the Zone.
The Roadmap out of Covid published by the Government and interpreted by the English Golf Union (presently) permits 4 ball golf including local & regional club competitions to resume from 29 March with subsequent dates set for a phased reduction of restrictions on use of club-houses, bars, catering, etc.
MDSL has had contact with both Cheshire and Lancashire Golf Unions to discuss the resumption of MDSL League & Social matches from early April 2021 in Clubs in their areas, and has received endorsement from the Unions subject to compliance with the Government and EGU Covid guidance e.g.
Maintaining safe distance on and off the course
Preparation & circulation of tee-sheets for both teams
Arrival of players only 10-15 mins before planned tee-times, and departure from the course promptly after play
Course measures to mitigate spread of Covid e.g. pins remain in hole, no rakes left in bunkers, etc
Refreshments & drinks only when permitted (and the cost of the traditional reciprocation of meal and drink hospitality by home teams to be resolved match by match).
However, the MDSL Committee is aware that some Clubs may have difficulty in playing inter-club matches in weeks soon after resumption of golf because of Board or Owner policies limiting play to members and/or restricting guests and visitors. The Committee hope that a proactive resolution between the affected Clubs can be achieved by rescheduling matches to later in the season, even if this means that only the League element of a fixture can be held. The Committee would only wish to be involved if no compromise can be found.
The introduction of the World Handicap and its impact on certain MDSL Rules has been reviewed by the Committee, and amendments to the Rules have been made.
https://www.mdslgolf.org.uk/about-mdsl/rules-of-the-mdsl
The Committee hopes that the 2021 MDSL Season can progress smoothly despite the inevitable issues that will arise as the Covid pandemic hopefully declines, and that the Season will be enjoyed by all.
Best regards
Philip Forshaw (Chairman)
on behalf of the MDSL Committee.
MDSL 2020 - UPDATE (16th June 2020)
Emailed to all Seniors Organisers and Alternates
We hope that none of your members have been affected by Covid-19 and that your Club is now 'getting going again' and permitting 4BBB matches and visitors. The initial post-lockdown scramble for tee-time bookings and full courses is hopefully abating.
Social matches can now be held under the golf Covid working parameters relevant at the match date at the home club e.g. as at 11 June, probably with arrival of pairs 15-20 mins before their tee-time and immediate departure after play, with the clubhouse closed and no refreshments or meals provided.
In our email of the 15/4 (see below) we envisaged the possibility of a resumption of matches on a Social basis. Feedback from some clubs is that many Senior members would welcome an early opportunity to play other courses with an element of competition, especially since many Seniors Opens have been cancelled.
It is well understood that some members may wish to delay playing in 4 balls or away from home, especially if they have been shielding or similar.
When arranging social matches with MDSL Clubs:
Courtesy of the course to away players is still expected
Team sizes for matches are the responsibility of the clubs involved
Clubs are responsible for agreeing equitable cost sharing arrangements where the residue of the season does not permit full reciprocal hospitality for home and away ties.
We appreciate that some clubs have already abandoned their 2020 season of matches preferring to focus on internal competitions.
Whatever your decision we hope your Members enjoy their golf and stay safe.
The Committee will review the 2020 AGM in a few weeks time.
Regards
Howard Rowley MDSL Admin (07804 044063)
on behalf of the MDSL Committee
MDSL 2020 Preparations & Coronavirus - UPDATE (15th April 2020)
Emailed to all Seniors Organisers and Alternates
The MDSL Committee regrets that the current situation prevents this year 2020 programme of League Fixtures from being completed and proposes that:
the MDSL League competition is cancelled for 2020 and no match results or tables will be recorded or published
the 2020 Play-Off Finals Day will not therefore take place
until current Government restrictions relating to team golf play are lifted, all scheduled MDSL League and associated Social matches are deemed to be cancelled
after the current restrictions are lifted and to take benefit from the residue of the 2020 season, Seniors Organisers are asked to liaise with each other to try to fulfil their Clubs then remaining MDSL “League” fixtures as Social Matches (and to view sympathetically where Clubs have to change or cancel fixtures)
subject to current restrictions being lifted, the 2020 AGM and golf will take place at Avro GC on Friday 2nd October 2020
Looking forward to 2021, and subject to confirmation by the AGM:
the current Committee is prepared to continue through 2021
the Rotation Plan for Chairman, AGM and Finals Day will be the same as this year:
North: Chairman, Central: Finals Day, South: AGM.
Reddish Vale will be given the option of hosting the 2021 Play-Off Final
If the 2020 AGM is not held at Avro, they will be given the option of hosting the 2021 AGM,
or another Zone South club will host the 2021 AGM
2021 Committee Vacancies
At the end of 2021 there will be a Vacancy on the Committee when the Admin Manager steps down. We would be grateful if all Seniors Organisers would canvas their Members for someone with Spreadsheet skills and someone to update the Website. Full training will be given.
There may also be opportunities for Members to get involved as Zone Representatives.
We hope that you and your Members are keeping safe, and that all Members and Clubs get through this unscathed. Let's hope it won't be too long before we can get out playing golf again.....there's only so much gardening and decorating that a golfer can be expected to do.
Best wishes,
Howard Rowley MDSL Admin (07804 044063)
on behalf of the MDSL Committee
MDSL 2020 Preparations & Coronavirus
To Seniors Organisers and Alternates
The MDSL Committee is very conscious of the UK Govt advice on coronavirus, and that Seniors are at most risk from the virus. The Committee is adopting a pragmatic approach to the issues faced by MDSL Clubs including uncertainties on the period and effects which will arise. In accordance with MDSL principles, the Committee does not wish to be prescriptive regarding matches between Clubs, but proposes the following Interim procedures for MDSL League Matches (‘2020 Arrangements’).
2020 Arrangements
Clubs with League matches arranged for April & May should mutually decide whether to play matches on the presently agreed date. If not, the League will initially deem the result a ‘tie’ and award the teams 4 pts each. If the Clubs subsequently agree to re-arrange and play the fixture later in the Summer, then the actual result will be used by the League.
The MDSL Committee will monitor the UK & Govt advice health situations along with the progress and views of Clubs, and will no later than mid-May advise Clubs whether there should be a return to normal arrangements, or the 2020 Arrangements should be extended for (1) a further period or (2) the whole of the season.
It will be left to the Clubs to agree whether any matches played under the 2020 Arrangements are League teams only, and whether the usual catering/ socialising arrangements are included.
The Committee recognises that there may be instances where Clubs may agree to play even though some regular team members may not be willing to play in the prevailing health situation. The Clubs may designate these matches as Social only and the League result deemed a ‘tie’ (4 pts each).
Finals Day
Some health predictions suggest that the peak of the contagion could be past by early Autumn. The Committee thus reserves the right to change the format of the Play-Off Final (if any) to take account of the actual situation in the MDSL season e.g. perhaps all Clubs nominate 1x or 2x pairs if few valid League matches have been played?
Feedback
It would seem inappropriate in the circumstances to arrange an EGM to ratify the above proposals, but the Committee welcomes comments or proactive suggestions by 20 March 2020 before the '2020 Arrangements' become operational.
Website https://www.mdslgolf.org.uk/
MDSL Committee 15 Mar 2020
Agenda-Notes for MDSL Committee Meeting 20200216.pdfAgenda/Notes for Next Committee Meeting
MDSL RULES - MAY 2019.pdfMDSL Rules
MDSLGenericCalendar.pdfMDSL Generic Calendar
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