RULES FOR SUSPENSION OF PLAY OR CANCELLATION
If for any reason the event is reduced to 18 holes there will be no overall winners – and the prize fund will be divided equally based on completed first round scores.
6E
Suspensions and Resumptions
(1)
Immediate and Normal Suspensions of Play
There are two types of suspensions of play that a Committee can order, each with different requirements for when players must stop play (see Rule 5.7b).
• Immediate suspension (such as when there is imminent danger). If the Committee declares an immediate suspension of play, all players must stop play at once and must not make another stroke until the Committee resumes play.
• Normal suspension (such as for darkness or unplayable course). If the Committee suspends play for normal reasons, what happens next depends on whether a group is between two holes or playing a hole.
The Committee will use a way of signalling an immediate suspension that is different than that used for a normal suspension. The signals to be used will be communicated via Klaxon and Marshalls/Officials.
When play is suspended, the Committee will need to evaluate if the players should be left in position on the course or brought in to the clubhouse.
Whether a suspension is immediate or normal, the Committee should resume play when it is possible to do so. Players will resume play from where they stopped (see Rule 5.7c).
(2)
Deciding When to Suspend and Resume Play
A Committee will take the following guidelines into consideration:
Lightning
The Committee should use whatever means it has available to determine if there is a danger from lightning and take what actions it believes are appropriate. Players may also stop play on their own when they believe there is a danger from lightning (see
Rule 5.7a).
When the Committee concludes there is no further danger from lightning and orders play to be resumed, players must resume play. See Interpretation 5.7c/1 for what to do if a player refuses to start because he or she feels there is still a danger from lightning.
Visibility
It is recommended that, if landing areas are no longer visible to players (for example, due to fog or darkness), play should be suspended.
Similarly, if players are unable to read the line of play on a putting green due to a lack of visibility, play should be suspended.
Water
If all the area around a hole is covered in temporary water and it cannot be removed, in stroke play the course should be considered unplayable and the Committee should suspend play under
Rule 5.7.
In match play, if the water cannot be removed, the Committee may suspend play or relocate the hole.
Wind
Several balls being moved by the wind may be a reason to suspend play, but only one or two balls moving due to the wind on one green would not usually merit the Committee suspending play. On the putting green there are Rules in place to help players avoid getting penalties or for being advantaged if the ball is blown closer to the hole or disadvantaged if the ball is blown farther from the hole (see
Rules 9.3 and
13.1).
The Committee should consider suspending play due to wind only if there are several instances of balls moving and players are having problems with replacing the ball on the spot from which it was blown, or at least reasonably close to that spot if the ball will not remain at rest on the original spot.
(3)
Resumption of Play
When play is to be resumed following a suspension, players will resume play from where they stopped (see Rule 5.7d).
The Committee should be prepared to consider the following:
• If players were evacuated from the course, whether players should be given time to warm up before resuming play.
• If the practice areas were closed during the suspension, when they should be reopened to give players enough time to get ready to play.
(4)
Whether to Cancel Round
Stroke Play
In stroke play there is no set guidance for when a Committee should cancel a round. The proper action depends on the circumstances in each case and is left to the judgment of the Committee.
A round should be cancelled only in a case where it would be very unfair not to cancel it. For example, a small number of players begin a round under extremely bad weather conditions, conditions subsequently worsen and further play that day is impossible, but when play will resume the next day the weather is ideal.
When a round is cancelled, all scores and penalties during that round are cancelled. That would normally include any disqualification penalty, but, if a player is disqualified for a serious misconduct (see Rule 1.2) or for a breach of the Code of Conduct, that disqualification should not be cancelled.
(5)
Player Refuses to Start or Picks Up Due to Weather Conditions
If, because of bad weather, a player refuses to start at the time arranged by the Committee or picks up during the round and the Committee later cancels that round, the player gets no penalty as all penalties in a cancelled round are cancelled.
(6)
Removal of Temporary Water or Loose Impediments from Putting Green
If temporary water, sand, leaves or other loose impediments accumulate on a putting green during a round, the Committee may do what is necessary to remove the condition, for example by using a squeegee, or by brushing or blowing the putting green. It is not necessary for the Committee to suspend play to take these actions.
In such cases, the Committee may, when necessary, get the help of players to remove the loose impediments or sand. However, a player is in breach of Rule 8.1 if he or she removes temporary water on the line of play without the Committee's permission.
A Committee may adopt a policy that clarifies what actions are considered appropriate for a Committee member, someone designated by the Committee (for example, a member of the maintenance staff), or players, to remove temporary water on the putting green.
See Model Local Rule J-2: Model Local Rule for Allowing Temporary Water on Putting Green to be Removed by a Squeegee.
(7)
Match Begun in Ignorance Course Closed
If players begin a match when the course is closed and the Committee then learns of their action, the match should be replayed in its entirety as play on the closed course is considered null and void.
