When looking at the entries for the matchplay events (see this news post) , they are slightly higher than last year in most cases... but I was hoping for more. As you may remember, there are five different matchplay competitions this year (Naisten Tasoituksellinen Reikäpeli, Miesten Tasoituksellinen Reikäpeli, Nelipallo Cup, Reikäpeli Cup and Miesten Reikäpelimestaruus) and the last day for entries is 31st May (Thursday next week).
The two competitions which need the biggest boost in entries are the Nelipallo Cup and the Naisten Tasoituksellinen Reikäpeli so I will spend the rest of this week's blog trying to persuade you to enter one or both of these competitions!
The Nelipallo Cup
How does it work? You play in a team of two against another team of two. Handicap is used, each player in the match gets strokes from the lowest handicap in the match (so strokes are done on an individual basis not a team basis). Each player plays their own ball on every hole and the best score (after handicap) counts as the team's score for that hole. It is matchplay... so you win the hole if your teams best score on that hole is better than the other teams best score on that hole. The more detailed rules can be seen from here.
The great things about this format, in my opinion, are the following...
- you play with a partner, that allows for tactics (e.g. "you get the safe par so that I can go for the birdie") and also allows for taking some risks that you would not normally take... your partner can always save the day!
- handicap is used, so everyone can compete equally
- although you are playing as a team, you play your own ball all the time (not like foursomes or scramble)
... this combines to make it one of the most fun ways to play!
The competition is open to all Kytäjä members, teams can be all male, all female or mixed... and if you want to play but cannot find a partner then you can enter as a single player and a partner will be selected for you.
Naisten Tasoituksellinen Reikäpeli
This year's event will be played using full handicap difference (as recommended by the Suomen Golfliitto) which means that all players, no matter their handicap, have an equal chance of winning.
The matches are played at the convenience of the players (a suitable time should be agreed for each match by the two participants). This is a very convenient arrangement because players do not need to commit before the event to be available on a certain time or day in order to participate.
The winner will have their name engraved on the attractive crystal trophy and be crowned as the ladies matchplay champion of 2012 at the annual prizegiving.
As with all Kytäjä competitions, this event is also a good way to get to meet and get to know other members, boosting the social aspect of our golf club. Playing matchplay is great fun, even if you do not end up being the winner!
Enter today!
Come and join the fun!
Andy