About the Harford Hackers
About the Harford Hackers….
Club History
The club was established in [19??], by Jim Miller, manager of Forest Hill Bowling Lanes, in Forest Hill, MD. It consists of a group of like-minded golfers who wish to enjoy different golf courses in the Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware area. We play about 15 events each year, starting in late March/early April, and usually ending in October. Each event is completely optional and is in itself an individual tournament. In years past, the first event has been a Captain’s Choice/Scramble – but this has not occurred in several years. The club members are divided into “flights”, solely based upon handicap index.
Dues
$125 per member, per year (full-season). For each new full-season member brought into the club, a $25 discount will be applied to the dues of the sponsoring member. The funds from the dues is solely used to pay out each event and to pay for the website fees (which are currently about $57 annually). To allow for members joining mid-season, a pro-rated dues structure is defined at the end of the Club Rules page.
Handicaps
A handicap index (vs handicap) is the universal value, based on a player’s scoring history, used to calculate a handicap for each event. For existing members, handicap indices are maintained using software and a non-USGA formula (it is also not compatible with the new World Golf Handicap system). The handicap index in this club should not be used for official USGA competitions. For new members, it is recommended to submit at least 3 18-hole scores, which would establish a starting handicap index and would determine placement in a flight. Subsequent scores from Harford Hackers events would then be used to create a stable club handicap index. For each event, the handicap index is applied toward the course slope (of the tees played) to determine an actual handicap. Depending upon the course and tees played, a handicap index could result in a slightly different handicap for that event.
Flights
Placement in a flight is solely based upon handicap index. Therefore, players of similar abilities will be competing against each other vs. against the entire membership. Handicap indices are updated after each event. This could result in occasional movement between flights, especially if the handicap is based upon a small number of scores. As more scores are posted for each player, handicap indices become more stable but are still subject to small changes. Flight assignments and current handicaps are usually posted before each event.
Event Payouts
Within each flight, prize money is awarded for each event. The number and amount of prizes is based on the membership size, since the flight prize money comes directly out of the membership dues. For example, for 36 members, there would be 9 members in each of four flights. Per flight, the payout for one event would be $15 for first place, $10 for second place, and $5 for third place (BOTH gross and net prizes are paid for each place). This prize structure would result in $60 payout for each flight, or $240 per event, assuming that at least 6 members from each flight played in that event.
Optional Competitions
Options ($5 each per event, completely optional, 100% payout):
1. CLOSEST TO THE PIN (CTP) – For every Par 3 hole (up to 4 – some courses have more), there will be a tape measure to determine who hit the closest shot (only for those that pre-paid for this option). The winners will split the total money wagered on this option for that event. Occasionally, a course only has three Par 3 holes – in this case, Hole #18 is chosen to go to the Longest Putt made on the Green (this is worth $10). This option is open to all players for that event, including guests.
NOTE: Options 2 and 3 are only available to those players who have played at least 3 rounds with the Hackers (these options require a handicap)
2. CLEARS
Similar to The Skins Game, except Skins competition is pretty much always contained within one foursome, and may include carry over holes. With more than one foursome, the term “Clears” is used. There are no carry overs. In the Hackers, every player who wants to enter the Clears puts up $5. A player wins One Clear on a hole by beating every other player (lowest net score) that entered the Clears on that particular hole. For any hole where the lowest net score is TIED, NO Clear is won. The payout for each Clear is worth the total POT ($5 per player) divided by the number of Clears that are won over the 18 holes (adjusted to the nearest dollar, with priority on score vs. par, then difficulty of the hole). To be more clear, double eagles pay the same or better than eagles, and a double eagle on a more difficult hole (judged by the hole’s handicap) beats another double eagle on an easier hole. For the Hackers, we now use 80% handicap to determine net score per hole (hence “NET CLEARS”. (We used to have two separate clears groups, based on handicap, which used “scratch” scores within the group).
Clears Example:
10 players enter the clears – total pot is $50. Everyone’s handicap is adjusted at 80% (just for the clears).
2 players tie the first hole with a low net of 3. (no Clear)
Player “A” wins the 2nd hole with a low net of 2. (wins a Clear)
Holes 3-17 are tied between 2 or more players. (no Clears)
Player “B” wins the 18th hole with a low net of 3. (wins a Clear)
Thus, Players “A” and “B” have each won one clear and split the pot to win $25 each.
3. 2-MAN (or 2-PERSON, PARTNERS)
All entered players are placed in a random draw (using random numbers in the scoring spreadsheet). The draw will determine your partner (if the number of entered players is ODD, then the odd person out gets their $5 back). For each hole, using 100% handicap, you and your partner’s lowest net score will be determined, and one player’s score will be used as the score for that hole (best net ball). The sum of those scores for the 18 holes will be compared against all of the other 2-man teams to determine the order of lowest to highest. 18 hole score ties are broken by starting at the hardest hole and working backward. The payout scheme is dependent on the total # of teams (total pot). We may pay out 1st, 2nd, and possibly 3rd place or more depending on the # of teams entered for that event.
2-Man Example:
17 players enter the 2-Man – Total pot is 17×5 = $85. By random draw, 8 teams are chosen and one player gets their $5 back (leaving $80).
Players “A” and “B” have a best net ball score for the 18 holes of 65. On the hardest hole (#1 Handicap Hole), their best net ball score is 4.
Players “C” and “D” have a net best ball score of 67
Players “E” and “F” shoot a net best ball score of 65. On the hardest hole, their best net ball score is 3.
The other 5 teams shoot scores higher than 67.
Payout ($85):
1st Place – Players “E” and “F” $25 each
2nd Place – Players “A” and “B” $10 each
3rd Place – Players “C” and “D” $5 each
Odd Man Out (or Woman!) $5 back
HOLE-IN-ONE-CLUB
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