Recently, having received allegations of incorrect scoring by two members, the Board formed a Disciplinary Investigation Committee (DIC) to investigate.
Detailed information from members and overt surveillance conducted by management provided sufficient evidence to substantiate the investigation. Based on the information gathered the two subject members were interviewed. As a result of these discussions, the two members acknowledged they had misrepresented their scores. The two members do not normally play in competitions and only did so recently to expend their Restricted playing membership points.
The two members, having very limited competition experience, were not aware their actions affected other members. They were both embarrassed and remorseful to think their actions had a detriment on other members.
Whilst it was clear the rules of golf had been broken, it was not done wilfully to cheat, but as an ignorance of the rules. However, as ignorance of the law is not a defence, this matter was treated very seriously.
The two members have agreed they will not play competition golf for a period of three months. As per the Rules of Golf, incorrectly awarded prize money will be recovered and redistributed to the worthy winners. Both members have also agreed to further controls on their booking and scoring practices, should they return to competition golf in the future.
All members are reminded that regardless of whether you are playing in a competition or socially you must abide by the rules of golf and be respectful of other members who you may be playing with or against.
The Board thanks the individual members who brought this to our attention so we could act swiftly to deal with it.
Matt Thomas Dale Davies
Vice President Captain
