Masters
Team Trophy

ESGA Masters Team Trophy – Competition Rules

I General

The ESGA Masters Team Trophy is an annual Tournament of the European Senior Golf Association (ESGA), open to male amateur golfers of ESGA Members.

The language in force is English

II Definitions

ESGA Committee: during tournaments the ESGA Committee shall consist of at least two members, the President and a Board Member or their designated deputies, thus representing the Board of ESGA. At least one of them must be present and the other one attainable for consulting,

Championship Committee: The Championship Committee is an honorary committee, formed by at least four members: the President of ESGA, the President of the hosting National Senior Golf Association and the President of the Club, where the Tournament is played, or their deputies. The Championship Committee watches over and shall strive for a good atmosphere during the event and ensure that the Tournament is being played in the true spirit of the game. This Committee may give advice to anyone at any time.

Tournament Committee: The Tournament Committee is formed by the organizing Association and is responsible for the organization of the Tournament. As a Committee, its responsibility is defined in Section I of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. As a Committee, its responsibility is defined in Section I of the Committee Procedures in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. The composition of the Committee is up to the organizing Association, but, being a technical Committee, shall consist of at least a Tournament Director and a suitable number of referees on the golf course. One ESGA Board member is to be designated as contact person with the Tournament Committee. When needed, external expertise, including from ESGA, may be requested, still under local responsibility and expenses.

III Entry Requirements and Fees

Article 1 - Teams

ESGA Members may enter one team of six players, with the exact individual handicap restricted to 24,0 at the time of entry.

The handicap of winners may be verified.

Article 2 - Entries

Entry forms will be sent out by the organizing Association via the website at least six months before the competition. Entries must be submitted by fax, e-mail or via the website to the organizing Association at the latest three months before the competition, while players’ names, handicaps, pairings and rankings must be announced ideally two weeks before the event and at the latest at the team registration, on the arrival day.

Article 3 - Age

Maximum 3 players can be in the category 70-74 years of age. The rest must be at least 75 years of age. The age can be reached at any time during the year. All players must conform in all respects to the Rules of Amateur Status.

Article 4 - Handicap

Not later than 8 hours before the Captains’ meeting on the practice day, the Captain of each team shall submit the up to date WHS exact handicaps of the players.

Article 5 - Fees

The entry fees shall be determined by the Member Association organizing the Tournament, in accordance with the ESGA Board, with one practice day to be granted before the Competition.

IV Format of Competitions

Article 6 - Format

The competition shall be played over 54 holes Stableford on three consecutive days, 18 holes per day. There are awarded a gross competition and a net competition with handicap allowance. Each team will designate pairs, that will stay the same for the first two days. The format will be: 1st and 2nd day Four-Ball, 3rd day single. Handicaps in the net competition will be adjusted according to WHS standards for Four-Ball, i.e: 85% of playing handicap. The Tournament Committee may, if necessary, modify the format of the competition, cancel or change the number of rounds fixed in these rules. It is recommended, in case the course is unplayable, to cancel the day and leave the rest of the scheduled programme unchanged.

The two best returned scores of the first two days and the four best returned scores of the third day will count. The team ranking will be based on the total of these scores.

Article 7 - Tie

In case of a tie after three rounds the winner shall be determined by the team total of the four bestreturned scores for the third round, then the last two days . If there is still a tie, the best disregard score of the last day will count . When a tie still exists, the winner will be determined by lot.

Article 8 - Rules

The ESGA Masters Team Trophy will be played in accordance to the R&A Rules of Golf. In addition the Local Rules with Code of Conduct (R. 1.2b) and Conditions of Play of the host Club, as prepared by the Tournament Committee, will apply

Article 9 - Advice

Caddies are permitted; according to Rule 24.4a, the Committee will adopt a Local Rule allowing the team Captain, while not playing a round, to give advice and other help as allowed in Rule 10.2b(2) to players of his team during a round.

Article 10 - Balls and Clubs

Only balls and clubs conforming to the requirements in the Equipment Rules shall be used.

Article 11 - Official Notice Board

Starting times, teams’ lists, Local Rules with Code of Conduct, Conditions of Play and changes in procedure etc. will be posted on the Official Notice Board provided in the Golf Club and on the information boards in the hotels. Captains and players should be aware of information posted there. No other information shall be considered official.

Article 12 - Starting times and Starting order

The Tournament Committee shall take all related decisions, dividing teams among early, mid and late starting times, assuring fairness in flight composition and avoiding that same teams play together on day 1 and 2. Starting from two tees is recommended if possible, to avoid early starts and late arrivals. On the final day leading teams will play together, arriving last at hole 18.

Article 13 - Captains’ Meeting

The Captains’ meeting will take place at the end of the practice day. The Tournament Director, Referees and all Team Captains should attend. Local Rules with Code of Conduct, Conditions of Play and “Prompt pace of play policy” (R. 5.6b) will be explained; questions from captains will be answered. Location of the recording area shall be indicated.

V Special Rules

Article 14 - Disqualification

Any team returning less than the scheduled scores in a round shall be excluded from the Tournament results. A player disqualified for one day will be able to play the next round, unless otherwise decided by the Tournament Committee.  

Article 15 - Failure to start  

R&A and USGA updated Rules of Golf apply.

Article 16 - Buggies

Buggies, or whatever can carry a player, are permitted on condition that they can be equally distributed among all teams. Exception to the equal distribution: if a trauma, evident or medically attested, occurred to a player during the Tournament (including the practice day) so that he cannot continue playing, the Tournament Committee may grant such a player a buggy, if available. Buggies are also not allowed for Team Captains, while not playing.

In case a player holds a valid EDGA (European Disable Golf Association) Pass, where is specifically indicated a mandatory usage of a golf buggy, the organizing Association will be required to provide it.

Article 17 - Mobile Phones

The active and passive use of mobile phones is prohibited on the course, except for the functions permitted by the Rules of Golf, in case of emergency, so recognized by the Committee, or to require a referee. In case of repeated breaches, the Tournament Committee may apply the Code of Conduct.

Article 18 - Distance measuring devices

They are permitted as specified by the Rules of Golf.

VI Trophies and Prizes (medal)

Article 19 - Team Prizes

Four prizes will be offered to each team finishing first and second in the gross and net classification, not cumulative, the first prevailing on the second. The “TROPHY ANTÓNIO C. REBELO ”, offered by the Associação Nacional De Seniores De Golfe of Portugal, will be presented to the team winning the gross classification; the  Philippe Verstraeten Trophy will be presented to the team winning the net classification. Country names and the year will be engraved onto it. In due time the Trophies will be consigned to the Association hosting the next competition. Prizes are not cumulative.

Article 20 - Individual Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the best gross and net scores of the Four-Ball; same for the Singles. The first position prevails on the second. In case of a tie, the matchingcard method of the last eighteen, the last nine, six, three and the last hole shall be adopted. If there is still a tie , the prize shall be awarded by lot. Prizes are not cumulative

VII Recommendation

As the friendly and sporting character of the Tournament is an important goal of ESGA, participants should experience the Tournament as most enjoyable, while playing, behaving in the true spirit of the game.

The final results should be ready at the Closing/Prize giving ceremony, to be presented and distributed to all team captains.

Members of the Tournament Committee, referees and captains should speak and understand the English language.

To avoid slow play:

• the course length not to exceed 5600m, based on par 72

• the length of a flat par 3 hole not to exceed 150m

• flags to be reasonably placed

• forecaddies to be provided, where necessary

Important remark.

If there is evidence that a player’s golf ability is not reflected by his handicap, even if it is the official one recorded by his Golf Federation, the ESGA Board, in order to protect the integrity of the whole competition, may at any time, even during the event, apply the WHS art. C3 and J5 reducing consequently his handicap and/or the Interpretation 1.2a/I of the Official Guide of the Rules of Golf (disqualification). The decision of the Board will be final (no appeal possible). The Member Associations should not include such players in their teams.

May 2025