Competitions Format & Rules of Play

Eligibility of players

Players must have their home club in Wigtownshire.
Players can only play for their home club during a season, although they may be a full member of more than one club.
Players are responsible for their own handicaps.
Players must have submitted at least 3 competition cards within the preceding 12 months
Junior girl golfers are eligible to play in all Wigtownshire competitions

Transportation Policy

Players are open to use and ride on buggies in any and all Wigtownshire competitions

Distance Measuring Devices

The use of a measuring device is allowed in all Wigtownshire competitions provided those devices only measure distance and provide no variable information on wind speed etc.

Breach of Rules

In all Wigtownshire competitions any breach of rules (whether WLGA specific or Rules of Golf) will result in disqualification of the player or couple.

This means:

In matchplay, the couple are disqualified while the remainder of the team continues.
In strokeplay, the entire team is disqualified.

Disputes

Any complaint must be made on the day of play and resolution sought immediately
A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or at the written request of a minimum of 4 member clubs via the WLGA Secretary.

Entry Fees

Entry fees are reviewed annually at AGM. Currently

No entry fee for competitions between clubs
Single player competition – £10 which includes £1 Magic 2s
Couple competitions – £20

Cancellation of Matches

The decision to cancel a match is the responsibility of the host captain, in conjunction with green staff where the course is considered unplayable.
Where a match or competition has to be cancelled every effort should be made to notify visiting teams/players as soon as possible.
Where a match has been started cancellation due to adverse weather is the responsibility of both captains. Failing agreement, the visiting captain has the final decision.

The Competitions in Chronological Order

CUTREOCH CUP (League)
Inaugurated in 1973	Typically played on the second Monday evening of the month from the middle of May	Presented by Miss KMA Clark, a member of St Medan and named after one of her farms

Format – 4 Ball Better Ball Matchplay, team of 6

Handicap stroke allowance is taken from the lowest handicap of the 4 players in each 4-ball.
Stroke allowance is 90% of the difference.
Maximum course handicap is 30 with a limit of 1 shot per hole given.
Each player is responsible for their own handicap and strokes given/received and it is their duty to agree with their opponents the number of strokes received and at what holes.
League results must be sent to Angela Potter or the WLGA Secretary by the home Club Captain on Monday night after the match is completed – the notified results must include the winner of each match and the margin of the win e.g 3 and 2, 1 up etc.
The WLGA Chairperson presents the Cutreoch Cup to the winning captain at the Championship in August. The club winning in the previous year should ensure the cup is taken to the Championship

ANDERSON TROPHY
Inaugurated in 1962	Typically played on the 3rd Saturday in May and since 2025 played in conjunction with the Aitken Brooches	Presented by Mrs Jenny Anderson of Greenmount, Stranraer who was a Dunskey member

Format – Greensome Strokeplay Team of 6

Team to be nominated before play on day of competition
The combined handicap is as per rules of golf for Greensomes –
Maximum handicap allowance is 36.0
The winning team is decided by adding together the 3 lowest net scores from a club
In the event of a tie countback is on all 3 cards – 9 holes, 6 holes, 3 holes, 1 hole and if still a tie trophy is shared

AITKEN BROOCHES

(the brooches must not be taken home but are the responsibility of the winning Captain)

Inaugurated in 2001

Since 2025 played in conjunction with the Anderson Trophy

Brooches and trophies presented by Mr Hugh Aitken Jnr.

Format – Greensomes

Maximum handicap allowance of 36.0
Combined handicap as per rules of golf for greensomes
Prizes 1st, 2nd, 3rdand scratch
Ties will be decided on BIH 9 holes, 6 holes, 3 holes, 1 hole.
Entry Fee: £20 per pair
Both Anderson Trophy and Aitken Brooches presented on the day of the competition

MACTIER TROPHY
Inaugurated in 1956	Typically played in first week of June	Presented by Elizabeth Mactier of Carlton Farm, Glasserton, a member of St Medan “to stimulate friendly rivalry among the women golfers of Wigtownshire and to foster the spirit of the fairways”.

Format – Scratch two ball matchplay, team of 6

A club team consists of 3 couples and a maximum of 3 reserves.
All clubs (including those with a bye) should submit an envelope on the Monday evening
prior to the commencement of play confirming the names, pairings and order of play for
their team for the week – clearly showing first choice players and reserves.
When submitting team details the word RESERVE much be noted against names where
appropriate. The RESERVE must only play where the first choice player is unavailable.
Those with a bye may submit their team in a sealed envelope to the Mactier host
representative at the WLGA Anderson Trophy & Aitken Brooches competition on the
previous Saturday to avoid having to travel to the course on the Monday. Please remember
to write club name on outside of envelope.
Envelopes for those playing on Monday are opened prior to play and the envelopes for those
with byes are opened after play is completed on Monday.
On each night prior to commencement of play each team captain should nominate a couple
to go to sudden death should the match result require it.
Matches conclude when the match is won rather than continuing through all 18 holes as in
previous years.
In the event of a conceded game the game is won/lost 18 holes up/down.
In the event of a tie on games the match is decided on holes up/down. If the match remains
tied the nominated couples play one or more holes on the same night until a winner is found.
If a club is unable to field a team of at least 6 players the entire match is forfeited.
Each club receives a bye on a 3-year rota.
The WLGA Chairperson or host representative presents the trophy on the Friday night.

ROSEBOWL
Earliest known result 1985	Typically played in July	Provenance unclear

Format – 2 ball pairs strokeplay

Maximum handicap allowance is 36.0
Prizes 1st net winning the Rosebowl, 2nd, 3rd and scratch
Entry fee is £20 per couple.
Ties will be decided on BIH 9 holes, 6 holes, 3 holes, 1 hole.
Both the Rosebowl and Mactier Trophy are presented on the day of the competition.

WIGTOWNSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP

Inaugurated in 1921

Since 2025 played at the end of the season in August in conjunction with the Morrach Cup

Handicap Salver donated by J Somerville and H Nesbitt in 2004

Format –

18 hole handicap strokeplay
Championship Trophy for lowest gross score
Vouchers for winner, 2nd and 3rd gross
Silver Salver for the best net over 18 holes
Vouchers for winner of best net, 2nd and 3rd
Entry fee is £10
Late entries will be accepted up to the day before.

Handicap Index Limit – 36.0
The player’s home club for handicap must be in Wigtownshire
Entry fees remain payable if cancellation is made within 48 hours of an event (extenuating circumstances excepted)
Tee times are decided by host club to fit with other commitments on the day

Trophies will be presented at the conclusion of the competition along with the Morrach Cup and Cutreoch Cup

MORRACH CUP

Inaugurated in 1969

From 2018 played at the end of the season

Presented by Miss KMA Clark, member of St Medan and named after one of her farms

Format – strokeplay over 18 holes, team of 3

The winning team has the lowest gross score from the best 3 cards submitted by their club
If the event of a tie count back in on 9 holes, 6 holes, 3 holes, 1 hole and if still a tie the trophy is shared.
Cup is presented on the day at the conclusion of the Championship, together with Cutreoch Cup for winner of the League matches by the Chair of the WLGA.