What if I cannot make a match?

Playing make-up matches can be a challenge.  For starters you need to get 4 people‘s schedules to align for an afternoon.  Once you fall more than two matches behind, it takes real effort to get them all caught-up.  Thus, the best option is to try to get your matched played on the scheduled date and time.

That said, there are times when a match needs to be rescheduled.  Below are the recommendations / best practices based on years of experience:

  1. On the day or two before a match, e-mail your partner and opponents to confirm time and course.
  2. If you know you are unable to make a match, let your partner know as far in advance as possible. Sometimes that can be weeks or months and other times it may be a few hours before the match.  The more you can plan ahead, the more likely you can get a substitute and play your match.
  3. If only one member of the foursome cannot make it, the match should go forward – even if it will be two vs. one. While not ideal, if every match that was missing one person was rescheduled we would never complete the season.  Every effort can be made to find a sub, but the match should go forward.  Remember, it is not all about winning and losing; it is about playing golf and enjoying the camaraderie.
  4. When two members of the foursome cannot make it:
    1. If one member from each team cannot make it, each team should try to find a sub. There have been times when a match has been played one vs. one, but I realize that may be somewhat unpalatable.  Since both teams are contributing to the short-handed match, you may need to re-schedule.
    2. If both members from one team cannot make it, the match cannot be played (one member from each team is needed for a match to commence). The match should be rescheduled.  If the team missing both members is already behind several matches, the other team can request a forfeit (although forfeit is the league’s taboo f-word).
  5. When three or more members cannot make the match – reschedule.

Each team is responsible for scheduling their own make-up matches.  It is highly recommended to get the make-up match on the calendar sooner than later.  Please refer to the Courses section of the webpage for more tips on rescheduling matches.