SSGA is a non-profit organization providing Senior golfers of all skill levels with friendly competition at a wide variety of venues across Southwest Missouri and the Ozarks. Through our charitable mission we proudly support Junior golf.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I register to play in an SSGA event?
Register using the SSGA online Tournament Entry Form beginning the 15th of each month at 4:00 pm for tournaments scheduled the following month. You will receive an email from the Tournament Director each month with a link to the online form. It’s a good idea to place a reminder on your calendar, too. All events have a maximum number of players and entries are approved in the order they’re received.
What happens if I register to play in a tournament and didn’t make it in because the field was already full?
Each event with a surplus of entries will have a waiting list. Your place on the waiting list will be determined by the order in which your entry was received. Any openings that occur prior to the event will be offered to those on the waiting list in order. The waiting list will be available on this website.
What if I register to play an event and “something comes up” and I’m unable to play?
Contact the Tournament Director prior tonoon on Thursday the week of the event to withdraw without penalty. If you don’t notify the Tournament Director by the noon Thursday deadline you will be responsible for payment of that event’s fee. However, in the event of extenuating circumstances the fee may by waived at the discretion of the Tournament Director and/or the Treasurer.
When and how do I pay my tournament fees?
Bring your CHECK to each event. The cost of each individual tournament is published on the TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE. Please take the time to fill out your check payable to SSGA before you get to the course. If you fail to bring your check you must bring it to the next event or your entries for subsequent events may be cancelled at the discretion of the Treasurer until all past due amounts are paid.
How are Handicaps and Flights determined?
SSGA uses an online Handicap software system to record all tournament scores and maintain handicaps for its members based on SSGA events only. The system is configured to calculate handicaps using the best 5 out of the latest 8 posted scores. The Board voted for this change to more accurately reflect the current skill level of all members.
FOR NEW MEMBERS: Our handicap software system will not generate a handicap for you until you’ve played in 5 tournaments and posted those scores.Until then we can use a handicap that you have established at a country club or through a golf organization such as USGA or GHIN. If you do not have either of those you will be ineligible to win low gross/low net in the flight competitions until your SSGA handicap is established.
There are 5 flights per event, with each flight containing as equal a number of players as possible. Players are placed into flights by the Handicap Chairman based upon their current handicaps. Handicaps and flights can change frequently so be sure to check HANDICAPS on the website often.
How are the flight winners determined?
The 3 lowest GROSS scores and 3 lowest NET scores in each flight as determined by the Handicap Chairman will receive a sleeve of the coveted SSGA balls. Tournament results will be posted on this website as soon as possible after the conclusion of each event.
How are the pairings determined for each event?
The Tournament Director (TD) maintains a master “Teams” list. This list has all SSGA members segregated into groups of 4, 3, 2 and Singles. This list is sent out at the beginning of each season to notify the members to what group they are currently assigned, if any.
We ask the members to update their requests via email to the TD. Any foursome may choose to have a designated alternate to fill in if one of the members is not available for a particular event. If all members of the group are playing, then the alternate becomes a single and is assigned to another group.
It is each member’s responsibility to talk with the members of any existing group in advance to get their approval prior to sending a request to the TD to join that group.
On Thursday afternoon after the noon deadline to drop, the TD, starts with the complete group foursomes when making the pairings for an event, followed by the threesomes and then the twosomes (paired usually with another twosome). The single golfers are then added to the various groups to complete the foursomes where possible.
If for any reason a member does not want to be paired with a particular individual, please notify the Tournament Director via phone call. All such requests will be strictly confidential.
What tee boxes do we use?
At each event the President and Handicap Chairman will determine the appropriate tee for use by each Flight. The basic philosophy is “tee it forward”. If you do not want to play for the prizes then you should declare such and you may then play from any tee box you choose as long as it does not affect the pace of play. You may play from a tee box further back then your flight and still be eligible for prizes.
How does the Closest to the Pin competition work?
At all of the par 3 holes players can compete for closest to the pin. A signup sheet and collection box will be at the SSGA Starter Table. To enter this optional competition you must sign up prior to the round and make a CASH ONLY $5 donation to be eligible. 3 places and all ties are paid for each par 3 based on the distance from the pin. All players regardless of Flight will tee off from the same tee locations as determined by the Closest to the Pin Chairman. Winners will be posted on this website after each tournament.
How will I know if a tournament has been cancelled or postponed?
The Website is your best source of information. The Tournament Director will post tournament cancellations and changes on the website as soon as he knows. You should also receive an email if you have provided SSGA with your valid email address.
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the schedule and limited available makeup Mondays, we make every effort to play our tournaments even if there is a “little weather”.
What is the charitable mission of SSGA?
SSGA donates funds each year to local schools and organizations, such as the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation. These funds originate from the annual dues that are collected from all playing members; from other potential fund-raising activities such as solicitations at the annual banquet; and from a portion of each tournament fee designated for charitable purposes.
How are changes to the SSGA By-Laws made?
From time to time, circumstances dictate that SSGA change its By-Laws. As these circumstances present themselves, the SSGA Board will seriously consider the need for such change and if the Board agrees, make a change. But before the amended By-Law can be formally approved, the change must be presented to members at the Annual Banquet so the members can vote on the ratification of such By-Law changes. The By-Laws are available for your review on the SSGA website.
What is the Participation Rule?
To maintain membership all players must participate in 50% of our scheduled events each year. Assuming 16 scheduled tournaments each member must participate in 8.
If a bonus 17th event is scheduled a player may participate and count that bonus event toward his participation total.
What if I need to take a leave of absence because of extenuating circumstances?
In 2017, the Board amended the By-Laws to add a new category of membership which was designated as a Member on Leave of Absence (Section 4.7). A member who is experiencing unusual circumstances may request a one year leave of absence. He must submit a written request to the Board by December 1 explaining the reason for his request, be accepted by the Board, and pay his annual dues. The participation rule is waived for one year, he cannot play in any tournaments, but he can attend the annual banquet and participate as a voting member.
What else do I need to know about playing SSGA events?
Check the website before each tournament. You’ll be able to:
Check your updated Handicap and Flight information as well as the starting hole of your group (this info will also be available at the Starter Table)
Verify the tournament location, starting time and the cost to play (helpful to fill out your check in advance)
Any late changes or notices
Be sure that one of your playing partners in each event keeps accurate scores for everyone in your playing group. Scorecards for each group are provided and placed on the appropriate golf carts. Review the scorecard for accuracy and make certain that someone in your group records each player’s score in the binder at the Starter Table and turns the scorecard in.
Pay attention to the announcements made by the Tournament Director and the Clubhouse staff prior to the start of each event. Important information provided includes Tee boxes for each flight; cart path rules; any modifications to our normal rules of play (such as the three putt rule or playing from sand traps); and other local rules in effect.
Play Ready Golf! Please be mindful of the pace of play.
