tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617927686128810192024-03-13T09:47:06.647-07:00On Golf HandicapsAn inquiry into the statistics and bureaucracy behind the measurement of golfing performanceLaurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-91834361867684288822024-01-25T10:06:00.000-08:002024-01-25T10:06:21.777-08:00Structuring a Closest to the Pin Competition<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A recent two-day tournament awarded closest to the pin
prizes on nine holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The competitors
were allowed to use any of three tees (black, white, or green).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total and average yardage from each set
of tees is shown in Table 1.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Total and
Average Hole Yardages</b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.25pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Tee<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Total Yardage<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Average Yardage<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.25pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1,465<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">163<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.25pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">White<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1,287<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">143<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.25pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Green<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1,147<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">127<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One theory says letting players choose their tees is equitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, the good
player from the black tees should be about as accurate as a poorer player from
the green tees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s see how that
worked out in practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the theory is
correct, the percentage of closest to the pin prizes won from each set of tees
should approximate the percentage of competitors playing from those tees. Table
2 shows the actual results.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Percentage of
Competitors and Wins by Tee</b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.25pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Tees<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Percentage of Competitors<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Percentage of Prizes Won<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.25pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">34<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">22<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.25pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">White<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">55<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">67<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.25pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Green<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The results are not far from perfect equity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a black tee player beat out a white tee
player on one hole, the Percentage of Prizes Won would be black 33%, white 56%,
and green 11%, or almost a perfect match to the Percentage of Competitors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Results will vary depending on the difference in distance between
tees and the quality of players choosing each set of tees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An alternative would be to set aside holes where
only players from one set of tees can compete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This would not be recommended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hole
with a closest to the pin prize releases endorphins that brings pleasure and
excitement to a player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more holes with prizes, the greater the enjoyment
even though it may reduce the player’s chances of winning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This recommendation assumes the prizes are sufficiently low that the club champion does not let avarice overrule pride and play from the green tees.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-17482704386208171502023-04-27T14:48:00.000-07:002023-04-27T14:48:26.750-07:00How Not to Conduct a Competition -II<p>The USGA goes to great length to explain “How to Conduct a
Competition.”<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></a> Unfortunately, the USGA does not warn of
handicapping mistakes that lead to unfair competition. Many of these mistakes involve competitors
playing from different tees. What
tournament committees (TC) often neglect is that Course Handicaps from different
tees should only be applied to net tournaments involving stroke or match play. Course
Handicaps are not a cure-all that can be applied to every form of golf competition.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></a> This post
examines a tournament where the limitation of the handicap system was not
recognized and resulted in inequitable competition.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>G<b>iving Gross Prizes When Competitors Can
Choose Which Tees to Play</b> – In this tournament teams were allowed to choose
which set of tees they would play. Flights
were then constructed based on the combined Handicap Indexes of each two-man
team. Flights could have teams playing from the back
tees and the forward tees. Each flight
would have gross and net prizes. In the
gross competition, teams playing from the shorter tees would have an obvious
advantage. The TC should have recognized that this format was unfair, but it
did not. The mistake probably stemmed from the TC
tradition of always paying equal gross and net.
Unfortunately, putting “equal” in the title does not make it so.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The remedy to ensure equity is to have all
competitors <i>in a flight</i> play from the same set of tees and eliminate “equal
gross and net payoffs.<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </b></li><li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Mistaken Belief that Course Handicaps from
Different Tees Make a Scramble Competition </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Equitable –</b> The use of Course Handicaps from different
tees in a scramble competition is not equitable as can be seen by example.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Assume we have two teams made up of a 12-handicap
and a 15-handicap player.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Further
assume one team chooses to play from the longer white tees while the other team
chooses to play from the shorter forward tees.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Lastly, assume the move to the forward tees reduces the handicap of each
player by four strokes.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The USGA suggests
a team handicap should be 35% of the low player’s handicap and 15% of the high
player’s handicap. The scramble handicaps for each team are shown in the table
below:</span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="text-indent: -0.25in;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">[4]</span></span></span></a></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div align="right">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.95pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt;">Team<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 80.95pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">Low
Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 82.85pt;" valign="top" width="110">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">High
Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.0pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">18-Hole
Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.5pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">9-hole
Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.15pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 16.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.95pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt;">White Tees<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 16.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 80.95pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">.35
x 12 = 4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 16.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 82.85pt;" valign="top" width="110">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">.15
x 15 = 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 16.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.0pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 16.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.5pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.95pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt;">Forward<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 80.95pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">.35
x 8 = 3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 82.85pt;" valign="top" width="110">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">.15
x 11 = 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.0pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.5pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.5pt; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">As the example shows, using Course
Handicaps from different tees does not ensure fair competition. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">If the competition was held over 18 holes, the
white-tee team would only have a one-stroke advantage to compensate for over
600 yards in distance.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">In the 9-hole competition
both teams would have the same handicap.</span><span style="text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">In essence, teams opting for the forward tees instead of the white tees (or
opting for the white tees instead of the back tees) incurred either no
reduction or at most a one-stroke reduction in their scramble handicap for
making that choice.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">This demonstrates the uneven playing field
inherent in the tournament format. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Again,
this problem can be corrected by having all competitors in a flight play from
the same tees.</span></div></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b>Horse Race Format</b> – It is difficult to
handicap a horse race event that would level the playing field. The TC avoided the struggle of having to find equalizing
handicaps and simply had all players compete at scratch. Not surprisingly, win, place, and show went
to players from the first flight. While
the format was unfair, another problem was players were not told of the format
before being asked if they wanted to play in the horse race. To eliminate this problem, the TC should
specify how all aspects of a tournament are to be run well before the start of
competition. </li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b>Participation Determinants</b> – The
tournament was not well attended with only 70 entrants but with a capacity for
96 players. Moreover, given the total
membership, at least 300 potential players chose not to enter. There are many reasons for this. It is doubtful players recognized the
inequity of playing from different tees and decided not to play. The flight
structure was not available until the eve of the competition and therefore
could not have affected the participation level. More likely, players chose not to enter because
they believed tournaments have a history of getting handicaps wrong, player
handicaps are not adequately policed, and/or they have tired of seeing the same
players winning low gross. Another
reason could be economics. It cost a
player $175 to enter. If the player was
fortunate to win his flight and get one closest to the pin he would receive $140
in pro shop credit. So, even the winner does
not get his money back and must be satisfied with only paying $35 for
tournament food. For half the field who failed
to place, they are paying for meals with a retail value of $100 at most. It is possible many members may view tournaments
as profit centers for the pro shop and the food and beverage department and
choose not to participate. How the TC resolves
the participation problem is yet to be determined. One thing is clear, the TC should not impose
tournament formats that favor one group over another. Such mistakes as were made in this tournament
only gives players one more reason not to participate. It also indicates artificial intelligence (AI) may be less of a
worry than a lack of intelligence (LI).</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
United States golf Association, <i>How to Conduct a Competition</i>, Far Hills
NJ, 2012.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
For more examples of mistakes in competitions from different tees see “How <i>Not</i>
to Conduct a Competition,” ongolfhandicaps.com, June 14, 2014.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
For an examination of the equity of “equal net and gross” see “Is Your
Tournament Equitable,” www.ongolfhandicaps.com, October 22, 2012. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/rlqtournament.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The USGA does not specify how rounding to the nearest integer should
occur. In the tournament in question,
each player was given an integer scramble handicap and the two were added
together to get the 18-hole handicap.
The 9-hole handicap was 50% of the 18-hole handicap rounded to the
nearest integer.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
</div>
</div>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-24060096145381164342023-03-02T13:55:00.001-08:002023-03-04T06:30:37.865-08:00The PGA Tour Forgets What It's About<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0a1529; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0a1529;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">The
PGA Tour’s move to more no-cut tournaments neglects one of the most important reasons
viewers watch golf tournaments. There has to be a compelling story to draw
viewer interest. If not, you just have another LIV event with its dismal
Nielsen ratings. The recent Honda Classic is a good example. The tournament came down to a contest between
Chris Kirk and Eric Cole. Kirk is making a comeback after fighting
alcoholism. Cole, who has own health
problems, had a world golf ranking so low you wondered how he got into the
tournament—until you saw his swing. Both players accredited themselves well in an exciting playoff. They displayed class in
winning and losing and showcased what the PGA Tour should be about. To paraphrase the NFL, "On any given Sunday</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0666667px;">" anyone</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> can win and not just the top 70.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #0a1529; font-family: arial; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">Rory
McElroy, who has turned into a flack for the Commissioner’s office, has said, “You
ask Mastercard or whoever it is to pay $20 million for a golf event, they want
to see the stars on the weekend.” The counter argument is, “If you can’t be in
the top 65 and ties after Friday, are you really a star? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And do you want to see Rory with an early Sunday tee time fighting to come in 49<sup>th</sup>? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And if Rory is correct, what about the sponsors of non-designated events? They are guaranteed to have few or no "stars." Treating a tournament as a second-class citizen may have been the reason Honda dropped is sponsorship of the Honda Classic after 42 years. Will the Tour be better off if sponsors in a similar position head for the exits?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"><span style="color: #0a1529; font-family: arial; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">Then
there are some statistical problems that need to be answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, World Golf Rankings (WGR) are a
lagging indicator of performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jon
Rahm, for example, can play like a dog for a year and probably not fall out of
the top 70. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new format sounds more
like a closed union shop than a meritocracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Second, is the WGR really that accurate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are the top 70 really the top 70?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you have the top 156 playing, you will most certainly have the <b>real</b> top 70 players teeing it up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0a1529; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Aping
LIV by going to more no-cut tournaments is both hypocritical and bad for
business. The PGA Tour owes it success in part to nurturing young players to
replace aging stars. If young players see limited opportunity, they will direct
their talents elsewhere. That will not
be good for the health of the game or for the Tour. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-37088036160839003762022-12-18T16:23:00.002-08:002022-12-27T09:17:06.508-08:00Handicapping a Skins Game for Par Threes<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A group of players participate in a gross skins game and net
skins game. There is a wide range of handicaps with players receiving 0, 1, or
2 strokes on a par three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the net
skins game, nothing irritates the low handicap player as much a seeing his
natural birdie tied by a bogey made by a player receiving two-strokes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
right this injustice, the low handicapper suggests that players only receive one-half
of their handicaps strokes on par three. That is, a player receiving two-strokes
would only get one-stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player
receiving one-stroke would only get one-half a stroke. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are the implications of going to the “0ne-half
Rule”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rigorous analysis would require
scouring tons of data and using a simulation model to estimate which golfers
win and which golfers lose under the different handicap rules. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even then, the result would be imperfect since
results of skins games depend upon the mix of players<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/parthreeh.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
a hole’s difficulty, its stroke allocation, and the abilities of players (e.g.,
long hitter, short hitter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
importance of this problem does not call for that much work. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this post, a more slothful approach is taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is assumed three players play a par three
with the scoring probabilities of each player shown in Table 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 36 possible outcomes each with its
own probability of occurring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, the probability of all three players making par is (.6 x .2 x .1) .012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Scoring Probabilities</b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.25pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Gross
Score<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 1 (0 strokes)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 2 (1 Stroke)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 3 (2 Strokes)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.25pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Birdie<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.05<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.0<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.25pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Par<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.25pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Bogey<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.25pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Double Bogey<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.0<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.15<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.25pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Average Score<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3.2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3.85<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.4in;" valign="top" width="134">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4.3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each outcome, one of three players earns a skin or there
is no skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A player’s probability of
winning a skin is the sum of the probabilities of occurrence where he wins a
skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Table 2 presents these probabilities
for three handicap rules (no handicap, full handicap, one-half handicap).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Net Skin
Probabilities</b><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Handicap
Rule<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 3<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>No Skin<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">No Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.505<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.055<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.020<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.420<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Full Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.030<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.117<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.435<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.418<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">½ Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.196<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.353<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.198<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.253<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If the competition was only net skins, the ½ Handicap Rule
would appear to be best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The No Handicap
Rule gives the low handicap player a big advantage and the Full Handicap Rule
gives the high handicap player a big advantage. But the competition under
consideration has both a net skin pool and a gross skin pool. Table 3 presents
the probability of each player winning at least one skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 3<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Probability a
Player Wins At least One Skin</b><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Handicap
Rule<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Player 3<o:p></o:p></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Full Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.52<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.23<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.45<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="106">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">½ Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.60<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.39<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.21<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">These numbers do not represent the actual probabilities in a
skins competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With many more players
than the three used in the example, the actual probabilities will be much
lower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The probabilities in Table 3,
however, do indicate the relative advantage of each type of player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Full Handicap Rule appears to best in
terms of equity and simplicity of administration (1/2 strokes can be
confusing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, this analysis was done
for par three holes which the high handicapper typically finds the easiest
(i.e., scores the least over par).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, applying the Full Handicap Rule over all holes would tend to
equalize the chances of all types of players earning at least one skin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the long run, this type of skins game is an annuity for
the low handicap player and he should not begrudge the high handicap player who
chips in for a three and wins a skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/blog/parthreeh.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> www.ongolfhandicaps,
“Why You Win (or lose) in Skins,” June 25, 2012.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-54025934454181104022022-10-26T14:06:00.000-07:002022-10-26T14:06:40.648-07:00The Selling of a Country Club Part 5<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;"><b>This is the fifth is a series on the Selling of a Country Club. It documents how errors by an HOA Board can diminish its credibility and impose costs on its members. </b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">There is no doubt serving on an HOA Board is a difficult
job.</span><span style="color: #393939;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">Board members can become defensive
when they believe, often with good reason, they are being criticized unjustly.</span><span style="color: #393939;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">In some cases, Board members realize it is
easier to manage without transparency.</span><span style="color: #393939;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">If members do not know what to complain about, criticism will be is
diminished. An example of this is how the issue of the property
tax exemption for the Club was handled.</span><span style="color: #393939;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">As detailed below, the Board’s actions can only be explained by its
hubris.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: white; color: #393939; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Master Association Board published a sales brochure, <i>Better
Together,</i> that asserted if the HOA bought the Club, the Club would be
exempt from $241,000 in yearly property taxes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a former adjunct professor of State and
Local Government at UCLA, this struck me as too good to be true and probably
false. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To validate the tax-exempt
assumption, the President of the Master Association was asked if
the assertion of the exemption had been corroborated by the Assessor or by the
tax treatment of similarly situated HOA owned clubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an email </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">dated 4/25/2021 the President responded:</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Yes, both were done. We also
checked with the HOA owned courses that were part of DRM (Desert Resort
Management) as the management company. There were 2 DRM managed HOA’s that
owned clubs, and both are tax free…<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/ptaxfinal.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;">[1]</span></b></span></span></span></a></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The President was then asked <span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">(email dated 5/7/2021) if the
Board had any documentation from the Assessor affirming the exemption from
property tax. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> No response was received.</span> My inference was the Assessor did not give the Board any assurance about a
possible exemption.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: white; color: #393939; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, the
Riverside County Assessor (email dated 4/28/2021) was asked the following question:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">If a privately owned golf course
is bought by an HOA, does the property tax disappear or is it allocated to
homeowners?</span></i><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">The
following answer was provided by the</span><span style="color: #201f1e; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Supervising Appraiser, Total Property & Exemptions in
the Office of the County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder (email dated 5/3/2021):</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #201f1e; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In response to your
general question…, the property tax does not disappear, the property is
still taxable to the HOA.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">There was also empirical evidence the Club would
not be exempt from the property tax. The Springs Golf Club sold itself to the Springs
HOA in 2019 under terms similar to the purchase of the Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examination of the history of paid taxes
revealed the Springs HOA now pays the taxes that were previously paid by the Springs
Golf Club—i.e., the property taxes did not go to zero.</span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">When
confronted with the Springs example, the General Manager of the Master Association argued (email
dated June 10, 2022) the Springs example was not relevant and continued to
vouch for the Board’s claim that Club would become tax exempt:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">The
statements contained within the Better Together brochure are accurate, and no
one was misled.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/ptaxfinal.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;">[2]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Further the statements contained in this brochure were confirmed by two
separate legal firms, CPA firms as well as by employees of the County Assessor
and Tax Collector prior to distribution as it (sic) not the association’s
practice nor habit to distribute misleading information to the
membership. </span></i></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 27pt;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the General Manager was asked to produce any statement from the Assessor about being tax exempt,
she refused writing (email dated June 13, 2022):</span></span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit; padding: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><!--[endif]--><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;">You are welcome to “doubt” any
statements; this does not place the association in a position of having to
provide you documentation to “end the issue.”</span></i></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is doubtful any documentation exists. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">So where does the property tax stand?</span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">The Riverside County Tax Collector issued a 2021
tax bill for the Club property.</span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">The first and second installments went unpaid
and late fees of 10 percent were added.</span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">After
July 1, 2022, interest on the outstanding balance was also added.</span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">As an example, parcel 60211003 (i.e., most of
the Clubhouse property) had an initial property tax of $10,844.02.</span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">On August 31, 2022, the property tax bill had
risen to $12,328.17 and was paid by the Master Association.</span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/ptaxfinal.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;">[3</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #4b4b4b;"><u>] </u>The<span style="font-family: inherit;"> late fees and interest accounted to a
13.7 percent in the property tax bill.</span></span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: inherit;">Assuming
the total property tax bill for the Club was $245,000, the delay in
resulted in penalties of $33,655.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 106%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; padding: 0in;">The way the property tax issue was handled illustrates the
governance problems at the Club. When questions about the exemption arose,
Board members should have been more aggressive in seeking the truth. Instead,
they let the General Manager continue the charade in
an effort to bluff and bully their way through the predicament. The evidence is clear the Board erred in both
not alerting the members about the property tax and not paying the tax on
time. </span></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/ptaxfinal.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">DRM’s experience may be with
clubs that were always owned by the HOA. In that event, the value of the
common property would have been embedded in the price of housing and the HOA
would not be subject to property tax. This scenario was affirmed by the
appraiser cited in the email dated 5/3/2021.
That would not be the case at the Club, however, since the Club
was being purchased after the sales of homes.</span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/ptaxfinal.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> The
<i>Better Together</i> brochure was misleading primarily by omitting key facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missing was 1) any mention of the $300,000 the
HOA would lose with the departure of the previous owner, 2) any mention of
capital replacement costs for the golf courses, 3) the loss of cart parking at
the Cantina, and 4) the loss of golf dues from 68 Premier members. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/ptaxfinal.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The Tax Collector wrote (email dated 10/12/2022) “The Master Association paid the prior year 2021/2022 taxes on 8/31/2022.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Previously, t<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #4b4b4b; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">he Master
Association’s Treasurer was asked (email dated 9/21/2022) if the
Master Association did in fact pay the 2021 property tax bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The Treasurer</span> did not answer. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-17689665706038200432022-08-24T11:27:00.004-07:002022-08-28T15:08:28.949-07:00 Bradley S. Klein and the Fallibility of Experts<p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In April of 2020 Bradley Klein wrote an article (<i>SI, Morning Read,</i> April 29, 2020) predicting the long-term effects of the Covid outbreak on the golf industry. This post examines the accuracy of Klein's predications. It turns out that he was wrong on just about everything. At the time, I wrote that his predictions were overly pessimistic, but I would evaluate the evidence after two years to see who was right. Here is some of what he wrote so you can be the judge:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="background: white; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Based upon extensive conversations with industry professionals
during the past few weeks, I found that these long-term trends are likely to
emerge.</span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>For Golfers</b></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">
* Establishment of stringent measures for preserving social distancing,
to be communicated clearly throughout the course.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Provision of casual health-care stations, including
hand washing and hand sanitizing.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Removal of multiple touchable points on the
course, including ball washers and towels, drinking fountains, benches,
scorecards and pencils.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Wider spacing of tee times– to 10-15-minute
intervals or more – to allow for greater separation among groups.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Significant reduction in aggregation of
golfers before and after rounds, with attention paid toward less socializing in
parking lots, patios and 19th holes.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Restricted use of motorized carts, including
limitations on shared use by non-family members.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Increased tolerance of push/pull carts and
widespread adoption of lighter carry bags, all designed to encourage walking.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Gradual and limited return of caddie
programs, emphasizing forecaddies and single-bag carriers, with players
handling the clubs and caddies masked, gloved and expected to limit duties to
yardage, ball hawking and conversation from a safe distance throughout the
round.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Limited availability of on-course bathrooms,
subject to stringent measures of multiple cleanings per day.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For Private
Clubs</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Private clubs positioned to enhance their non-golf
services, including gym, health club, swimming, tennis, spa and child care,
will be able to offer the kind of comprehensive experience of safety, nesting
and family comfort that is likely to prove highly attractive in a post-pandemic
culture.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Private clubs that position themselves carefully can
provide a wide range of comprehensive services that, individually, are
struggling to survive in the marketplace. Movie and stage theaters will
continue to struggle with reopening, as will gyms, hair and nail salons, and
many restaurants. A great number of those businesses will disappear, thus
creating a market niche for carefully planned club offerings.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">* Likewise for private real estate golf communities,
residents will come to value the onsite provision of functions formerly
dispersed, from post office and shipping to medical and pharmacy, grocery
shopping, hair and nail salons, massage and personal health training.
Facilities that can provide these services will have a tremendous market
advantage in the years to come.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In anticipation of that gradual return, the industry has
aligned with an effort that entails a series of carefully specified steps
designed to provide an environment at the golf facility that is safe for
players, employees and the non-golfing public at large. Golf is uniquely
positioned to make a comeback. It’s also a great opportunity to sell the game
as fun, good for the environment and conducive to public health.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At the time, I thought Mr. Kelin was wrong about the long-term effects of Covid and wrote (5/1/2020):</span></p><blockquote style="background-color: #faf9f8;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div id="x_x_x_yiv9768248311" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Every item in your description of the future (<i>Golf positions</i>...Morning Read, April 29, 2020) implies less profitability for </span></span><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif">courses and </span><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">less enjoyment for players. Taken together, you are predicting a death spiral for the industry. But you conclude "Golf is uniquely positioned to make a comeback. It's also a great opportunity to sell the game as fun, good for the environment, and conducive to public health." If I were your </span>English<span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> teacher, I would red flag your ending as a</span></span><i style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> non-</i><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><i>sequitur</i><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and give you a courtesy C+.</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mr. Klein responded (5/1/20200: </span></p><blockquote style="background-color: #faf9f8; color: #323130; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks for writing. I appreciate the note. </span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not predicting anything other than that things will need to change for courses to thrive.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>That's long been the fault of an overcrowded market; now add to that completely altered conditions of public health. Some will lose out, but all have a </span>chance<span> to be creative in adapting. You seem to want to attribute that to sensible changes to longstanding practice. Not changing is a sure fire way to go bankrupt.</span><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good luck in managing golf as we move forward.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><span color="inherit" style="font-family: arial; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">I still disagreed and wrote (5/4/2020)</span><br /><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><blockquote style="color: #323130; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span color="inherit" style="font-family: arial; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">I see you take criticism as well as I do. In your next article, write about how you sell the game as "fun" when:</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Stringent social distancing is enforced that reminds a player his partners pose a death threat.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Flagsticks and other objects should be treated the same as toilet seats if not a third rail.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Motor cart use is restricted. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">There is limited availability of bathrooms.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a mandated reduction in aggregation of golfers before and after rounds.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My caddy is dressed like a long-term care nurse</span></span></li></ol></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">I hope your model of the future will not come to pass. Various levels of government are certainly pushing for it. The history of pandemics, however, demonstrates that in the long-run business reverts to the mean. I'll check back within couple of years (hopefully) to compare notes. </span></span></p></div></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><blockquote style="color: #323130; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: inherit; font-family: arial; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Your fan and mid-tier club member (for now),</span></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><span color="inherit" style="font-family: arial; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Mr. Klein responded (5/1/2020)</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span color="inherit" style="font-family: arial; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323130;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So what would you suggest for golf, then?</span></span></div></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323130; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323130; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Here was my </span><span>response (</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">5/4/20200)</span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">We seem to differ most on our level of optimism about the future. </span><span color="inherit" face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You argue a new business model is needed. I am not so sure. </span><span color="inherit" face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the short-</span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif">run a</span><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> club has no choice but to follow government mandates to assuage the fears of its customer base. The new motto for America is "We are all in this </span>together but<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> keep the f... away from me." In the long-run (two years away), there will be either herd </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">immunity</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> or a vaccine. Golf courses need to act prudently to see themselves through this period. </span><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It would be </span><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">presumptuous</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> of me to prescribe how this can be </span><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">accomplished.</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> I would think, </span></span>however, any<span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">survival</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> strategy would not include hiring sales staff for membership and banquets that "will be less relied upon," creating an on-site mini-</span></span>market, or<span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> adding </span></span></span><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">additional</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> staff for nail care. Those actions would not be "simplifying the employee flow chart." An </span><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">important</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> objective should be to convince the customer base to remain loyal. "Hang with us and we will get back to the golf we all love" should be the daily mantra. It goes without saying keeping the </span><span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">restrooms'</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> open should be an important part of any loyalty program.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for the interesting article. You may be right on all accounts. If in two years I find </span>myself<span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> playing </span>pickle<span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ball, it will be an admission of your </span>omniscience<span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></div></span></span></span></div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So, in the end who was right.? Here is a test. Go to any club and try to find any evidence a pandemic occurred. Maintenance practices, food service, and playing procedures are back to what they were in 2019 contrary to Mr. Klein's predictions. It does look like the pandemic increased the demand for golf resulting in higher daily fees and membership costs. But that is the one thing Mr. Klein failed to predict. </span> </p><div style="background-color: #faf9f8; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: black;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: black;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 22.5pt 0in 22.5pt 0.5in; max-width: 100%;">
</p><p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 22.5pt 0in 22.5pt 0.5in; max-width: 100%;"><br /></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-86128177719277964962022-06-25T20:47:00.001-07:002022-06-30T11:56:14.945-07:00The Life Expectancy of LIV Golf<p>Most of the discussion about LIV golf centers around the
main sponsor (the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund) and the ability and character of
those players it has recruited. Few if
any have examined the long-term viability this new organization. The life expectancy of LIV golf will depend upon
the staying power of the Saudis. That
staying power will be determined by how well LIV golf contributes to the Saudis’
objectives. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And just what are those objectives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LIV
golf may be an attempt to clean-up the image of the Saudi government
(sportswashing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving millions to
existing millionaires is hardly the altruistic gesture that will change
perceptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to that, at every stop players
will be asked about Jamal Khashoggi and other human rights abuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each LIV tournament becomes a public
relations nightmare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is a better
image the Saudis wanted, LIV golf simply cannot deliver.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another objective for the Sovereign Wealth Fund would be to
make money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will LIV yield a return on
investment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems unlikely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Major television networks will not risk their
relationship with the PGA Tour to air LIV tournaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There may be a minor network willing to carry
the tournaments, but the rights fee would not be large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sponsors will also avoid LIV like the
plague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even “My Pillow” will pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who wants to be associated with the Saudis
when even LIV’s major ambassador calls them “scary motherf…..rs.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A recent advertisement (June 24, 2022) in the <i>Wall Street
Journal</i> cited other objectives such as “to energize the game, create new
opportunities, (provide) teams to root for, and we believe golf is a force for
good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s examine this puffery:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>Energize the game</b> – Shotgun
starts and limited fields will make play faster but not necessarily energize
the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winner will no longer be guaranteed
to finish on the 18<sup>th</sup> green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
excitement of a car crash or superlative play on the 18<sup>th</sup> hole is
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fans will ultimately decide if a shotgun
start energizes the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems unlikely
they will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golf fans could perceive LIV
events as mere exhibitions and not worth the time and money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If initial LIV events are not well attended, it
could be the beginning of a death spiral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>Create new opportunities</b> – There
is an element of truth to this claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
players leave to join LIV, more players will have a chance to be in the field
at PGA Tour events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In essence, LIV is
giving its players an early retirement buyout so younger players have a chance
to succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is doubtful this is what
LIV planned. It just worked out this way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>(Provide) teams to root for</b>
- I might root for a team from my home city, but it is unlikely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will I have an allegiance to a 4-man team chosen
by Graeme McDowell even if they are wearing the same-colored shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is more doubtful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did LIV organizers learn nothing from the
failure of Team Tennis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Introducing two
simultaneous competition creates other problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suppose a player should lay-up to ensure a
team victory but needs to make a heroic shot for an individual victory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does he do? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>We believe golf is a force for
good </b>– The advertisement implies the Saudi objective is to make the world a
better place by an investment in a golf tour. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How LIV golf will contribute to the well-being
of the nations of the world is not detailed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not unreasonable to assume Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
will tire of losing money and being hammered by his critics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How soon will he pull the plug?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A life expectancy of two years sounds like a
good bet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Crown Prince will then
start looking for scapegoats who got him involved in this mess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note to Greg Norman:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you get an invitation to a Saudi embassy,
don’t go.<o:p></o:p></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-78610220925434580702022-04-11T06:45:00.000-07:002022-04-11T06:45:25.057-07:00The Selling of a Country Club Part 3<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-align: left;">Introduction</b><span style="text-align: left;"> – This post details the problems with trying to integrate the newly purchased club into the HOA budget process. The HOA sent out a budget
packet that showed the Master Association Budget, the Division Budgets, and the
Drive Budget. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It is difficult to discern
the Association’s fiscal position due mainly to poor accounting practices. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Master Association Budget</b> – The first thing to notice
is the 2022 Budget is the same as the 2021 Budget Equality between budgets was necessary to
keep the dues the same level.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More problematical is the failure to consider any impact due
to inflation. The budget for 2021 shows
the Master Association breaking even. With
rising costs in 2022 any deficit will have to be funded by a transfer from the
Operating Reserves or a reduction in one or more of the expense categories.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is possible the Master Association had a large operating
income last year that it can be used to counter any inflationary cost
increases. There is no indication that
is the case. What happened this year will
be detailed in the financial report for 2021 and is not published until 2022. That
report does not report on budget variances and does not use the exact same
expense categories as the budget. As an
example, in the year 2020 (the last year available) the expenditure on
landscaping was reported to be $719,712.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The budget for landscaping in 2020 was
$604,164.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The overrun of approximately $100,000 is
not contained in any report made available to the members. In essence, the budget is not a control
document but merely a general idea of where a member’s dues will go. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The budget package includes the Reserve Study completed for
2021.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
That study states the Master Association reserve account is expected to be only
40 percent fully funded as of December 31, 2022. The Drive Budget reserves are only 57 percent
fully funded as of that date. The Master
Association Board has made an effort to increase the reserve expense to
decrease the shortfall. What is missing
in the budget package, however, is any mention of reserves for the recently
purchased Club (Cantina, Club House, Tennis Courts, Golf Course, etc.). Even the divisional budgets (discussed below)
for the golf and racquet facilities do not have a “reserve” cost element. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Division Budgets – </b>There are two divisions—Sports and
Fitness and Golf Club. The budgets for
both are shown in Table 1.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Golf Club Budget</i> – It is strange the Golf Club is not
a cost element in the Master Association budget. Instead, it is shown as a separate entity and
not the most important asset owned by the Association. Nothing in the budget
indicates there is an approximately $8 million liability for refundable member
deposits. A prospective golf member
would not know he is accepting this liability when he joins. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The budget is also mute on estimates of the expected
membership fees and refunds to departing members in 2022. If, for example, all 68 Premier members
decide to become full members they would pay approximately $1.97 million to the
Golf Club. Will any net membership fees
be set aside for capital expenditures?
The answer does not lie in the budget packet provided by the HOA. <b style="text-align: center;"> </b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Division
Budgets ($)</b></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Description<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Combined<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Sports & Fitness<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Golf Club<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Membership
Income<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">9,858,896<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">3,611,771<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">6,247,125<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">G/L Sale of Assets<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Golf Shop Net<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">130,199<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">130,199<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Golf Services<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(244,044)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(244,004)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Golf Course
Maintenance<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(4,898,114)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(4,898,114)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Sports and
Fitness Net<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(688,833)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(688,833)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dining Room<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(154,083)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(154,083)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Kitchen<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(923,404)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(923,404)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Cantina Net<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(152,135)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(152,135)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The Turn Net<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">23,177<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">23,177<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Banquets<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">11,244<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">11,244<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Clubhouse
Operation<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(337,222)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(337,222)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">General and
Administrative<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(1,069,365)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(695,087)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(374,278)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Department
Expenses<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(8,302,541)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(2,916,344)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">(5,386,198)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.25pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Unadjusted
Net<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.45pt;" valign="top" width="126">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">1,556,355<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">695,428<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.9pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 30.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 30.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">860,927<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> A budget should be
sufficiently detailed that it can be used for planning and control. That is not the case for the Golf Club. That budget only shows the Golf Club has a
big pile of money as income and a slightly smaller pile of money for
expenses. The budget gives no indication
of what is driving income and expenses as would be expected of a
multi-million-dollar company. The five-line
budget prepared for the Golf Club would not even pass muster as a Junior Achievement
project.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A closer look at membership income figure will illustrate
the inadequacy of the budget. Membership
income is projected to be $6,247,125.
This equals the dues for 348 members, but it is not clear that is the
basis for the budget estimate. If it
is, the estimate neglects trail fees, guest fees, credit card fees, and Premier
members who will not pay full dues for the entire year.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Sports and Fitness Budget</i> – This budget suffers from
the same lack of specificity as the Golf Club budget. The food and beverage operation is projected
to lose $1.2 million. Most of this loss
is due to a budget category termed “kitchen.”
What are the components of “kitchen” that are driving the cost? The budget does not tell you. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The membership income is apparently based on 912 members
(890 HOA members plus 22 Invitational members) though even that is not
clear. Also hidden is any revenue from
the dining room. The Cantina and the Turn are given net estimates while the
dining room is not. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is also curious the Sport and Fitness divisional expense
of $2,916,344 does not reconcile with the Racquet Club expense of $3,524,400
shown in the Master Association budget. There
is a $600,000 difference. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Drive Budget</b> – This budget is arcane and has
outlasted its usefulness. This budget
was intended to allocate joint costs among the Club, the Ventanas, and the HOA
according to the 2009 Drive Agreement. With the Club gone,<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
it would be more understandable to have a unified budget that displays all
income and expenses. There no longer is
a need to separate costs such as landscaping and security into two separate
budgets. A unified budget would be more
transparent in informing members where their dues are being spent and would
also allow for year-to-year comparisons.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Table 2 demonstrates the problems with the 2022 Drive
Budget.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> It is clear something is amiss as shown by
the large differences in cost categories between the 2021 and 2022. It is possible landscape personnel were
classified as administrative in 2021. If
so, it raises the question of why any accountant would approve of such an
allocation. The two budgets indicate the
HOA has budgeted $2,657,949 for landscaping in 2022. This differs radically from the reported
expenditures for landscaping in the 2020 Financial statement ($719,712). This lack of consistency in budget
assumptions makes it impossible to determine the efficacy of expenditure
decisions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Drive Budget
Comparison ($)</b> </p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 599px;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Drive Budget<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2021<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2022<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Difference<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Operating Income<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">4,018,390.12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">4,018,390.12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">0.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Costs<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Administrative<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">970,082.51<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">52,367.45<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">-917,695.06<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Professional Services<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">271,120.12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">281,120.12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">10,000<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Utilities<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">749,060.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">749,060.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">0.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Landscaping<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">178,400.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">1,096,565.06<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">918,165.06<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Repair & Maintenance<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">116,515.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">113,140.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">-3,375.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Access Control<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">1,387,935.49<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">1,391,310.49<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">3,375.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Taxes<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">3,911.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">3,911.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">0.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Reserve Contribution<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">330,916.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">330,916.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">0.00<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.25pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Total<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.45pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>=SUM(ABOVE) <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->4,007,940.12<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;">4,018,390.12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 21.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 21.5pt 0in 0in; text-align: right;"><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>=SUM(ABOVE) <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->10,470<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the brochure promoting buying the Club (<i>Better
Together</i>), it was never mentioned the Club owner paid the HOA approximately $300,000 a year as its share of the Drive Expenses
(e.g., Security, landscaping). How was
the HOA to make up for this drop in income after the purchase? It simply charged the Golf Club that same
amount in the Drive Budget. Whether the
Golf Club actually incurred this charge cannot be determined because the Golf
Club budget does not show that level of detail.
<b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>Staff
had some problem in copying the 2021 Budget.
For example, the 2021 Budget expense for utilities is $280,000. The 2022 Budget package shows the 2021 budget
for utilities to be $290,000. This is
not a major error but does indicate a lack of care in preparing the 2022
budget. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Beck and Company, Master Association Audited Financial Statement for 2020, May
17, 2021<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The
Operating budget has a landscape expense of $425,764. The Drive Budget has a
landscape expense of $178,400. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> SCT
Reserve Consultants, Temecula CA, November 11, 2021<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The Club has 68 Premier members in 2021 as reported in the sales contract. T.D. Desert Development kept the initial
membership payment for these members leaving a liability of 468 months of
foregone dues to the new Golf Club <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
T.D. Desert Development still operates the real estate office so it should make
a reduced payment under the Drive Agreement.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><p><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/a6242620865c5f87/Documents/La%20Quinta/2022budget.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span></span></a>It
was not possible to get the 2021 total expense to match what was reported in
both the 2021 and 2022 budgets (i.e., $4,018.390.12). </p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-37007438533247386682022-04-11T06:43:00.001-07:002022-04-11T06:43:57.522-07:00The Selling of a Country Club Part 4<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This post is not directly about golf handicaps. When a homeowner's association takes over a golf course, however, the election of the Board will have a huge impact on how the golf course will be run. Below is a case example of how an election should and should not be run. Golfers should be vigilant about elections to ensure their rights are protected. It is important that election inspectors are </span>independent<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and not </span>appointed<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> by the incumbent Board as in the case cited below.</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though a secret election of HOA directors is required by
law, the election at this Club was far from secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vote tally was run by three inspectors, <b>A,
B, C</b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first<b>, A</b> would call
out the name on the outer envelope, open the inner envelope, and pass ballot on
to <b>B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B</b> would check off the name
on a master list and pass ballot onto <b>C</b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C</b>
would announce which candidates received votes and record the votes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be fair, I asked the votes to be announced
so I could keep an independent tally. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was obvious there was no secrecy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, the seller of the Club always cast two votes for the HOA's lead negotiator.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After about 20 percent of the vote was counted, <b>C</b>
realized the lack of secrecy and would no longer announce the results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were three problems with this
remedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the process still allowed
election officials to know how each member voted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is not legitimate even if the inspectors had no interest in how a member
voted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, it was still possible to
discern how a member voted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If <b>C</b>
put a mark at the top of the tally page, it would have been for the incumbent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, a vote near the bottom would be
for a write-in candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, the
secrecy of the ballot was not protected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Third, with no announcement of the vote, an independent tally was not
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire accuracy of the
voting relied on C who was putting down marks like “ IIIIIIIIIIIII” across a
page. <b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C</b> could have tilted the election one way or another. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is the way the election should have been run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The law gives the inspectors authority to
verify the member’s information and signature on the outer envelope prior to
the meeting where the ballot will be counted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At this point the first sealed envelope containing the ballot should be
separated from the signed envelope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
inspectors would then count the ballots and secrecy would be preserved. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-22470666782960364422021-08-11T10:59:00.001-07:002021-08-11T10:59:22.705-07:00The Selling of a Country Club Part 2<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>A previous post detailed how an HOA painted an optimistic
picture of the future financial position of a country club in a sales brochure
entitled <i>Better Together</i> (<i>BT</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Homeowners were asked to vote (i.e., give their proxy to the Board)
before the sales agreement was finalized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was an error in judgment made by many members because the sales
agreement and proposed changes in the CC&Rs contain provisions detrimental
to the bests interest of golf members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If these provisions had been aired and debated before the vote, would it
have affected the outcome?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The acquisition decision was framed as “good
versus evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most homeowners, this
made the choice simple. The major differences between <i>BT</i> and reality are
detailed below so their impact on the club can be measured over time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>BT</i> does not specify that the golf club
members will be responsible for the golf course even though they have no control
over its management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The golf club will be required to be
self-supporting as shown in the proposed new CC&R: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;"><i>Section 18.1 (B) The expenses
incurred by the Master Association in the operation and maintenance of the Golf
Facilities SHALL NOT be included in the Common Expenses and Regular Assessment
levied pursuant to Article 5, Section5.3 of the Declaration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All such expenses shall be paid from income
received from the operation of the Golf Facilities, including without
limitation the Golf Membership fees and dues. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
The proposed CC&Rs put the golf club in the same precarious position other clubs have faced. Morningside Country Club and Indian Ridge Country Club, both owned by the golf members, had to negotiate with their respective Homeowner’s Association (HOA) for financial support to put them on a sound financial position. At this Club, the HOA has stipulated no support is forthcoming. BT did not spell out the golf members obligation which could turn out to be onerous. <br />
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i>BT</i> presents a superficial estimate of the
financial future of the club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does
not present a separate analysis of the viability of the golf club. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, BT does not contain any audited
records of the costs and revenues or pro forma income and cash flow statements of
the golf club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many golf members believe the golf club is on
strong financial footing based on the numbers presented in <i>BT</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That analysis, however, is highly suspect as
shown in “The Sale of a Country Club Part 1,” June 7, 2021, www.ongolfhandicaps.com.
<o:p></o:p></p>
An approximate divisional accounting is provided in BT (p. 10). BT shows the golf operation is near breakeven. It is probable the golf course operates at a loss, but the Club makes a profit because of the Racquet Club Assessment ($330/month/homeowner). In a Board produced brochure, Racquet Club dues are projected at the same $330 per month or $3.52 million per year. BT estimates the operating cost of the Racquet Club is only $721,000. What will the Board do with the excess funds? It is only clear from the proposed CC&Rs that the Golf Club will not receive any funds from this account.<br />
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>BT </i>stated ”To manage the diverse
interests of the Racquet Club and the Golf Club, divisional accounting will be
used to capture the actual costs and revenues of each facility.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This statement implied golfers would pay for
golf and racquet players would pay for racquet sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This statement was either misleading or an
example of “bait and switch marketing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A homeowner cannot opt out of the Racquet Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Section 5.3 (E), expenses
incurred in the operation and maintenance, and/or improvement of the Racquet
Club and Related Facilities are a part of the Common Expenses for the Master
Association and will be billed to each Owner as part of the Regular Assessment. </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Over the past year the Developer has been
selling what are called Premier Memberships. A Premier Member pays his/her dues
for one year upfront.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To entice more
members, the Developer has increased the length of the Premier Membership by
several months. In real estate transactions it is customary to pro-rate
pre-paid revenues (e.g., rent) between buyer and seller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sales agreement, however, lets the seller
(Developer) keep all of the Premier Membership fees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This amounts to $1,214,880 in revenue (12/31/2020
to 8/17/2021) which will not be shared with the HOA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of the closing date, 68 Premier members
will not be paying golf club dues at least until 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Golf Club is obligated to provide 468
months of membership to these Premier Members while receiving no dues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the current dues level of $1,495 per month
this amounts to $700,000 in foregone revenue.</p>At the end of one year, a Premier member can convert to a full golf membership. BT indicates the conversion price would be $39,500 though this is not explicit. In practice, Premier members have been given a $10,000 discount and only pay $29,500. <br /><br />The short-term fate of the Golf Club is dependent on how many Premier members convert and at what price. A high conversion rate would be a shot in the arm to the Golf Club and provide it with needed reserves. This financial windfall is not likely to be repeated in future years since the low sales inventory in housing reduces the pool of potential golf members. BT does not mention the Premier Member program even though the decisions made by the 68 participating members are vital to the financial viability of the club. Why was such an import fact left out of BT?
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>BT</i> and an associated <i>Frequently Asked
Questions</i> imply the Board cannot impose an assessment with the homeowner’s
approval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is false. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither
homeowner nor golf membership approval would be necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Section 18.1 (B) states “nothing in this
Section shall prohibit the imposition of a Special Assessment pursuant to
Article 5, Section 5.4 of the Declaration to the extent that any such Special
Assessment is necessary to defray in whole or in part, the cost of any capital
improvement to the Golf Facilities…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Section 5.4 states that no Special Assessments shall exceed five percent
(5%) of the budgeted gross expenses of the Master Association for that fiscal
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The budget for the Master
Association is approximately $9.2 million so the Special Assessment is capped
at $460,00 per year. If the capital improvements are for the golf facilities,
the Master Association can elect to impose the Special Assessment on only those
members who hold golf memberships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Assuming there are 325 golf members, the Master Association can impose a
Special Assessment of approximately $1,400 a year without a vote.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">If golf members wanted to finance a capital
expenditure larger than the Special Assessment procedure allows, there does not
appear to be a mechanism for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Section
5.4 only specifies a vote of all members (i.e., homeowners) for major
assessments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new Article 18 is
silent on this type of assessment.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>BT argued the Developer could raise golf club
dues at will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BT did not say the HOA
will have the same ability. The Developer, however, was able to moderate
increases in golf dues by either using reserves or allocating Racquet Club dues
to golf course related expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new
golf club, however, will be formed without reserves and is barred from using
Racquet Club dues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golf Club dues will
be the cost of operations plus capital expenditures minus miscellaneous income
(e.g., membership fees, guest fees) divided by the number of members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The level of dues will be a function of the
number of members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a golf member is
replaced by a pickleball enthusiast, golf dues must increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this cycle is repeated enough times, the golf
club could enter a death spiral.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Legally
the HOA is responsible the liability of the member deposits. In actuality, it
is the golf members who are responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is not made clear in <i>BT</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Board’s operating plan assumes member initiation fees exceed
deposits refunds from 2020 to 2031.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this case, the extra revenue is allocated to the Golf Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if deposit refunds exceed new member fees?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed CC&Rs are not clear on this
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the tenor of the CC&Rs,
the HOA could lend the Golf Club account funds to cover the deficit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This loan, however, would have to paid back
at some time by the Golf Club.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>In the Sales Agreement, the HOA gives an
Honorary Corporate Membership to the Developer Group. This gift is not
mentioned in <i>BT</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Developer can name the six members, but
they can be changed with certain limitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This Honorary membership is given in perpetuity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This represents a yearly gift to the Developer
$99,240 at the present dues rate and trail fee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golf club members had no input in granting
this membership but must bear the costs it will impose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CC&Rs do not provide a mechanism for the
HOA to reimburse the Golf Club. <i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BT</i>
does not mention the honorary memberships.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The Sales Agreement acknowledges the Developer
will remove approximately 30 golf cart parking spaces that service the Racquet
Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Developer is obligated to
provide parking at an alternative location on the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sales agreement does not give the Board
any approval authority on the location and size of any new parking area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>BT</i> does not mention the inconvenience
the elimination of the present golf cart parking area will cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was this very important provision omitted
from the <i>BT</i>?<o:p></o:p></p>
<br /><br />Perhaps the biggest fault with BT is that assumes a linear world. Membership and operating costs increases at the same percentage each year. The golf industry does not behave that way. There can be large swings in the financial viability of a club. The number of clubs that have been closed attest to that. To survive rough periods a club must have substantial reserves. This Club will not have substantial reserves. It will rely on the HOA increasing Golf Club dues to meet financial contingencies. Higher dues can mean the Club is less competitive in attracting new homeowners and golf members. Time will tell if this comes to pass. <br /><br /> Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-88914155088615862132021-06-08T14:57:00.002-07:002021-10-05T11:05:01.801-07:00The Selling of a Country Club Part 1<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Preface - Developers often build golf courses to attract home buyers. Once a development is completed, the Developer is faced with choices about the golf course: 1) Maintain ownership, 2) Sell to a golf course company, 3) Sell to the golf members, and 4) Sell to the Homeowner's Association (HOA). This post, and possibly others, will detail an example of a HOA attempting to acquire a Club. The first step in the acquisition is convincing a majority of homeowner's to agree to the purchase. One strategy for achieving a majority is to oversell by presenting only a best case scenario to the homeowners. That appears to be the case examined below. The HOA is being offered the Club for $1, but it must assume a $10 million liability for returning deposits when a member leaves. The HOA distributed a brochure (</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Better Together</i><b>) to convince homeowners to vote "yes" on the club acquisition. How will everything work out? Who knows? But it will be interesting to follow. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <i>Better Together</i> brochure and “Frequently Asked
Questions for the Club Purchase” (FAQ) present the case for the HOA acquiring
the golf and racquet club from the Developer.
The two documents do not constitute a prospectus where potential
investors are informed of potential risks.
Instead, they are a sales pitch that envisions a rosy future where dues
increases are tied closely to the Consumer Price Index, no assessments without
the consent of the governed, and a constant flow of new members to liquidate
the member deposit liability. A closer
examination shows these conclusions are based on specious reasoning,
questionable assumptions, and errors of commission and omission. This post is not an argument against
acquiring the club. Its intent is to determine if the HOA has presented a realistic assessment of the costs and benefits of the acquisition. Below, statements from the two documents
(shown in italics) are examined to make that determination. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Now
that less than half the members have a Deposit, the amount refunded each year
is expected to be equal or less than the revenue collected from new NRG (Non-Refundable
Golf) members. (p .9)<o:p></o:p></span></i></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">The forecast in the ten-year projection never mentions
how many NRG members are projected to join each year. If the projected revenue from NRG members
($750,500) is divided by the initiation fee ($39,500), the consultant must
assume 19 new NRG members per year.
Later in the section on Net Capital Available, the projection is for
only 15 new members (p. 11). This indicates the brochure was not put together
with much care.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">The brochure only presents an optimistic case and does
not perform any sensitivity analysis (i.e., best and worst case). It is assumed the club will gain 209 new golf
members in the period 2021-2031. It also
assumes only 130 deposit members will exit, increasing the total membership by
79 less any NRG members who quit. The
financial viability of the club should have undergone a stress test to examine
what happens if the consultant’s projections are not met. This is important
since the “club” will be formed without reserves.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"> It is not clear
why the consultant did not prepare a ten-year cash flow analysis or ever
mention the relationship between financial viability and the number of total
members. The number of golf members in any year is <b>never </b>mentioned in
the brochure.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[endif]--><i>The
gross value (of member deposits) is $11,173,500 (as of September 30,
2020). However, a review of the member
census indicates no member will reach the 30-year term until at least 2025, and
only 10% is ever likely to reach full maturity.
Assuming 90% resign prior to the 30-year term, the deposit liability is
more likely to be $9,497,475. (p. 8)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; padding: 0in;">The <i>Better
Together</i> brochure assumes 10% will reach full 30-year maturity (i.e.,
get the full deposit refunded). It further assumes 90% will resign prior
to the 30-year term and receive 75% of their deposit. As shown in Table 1
below, this should lead to a liability of $8,659,463. The brochure states
the liability to be $9,497,475 --strangely that is exactly 85% of the gross
liability. To get the brochure's estimate, it must be assumed the 30-year
member gets 175% of his deposit returned. </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Table 1<o:p></o:p></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Assumed Liability for Member
Deposit</b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></p><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Member Type </b><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Liability Calculation </b><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Liability </b><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">30-year <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">$11,173,500 x 10% <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">$1,117,350 <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Less than 30-year <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">$11,173,500 x 90% x 75% <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">$7,542,113 <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Total <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">$8,659,463 <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> </span><span style="color: #201f1e; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; padding: 0in;">The brochure states no member
will reach the 30-year term until 2025. The table (pp. 8-9), however,
shows no member lives long enough to collect 100% of his deposit (i.e.,
everyone gets 75%) through 2031. The inconsistency between the text and the table casts doubt on the credibility of the projections.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i>For
2018-2019 period, the Club averaged $595,000 per year in NRG initiation
fees. The plan assumes $600,000/year in the
Projected 2020 and 2021 models. These
funds will be used to repay Refundable Deposits to Golf Members. (p.13)</i></span></li></ul><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The plan <b>did not</b> assume $600,000 a year in projected
NRG initiation fees for 2021. The Table
on p. 9 shows the initiation fee was estimated to be $750,500. Had the $600,000 estimate been used over the
ten-year planning period, Golf Membership Revenue (Initiation fees minus refunds)
would have produced a negative cash flow of approximately $250,000 and not the
positive cash flow predicted of $1.1 million cited on p. 9. Why was $750,500 eventually used instead
$600,000? Perhaps because the former
number works, and the latter does not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Club average of $595,000 in initiation fees comes out to
15 new members in 2018-2019 (p. 11). The
consultant projects 19 new members for each year (2012-2031) or a 27 percent
increase in the rate of new members.
There is no explanation of why this occurs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the past, an NRG member would sign up for a Premier
Membership since it was cheaper than paying the dues and trail fee he would pay
as a regular member. He would then be
allowed a discount, which lately has been $10,000, on his initiation fee. The current membership plan does not mention
the $10,000 discount. What effect will
this have on new member sales? The
brochure is silent on this question. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i>The
NRG initiation fee is low in comparison to peer communities. A 50% increase,
which seems closer to the market, would generate about $250,000 per year. (p.
7)<o:p></o:p></i></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The consultant provides no data to back-up this claim. It appears the claim is not valid. Comparable clubs in the area have NRGs ranging from $20,000 to $39,500. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A 50 percent increase in the current NRG ($39,500) would be
$19,750 and bring the total cost to $59,250.
Assume the new fee was implemented and NRGs generated $1 million ($750,00
plus the additional $250,000) a year. This
would mean there are 17 NRGs willing to pay $59,250, but 19 NRGs willing to pay
$39,500. The consultant is assuming,
based on no evidence, a 50 percent increase in price only reduces demand by 10
percent. This seems unlikely. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i>…the
Club will be absorbed into the HOA making it a non-taxable entity. This reduces expenses (property taxes) by $241,000
per year. (p. 11).<o:p></o:p></i></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #393939; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The brochure asserts the HOA can
buy the Club and therefore be exempt from $241,000 in yearly property
taxes. Typically, common property owned
by the HOA is not taxed in California because it is assumed to be embedded in
the assessments of the homes. The logical
extension of this theory would mean if the HOA acquired all real property in the County, total property tax collections would be zero. This is not reasonable. The local Assessor was asked the
following question:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;">“If a privately owned golf course is bought by an
HOA, does the property tax disappear or is it allocated to
homeowners?" </span> </span></li></ul>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;">The following answer was provided by the</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 11pt;"> Supervising Appraiser, Total Property
& Exemptions in the Office of the County Assessor-County
Clerk-Recorder in an email dated 5/3/2021:</span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">“In
response to your general question…, the property tax does not disappear, the
property is still taxable to the HOA.”</span></li></ul>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; padding: 0in;">The Board
President was asked if the consultant verified the brochure’s claim about the
property tax exemption with the Assessor or reference the treatment of other
HOA owned courses in the Valley? In an email dated 4/25/2021 the President responded:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; padding: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;">“Yes, both were done. We also checked with the
HOA owned courses that were part of DRM (Desert Resort Management) as the
management company. There were 2 DRM managed HOA’s that owned clubs and both
are tax free…” </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;">When asked if the Board had any documentation
from the Assessor affirming the exemption from property tax (email dated
5/7/2021), the Board President failed to respond. The clear inference is the Assessor did not
give the Board any assurance about a possible exemption. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;">DRM’s experience may be with clubs that were
always owned by the HOA. In that event,
the value of the common property would have been embedded in the price of
housing and the HOA would not be subject to property tax. This scenario was affirmed the appraiser in
another email dated 5/3/2021. That is
not the case at the Club. The $241,000
yearly saving is clearly in doubt and should be verified.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;">[2]</span></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #393939; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The consultant also does not
address why more clubs have not adopted HOA ownership structure if it can yield
significant savings. Either the saving
does not exist, or many higher-end golf clubs do not want to cede control to
the HOA Board. Under the acquisition
plan, the golf members may not be in control of the golf club. Dues levels, capital improvements, and the
amount of outside play, for example, will be determined by the HOA Board. Since golf members make-up a minority of Club homeowners, their control of the Board is not certain. This lack of control could explain why many
clubs are owned by the golf members and not the HOA. </span><span style="color: #393939; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #393939; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="background-color: white;">A</span></span></span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">ny
special assessment or significant borrowing would require approval of the
homeowners. (FAQ)</i></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The assertion about the requirement for voter approval is
not correct. The Board of Directors can
increase the regular assessment by twenty percent (20%) without the approval of
the homeowners (CC&Rs, Sec. 5.3B). This would be an increase in revenue of
approximately $164,00 per month.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> This could fully amortize a $9 million loan
over 5 years at 4% interest. This is
significant borrowing that would not require the approval of the homeowners. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Board of Directors can also levy a special assessment
that does not exceed an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the budgeted gross
expenses of the Master Association for that fiscal year without the approval of
the homeowners (CC&Rs, Sec. 5.4). This limits the levy to approximately $550 per
homeowner. If this does not produce
sufficient revenue the Board can simply levy a special assessment in the
following years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The brochure implies the Board will not fund capital
expenditures with the mechanisms described above. The diverse interests of
homeowners (e.g., golf, racquet sports) and the cumbersome voting process would
make it difficult to fashion a majority to pass any large assessment. Net membership deposits (NRG payments less
deposit refunds) are projected to provide only $1.2 million over the next 10
years. Therefore, any large capital
project will have to be funded from operations. As discussed next, operations may not yield
the projected net income leaving the club with few resources for capital
improvements</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="font-family: arial;">…(projections) show the HOA Club operation generating net operating income of $1,690,000…which as a non-profit entity will become Net Available Capital for Reinvestment. (p. 13)</span></i></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">The consultant presents a Business Model (p.10)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
which is based on several questionable assumptions. The baseline for projecting costs is the
average cost experienced in 2018 and 2019.
This does not seem reasonable.
For example, golf operating expenses in 2018 were 5.84 million and 6.05
million in 2019. The consultant then
uses the average expense of $5.95 million as the baseline. It is more likely that 2019 reflects the best
estimate of current costs and should be used as the starting point. Table 2 shows how this more realistic
assumption raises projected costs by $388,626 and reduces the projected 2021
operating results from $559,781 to $171,155.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Table 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Effect of
Baseline Assumption of 2021 Projected Costs</span></b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.25pt;" valign="top" width="150">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cost Category<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 4in;" valign="top" width="384">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Baseline
Assumption<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2018-2019
Average<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.5pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2019<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.25pt;" valign="top" width="150">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cost of Sales<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210">
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 35pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$761,493<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.5pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 35pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$792,433<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.25pt;" valign="top" width="150">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">Operating Expenses<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210">
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 35pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$10,548,912<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.5pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 35pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$10,906,598<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.25pt;" valign="top" width="150">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">Total<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.5pt;" valign="top" width="210">
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 35pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$11,310,405<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 130.5pt;" valign="top" width="174">
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 35pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$11,699,031<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">To estimate Net Operating Income, a line-item termed Net Developer Allocations in the amount of $162,427 is added to the Operating
Results. What is this line item, and why
should it be added to operating income?
When queried, the Board President wrote (email, dated 4/25/2021) “<span style="background: white;">This is
inter-company allocations between the Developer's various businesses. They have
allocations “in” and “out” hence the word Net.”</span> The Board needs to provide a better
explanation of why this line-item will accrue to the benefit of the HOA Club.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">The consultant adjusts the projected Net Operating Income
to estimate the amount that would be available for capital improvements. The adjustment of $639,000 for Capital
Expense in Operating Budget is questionable.
The consultant makes a judgment call on what is a capital expenditure
and what is an operating expense. The
consultant notes the Club has been spending on average $639,000 on facility
maintenance. This would argue it takes
this amount of spending to maintain the facilities and the $639,000 should not
be seen as part of a <b>discretionary </b>capital budget.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">If the $639,000
adjustment is eliminated, the property tax saving not realized, and the 2019
cost baseline used, the Net Available Capital would be reduced to $0.37 million
and not the $1.69 million projected in the brochure.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Developer sets all dues and fees for the clubs and per the agreement established
many years ago, they can increase Racquet Club fees each year up to a maximum
of 20%... (FAQ)</span></i></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[endif]--></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is correct but it is interesting to look at the history
of how such a one-sided contract came to be.
When the maximum increase was being debated, The Developer suggested 20%
since that was the same percentage the Master Association could raise the
regular assessment on homeowners. The
Board apparently did not appreciate the difference between the HOA and the Developer. If the homeowners did not like
the increase in the regular assessment, they had the power to elect a new
Board. The homeowners, however, were
made defenseless by this agreement against increases from the Developer. (Note: The Master Association also provides
services to the Developer. The maximum
percentage increase that can be charged to the Developer is tied to the Consumer Price
Index.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> This agreement is so one-sided it could be
considered unenforceable. The present
Board, however, has not objected to the Agreement, but seemingly embraced
it. As discussed below, the Agreement
has led to the financial viability of the Club and made it more attractive to
acquire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">To
manage the diverse interests of the Racquet Club and the Golf Club, divisional
accounting will be used to capture the actual costs and revenue of each
facility…Dues and assessments will be determined by division. (p. 14)</i></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">An approximate divisional accounting is provided in the
brochure (p. 10). Table 3 below shows the golf operation is near breakeven while
the racquet club generates $2.91 million per year. Without the racquet club assessment there
would not be sufficient funds to cover overhead and the loss in the food and
beverage department. This brings up the
issue that has plagued other clubs in the area. How much should non-golfing homeowners be
charged for the upkeep of the golf course?
Whether the present apportionment of costs among different groups of
homeowners is fair will be a discussion at future HOA meetings for years to
come. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Table 3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2021 Projected Contribution
to Overhead ($Millions)</b> </span></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 134.75pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Golf Club<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Racquet Club<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 134.75pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Misc. Income<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 12.5pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$1.46<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 17pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$.11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 134.75pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dues<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 12.5pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$5.66<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 17pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$3.52<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 134.75pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Operating
Expenses<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 12.5pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$(6.43)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 17pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$(.72)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 134.75pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Contribution
to Overhead<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1in;" valign="top" width="96">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 12.5pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$.69<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 17pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$2.91<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="font-family: arial;">In the next ten years the Golf Membership will bring in $1,102,688 in net cash flow for reserves… (p. 9)</span></i></li></ul><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Table 3 presents the projected cash flow from Deposits for
the next 10 years (2021-2030). The number in the table ($1,253,798) does not agree with the text number ($1,102,688). The FAQ states “we expect…in ten years the
membership agreement brings in $7.5 million while paying out $6.3
million.” The FAQ is consistent with the
yearly estimates shown in Table 4 while the brochure is not. The difference is not significant, but again
indicates a lack of attention to detail.
Even if the projection is accurate, $1.2 million after ten years will
not be sufficient to fully fund any major capital project. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Table 4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Projected Cash
Flow from Member Deposits</b> </span></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 152px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YEAR<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cash
Flow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-$51,147<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2022<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-$5,681<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$37,207<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$77,663<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2025<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$115,824<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2026<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$151,820<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2027<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$185,775<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2028<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$217,804<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2029<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$248,017<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2030<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$276,516<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Total<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; height: 14.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 66pt;" valign="bottom" width="88">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">$1,253,798<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The
HOA is in mediation with the Developer on the condition of Racquet Club amenities.
(p. 14)</i></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">Homeowners were led to believe mediation included issues
with the golf club, and the HOA was claiming the Developer would need to invest untold
millions to bring facilities up to the standards the HOA was promised. The need
for an investment of this size is not mentioned in the <i>Better Together</i>
brochure<i>. </i>The exact<i> </i>amount
the HOA is claiming is uncertain since the details of the mediation have not
been made available to homeowners.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>There
are many examples of third parties acquiring clubs in gated communities only to
push rezoning and redevelopment programs that are at odds with community
interests and property values. (p. 3)</i></span></li></ul><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Most of those examples cited (but not identified) by the consultant occurred when the surrounding residential community did not support the golf operation. There are other cases where a third party has acquired a golf course and operated it responsibly. The Developer has received a signed letter of intent from a potential acquirer in 2020 (see FAQ). The Board claims “It is only because of our contract dispute that this sale did not go forward.” Who was this third party? What is its track record with other clubs? What was it proposing for the Club?
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Did the Board seek the advice of
homeowners before sabotaging the negotiations?
Is it possible the Developer is selling because it is tired of the litigious
nature of the HOA? With the sale, the Developer will be relieved of an approximately $10 million deposit liability and
the burden of operating the club within a hostile environment created by the
HOA. The Developer may also be given eight
memberships so the Club can be enjoyed without the hassle of ownership.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p>The Club</o:p> could be better
off with HOA ownership than with a third-party.
Homeowners should have been given that choice, but they were not. Now it
is either accept the HOA’s ownership plan or face the grim future painted by
the Board’s consultant.<i> </i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>There
are still two years of increases coming from the minimum wage changes in
California. (FAQ)</i></span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is only one year left, not two, for companies with
over 25 employees. According to the
California Department of Industrial Relations, the last increase to $15/hour is
scheduled for January 1, 2022.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">In summary, the documents provided by the Board are heavily
biased toward an HOA acquisition and not an independent analysis of the choice
facing the homeowner. It would have
been more helpful to the homeowners if the Board made a realistic assessment of
potential risks. The lack of a detailed
operating plan is a major deficiency.
The <i>Better Together</i> brochure’s misleading and possibly false
statement create a potential liability for the Board if things do not go
well. Historically, bureaucracies tend to oversell. If a big program budget can be had, it will only increase its power. If things go badly, bureaucracies can argue it would be worse without its program. This may be the case here, but only time will tell.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">As for the above “All information is deemed reliable, but not
guaranteed</span><span face="System, sans-serif" style="background: white; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[endif]-->
</span><div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The HOA also has currently underfunded reserves. According to the latest reserve study by the reserve consultant.: “The current deficiency (January 1, 2021) in reserve
funding expressed on a per unit basis is $1,843.26. This is calculated by
subtracting the ending balance ($397,500) from the 100% funded figure
($2,038,001.00), then divided by the number of ownership interests (890).”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The payment 0f $241,000 in property tax by the Developer implies the Club is
assessed at around $20 million. A sale
to the HOA would prompt a reassessment.
The HOA could argue the market value is much less than $20 million. Based on the optimistic income projections in
the <i>Better Together</i> brochure, the Assessor could conclude the Club is
worth more than $20 million.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The regular assessment is $920/month x 890 Homeowners x .2 = $163,760.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Calling the table data on page 10 a “model” is hyperbole. The consultant simply assumed revenue (except
for dues) would rise by 2% and costs would rise by 4% for the years 2020 and
2021. Making that same assumption for
the next ten years would have revenues rising 22% and costs rising 48% which
would lead to a $2.26 million operating loss in 2031. The source of the data
and whether it was drawn from audited financial statements is not disclosed.</span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The Developer pays the HOA approximately $300,000 a year for shared costs. The brochure tacitly assumes this payment is
part of the operating costs of the Club. The new HOA Club could make a transfer
payment of this amount to the HOA resulting in no net loss of revenue to the
HOA. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Total dues are projected to be $9.18 million.
Racquet Club dues are $330/month x 12 months x 890 homeowners or $3.52
million. This means golf dues must be
$5.66 million. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/La%20Quinta/acquisition.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span></span></a> The number of memberships given to the Developer is a matter of rumor. If true and these
members do not pay dues, this would be a yearly gift of $143,520 to the Developer. The possibility of this gift is not disclosed
in the <i>Better Togethe</i>r brochure. </span></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-23290296728163492382021-04-14T15:42:00.001-07:002021-04-18T13:28:21.703-07:00The End of Stableford Scoring<p class="MsoNormal">The Stableford Scoring System assigns points for various
scores in relation to par. It is a
popular form of scoring throughout the world but has had limited acceptance in
the United States. Its main attraction
to golfers is that it limits the score on a hole. Once a player has had strokes equal to a net
double bogey (bogey plus any handicap strokes he has earned through poor play),
he gives himself zero points for the hole and moves on. This speeds up play and limits embarrassment. Both attributes contribute to the popularity of Stableford
Scoring. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS) in 2020,
however, Stableford scoring was not consistent with the United States Golf
Association’s Handicap System. For
example, Table 1 below shows the maximum score a player could take on a par 3
hole under Stableford and the USGA’s Equitable Stroke control. A player is often allowed more strokes, and
sometimes less, for handicap purposes under the USGA system than under
Stableford Scoring. </p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Handicap <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 202.5pt;" valign="top" width="270">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Stableford<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">USGA Equitable Stroke Control<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">No Handicap Stroke<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="132">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1 Handicap Stroke<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">No Handicap Stroke<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.75pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1 Handicap Stroke<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="132">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.75pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="132">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.75pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">25<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">NA<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 99pt;" valign="top" width="132">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.75pt;" valign="top" width="144">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />The WHS eliminated this discrepancy
by decreeing a maximum hole score for handicap purposes equal to a net double
bogey—the same maximum used in the Stableford System. By
making this change, the WHS has eliminated the need for Stableford
Scoring. A player’s adjusted score under
the WHS will be:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> 1)</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Adjusted Score = Course Par + Course Handicap –
(Stableford Points – 36)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The player’s adjusted net score will be:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> 2) Adjusted
Net Score = Adjusted Score – Course Handicap = Course Par – (Stableford Points -36)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A player’s adjusted net score will be perfectly correlated
with his Stableford Points. The order of
finish in any competition will be the same whether adjusted net score or
Stableford Points are used.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The only reason to use Stableford Scoring is tradition. This is not a strong reason in the United
States where there is no tradition of Stableford Scoring. Weighing against the use of Stableford
Scoring is the non-zero probability of errors in converting hole scores to
Stableford Points, the additional step of converting Stableford scores to
Adjusted Scores for posting, and the confusion (admittedly small) caused by
”high scores win” which is different than every other form of golf competition.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If Stableford is to be assigned to history’s trash can, what
do we name a system based on adjusted net scores? It could be named after a great player of
the past who would have won majors if only adjusted scoring had been used. That idea was rejected since players should
be remembered for their career excellence and not for one bad hole. The next possibility was to name the system
after a hallowed golf journalist who could promote the new system. A logical candidate would be George Peper, the
brilliant writer and editor of <b><i>Links Magazine. </i></b>I consider Peper to be the Hugh Hefner of golf
publishing. Peper’s magazine has featured
pictures of exotic courses you will never play and can only fantasize about. For his public service in providing hours of solitary
pleasure to golfers all over the world, the new system could be named “Peper”
scoring. That name might upset rival
golf magazines, however, whose support would also be needed to popularize the
new scoring system. In the end, inspiration for the name comes from an apocryphal story told about how Frank Sinatra saved a stranger’s life. On leaving a casino, a patron was attacked by
thugs who were beating him mercilessly.
Frank walked by and said, “That’s enough” and the man was spared. Hit two balls out-of-bounds, splash three
balls into a penalty area (<i>nee</i> water hazard) or make like a burrowing
animal in a bunker and adjusted hole scoring is saying “That’s enough.” Therefore, the proposed name for the scoring
system is the "That’s Enough Scoring System" or TESS. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Using TESS eliminates translating a hole score into
points. For example, if a player has a
“4” on a par four and does not get a handicap stroke, he must convert the “4”
into two Stableford points. Under TESS,
he simply writes down “4” as his hole score.
Under both Stableford and TESS, the player must realize his maximum
score on any hole is a net double bogey. At the completion of the round the player
using TESS sums his holes scores to find his adjusted score for posting. His net score is his adjusted score minus his
handicap. In a net tournament, a
player’s Stableford score is his net score.
He, or a computer, must find his adjusted score for posting using eq. 1 above. TESS is simpler than Stableford, but it
remains to be seen if players can be weaned from the more familiar. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-59925894176847708972021-03-08T12:04:00.002-08:002021-03-08T12:04:35.367-08:00Handicap Allowances: The Curious Case of Individual Stroke Play<p>The World Handicap System (WHS) has made
recommendations on handicap allowances for various types of tournaments (<b>Rules
of Handicapping</b>, Appendix C). The
most curious is the 95% allowance for individual stroke play. Before the WHS, all major handicapping
organizations (United State Golf Association, Golf Australia, and the Congress
of National Golf Unions) recommended stroke play tournaments be played at full
curse handicap (i.e., 100%). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why the change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were there peer reviewed studies indicating
the 95% allowance was necessary to ensure equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is doubtful the 95% allowance was based on
empirical evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More likely, the 95%
allowance simply assumed high-handicap players tend to have larger variances in
their scores than low-handicap players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore,
high-handicap players have a better chance of finishing both first (and last) in
a tournament. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the guise of
creating a level playing field and as a sop to the low-handicap lobby, the 95%
allowance was adopted.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The WHS did restrict this 95% allowance to
medium size net events of at least 30 players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For events with fewer players, competitors would receive their full handicap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not the number of players that should
be the controlling factor, however, but the distribution of handicaps among
competitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the distribution is
tight, then the 95% allowance would be hard to justify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHS probably assumed a large field
implies a wide dispersion so it decided to go with size.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the measurement of field size can be
confusing to those who do not understand the reasoning behind the 95%
allowance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A case in point is a
tournament with a field size of 50 divided into five flights. The Tournament
Committee announced the 95% allowance would be imposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Committee</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> could argue the tournament has more
than 30 players and thus the 95% allowance is justified. That would be
specious reasoning. The 95% allowance has no effect on its intended purpose of
benefitting the low-handicap player. No one in the first flight (handicaps
of 10 and under) will get a reduced handicap. Moreover, taking one-stroke
away from those in the fifth flight is of no consequence in determining the
winner in the first flight. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Implementing the 95 allowance produces other problems. A flight
could have players with 10- and 11-handicaps. Both players will play as
10-handicaps under the 95% allowance. Is this fair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Tournament Committee in this case also lets a player
choose the tees he wants to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are instances where a player could be
assigned the same handicap from two different sets of tees.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/dlewis.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> This would not be
equitable. The 95% allowance means all players with handicap of 11-30
will all receive a 1-stroke deduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This handicap range includes most of the players competing in the lower
flights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If everyone in a flight
receives the same deduction, what is the purpose?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Unless the WHS has strong evidence in support of the 95% allocation, it should have stayed with the 100% allocation that has stood the test of time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/dlewis.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table below is an example of a player
with a 12 handicap from the white tee and 10-handicap from the green/white
tees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he chooses the white tee, he
will play to an 11-habndicap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the
green/white combination tees he will play as a 10-handicap, compete on a course
that is 325 yards shorter, and be unaffected by the 95% allocation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tournament Committees should try to avoid
situations where a player can “game” the system in tee selection.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Handicap<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">White<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5870<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Green/White<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5545<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">10<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Difference<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">325<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.5pt;" valign="top" width="125">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-6418829042748535962021-02-26T08:44:00.000-08:002021-02-26T08:44:16.790-08:00World Handicap System's Stroke Allocation Method: Part II <p class="MsoNoSpacing">The World Handicap System (WHS) suggests the Stroke Index
Allocation be determined by hole difficulty (<b>Rules of Handicapping</b>,
Appendix E). The WHS defines hole
difficulty by the following equation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Hole
Difficulty = Scratch Vale + Bogey Value – 2 x Par<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As discussed in a previous post (<i>USGA Covers-Up for the
World Handicap System</i>, February 12, 2021), the WHS has never defined how
Scratch and Bogey Values are determined.
Nor has the USGA produced research indicating the accuracy of its
methods in predicting difficulty as indicated by actual scores. It has also been demonstrated that regional
golf associations have made errors in implementing the WHS method (see <i>World
Handicap System’s Stroke Allocation Method: Part 1</i>, January 25, 2021). All of this indicates the WHS method is
suspect and its validity questionable.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This post presents a preliminary analysis of the WHS method. Because of the small sample size any
conclusion cannot be definitive. There
is evidence the WHS procedure produces inaccurate and inconsistent
results. At a minimum, the WHS should
review its recommendation with an eye to eliminating Appendix E in its entirety.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A sample of 41 rounds from two courses was used to assess
the accuracy of hole difficulty estimates.
The players had course handicaps from 3 to 24. The average handicap was approximately
14. This is also approximately the
average handicap of a scratch player and a bogey player. Therefore, course difficulty determined from
the sample was the average score on a hole minus par. The rankings of the holes by using the sample
were compared with that provided by the Southern California Golf Association
(SCGA) using the WHS method. The
rankings are compared in the table below.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hole Difficulty</b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td colspan="2" style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.8pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.9pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Sample<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">SCGA<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Sample<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">SCGA<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4" style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 311.7pt;" valign="top" width="416">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Front<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">9<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">9<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">9<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">9<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Back<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.9pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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</tr>
<tr>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">12<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">16<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">10<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">12<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">10<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">16<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">16<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">16<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">12<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">12<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">10<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">10<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Most of the rankings on Course 1 are within two placements
of one another. The exceptions are holes
2 and 16. At Course 2, holes 2, 4, and
11 differ by three or more placements. The
larger differences could be explained by either sample error or problems with
the WHS method. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While the exact WHS methodology is unknown, it appears to be
largely a function of the yardage of the approach shot. For example, the USGA assumes a scratch
player drives the ball 250 yards at sea level and can hit a fairway shot 220
yards. On a 400-yard hole, the scratch player would have a 150-yard approach
shot. On a 500-yard hole, he would have
a 30-yard approach shot. The bogey
player is assumed to drive the ball 200 yards and can hit a fairway shot 170
yards. At the 400-yard hole he would
have a 30-yard approach but would lie two.
On the 500-yard hole he would have a 130-yard approach. Let’s see if
this explains any of the discrepancies in hole rankings.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Course 1, Hole 2: The Sample rated this hole as the 5<sup>th</sup>
hardest on the front nine. The SCGA
rated it as the 9<sup>th</sup> hardest.
As shown in the Appendix, the ratings by the SCGA are highly correlated
with yardage—as it should be. Hole 2 is
only 125 yards. Under the USGA’s
assumptions, this is shorter than the approach shot the bogey player will have
on any par 4 or par 5 on the front nine.
This is probably why the SGA rated it as the easiest. The Sample ranking suggests the SCGA
underestimated the obstacle value. The
tee shot on this hole is all carry over water.
The bailout area on the left of the green leaves a treacherous pitch to
a hard green sloped toward the water. The
Sample ranking seems to be the better placement. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Course 1, Hole 16: The Sample rates this hole as the 6<sup>th</sup>
most difficult on the back nine. The
SCGA rated it as the 2<sup>nd</sup> most difficult. If the bogey player his a 200-yard drive, he
would have a 152-yard approach shot (the effective distance is probably longer
since the hole plays uphill.) This is
the longest approach shot (or par 3 tee shot) he would have on the back nine
except for holes 11 and 15. This would
explain the SCGA’s high difficulty ranking.
The Sample ranks holes 18 and 17 above hole 16. Both 18 and 17 both present obstacles (e.g.,
carry over water) that bring high scores into play. Hole 16 does not have similar obstacles. This indicates the SCGA d rating does not
properly weight the obstacle value of a hole.
The Sample gives a more realistic estimate of hole difficulty.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Course 2, Hole 2: This is a par 5 hole the SCGA ranks as the 8<sup>th</sup>
most difficult on the front nine. The
hole is only 442 yards. The WHS assume
the scratch player can reach the hole in two shots. The bogey player should have a 72-yard
approach shot. It is no wonder the SCGA
rated it so easy. The Sample ranks this
hole as 5<sup>th</sup> hardest on the front nine. The green is sloped toward the water on the
right so holding the green is difficult for anything except a short iron. A deep bunker on the left precludes playing
it safe. Again, it looks like the SCGA has underestimated the obstacle value
for this hole. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Course 2, Hole 4: The Sample ranking is 3<sup>rd</sup> most
difficult. The SCGA outs it at 6<sup>th</sup>. Since Sample ranking between the 3<sup>rd</sup>
and 6<sup>th</sup> place is only 0.12 strokes, the difference in rankings could
be due to sample error.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Course 2, Hole 11: The SCGA ranks this hole as the 2<sup>nd</sup>
most difficult on the back nine, while the Sample ranking is 8<sup>th</sup>. The SCGA also ranks this hole as more
difficult than the longer hole 15. SCGA must see obstacle values that are not
experienced by the player. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The WHS rankings are also inconsistent. The most difficult hole on Course 2 is Hole
12 with a difficulty rating of 1.29.
This is a par 5 with a yardage of 518 yards. The other par 5 (Hole 17) on the back nine is
ranked the easiest (difficulty rating of 0.67) and given the stroke allocation
of 18. The only obvious difference between the two holes is Hole 12 is 25-yards
longer. Apparently, the SCGA believes
this is the toughest 25 yards in golf.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In conclusion the WHS hole ranking procedure yields
inaccurate, inconsistent, and curious stroke allocations. There is no reason for the WHS to get into
the stroke allocation business. The
mechanical tools given to the Ratings Committee are not adequate—whatever they
may be. Rating Committees do not have
knowledge of the nuances of a hole that can make it more difficult. Stroke allocations should be data driven and
made by the Handicap Committee. Given
the electronic scoring being used at many courses, rating holes by difficulty
would not be the laborious process it once was.
It is highly recommended that Appendix E of the <b>Rules of Handicapping</b>
eliminate it current formula for stroke allocations. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Appendix A</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table A-1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Par 3
Difficulty Rating</b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td colspan="3" style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 175.25pt;" valign="top" width="234">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 175.35pt;" valign="top" width="234">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Diff.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Diff<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.08<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">169<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">16<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.94<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">146<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.74<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">137<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.89<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">156<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.61<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">145<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.74<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">155<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.54<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">125<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.48<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">134<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.30<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">120<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table A-2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Par 4
Difficulty Rating</b><b> </b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td colspan="3" style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 175.25pt;" valign="top" width="234">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 175.35pt;" valign="top" width="234">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Diff.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Diff<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.59<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">394<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.33<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">361<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">9<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.52<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">355<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">9<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.30<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">358<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.48<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">395<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.23<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">350<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.28<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">363<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.18<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">349<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">16<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.22<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">352<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">11<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.18<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">349<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.07<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">352<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.10<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">364<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.88<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">312<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.03<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">342<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.60<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">295<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.67<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">324<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">10<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.38<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">280<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">5<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.20<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">276<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table A-3<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Par 5
Difficulty Rating<br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td colspan="3" style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 175.25pt;" valign="top" width="234">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 175.35pt;" valign="top" width="234">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Diff.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Diff<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Yardage<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.90<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">498<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">12<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.29<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">518<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.87<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">507<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.67<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">493<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.80<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">486<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.50<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">473<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">10<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.77<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">493<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.27<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">442<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.59<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">488<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.45pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p> </p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-29001685069660255002021-02-12T09:17:00.000-08:002021-02-12T09:17:32.465-08:00USGA Cover-Up for the World Handicap System<p class="MsoNormal">The World Handicap System defines the difficulty of as:<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/usgacoverup.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Hole
Difficulty – Scratch Value + Bogey Value – 2 x Par<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This equation implies holes are rated for the scratch player
and the bogey player. For example, a
hole could be rated 4.2 strokes for the scratch player and 5.3 strokes for the
bogey player. However, an examination of previous USGA Course Rating Manuals<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/usgacoverup.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
and a description of the USGA Course Rating Model by its creator<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/usgacoverup.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
Dean Knuth, does not reveal how holes are rated for difficulty. The USGA Course Rating Model does indicate
how “courses” are rated, but not “holes.”
The USGA’s Course Rating equation is:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Course
Rating – Effective Distance/220 + 40.9 + Scratch Obstacle Value (SOV)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Course Rating Committees does not assign a stroke value to the
obstacles on each hole. Instead, the
process goes as follows:<o:p></o:p></p>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Rating Committee
assigns a value (usually between 0 and 10) to each of the ten obstacles
for every hole.</span><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">These values are weighted in
accordance with importance (e.g., for the scratch rating use topography
.10, trees .09, etc.)<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">The sum of the weighted values and
multiplied by .11.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">The SOV is the product found in step
3 minus 4.9.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal">If this sounds more like a cookbook recipe than an
empirically based econometric model, that is because it is. But put that
aside. The USGA model will at least give
consistent, if not accurate, estimates of the SOV. That is, courses with similar obstacles will
get closely the same SOVs. The USGA
model as described above will not, however, yield a stroke obstacle value to
each hole.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So how are ratings for each hole determined? The question was put to Scott Hovde, Director
of Course Rating and Handicap Education, at the USGA. Below are excerpts from
the email exchange:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">OnGolfHandicaps: <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Appendix E of the <b>Rules of Handicapping</b> gives an
example of how playing difficulty is determined. In the example, the
scratch value of a par four hole is 4.2 as "provided by the Course
Rating procedure."...Can you direct me to a source that </span></i></span><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;">de</span></i><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0in;">tails how such </span></i><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;">scratch values are determined?</span></i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"> </span><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Hovde</span>:<span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <i>A scratch value for
a hole would be based on the combination of a (sic) the length rating and the
obstacle stroke value. The length rating has not changed in a while
(other than name, which used to be yardage rating)...It is probably listed as
an 18-hole formula, so would have to be scaled down to a single hole, but a
hole over 420 yards for men (effective playing length) would have a length
rating of 4.2 or greater. The obstacle stroke value can add or subtract
from that, but on average it adds to it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">OnGolfHandicaps:
<i>Your example implies there is a formula for converting hole length into the
scratch and bogey values mentioned in Appendix E. Can you cite a
reference that explains how the course distance rating is scaled down to a
single hole?</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Hovde has not replied to this request for details on how hole
estimates are actually made. Equally
disappointing were responses from the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA)
and the Oregon Golf Association (OGA).
Doug Sullivan, Director of Course Rating at the SCGA, has published hole
ratings but has tacitly refused to explain his method for doing so.</p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Gretchen Yoder,</span><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Manager
of Handicapping and Course Rating at the OGA, wrote the following:</span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I guess the best way to think of it is
separately for both Scratch and Bogey, the number of the full shots, plus the
distance of the shots to the green and then +/- any difficulty in addition to
yardage.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Yoder’s
description is not definitive of the method.
How does a 140-yard distance to the green translate into an incremental
hole rating? And how is the +/-
difficulty determined?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Why are
the USGA and regional golf associations so secretive about the hole-rating
process? One explanation for the
cover-up is the USGA does not want to expose the lack of scientific rigor in the
Course Rating process. The USGA, for example, has never published any research indicating
its hole ratings predict scores with any
accuracy. The USGA thrives on a on a
reputation of omnipotence (Chambers Bay aside). To be
forthcoming about much of its work on the handicap system is not in its own
best interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="xxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/usgacoverup.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <b>Rules
of Handicapping</b>, Appendix E, United State Golf Association, p. 98.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/usgacoverup.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
USGA Course Rating Manuals, 21012-2015, 2016-2017.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><p><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/usgacoverup.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span></span></a>
Knuth, Dean, “A two parameter golf course rating system,” <b>Science and Golf</b>,
E & F Spon, London, 1990, pp. 141-146. </p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-81129814949279834572021-02-07T10:45:00.001-08:002021-02-07T10:45:26.771-08:00World Handicap System is Confused About Course Ratings<p> </p><p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The World Handicap
System (WHS) seems confused about what the Course Rating should measure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the WHS’s <b>Rules of Handicapping</b>
(p.103) the Course Rating is defined as the expected score of a scratch player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By “expected score” it is assumed the WHS
means “average score.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHS also
defines a scratch player as one with a 0.0 Handicap Index (p.15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have a 0.0 Handicap Index a player’s low
8 differentials out of 20 must equal 0.0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In equation form:</span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Avg. of 8 low differentials
= 0.0 = ((Score1 – CR) + (Score2 – CR)…+ (Score8 – CR))/8 x 113/SR<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CR =
Course Rating<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SR =
Slope Rating</span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">For this equation to
hold. the average of the player’s 8 low scores must equal the Course Rating. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His expected score, therefore, would be higher
than the Course Rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what is the
Course Rating? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a scratch player’s
expected score of the average of his 8 best scores?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Complicating matters is the USGA Course Rating Model does
not use either of the WHS’s definitions of the Course Rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Model estimates the Course Rating as the
average of the better half of scores of a scratch player’s latest 20 scores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has the Course Rating Model been updated to
reflect the new definition (or definitions) of the Course Rating?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no evidence of any change in the
Model.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does any of this affect the accuracy of the Course
Rating?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not. A Course Rating is
an imaginary number that cannot be measured like height, weight, and
temperature. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Model provides estimates
of the Course Rating that should be consistent, but not necessarily
accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that it is meant that if
two courses are similar in distance and obstruction, the Course Ratings should
be roughly the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The confusion about
Course Ratings in the WHS will not affect handicaps, but does suggest the WHS
needs to hire a better copy editor for its next edition.<o:p></o:p></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-72553898362438586542021-01-25T10:47:00.000-08:002021-01-25T10:47:02.462-08:00World Handicap System's Stroke Allocation Method: Part I<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">The World Handicap System (WHS) proscribes a new method for
determining how handicap strokes are allocated among holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Appendix E of the <i>Rules of Golf</i> states
that each hole should be ranked by playing difficulty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hole difficulty is defined by:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hole
Difficulty = Stroke Value + Bogey Value – 2 x Par<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <i>Rules of Golf</i>, however, does not define Stroke or
Bogey Values or give any indication on how they are to be estimated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does say these values “can be determined
objectively using hole-by-hole data from the Course Rating Procedure”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part II will examine if this assertion has
any validity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The WHS removes the stroke allocation analysis from the
club’s handicap committee and places it with the regional golf association
(i.e., from those to regularly play the course to those who walk the course once
every five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part I examines the
work of the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) as a test of whether
the switch to a regional association made for any improvement in the allocation
process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The SCGA prepared a <b><i>Stroke
Index Progression Report (5/18/2020)</i></b> for two courses.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/sablog.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The errors and inconsistencies in the report
indicate removing the analysis from the handicap committee was problematical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The troubling difficulties with the report
are detailed below:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>1. Mistake in Assigning Hole Difficulty</i> - As shown in
Table 1, the SCGA assigned different difficulties to the exact same tees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, on hole 1 of Course 1 the
tournament tees are the black tees, yet the Report shows different
difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These errors do not affect
the results but do indicate a lack of care in preparing the report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A handicap committee would be familiar with
the course and not make such a basic error.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hole Difficulty
Errors </b></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.9pt;" valign="top" width="85">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hole<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Tee<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Difficulty<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Tee<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Difficulty<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.9pt;" valign="top" width="85">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; text-align: center; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78">
1
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.28<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tournament<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.24<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.9pt;" valign="top" width="85">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; text-align: center; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78">
18</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tournament<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.77<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">White<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.80<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.9pt;" valign="top" width="85">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.53<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tournament<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.50<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.9pt;" valign="top" width="85">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.51<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tournament<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.41*<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.9pt;" valign="top" width="85">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">18<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.68<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tournament <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1.64<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">* The difficulty was .51 on the Tournament Tee rating but
was entered as .41 on the summary sheet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>2. The Weighted Hole Difficulties Are in Error - </i>The
report only shows the hole difficulty for four sets of tees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the hole difficulties are weighted by
the number of rounds played, the results for the Course 2 differ from those
shown in the report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Table 2 below gives
an example for hole 3 on the Course 2.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Table 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Weighted Hole
Difficulty</b> </p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tee<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Report Difficulty(D)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Number of Rounds(R)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Weighted Avg. D*R/8934<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Black<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.48<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1146<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.06<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tournament<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.48<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">2838<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.15<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">White<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.48<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">3549<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.19<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Green<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">0.27<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">1401<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.04<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">Weighted Difficulty<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="top" width="186">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">.44<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The weighted average is .44 and not .32 shown in the report.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the weighted hole difficulties for
the Course 1 are correct, there must have been computational errors in the Course
2 calculations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did not the SCGA
double check its calculations?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably
because it has to turn out hundreds of such reports and knew the recipient
clubs would not the report’s accuracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is doubtful that handicap committees concerned with only one course
would be so cavalier, but that remains to be tested. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3. Inconsistencies in Course Rating Estimates</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> - The
sum of the Scratch Values should equal the Course Rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sum of the Bogey Values should equal the
Bogey Rating. Then an equation for the Course Rating would be:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Eq. 1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Course Rating = ((2 x Par) + HD - Slope
Rating/5.381)/2</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Where,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>HD
= Hole Difficulty summed over all holes</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The report provided hole difficulty for two courses with four sets
of tees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Table 3 shows the Course Rating
as calculated by Eq. 1 and the SCGA Course Rating.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Table 3<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Course Ratings<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 616px;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.8pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Rating<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Black<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Tourn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">White<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Green<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Black<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Tourn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">White<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Course 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Green<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.8pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Eq. 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">71.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">70.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">69.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">67.5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">71.5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">70.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">68.5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">65.8<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.8pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">SCGA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">71.0<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">69.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">68.7<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">66.9<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">71.2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">70.0<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">68.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">65.7<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.8pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Difference<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">0.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">.07<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">0.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">0.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">0.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">.04<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">0.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .7in;" valign="top" width="67">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">0.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eq. 1 always overestimates the SCGA Course Rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference in Course Ratings at Course 2
could be due to rounding errors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
differences at Course are too large to be explained by rounding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hole difficulties would have to be reduced
by 1.2 strokes to eliminate the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The inconsistencies in Course Ratings between the two methods may
indicate Course Ratings are not the sum of hole ratings. If that is the case,
the accuracy of the Scratch and Bogey Values are brought into question.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>4. Incorrect Distance Measurements</i> – The SCGA has
rated the courses based on the yardages shown on the card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of those yardages are in error due to
the way the courses are setup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
egregious example is hole 5 of the Course 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The green tees are set alongside the red tees and not the white tees as
specified on the card. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The misplacement of tees leads to errors in
both the Course Ratings and anomalies in the stroke allocation (e.g., the
relatively benign Hole 5 on the Course 2 is rated more difficult than Hole 2
where a hard green is surrounded by sand and water).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A handicap committee would be aware of the
course set-up and would not make the same mistake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conclusions on the efficacy of the WHS’s method cannot be
drawn from a single example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The example
does support the contention Handicap Committees are better suited to doing the
stroke allocation analysis because of their familiarity with the course and a
greater sense of responsibility to doing it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely, however, the analysis will
remain in the hands of golf associations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The WHS recommended method relieves the handicap committee from the
arduous task of collecting scorecards and analyzing hole-by-hole scores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many committees will adopt this easier road
believing the regional golf association cannot be wrong and if there is the
blame it will be placed on the association and not us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part II will examine the accuracy of the WHS
method and determine if there is another reason not to cede control of the
stroke allocation process to the regional association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/sablog.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Stroke Index is a new term introduced in the WHS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Formerly, the USGA simply referenced the “The
Allocation of Handicap Strokes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other
golf associations (Golf Australia and the Council of National Golf Unions) did
use the term “Stroke Index.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
Stroke Index is not an index.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its use
is both wrong and confusing with the more prominent Handicap Index.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-43489727986606449802020-11-10T11:42:00.002-08:002020-11-30T18:58:48.059-08:00The Southern California Golf Association and Kevin O'Connor Can Do Better<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">A previous post (The World Handicap System Penalizes the
Honest Player, July 21, 2020) discussed how the exceptional score reduction in Rule
5.9 of the World Handicap System (WHS) was unfair to the honest player. The intentions behind the adoption of Rule 5.9
were good but misguided. The WHS
eliminated Section 10-3 of the USGA Handicap System that reduced a player’s
Handicap Index for exceptional tournament scores. While the USGA’s Section 10-3 was not
effective, it was at least an attempt to ensnare the unethical player. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The WHS needed something to replace the USGA’s efforts and
thus Rule 5-9 was born. Rule 5.9
differed from the old Section 10-3 in three important respects. First, exceptional performance was no longer
limited to tournament rounds. All rounds would be examined. Second, only one exceptional round was required
for an Index reduction. Section 10-3
required two exceptional rounds. Third
the definition of what constituted an exceptional round was drastically
changed. Rule 5-9 requires a
differential at least 7.0. below a player’s Index to be counted as “exceptional.” Section 10-3 counted differentials of at
least 3.0 below a player’s Index as “exceptional.” Neither attempt at
controlling the unethical player was likely to be effective. But that was not the point. Rule 5-9 would give the illusion of cracking
down on sandbaggers even though it was practically toothless. This is just
another example of bureaucracies confusing motion with progress. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the WHS was announced, there was no defense of Rule
5.9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was wise since no reasonable
defense exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That did not dissuade
Kevin O’Connor, Director of Member Services at the Southern California Golf
Association (SCGA), from trying to construct such a defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O’Connor was once Director of Handicapping at
the USGA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has administered the
handicap services of the SCGA since 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You would think O’Connor would write with intelligence and insight on
handicap issues given his experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
that is not the case. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O’Connor wrote an article on Rule 5.9 for the fall edition
of <b><i>Fore</i></b>, the SCGA’s magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His article exhibits three basic errors shown below in italics:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i>Part of the rationale for a reduction is
research showing that someone doing this well </i>(having a score differential
7.0 better than his Handicap Index)<i> is likely to do so again in the future
and this indicates the Handicap Index isn’t reflective of the player’s
demonstrated ability.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Debaters without a good argument
for their case often will resort to “experts say,” or as in this case “research
proves” my position. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow the
experts are never identified, or the research cited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is because there is no research backing
O’Connor’s claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The research that is
available shows Rule 5.9 is both discriminatory and of little value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is discriminatory <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>according to the USGA research since high
handicap players are 21 times more likely to have an exceptional score reduction
than a low-handicap player.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/oconnor2020.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is of little value because that same
research indicates the rarity of such exceptional scores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A midrange Index player has .003 chance of scoring
a differential 7.0 or better than his Index.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/oconnor2020.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>The reduction</i> <i>makes the Handicap Index
more statistically accurate</i>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">The use of the term “statistically”
is O’Connor’s attempt to indicate a highly sophisticated analysis behind Rule
5.9 where there is none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index is
measured by the error in predicting a player’s next differential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arbitrary cut-offs for reductions in Rule 5.9
lead to decreasing rather than increasing accuracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, assume two players have the same
Handicap Index.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the next round, one player
has a differential 7.0 below his Handicap Index while the other player has a
differential 6.9 below his Handicap Index.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The penalized player gets a
reduction of 1-2 strokes more than the unpenalized player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHS generates Handicap Indexes that cannot
be accurate (or equitable) for both players. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i>Scores posted after an Exceptional Score
Reduction has been applied are not impacted.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">While technically correct, O’Connor
fails to mention a player’s Handicap Index can be affected long after an
additional 20 scores are added to his scoring record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, assume a player has a 16.0
Handicap Index and an Exceptional Score Reduction reduces his Index to 13.0
which is now his Low Index of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the exceptional score is an anomaly, the player’s Index will revert
to 16.0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under Rule 5.8, any increase
of 3.0 or more in his Index will be reduced by 50 percent and his Index will be
capped at 18.0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such restraints on the
player’s Index will last until the anniversary of his exceptional round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O’Connor ends by arguing Rule 5-9 “protects all players in
relation to one another and results in a better Handicap Index more indicative
of a player’s demonstrated ability.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
examples above prove this statement is not true.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/oconnor2020.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O’Connor and the SCGA should educate and not
indoctrinate golfers on the workings of the WHS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Misleading
articles such as O’Connor's weaken the credibility of the SCGA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both the SCGA and O’Connor can and should do better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/oconnor2020.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>The USGA Handicap System 2016-2017</b>,
Appendix E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A player if an index between
0-4.9 has a 1 in 2837 chance of having a net differential of 7.0 or better. A
player with a 30.0 Handicap Index has a 1 in 133 chance.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/oconnor2020.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <i>Ibid.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/oconnor2020.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The SCGA’s record in explaining the handicap system is not a good one. See
“Southern California Golf Association Errs Badly,” ongolfhandicaps.com, May 10,
2017.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-34157422348397412612020-10-31T10:16:00.005-07:002020-12-17T13:54:00.530-08:00World Handicap System - Clean-up on Rule 5.8<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
World Handicap System (WHS) has been in effect for about a year. If the
WHS was a product, the manufacturer would be examining if it made handicaps
more equitable, more accurate, and easier to use. If history is any
guide, golf's governing bodies are not making such an effort. Without the data
within GHIN, independent analysis of the WHS cannot be undertaken. It is
possible, however, to theorize about the efficacy of any Rule. This post examines Rule 5-8 <i>Limit
on the Upward Movement of a Handicap Index</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It recommends eliminating the Soft Cap and adopting a simple Hard Cap. If the Soft Cap is to be kept, editorial changes are suggested to make the it more understandable and transparent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>Eliminating the Soft Cap</b></span><b> - </b>Rule 5-8 limits the
upward movement of a Handicap Index by employing Soft and Hard Caps.
The Soft Cap is triggered when a player’s calculated Handicap Index is 3.0 or
more above his Low Index of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The value
above 3.0 is restricted to 50% of the increase. There does not appear to
be empirical evidence justifying the Soft Cap. The adoption of this Soft Cap was probably based on two reasons. First, it made the WHS complicated and to many players it would imply validity. Second, since the WHS eliminated any handicap controls based on tournament performance, the Soft could be defended as the WHS effort in controlling sandbagging. Neither argument is convincing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Soft Cap would not be an effective instrument in controlling sandbagging.. The astute sandbagger knows how to maintain his Low Index and will not let it drop due to a series of good scores. </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Soft Cap, however, can ensnare the honest player. </span>Relatively modest increases (a region between +3.0 and +4.0) in a player's Index can be caused by random variations in scoring, slumps, changes in playing conditions (e.g. summer versus winter), and by a player manipulating his scores. Anecdotal evidence suggests, a large percentage of Soft Cap reductions in this region are due to causes that should not be penalized. Therefore, the Soft Cap will ensnare the honest player and not advance the equity of competition.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Table below shows a player's reduced Index under the WHS compared to only having a hard cap of 5.0</span>. There are two regions of interest. For increases in Index between 3.0 and 4.0 there is only a minimal effect on a players handicap-- zero to one-stroke. This is the rregion where the honest play will most likely to be penalized. Adopting the 5.0 Hard Cap would eliminate this inequity. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">For increases in Index from 5.0 and on up, a Hard Cap of 5.0 leads to a slightly smaller reduction than the application of the Soft Cap. For example if a player had a calculated Index increase of 6.0 the difference between the Soft Cap and Hard Cap reduction would only be 0.5. That is the Hard Cap is almost a severe a penalty on those players most likely to be manipulating their Index. In essence, the Soft Cap under Rule 5-8 can be replaced by a simple Hard Cap of 5.0 with no significant effect on equity.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Under the Soft Cap a player can have an increased Index of 7. before reaching the Hard Cap comes into play. Statistically such an increase is so rare it should come to the attention of the Handicap Committee. This was done under the old Golf Australia Handicap System. That system had a 5.0 Hard Cap, but it was but the authority to impose the Hard Cap was given to the Handicap Committee and not a WHS computer. Data from Golf Australia should be used to see if the simpler 5.0 Hard Cap worked sufficiently well that the Soft Cap can be eliminated from Rule 5.8. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AonNgc-qnQ/X5x5ePCnIoI/AAAAAAAAASo/nhXSvCCHNFwfSfvfmghVyZ3jhqsDdRBagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1152/blogtable.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AonNgc-qnQ/X5x5ePCnIoI/AAAAAAAAASo/nhXSvCCHNFwfSfvfmghVyZ3jhqsDdRBagCLcBGAsYHQ/w560-h640/blogtable.png" width="560" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><b>Suggested Editorial Changes-</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><b><i>Notification of Reduction</i></b> - Under the previous USGA Handicap System, a reduction in Index was signified by placing an "R" next to the player's Index. Under the WHS, a player is not notified of a cap reduction with similar clarity. The WHS places a small icon "!" next to a player's Index. If the player notices the icon and clicks on it, a message will appear stating a cap reduction has been applied. The player is not informed of the size of the reduction, however. This lack of transparency could prevent a player from appealing the reduction to the Handicap Committee if he believed it unjust. The WHS should follow the basic tenet of a good handicap system by fully informing a player about his reduction in Index. This will allow players to provide feedback on the perceived value of the soft cap in ensuring equitable competition. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Terminology</i></span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Rule 5-8 states “When
a calculated Handicap Index increase is greater than 3.0 strokes, the value
above 3.0 strokes is restricted to 50% of the increase.” The use of the term “strokes”
is a mistake in nomenclature and should be corrected. Indexes and
differentials are not defined by “strokes.” A player has a 10.0
Handicap Index and not a 10.0 Stroke Handicap Index.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/softcaps.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> To be correct,
any association of “strokes” with a player’s Handicap Index or differential
should be eliminated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><i>Rounding</i></b> -
Rule 5-8 does not detail how the 50% reduction is calculated. For
example, if the increase is 1.3, Rule 5.8 prescribes a 0.65 reduction to a
player’s Handicap Index. The Rule is silent on whether this
reduction should be rounded up (0.7) or rounded down (0.6). From a
sample of scoring records, it appears the WHS rounds down. This
should be made explicit when Rule 5-8 is revised.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
of this assumes there will be a revised WHS. The USGA and R&A
have not indicated any timetable for revising the WHS.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/softcaps.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The USGA Handicap System did not use the term "strokes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golf Australia’s previous Handicap System
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is another example of Golf Australia’s
heavy influence (e.g., counting 8 of 20 scores, daily course ratings, hard caps) in the
construction of the WHS. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><br /><p></p>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-47816189683699904722020-07-21T13:13:00.003-07:002020-10-28T16:21:05.225-07:00World Handicap System Penalizes the Honest Player<p class="MsoNormal">Handicap golf has always been abused by players manipulating
the system to gain a higher handicap than deserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USGA tried a precision strike against
such players with it “Reduction of Handicap Index Based on Exceptional
Tournament Scores (Sec. 10-3).” Players who had two exceptional scores could
have their Handicap Index reduced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
USGA’s effort, however, was ineffective as any penalty could be easily avoided
by the astute sandbagger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USGA,
apparently admitting defeat on its war on sandbaggers, eliminated this section
with the adoption of the World Handicap System (WHS).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The WHS took a different approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of concentrating on tournament scores,
it decided to penalize all exceptional scores whether in or out of competition
(Rule 5-9 of the WHS). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
carpet bombing without regard to civilian casualties and hoping a sandbagger
might be among the injured.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before assessing whether Rule 5-9 serves any legitimate
purpose, it is important to understand how it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an example, assume a player has a 16.0
Handicap Index. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For simplicity further
assume par on the course is 72 and the Slope Rating is 130.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gives the player a course handicap of 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now assume the player shots an 81 for a scoring
differential of 7.8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference
between his current Handicap Index and his exceptional differential is 8.2
(16.0 – 7.8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the difference is greater
than 7.0, the player is subject to an exceptional score reduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Under Rule 5.9, a reduction of -1.0 is applied to each of
the player’s most recent score differentials.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/whsreduction.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though the WHS consider the players 81 an exceptional score, for handicap
purposes he is credited with an even more exceptional score of 79.8 (i.e., a
scoring differential of 6.8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
like radar catching you speeding at 65 mph and the officer writing you up for
70 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHS has not published any
defense of this unusual punishment,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The actual effect on a player’s handicap will depend upon
the distribution and placement of his eight best differentials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assume the player had the following 8 low
differentials in his file before the exceptional score: 11.0, 14.0, 15.0, 16.0,
16.0, 17.0,18.0, 21.0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table below shows
the player’s Course Handicap would be reduced by three strokes under Section
5-9 and one stroke if the Section was not applied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In general, the reduction with Sec.5-9 will initially
be one or two strokes below what player’s handicap would be without Section
5-9.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Table<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Handicap With and
Without Rule 5.9 Penalty </p>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 143.55pt;" valign="top" width="191">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">With Penalty<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.05pt;" valign="top" width="149">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Without Penalty<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 143.55pt;" valign="top" width="191">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Low Differential<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">6.8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.05pt;" valign="top" width="149">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">7.8<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 143.55pt;" valign="top" width="191">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Total of Next 7 Differentials<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">100.0<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.05pt;" valign="top" width="149">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">107.0<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 143.55pt;" valign="top" width="191">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Handicap Index<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">13.4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.05pt;" valign="top" width="149">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">14.4<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 143.55pt;" valign="top" width="191">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Course Handicap<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">15<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.05pt;" valign="top" width="149">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">17<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The question never answered by the WHS is why an exceptional
round out competition should be penalized?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are three possible reasons the USGA might put forward:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Scoundrel Theory</i> -The USGA assumes an
exceptional score indicates the player is a scoundrel and deserving of punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assuming a normal distribution of scoring
differentials, a player with <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>standard
deviation of 3.0 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would have a 1 in 333
chance of making his exceptional score or better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
such exceptional scores would be rare, they are not evidence of cheating beyond
a reasonable doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be like
assuming the winner of the Powerball Lottery must have cheated since the odds
against winning are astronomical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
also clear from the USGA’s own research that high-handicap players are forty-two
times more likely to have the exceptional score discussed above than a low-handicap
player.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/whsreduction.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, Rule 5-9 continues the USGA
tradition of discriminating against the high-handicap player.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>WHS Failure</i> -Another defense of Rule 5-9 would be an exceptional round proves a player’s current Handicap Index is
not a good estimate of his potential and therefore the reduction is
justified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The penalty, however, is
reduced overtime as new differentials are not reduced by -1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a player enters three scores a week, the
penalty will disappear within 7 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike
the <i>Reduction in Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores</i> which
could last a year, a Rule 5-9 only lasts a short period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which raises the question, if an exceptional
score indicates a player’s Index should be lower, why is the penalty of such
short duration? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Anti-sandbagger Tool</i> -The USGA could
argue Rule 5-9 is another weapon in its war on sandbaggers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a convincing defense of the
Section since it will have no impact on sandbaggers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unethical player knows enough to dump a
shot in the lake coming in to avoid any penalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only one affected is the honest player
who is excited to post a low score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, he is collateral damage of an unwise policy created by
the technocrats at the USGA and R&A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rule 5-9 can have a consequence that is not good for the
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a player is having a hot round,
he should not have to be worried about a Rule 5.9 penalty. The handicap
system should encourage those to go as low as they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If his playing partners give him a three-footer
to speed up play, should he insist on putting to protect against a penalty. If
he misses, he might be viewed as a sandbagger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Better to take the penalty than hurt his reputation he may reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A player should not be put in such a
predicament.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So how did Rule 5-9 make into the WHS?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
WHS is not the result research, but of compromise among committee members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sections on the treatment of exceptional
scores are similar to the old <b>Golf Australia Handicap System</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under that system, a reduction for an
exceptional score was imposed at the discretion of the player’s club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That seemed fair, but the WHS did not want to
give primary authority to clubs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHS
first delivers a few penalty whacks and then allows the club to override if it
feels the WHS was unjust. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historically,
clubs are hesitant to act for or against members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a member had a great round not in
competition, the club’s inertia would lead it to take no action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Rule 5-9 penalty were imposed, a
club would take the position that this is the result of the WHS and without
convincing evidence otherwise it must stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In its effort to make it look like it is tough on
sandbaggers, the WHS has only imposed collateral damage on the honest player. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the damage is short lived, but
has a lasting consequence on the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The WHS states the player has the responsibility to make the best score
possible on each hole.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/whsreduction.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Rule</span> 5-9, however, discourages a
player to live up to this responsibility and that is too bad.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/whsreduction.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> If the difference between a player’s Handicap Index and
his scoring differential is between 7.0 and 9.9, the player receives a score
reduction of -1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Differences greater
than 9.9 receive a score reduction of -2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are also other sanctions placed upon the player for having an
exceptional round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If t</span>he player’s low
index is now 13.4,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> u</span>nder the “soft cap”
procedure, a player receives only 50 percent of any increase above in his
Handicap Index over 16.4 See Rule 5-8 of the Rules of Handicapping).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if his differentials compute to
an 18.0 Handicap Index, the soft cap procedure would reduce his Index to 17.2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “hard cap” limits in increase to five
strokes over his Low Handicap Index or 18.4</span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/whsreduction.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><font size="2"> <b>The
USGA Handicap System 2016-2017</b>, Appendix E. A 0-4.9 Index player has a one
in 8795 chance of having a net handicap differential of 8.00 or better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 30.0 Index player has a one in 209 chance.</font></p><p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/whsreduction.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span></span></a>
<font size="2">Rules of Handicapping, Appendix A, USGA, p. 79.</font></p></div><div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;"><p class="MsoFootnoteText"><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><br />Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-88526838583185839942020-07-04T10:47:00.000-07:002020-07-04T10:47:58.449-07:00Eliminating the Blind Draw with Mr. Par<p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
blog has previously examined ways to eliminate the blind draw (<i>“</i>Eliminating
the Blind Draw,”<i> </i>October 22, 2019) when threesomes competed against
foursomes. The post concluded giving the threesome a phantom player who always
scores par (Mr. Par) led to equitable competition if the Course Rating and Par
were not too far apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the
publication of the post, the World Handicap System has made par and not the
Course Rating the target score of the handicap system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This eliminates the caveat about par and the
Course Rating mentioned in the previous post.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
previous post was based on theory and urged playing groups to provide actual
tournament results to verify the equity of using Mr. Par.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One group, playing two-bests balls of four, has
used Mr. Par over the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
question addressed here is whether actual tournament results match up with what
theory suggests?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What does theory suggest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s assume you are the captain of a threesome and have the choice of
selecting a handicap player at random or taking Mr. Par.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You realize the handicap player will only
have a net score below par twenty percent of the time.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the game was aggregate four- ball, Mr. Par
would be the clear choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two-best
balls of four, however, the handicap player may contribute some net birdies
while Mr. Par will not. If you take the handicap player, the standard deviation
of the team score will be higher than with Mr. Par.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means you will have a better chance of
coming in first, but also a better chance of coming in last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since you are not risk averse, you opt for
the handicap player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s look at the
data to see if you made the right choice. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Empirical Test</i> - A group plays two-best balls of four
format and assign Mr. Par to the threesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end of the season, the mean score and standard deviations of
threesomes and foursomes are computed (Team scores are presented in the Appendix):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>M<sub>3
</sub>= Mean team score of threesome relative to par = -12.09<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>S<sub>3</sub>
= Standard deviation of threesomes scores = 3.49<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>N<sub>3</sub>
= Sample size of threesomes = 23</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>M<sub>4</sub>
= Means team score of foursomes relative to par = -12.67<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>S<sub>4</sub>
= Standard deviation of foursome scores = 4.77<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>N<sub>4</sub>
= Sample size of foursomes = 101</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The null hypothesis is that the difference in the true
means of each distribution (threesomes and foursomes) is zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alternative hypothesis is the difference
is not zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These hypotheses constitute
a two tailed test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The null hypothesis
will be rejected if the absolute difference between the sample means is too large. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The standard error of the sampling distribution is given
by:</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SE =
sqrt((S<sub>3</sub><sup>2</sup>/N<sub>3</sub>) + (S4<sub>4</sub><sup>2</sup>/N<sub>4</sub>))
= 0.87</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The t statistic is then: </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>t = (M<sub>4</sub>
– M<sub>3</sub>)/SE = (-12.09 – (-12.67))/ .87 = 0.67</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The t-Distribution Calculator for 51 degrees of freedom shows
the probability of the t-value less than -.067 and greater than 0.67 is 0.50.<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, the null hypothesis that the
difference between the two means (threesomes and foursomes) is zero cannot be
rejected.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If the threesome could deduct one stroke from its score, the
t statistic would be 0.48 ((12.67-13.09)/0.87)). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The probability of a t-value less than -.48
and greater than 0.48 is .68.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the
small sample size it would be difficult to choose between giving a threesome
zero or minus one stroke on statistical grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear, however, that either of these
two options would be equitable.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Other Considerations</i> – The smaller standard deviation for threesomes indicate it is more difficult for a threesome to go low. A look at the winners of competitions bears this out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The data shows 14 competitions where threesomes competed against foursome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table below presents the probability of each type winning assuming threesomes and foursomes had an equal chance.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Table<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Probability of Winning</p>
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<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Team</th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th><th>14</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Three</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.25</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.5</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.17</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.14</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.33</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.4</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.4</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.29</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.43</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.14</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.4</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.14</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.2</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.17</td><td style="text-align: center;">3.96</td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Four</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.75</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.5</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.83</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.86</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.67</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.6</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.6</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.71</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.57</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.86</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.6</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.86</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.8</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.83</td><td style="text-align: center;">10.04</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The table shows the threesomes are expected to win four
times and foursomes 10 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Threesome
had two outright firsts and one tie for first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had threesomes been given an additional stroke, they would have had
three wins which is close to what was predicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As expected, threesomes do not go as low as
foursomes, but they also do not go as high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Threesomes only had one tie for last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Whether the threesome captain made a good choice in
selecting the handicap player depends in part on the payoff structure.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the payoff structure pays a winning team
the same regardless of its composition, a threesome’s smaller chance of winning
is offset by a 33 percent larger payoff per player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if the payoffs are per player, a
threesome with Mr. Par may have a better chance of being in the money even
though they do not win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The examination
of expected payoffs is beyond the scope of this study, but a cursory review
indicates if payoffs are per man, neither threesomes nor foursomes have a significant
advantage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In formatting a competition, there should be no team that
realizes it has little or no chance before teeing off (e.g., a team of three low
handicappers and Mr. Par in a two-best ball of four game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If in the game under consideration, the
handicaps among teams are evenly spread, threesomes with Mr. Par (possibly with
a stroke deduction) and foursomes should have an equitable competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Importantly, this conclusion should hold for
all courses regardless of the Course Rating</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Appendix<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Team Scores<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Team</th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>Three</td><td> </td><td>-10</td><td> </td><td>-10</td><td>-10</td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-4</td><td>-15</td><td>-14</td></tr>
<tr><td>Three</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-9</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td>-14</td></tr>
<tr><td>Three</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-7</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-22</td><td>-12</td><td>-26</td><td>-12</td><td>-18</td><td>-18</td><td>-17</td><td>-14</td><td>-11</td><td>-20</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-19</td><td>-8</td><td>-20</td><td>-10</td><td>-14</td><td>-12</td><td>-16</td><td>-8</td><td>-11</td><td>-10</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-19</td><td>-9</td><td>-16</td><td>-5</td><td>-9</td><td>-12</td><td>-15</td><td>-6</td><td>-9</td><td>-7</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-16</td><td> </td><td>-13</td><td> </td><td>-8</td><td>-11</td><td>-11</td><td>-5</td><td>-8</td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-10</td><td> </td><td>-13</td><td> </td><td>-7</td><td>-9</td><td>-10</td><td>-3</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-8</td><td>-7</td><td>-3</td><td> </td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
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<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Team</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th><th>16</th><th>17</th><th>18</th><th>19</th><th>20</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>Three</td><td>-13</td><td> </td><td>-16</td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td>-19</td><td>-14</td><td> </td><td>-12</td><td>-17</td></tr>
<tr><td>Three</td><td>-10</td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td> </td><td>-11</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Three</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-9</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-19</td><td>-20</td><td>-15</td><td>-25</td><td>-18</td><td>-19</td><td>-15</td><td>-17</td><td>-15</td><td>-21</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fours</td><td>-9</td><td>-16</td><td>-15</td><td>-15</td><td>-16</td><td>-18</td><td>-13</td><td>-17</td><td>-15</td><td>-19</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td>-7</td><td>-14</td><td>-13</td><td>-13</td><td>-15</td><td>-18</td><td>-11</td><td>-15</td><td>-14</td><td>-14</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td> </td><td>-10</td><td>-11</td><td>-9</td><td>-12</td><td>-14</td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td>-11</td><td>-14</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td> </td><td>-8</td><td>-9</td><td>-7</td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td> </td><td>-14</td><td> </td><td>-12</td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-7</td><td> </td><td>-11</td><td> </td><td>-11</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Four</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-4</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td>-10</td><td> </td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Under
the <b>USGA Handicap System </b>(UHS), a player had a net score below the
Course Rating about 20-25 percent of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Under the World Handicap System (WHS), a player’s eight best score are
used in calculating his Index instead of his ten best in the under the UHS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lowering of a player’s Index under the
WHS is offset by the elimination of the Bonus for Excellence (.96).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHS now makes “par” the standard of
performance and not the Course Rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, a player will have a net score of par or better approximately
twenty percent of the time. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">The degrees of freedom is estimated by:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>DF = (S<sub>3</sub><sup>2</sup>/N<sub>3</sub> + S<sub>4</sub><sup>2</sup>/N<sub>4</sub>)<sup>2</sup>/
((S<sub>3</sub><sup>2</sup>/N<sub>3</sub>)<sup>2</sup>/(N<sub>3</sub> -1)) +(
(S<sub>4</sub><sup>2</sup>/N<sub>4</sub>)<sup>2</sup>/(N<sub>4</sub> -1)) = 57</span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Weather is also a factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
weather is bad, most players will have net scores over par, which would make
the consistent Mr. Par a better choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><br /><table>
</table>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-28448942884804562222020-04-29T10:25:00.003-07:002020-10-07T09:19:30.783-07:00Golf, Bureaucracy, and the Virus<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -4.5pt;">
Government reaction to the corona
virus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the golf industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially many golf courses were ordered
closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When allowed to open, courses were
under restrictions that make profitability uncertain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motorized carts, a big source of revenue,
have been sidelined at many public and resort courses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food and beverage service have all but been eliminated. Was this necessary, or was it a demonstration of bureaucracies
acting to protect themselves to the detriment of the public?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> To try to answer this question, t</span>his post examines government action in
Riverside County which includes over 100 golf courses in the Coachella Valley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -4.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -4.5pt;">
Golf courses were ordered closed
on April 4, 2020 and citizens were required to wear face masks when in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The order was supposedly to “flatten the
curve” though there were no evidence hospital facilities would be
overwhelmed--which it turns out they were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was also no indication healthy outdoor activity was a major source
for transmitting the disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he order
did not discriminate by age or health status and ordered everyone to shelter in
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effect of the order was to
show the County was doing something and to shift attention away from government’s
poor and tragic performance in regulating nursing homes where deaths were occurring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -4.5pt;">
. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The order had a tenuous legal basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The County </span> listed numerous government sections and
the State Constitution for its authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of these citations did not substantiate the government’s action.
For example, the order cited Article XI of the California Constitution which
deals with the formation of counties within the State and has no mention of
health regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Riverside County
Code Sections 442 and 533.6 also do not detail any powers given to the health
officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though not cited, which makes
its enforcement questionable, section 533.16 does set forth the ability to fine
and imprison:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
A fine of $1000 is possible for and
“any act forbidden by any lawful rule, regulation or order issued pursuant to
this ordinance; if such act is of such a nature as to give, or be likely to
give, assistance to the enemy, or to imperil life or property, or to prevent,
hinder, or delay the defense or protection of person or property ; “ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Sheriff of Riverside County has made it clear he would
not enforce the part of the order requiring face coverings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His decision seems reasonable since the order
would not stand up in court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A law that
is not enforced is not a law,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bureaucracies argue their actions are science based but can
never cite the science being relied upon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no science behind the requirement to wear a mask on a golf
course. There is no empirical evidence in the incidence of the virus among
golfers playing with and without masks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current order as it is applied to golf is
not evidence based but is a judgment call by the County Health Officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That officer, however, is not an
epidemiologist, but a family practitioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Given his lack of experience and education, it is probable he just cut
and pasted his order from another jurisdiction while ignoring the Center for
Disease Control guidelines which stipulates masks are recommended but voluntary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also did not consider the deleterious
effects of masks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not properly cared
for, masks can become a hazard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember
when re-usable bags were going to save the planet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now they are considered carriers of disease
and not permitted inside stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
what about those with limited lung capacity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should they be forced to breath through layers of material even though
with social distancing they represent no threat to themselves or others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The health officer knew he would be graded by
outputs that could be measured (deaths, incidence rates) and not on the
economic upheaval his order would cause. Various City Councils and County Supervisors were in support of the
order even though it came from a doctor they would view as marginally
unqualified when it came to select a physician for their own treatment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A revised order on April 21 let golf resume with some
restrictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What changed? It's
possible government officials realized outside exercise was more beneficial to
health than sitting inside watching Netflix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is more probable political pressure from politicians prompted the
revised order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they realized much
of the order was not science based and was just an exercise in “confusing
motion for progress,” their survival instincts kicked in and they asked for a
more sensible policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No use irritating a voting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bloc of 50,000 golfers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, this is just another case of the
bureaucracy fighting for self-preservation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The restrictions placed on golf in the revised order demonstrate
its basis is politics and not science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Measures
were imposed on golf to minimize the chance of hand-to-hand transmission of the
virus even though there were no reported cases of such transmissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how does that work in tennis which is also
now allowed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The City of La Quinta, home
of PGA West, opened tennis courts for singles play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doubles
play was prohibited because maybe four people touching the same ball is
catastrophic while only two players touching the ball is deemed safe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The City, just like the Riverside County, is
making it up as it goes without regard to science or common sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is little doubt the short-term restrictions will have
a long-term impact on the golf industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The whole shut-down movement is based on classifying other human beings as
potential death threats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The golf
industry, however, is based on the pleasure of interaction—playing together,
eating together, traveling together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
that interaction is either curtailed through social distancing requirements or
stigmatized as unhealthy, the industry will suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is reasonable to expect golf club membership sales
to decline, resignations to increase, daily rounds to decrease, and food and
beverage sales to decrease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Golf has implicitly
been labeled a health risk by many of the nation’s governors and the industry
has gone along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Courses have decreed
walking only, no rakes in the bunker, players must wear face coverings, closed
water stations, etc. An independent
observer would conclude a golf course must be a petri dish for the virus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admittedly, many of these actions have been
taken to get permission from the bureaucracy to open golf courses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the image of the golf course as the safe
haven it was meant to be has been badly damaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many courses in the Coachella Valley have the financial strength,
will, and management skill to navigate troubled
waters?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time will tell. One thing is certain, the bureaucracy will claim credit no matter the outcome. "Things would have been much worse without the science-based policies of the Riverside County Health Department and the courage of politicians who implemented life-saving orders without regard to politics..." <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-72654289089155335872020-03-13T14:35:00.000-07:002020-03-13T14:35:38.098-07:00Why There Is No Perfect Golf Handicap System<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">N</span>oted
golf writer George Peper recently wrote a column where he proposed a personal handicap
system (PHS) based on both course and player characteristics. For
example, he argued if a player sprays the ball, his handicap should be adjusted
upward if he ventures onto a tree lined course with narrow fairways. Similarly, if the course is wide open, the
player’s handicap should be reduced. What may sound reasonable in a weekly column, however, may actually prove infeasible under closer scrutiny. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peper rejects such pessimism, however, and
believes the PHS can be constructed by Big Tech applying its analytic tools to
Big Data.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And from where does he derive
his confidence that science can solve the quest for a perfect handicap that has
plagued the sport since its inception?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, Peper is awed by Netflix recommending
movies he might like based on his past viewing history and believes golf data
can be studied to obtain similar results. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fails to mention that a handicap system
only as accurate as Netflix suggestions cannot be viewed as a step forward
(e.g., if you liked Caddyshack does not mean you will like Caddyshack II).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peper goes on to argue that with “enough scores the computer
knows your game, knows about your power outage, your two-way miss, your chip
yips, etc., etc., etc.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peper is
mistaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The computer knows none of
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The computer only knows your
adjusted score, and the Course and Slope Rating. Peper
appears to suggest a handicap should be a function of more explanatory
variables and specifically the obstacle value ratings in the USGA Handicap
System now the World Handicap System (WHS). <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can
a system be devised to attain this dream handicap system? “ To answer this question, the three basic elements of any handicap system are reviewed for both the WHS and the PHS. Those elements are: 1) rating the difficulty of a golf course, 2) measuring
the player characteristics, and 3) a method of combining course and player
ratings to determine a player’s handicap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rating Course
Difficulty</b>-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i>WHS</i> - The WHS uses the
effective distance of a hole and the rating of ten obstacle factors (e.g.,
trees, bunker, etc.) to determine the rating of a hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obstacle factors are rated for only two types
of players--the scratch and bogey golfer. The USGA assumes the relative
difficulty of a course for all other players can be measured by a linear
function of the Bogey Rating minus the Course Rating (i.e., the Slope
Rating).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i>PHS</i> – Peper requires the PHS
to describe a course by its obstacles values, but that raises the circular
reasoning problem that faces rating systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, what is the course rating?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Historically, the course rating is the average of the ten best scores of
a scratch golfer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is a scratch
golfer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a golfer whose ten best
scores average the course rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
escape the circle, the USGA had to define a scratch golfer without regard to a
course rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It chose competitors at
the U.S. Amateur as scratch golfers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
The development of the PHS would
require either the course rating or a player’s characteristics to be fixed
without regard to the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A solution, but not one without problems, is
to rate courses by their effective distance and the ten obstacle values of the
USGA Course Rating System.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USGA Rating
System rates holes which are then added together to get the Course and Bogey
Ratings for the Course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For simplicity,
it is assumed a course rating under the PHS is its effective length and the
average value of each of the obstacle value ratings (i.e., the sum of the
scratch and bogey obstacle values for the ith obstacle variable<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>summed over 18 holes and divided by 36).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A course is then described by its effective
length and the rating of ten obstacles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Even with this simplification, there would still be two problems to overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the definition of an obstacle variable is so obtuse as to be immeasurable—i.e., what is “psychological factor” and isn’t just a combination of the other nine factors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, assigning values to obstacle factors is the responsibility of the rating committee which in most cases is not highly trained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golf associations do not sponsor seminars on how to distinguish a 5 from a 6 “green surface.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unlikely rating committees would be consistent in assigning values to the nebulous definitions of the obstacle factors.<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Measuring Player Characteristics</b> -<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40.5pt;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">WHS</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> - As discussed
above, the WHS is not concerned player characteristics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A player’s ability is only measured by his
score, and not how it was obtained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">PHS – The PHS gives more handicap strokes to a “wild” player on a tree
line course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does the PHS identify
the wild player?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>One approach
would be to estimate the effect of each obstacle variable using linear
regression analysis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The estimated
equation would be of the following form: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Differential(j)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>= Adjusted Score(j) – Course Rating(j) = a(0)
+ a(1)Y(j) + a(2)T(j) + a(3)F(j) <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>+a(4)R(j)<sub>
</sub>+a(5)<sub>)</sub>X(j) + a(6)W(j) + a(7)T(j) + a(8)B(j) + a(9)G(j) + a(10)S(j)
+ a(11)P(j)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where,
the obstacle value ratings for the jth course are:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Y(j)=Effective
Playing Length, T(j)=Topography,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>F(j)=Fairway,
R(j)=Rough,</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>X(j)=Out
of Bounds, W(j)= Penalty Areas, B(j)=Bunkers, G(j)=Green Target, </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
S(j)=
Green Surface, P(j)=Psychological<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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The linear regression analysis
will yield estimates of coefficients (i.e., a(i)) which indicate how a player
is affected by each obstacle value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player would not be defined by his WHS Handicap Index but by the value of twelve coefficients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example if a player is a short hitter,
the value of a(1) (i.e., Effective Playing Length ) should be relatively high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A player’s ability would no longer be
identified by his Handicap Index, but by string of 12 numbers which will be
termed his Peper Rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, a player
could have a PHS Index of 3,3,4,2,6,7,4,8,3,2,4,6. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are you starting to see the problem?</i>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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A player’s expected differential
on course j would be:<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a(i)
= Player’s characteristic rating for the i<sup>th</sup> obstacle value,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>c(i,j)<sub>
</sub>= Course characteristic rating for the i<sup>th</sup> obstacle value on course
j <o:p></o:p></div>
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In estimating the equation,
however, more problems arise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, a
general rule of thumb is the minimum sample size should be twenty observations
for each independent variable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
would mean 220 observations (i.e. courses) would be required for each player. It
is reasonable to assume many players will not play that many different courses
in a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inclusion of numerous
“Home” scores would decrease the statistical significance of any estimate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if only Home scores were
included, the coefficient of all variables would be zero and the estimated
Differential would just be the the player’s average Differential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To eliminate this problem, it is assumed that
all players have the same free time and access to courses as Peper who notes he
has played over 750 different courses. This assumption eliminates the sample
size problem even though it is unrealistic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The second problem is obstacle
variables do not have a large impact on a player’s differential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total scratch obstacle value typically
accounts for less than two percent of the Course Rating.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/Peper%20Handicap.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Individual variables will then have an
even smaller impact on scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
would be like Netflix judging a viewer’s taste based on a movie’s sound
editing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely the estimated
coefficients of most variables will not be significantly different from zero. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Third, it is likely the
“independent “variables are not independent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tough courses may have high scores on most of the obstacle values.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if courses had fast greens and
numerous strategically placed bunkers it would be difficult to estimate the
effect of each variable on a player’s differential. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Method Determining
a Player’s Handicap -<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">WHS</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> - The WHS computes
a player’s Handicap Index by averaging his best 8 of 10 scoring differentials
((adjusted score – Course Rating) x 113/Slope Rating). The player’s course
handicap is his Handicap Index multiplied by the Slope Rating/113 plus the (Course
Rating - Par).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">PHS </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">A
player’s PHS at this course could be some percentage (e.g. 90%) of his Expected
Course Differential that would reflect a player’s potential ability and not his
average ability.</span><sub><o:p></o:p></sub></div>
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Major operational problems are
inherent in the PHS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, how is
the PHS updated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The present system is
based on 20 scores and the oldest is eliminated when a new score is
posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most players, the present
handicap system provides an acceptable estimate of current ability though there
is some lag. Peper argues the PHS should be capable accessing a lifetime of
rounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it necessary to go back years
to get enough data to satisfy the data requirements of the PHS, the player’s PHS
may be a function of how he played years ago rather than how he is playing this
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, if the PHS cannot reflect
a player’s current ability, it fails an important criterion for an equitable
handicap system.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since a player’s handicap is now
defined by 12 different coefficients, the process of determining course
handicap would need a computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s possible an app could be constructed that
would embed a player’s twelve-digit characteristic rating and apply it to a
directory containing the obstacle ratings for each course to be played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A handicap system should produce easily understood results. The PHS would not provide such clarity.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conclusion </b>– Thirty years ago the Handicap Research Team (HRT)of
the USGA wrote:<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/Peper%20Handicap.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The HRT is considering a
solution of adopting a normal model handicap formula which would mean a two
dimensional handicap to the Slope System<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The solution could result in a Steady Eddy receiving more strokes on a
high Slope Rated Course than a Wild Willy of equal Handicap Index would
receive.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The HRT never developed such a handicap system probably because of the
problems outlined above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps the
HRT realized such an advance was not important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Handicaps should be used to measure improvement and in competitions with
reasonable stakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">To seek perfect equity in every handicap match is a fool's errand. As Peper has written elsewhere, golf is not all about winning. It is about camaraderie. It is about testing yourself under pressure. And, it is about the beauty a round of golf can present. So, if you find yourself on a course that does not fit your game, consider yourself lucky and suck it up!</span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/Peper%20Handicap.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dougharty, Laurence,” Is Your Course Overrated,” www.golfhandicaps.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/Peper%20Handicap.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Knuth, D. A two parameter golf course rating system<b>, Science and Golf</b>, E
& FN Spon, London, 1990, p. 146.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-82423343089423578762020-01-31T10:21:00.000-08:002020-01-31T10:21:18.684-08:00World Handicap System Adopts a Few Recommendations from this Blog<br />
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Over the years, this blog has pointed out some deficiencies
and oddities of the USGA’s Handicap System.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The new World Handicap System (WHS) has addressed some of the points
made in the blog and instituted minor improvements. This post reviews what the
blog recommended and how the World Handicap Committee(WHC) responded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bonus for Excellence-</b>
The Bonus for Excellence, .96 in 2019, is multiplied by the average of a
player’s 10 best scoring differential to calculate a player’s Handicap
Index.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dean Knuth, former Senior
Director of Handicapping for the USGA, described the purpose of the BFE when he
wrote in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Golf Digest</i>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Historically, the USGA wanted to reward the
accomplishments of better players…For a six-stroke difference in handicaps the
better player gains a one-shot advantage (due to the BFE) and should win 60
percent of the matches.”<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title="">[1]</a></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftn1" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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In a post, “The USGA’s Bonus for Excellence Ruse, January
15, 2013,” it was shown the BFE is neither an effective incentive to improve
nor a reward for superior performance and should be eliminated from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">USGA Handicap System</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHC, perhaps heeding the wisdom of the
post, eliminated the BFE.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Treatment of Women</b> – The USGA’s treatment of women
was analyzed in “<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Why Does the USGA
Treat Women Differently</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, October
2, 2014</i>.“ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the WHS, the USGA
recommended different handicap allowances for men and women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, in four-ball stroke play men are
allowed 90 percent of their handicap while women are allowed 95 percent of
their handicap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are women treated
differently?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of the USGA’s research
on multi-team events was done over 35 years ago and there appears to be no mention
of any differences due to the gender of the player. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely the USGA had no empirical
evidence for the women’s allocation, and the percentage was just a consensus
guess by members of the Handicap Procedure Committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If women were studied, it is probable any
difference in the estimated optimal allowance for men and women would not be
statistically significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, all
the studies used to justify four-ball allowances were completed long before the
introduction of the Slope System.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
this error and others, it is likely any difference as small as five percent was
not significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the USGA does not
release its research for peer review, the accuracy and validity of the USGA’s
allowance may never be known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The following recommendation was made in the post: To make a small step toward the equal
treatment of women, however, the USGA could keep the hallowed men’s allowances
and simply eliminate any allowance specific to women. The WHC has followed this recommendation and eliminated
separate allocations for women.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sec. 10-3 - Index Reduction
for Exceptional Tournament Performance</b> – Section 10-3 supposedly cracks
down on Sandbaggers by reducing their Handicap Index based on exceptional
tournament performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A post, “<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Truth About Section 10-3</span>, April
15, 2014,” made the following observation:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The USGA has never published any
research on the effectiveness of Sec. 10-3. When asked recently how many
players receive a reduced index, the USGA replied “We do not keep such
statistics.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Apparently
the USGA does not want to know the effectiveness of this section. Sec.
10-3 lives on since it: 1) gives the illusion of curing the sandbagging
problem, 2) does not generate negative feedback since so few are affected, and
3) relieves the indolent handicap committee of the responsibility for rooting
out the unethical player. In essence, Sec. 10-3 is the perfect
bureaucratic solution.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The WHS has eliminated Sec. 10-3 and
placed more responsibility on the Handicap Committee to monitor tournament
performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such an approach has not been successful in
the past and is not likely to be successful in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
the WHS did put the onus on the Handicap Committee where it belongs and not on a
statistical formula that was never effective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Four-ball Stroke Play
and Four-ball Match Play Allowances</b> – Under the USGA Handicap System,
players are assigned their full handicap (Sec 9-4aiii) in four-ball match play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four-ball stroke play, men are assigned 90
percent of their course handicap (Sec. 9-4bii).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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A post, “Chapman Handicaps and Sec. 3-5: Proposed Changes in
Allowances, August 19, 2013,” questioned the different treatment of the two
types of play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If high handicap teams
have an edge in stroke play, why don’t they also have an edge in match
play?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And why does the USGA recommend a
maximum difference in handicaps for four-ball stroke play, but not four-ball
match play?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USGA is of no help in answering
these questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mentioned above, the
USGA’s research on the equity of multi-ball competitions (e.g., four-ball match
four-ball-stroke play) is clearly out-of-date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The WHS includes several changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, it now recommends a 90 percent
allowance for four-ball match play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Second, it reduces the allowance for four-ball stroke play from 90
percent to 85 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, it omits
any mention of a restriction of the difference in handicaps between
partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is difficult to describe these
changes as an improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WHC has not presented any evidence the new allowances provide
more equitable competition than the old allowances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new allowances do have one thing in
common, however. All changes in the allowances favor the low-handicap player.
This suggests the changes were based more on politics than statistics. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Stroke Allocation</b> -Under the USGA recommended stroke
allocation procedure, holes were ranked by the difference in average score by
low and high handicap players. The USGA argued this allocation would produce
the most halved<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>holes but never
explained why this should be a criterion for choosing an allocation
procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a post “Problems with the
USGA Stroke Allocation Procedure, January 17, 2015,” defects in the USGA’s
method were exposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USGA gave an
example of where strokes should be given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the example, however, the high handicap player lost 5 and 3, hardly
an equitable competition. The post recommended holes should be ranked by
difficulty subject to certain guidelines such as spreading low stroke holes
evenly over the 18 holes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The WHS adopted this recommendation as presented in <i>Appendix
E: Stroke Index Allocation</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holes
are now ranked on playing difficulty relative to par subject to the same conditions
mentioned in the blog post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
known why Stroke Allocation was changed to Stroke<i> Index</i> Allocation.
Index plays no part in the allocation procedure. But the change is gratefully received,
and the superfluous language is overlooked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Summary and Conclusion</b> - The minor improvements
discussed above do not impact on the efficacy of the WHS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evaluation of the WHS requires an
experimental design that measures performance against various criteria (cost,
equity, consumer satisfaction, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does the World Handicap Committee have such an evaluation plan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bureaucracies rarely fund evaluations whose results could prove
embarrassing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Knuth, Dean,”Handicaps,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Golf Digest</i>,
September 2008<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as reprinted at
www.popeofslope.com.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Ewen, Gordan, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What the Multi-ball
Allowances Mean to You</i>, <a href="http://www.usga.org/">www.usga.org</a>, Far
Hills NJ, 1978.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The USGA has not
released the original research for peer review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Laurence/Documents/blog/On%20Golf%20Handicap%20Speaks.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
E-mail to author from Annie Pollock, USGA, November 20,2013.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1961792768612881019.post-38458920878959360072020-01-17T08:22:00.000-08:002020-01-19T08:49:11.356-08:00Dean Knuth: Is the Pope of the Slope Fallible?<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The World Handicap System (WHS) has a feature called the par
adjustment. Basically, a player’s course handicap is just his former USGA
handicap plus the difference between the course rating and par—usually a
negative number. In an article (<i>The flaw in the new World Handicap
System, </i><b>Golfdigest.com</b><i>, January 1, 2020<b>)</b></i> Dean Knuth,
who has promoted himself as the “Pope of the Slope,” made arguments against the
par adjustment. He relies on his credentials (e.g., former Director of
Handicapping at the USGA, etc.), and foregoes any reliance on theoretical or
empirical evidence to make his case. His arguments against the par
adjustment are either specious, untrue, or unsubstantiated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Unlike his namesake, the Pope of the Slope is clearly fallible. </span><b>Golf Digest</b> did Knuth a disservice by
printing his article without the proper vetting. <span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<br />
Excerpts from Knuth’s article are presented below in italics. After each
excerpt, a brief analysis demonstrating the “flaws” in Knuth’s arguments is
shown. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Knuth:</i></b><i> Let’s start with the fact that par is hardly the most
reliable measure of course difficulty (that would be course rating). Almost any
golfer can list two courses that are both par 72s but vary greatly in how tough
they play. Differences in length, in obstacles, in penalty areas, make one
drastically harder than another even when they have the same par. Par as a
metric, then, is somewhat arbitrary…. Maybe you don’t want to go that far, but
calculating a handicap around a less reliable measure of difficulty inherently
makes for a less equitable system.</i><br />
<br />
Knuth is correct that “par” is not a accurate measure of course difficulty, but
that claim is irrelevant to the equity of the WHS. For stroke play (i.e.,
not Stableford) competitions, the WHS could have picked any number to subtract
from the Course Rating and competitive results and handicap differentials would
remain the same. The par adjustment simply adds or subtracts a fixed
number from a player’s handicap under the expired USGA Handicap System.
If players are competing from the same tees, differences in handicaps among
players remain the same. There might be small changes in handicaps due to
rounding, but they are random and would not affect equity.
When players compete from different tees, the course handicap is calculated
with all players playing to the highest (or lowest) par. Again, what
particular par number is used will not affect the equity of competition.
Knuth’s conclusion that the par adjustment makes for a less equitable
system is not substantiated. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knut</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>h</b>: …the new formula changes course handicap values from tee to tee
as you compare the WHS to the USGA system at any course. For example,
where once a course handicap was a 12 from the back and middle tees, and an 11
from the front, under the new WHS calculations there will be much larger
variations—as many as 18 shots in some instances—between tees. Part of the reason
for this is that during the calculation, an approximation is being approximated
again by adding Course Rating minus Par creating an imperfect “over-spreading”
of the course handicaps Knuth adds “ It’s why, to me, the WHS produces an
unacceptably large course handicap variation for the same ability player.”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "&quot" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knuth never explains why a large course handicap
variation for the same player is unacceptable. The reader just has
to take his word for it. It is not the variation of handicaps, but the
difference in handicaps among competitors that determine fairness as discussed
above. Knuth states the par adjustment creates an imperfect “over-spreading”
of the course handicap. He never sets forth the criterion for “perfect
spreading.” He simply hopes his readers will assume “over-spreading,”
whatever it is, must be bad. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knuth:</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Golfers competing from more forward tees will be receiving
fewer strokes than is truly equitable. And if you want to follow the
USGA’s “Tee it Forward” initiative, there is a disincentive because playing
from shorter tees more drastically lowers your course handicap.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
This is where an editor at <b>Golf Digest</b> should have interceded and asked
for evidence. Instead, <b>Golf Digest</b> was complacent and just assumed
Knuth, with all of his credentials, must know what he talking about.
If Knuth’s claim that the forward tee player is treated unfairly was
true, it would drive a stake through the heart of the WHS. Of course, it
is not true. A player competing from the forward tees will receive
a reduction in handicap, but so will his fellow competitors. There
is no change in equity due to the par adjustment. Even one with a
rudimentary knowledge of the WHS (e.g., Jerry Tarde, Editor of <b>Golf Digest</b>)
should know this. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There is a lot not to like about the WHS and its par adjustment. The USGA
simplified the <b>Rules of Golf</b> to make them more understandable to new and
casual players. Then, paradoxically, the USGA adopted an arcane handicap
system that baffles and discourages these same players. This blog
has openly opposed the WHS, but firmly believe its efficacy should be
determined on empirical evidence and not on conjecture by so-called
experts. Knuth’s article makes no contribution to that end.
If <b>Golf Digest</b> had any integrity, Knuth’s flawed article would be taken
down from its website.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Laurence Doughartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08574283457305691679noreply@blogger.com1