The following is a framework for LDGA match/throw play events to be held at The Links at Wheeler Park in Geneva, IL (or elsewhere as determined). This should be viewed as a working proposal, as positive feedback and changes are welcome. Please submit any suggestions to the LDGA Facebook timeline.
LDGA Cup
How the matches and formats work
The Local Disc Golf Association (LDGA) Cup, played every designated Sunday between two teams of up to twelve (12) players, consists of two match-play sessions, the first starting at 9:00 A.M., and the second session immediately following completion of the first.
In match play, the score of the match is determined based on the number of holes won by each side, as opposed to throw play, where the number of throws are added up at the end to determine a winner. Hypothetically, the player who takes more throws in match play could conceivably still when his or her match.
Points: The day of the matches consist of a total of 18 matches, each with 1 point available. There are no extra holes in a LDGA Cup. Should the two sides be tied after 18 holes, each side earns a halve (1/2 point).
Winning point total: In order to achieve an outright win, a team must collect 9 1/2 points. In the case of a 9-9 tie, the captains will select one (1) player each to compete in a sudden death closest-to-the-pin (CTP) match. The winner will receive 1/2 points.
How the matches work: The first session of the LDGA Cup consists of two sessions -- one session of fourballs (or, "better score") and one singles (or, “throw play"). There are six (6) matches in the first session and twelve (12) matches in the second.
What does "Fourballs" mean?: Fourballs is when two players tee off against two players in the same group and compete in match play. Each player plays his own disc(s) for the entire hole. The lowest score -- or better score -- from the two partners counts as the team score for the hole. The player pair in each match with the most holes won (most match points) wins one (1) point. Six (6) points total are awarded for Fourballs Session.
What does "Singles" mean?: In "singles" -- the final session of the LDGA Cup -- there are 12, separate, one-on-one matches contested with one player squaring off against one player from the same group and compete in throw play. Two matches are assigned to each player group (or “foursome”). Each player plays his own disc(s) for the entire hole. At the end of the session the lowest score in each match wins one (1) point. Twelve (12) points total are awarded for Singles session.
Unlike normal match play, players may not "concede?": In normal match play, players do not have to "putt-out". If a player "concedes" a putt to his opponent, the opponent is allowed to pick his disc up, taking the score he would have made on the next throw, and move on to the next hole. A concession can be made on a hole, a putt, or a putt that closes out the match. Since LDGA Cup players are contemporaneously competing for LDGA tags, each player must complete every hole.
How is a line-up determined for each session?: Two captains are determined at the start of the first session based on the two lowest LDGA tag numbers present. Each captain selects twelve (12) players for their team by making alternating selections, beginning with the captain holding the lowest LDGA tag number. The captains determine which of their players will play together in the first session, as well as the order in which they will play. The captains submit a text containing their respective line ups to the LDGA Facebook Timeline and do not know ahead of time who they'll be up against. The second session lineup is determined by fist session score totals.
When is the line-up determined?: The captains will announce the final line-up for the first session of the LDGA Cup immediately before play begins. The second session line-up is determined as the first session is winding down.
What happens when there's an odd number of players?: If at the time play begins for the first session there is not an even number of total players, the last player to have checked-in for the team with the most number of players present will only play for LDGA tags. His scores will not be counted towards Fourballs or Singles sessions. If during either session a player cannot continue for any reason, that player's matches are forfeited, however during Fourballs his partner may chose to continue playing with his score alone. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the captains can agree to different terms for handling odd player numbers, such terms shall be applicable for that day's competition only.
