CONDITIONS OF THE 2025 COMPETITION 

1. Eligibility – The 2025 RDGW shall be open to amateur golfers who are paid-up members of a recognised and affiliated Golf Club holding an ‘active’ WHS handicap issued by their respective governing body.
   
   
2. The ethos and spirit of the RDGW is to build friendships with fellow golfers who are full members of other federated golf clubs, and so regrettably therefore we will politely decline ‘OpenPlay’, ‘IGolf’ or similar applicants.
   
   
3. Players must be 18 years and older on the date of the first round.
   
   
4. Entrants must advise of their CDH or equivalent number, their home club, and their issued WHS handicap at the time of booking. The RDGW committee will verify these details against the relevant governing body database. Where the RDGW cannot access the relevant governing body database, players will be asked to provide photographic evidence of their WHS handicap and their eligibility to compete.
   
   
5. Registration will only become active on receipt of full payment and supply of the requested handicap and contact details for each player.
   
   
6. The allocation of places is in strict date order when the RDGW bank account receives a player’s entry fee, and an acknowledgement receipt is issued, after we have checked the players details against the relevant governing body WHS database.
   
   
7. If the tournament is full at the time of your payment then you will be placed on a waitlist. A ballot will be held for any playing places that subsequently become available. Priority will be given to players permanently resident outwith Aberdeenshire. You will receive a full refund after the RDGW commences if we cannot assign you a playing place.
   
   
8. Should any entrants wish to withdraw from the event, a full refund (less a £15 administration fee together with any bank charges incurred) will be guaranteed up 1st April 2025. Thereafter this reduces to 50% up to 1st July 2025. After that date no refund is offered.
   
   
9. The competition shall be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf, as approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and the regulations and guidelines of our governing body ‘ScottishGolf’ together with any stipulated local course rules.
   
   
10. On Day One arrival at the competition, players must present a current and active handicap certificate issued by their governing body showing their WHS Handicap Index. This will comprise a minimum of three General Play rounds within four months from the date of commencement of the 2025 RDGW. Players unable to provide the supporting evidence will not be eligible to compete in the RDGW and will not receive a refund on their entry fee. We will not be liable for any associated travel or accommodation costs for your journey to Royal Deeside.
    
    
11. The competition shall be played in Stableford format over 72-holes. Players will be assigned to one of three divisions depending on their handicap on the first day of the tournament.
    
    
12. Traditionally the RDGW has welcomed golfers of all abilities with an official handicap and our intention is to continue this all-inclusive approach. However, the RDGW committee has decided that the maximum handicap allowance for all players will be set at 36. Stableford adjustment of 95% allowance will be used.
    
    
13. The RDGW reserves the right to amend the format of the competition should the number of entrants or weather conditions dictate.
    
    
14. The RDGW committee reserves the right to adjust players’ handicaps during the tournament depending on daily results and general play.
    
    
15. Tee Times - A draw will be produced for each day’s play, and the event will be played in three balls by gender. Although not always possible, every attempt will be made to allocate Preferred Tee Times for players. Those travelling in group and parties will all play the same course on the same day; however, in the spirit of the RDGW, players will be randomly paired. Travelling companions will be in nearby or adjacent tee times.
    
    
16. Gentlemen shall play from white tees and ladies from red tees.
    
    
17. GPS measuring devices will be permitted.
    
    
18. Motorised buggies are permitted. Contact the clubs directly to arrange hire.
    
    
19. If play is suspended due to inclement weather (horn or siren will sound), players should mark their balls and return to the clubhouse immediately. In the event of cancellation of any day’s golf at any course, the overall winners will be decided upon over the remaining number of courses played. Competitors will be offered a free round of golf at the affected course(s) to be taken within 12 months. No monetary refunds will be given.
    
    
20. A daily prize shall be awarded within each of the three women and men’s divisions. The best cumulative stableford score over the four rounds will be the declared winner for the respective women and men’s competitions.
    
    
21. In the event of a tie, a count back will take place over the last round’s play based on the stableford points scored over the last 18,9,6,3,2, and the last hole.
    
    
22. To ensure an even distribution of prizes during the week, no player may win more than one daily prize. Only the highest placed prize will be awarded e.g., if a player is 3rd on Day 1 and 2nd on Day 2, they will receive the Day 2 prize. The 3rd prize for Day 1 will go to the player who finishes 4th. This ruling will not affect the overall RDGW prize.
    
    
23. The RDGW reserve the right to substitute a prize of at least equal value in the event of unavailability, for whatever reason, of the advertised prize. Should the value of any prize be less than the value stated, the difference will not be awarded in cash or in kind.
    
    
24. Daily and overall winners are requested to contact the organisers after the tournament to receive their prize before leaving Royal Deeside. Winners will be liable for any costs incurred in sending their prize to them.
    
    
25. The RDGW reserve the right to use photographs and videos taken at the tournament for marketing purposes. The content produced will be considered for use on our website and the official RDGW social media platforms which we control. By accepting the terms & conditions you agree to this.
    
    
26. The RDGW owns the copyright to any content produced and has obtained the permission of the four host RDGW venues to use this material on an exclusive basis. Any third-party wishing to use the content must formally write seeking the approval of the RDGW prior to publication.
    
    
27. By registering with the RDGW you agree for your data to be stored with us under secure conditions as per our privacy policy outlined on our website. It will not be shared with any third party. You consent to receiving email and text messaging from the RDGW and our sponsors relating to the event. You are given the option to opt out of emails if you do not want to receive any further communications.
    
    
28. The RDGW committee reserve the right to refuse any booking and to terminate the involvement of any player during the RDGW where we feel that the comfort and enjoyment of other players may be put at risk.
    
    
29. The decision of the RDGW committee shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
    
    
30. By entering the tournament entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

RDGW Committee                                                                                                          12 Aug 24