Event Information
Stonecreek is a long, challenging course - with the front nine averaging some 2387 yards from the front (silver) tees on the front nine - and not always forgiving. However, most of the greens are fairly large, providing a big target, but all are protected. There is very little shade, so be prepared. August and September can be hot.
There may not always be cold water available on the course. There is a restroom between 5 & 6, plus water jugs at 5 & 7, but carrying your own bottle(s) is required. It is recommended that the coaches carry water on their carts. SMHS will typically be carrying water for refills - so be sure to ask.
In its early years, the creekbed (Lateral Hazard) of large stones made it hard to find your ball if it strayed. Now the added grasses, undergrowth & trees make it generally impossible - even if you “barely went in.” Bring plenty of balls, because if you find the hazard, they're probably lost. Looking ‘inside’ is discouraged and there's seldom need for as much as the five-minute rule allows - thorns, uneven ground, water, debris & all types of critters, etc,…it is best to just STAY OUT.
Remember your Provisional and Lateral Hazard rules & options.
With the difficult hazards and the deep rough, it is recommended that all players in the pairings help watch for where the balls stop. ANNOUNCE and play a Provisional ball when in doubt. It is far easier than going back to re-hit (though you would probably just drop near the spot).
HOLE INFO:
#1 From the tees for the opening hole you must immediately go over a lateral hazard. Then there is water beyond on the front right of the green, not easily fully seen from the tee box - especially when looking across the creek vegetation. This Lateral Hazard is wider than it appears. (see Rules for Drop Zone [bridge] )
At #2 you pass the same pond & must again cross the even wider section of that creekbed fronting the green. (lateral - see Rules for Drop Zone [bridge] )
At 3, the large waste bunker littered with yellow practice balls can be an extra challenge just trying to find your ball. It is larger than it looks & sometimes difficult to hit from, so it is best to stay out.
#4 bends to the right and the trees make the inside line deceptively inviting, but very difficult. Stay left. Many times additional penalties follow the first shot, if the second does not get far away from the trees and undergrowth.
#5 is straight forward but has a large elevated green with hazard on the right & back of the green.
#6 - ranked the most difficult hole on the front nine - has hidden water on your right & left, so believe the TIP Sign, on your right as you cross the street. From the tee you will note a right-side fairway bunker that is much longer than you think - stay left. Beware - there is a large pond in front of the green, a hidden creek crossing & a continuation of water on the left too, beyond the cart path. Be thoughtful with your landing & layup targets.
#7 is long and requires crossing the creek again. The long fairway will give you plenty of opportunity to manage your targets. The creek - inside the 150 yard marker - is narrow on the far left but grows wider to very wide and taller on the right, often obscuring the view to the elevated green. (see Rules for Drop Zone)
#8 has a ‘lateral’ ditch cutting across the fairway (often un-noticed from the forward Tee Boxes). The creek & its deep vegetation run along the right.
#9 appears to be straight forward, but the fairway is actually a dog-leg left going around a very long & deceiving waste bunker. Stay right to get a good approach to the long & narrow green.
Again, the omnipresent creekbed - beside #4, green-side at 5, along 8 & 9 and crossing 1, 2 & 7 - is a lateral hazard. Just stay out !
Anything including and beyond the sidewalk by the condos and hotel along holes 8 , 9, 10, 11, 15 & 16 is OB - Out of Bounds. These are NOT cart paths, so the ball must be re-played (per the Hazard Rules) from its previous position - with a penalty.
The grass in the rough is often particularly thick & deep. The creek vegetation is generally very thick. It is recommended that all players assist in keeping track of shots, especially as they approach the rough, the rolling hills, grass bunkers & creek. (and remember to announce & take a Provisional if you are uncertain)
Event Rules
USGA Rules are the basis of play (though pay particular attention to the ‘local modifications’;
- "The Rules of Golf" - current edition except as noted.
- see the Modifications below
• Red stakes, or lines, denote lateral (water) hazards;
• White stakes, perimeter fences and walls denote course boundaries.
- HOWEVER, boundaries are not usually staked and/or painted, but an edge can generally be identified.
• There are no Drop Zones identified.
• HOWEVER: Players hitting into the Lateral Hazards at #1, #2, & #7 will be allowed to drop (1 stroke) in front of the hazard, across the bridge, for their next shot, in line with their original shot (see also ‘Modifications…’ below)
• Anything including and beyond the sidewalk (NOT a cart path) along holes 8 ,9, 10, 11, 15 & 16 is considered OB - Out of Bounds. (So the ball may not be played from that spot per the standard Hazard Rules. )
- The pedestrian paths along holes 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 & 16 are considered Out of Bounds.
AIA RULES MODIFICATIONS:
- REMEMBER: coaching of players is limited to recognized, official team coaches.
- Spectators are encouraged to follow & respectfully support the golfers. They are expected to remain outside the field of play and may not offer any aid or directions (beyond encouragement).
- The AIA defines the allowable as “ No directions cheering.”
- Players are allowed to use rangefinder devices on the course during play.
- However, devices that are used for club selection are prohibited. (Check your settings, often those features can be temporarily disabled.)
LOCAL RULES MODIFICATIONS:
- As with all of golf, it is expected that players self-officiate:
- Reminder: honesty & integrity > lie of the ball, accounting for penalties and scoring
‘READY GOLF’:
One of the important local rules throughout much of Arizona, and certainly within school matches, being ready to play & playing without unnecessary delays - without regard to the normal etiquette of allowing the player farthest away to hit first.
- I you have not moved in front of another player’s play and no others are close or in front of you, you may continue & hit your ball as soon as you are ready.
- DO NOT proceed up the course in front of other players - which creates a safety hazard & unnecessary delay.
- If they are hunting for a missing ball, HELP, but no one should spend more than 3 minutes looking before the ball is to be replaced:
- Again, stay out of the hazards & replace the lost ball.
- If the rough has concealed the ball, replace it and move on.
- You may want to proceed forward, but stay off to the side so that you can get ahead to your ball & are ready to hit ASAP;
- Learn too keep your cart fairly close to you to minimize the time spent backtracking;
- Walk briskly to your ball;
- HOWEVER - Keep in mind that each player also has a responsibility to record their opponent’s score and help with self-officiating, so you must not get too far away so you can keep monitoring play.
- PACE of PLAY is a big concern for most courses,
- The concern is about both etiquette (both within our matches & other golfers) plus finishing before darkness.
- Since the course continues booking tee times to follow our girls’ meets, every effort will be made to keep other guests out of the middle of our meets. (sometimes the coaches will need to help manage ‘playing through’.
- Double-Par Pickup:
- Unless close to finishing the hole, pick up the ball at double-par and enter your score as par+1 and circle it for identification.
- If you have reached par and are still in the fairway, you may elect to pick up, drop the ball 10’ from the front of the green and finish, again adding a stroke & circling your score.
B- Bunkers:
Since they are often not always maintained…
1/ If your ball sits in a bunker, check the general condition of the sand, away from the ball. If the sand is hard & not maintained - or not present - you may elect to move your ball to a point outside on either side the bunker, no closer to the hole & play from there - with no penalty (similar to Area Under Construction or Casual Water)
C- Hazards/ Drop Zone:
1/ Since no Drop Zones are identified typically, if your ball goes into a lateral hazard, drop your ball clear of the hazard in line with the hole, adding one stroke. Try to drop with a reasonable lie within two club lengths from your agreed-upon best guess as to the line of its crossing into the hazard. If a bridge is present (Holes 1, 2 & 7), drop on the far side near the crossing. [ Remember: the Rules of Golf also allow for a couple other options that you may prefer, including re-hit from prior location & farther back along ‘the line.’ ]
SCOREKEEPING:
• It is also important to stress the tradition of individual, unsupervised, honorable play. While we recognize that individual players may feel pressure to succeed, they should be encouraged to post only complete and accurate scores. We want to see everyone's best play and the results to reflect that.
- Individuals will use the AZ Prep 365 app, as directed by the AIA for recording another opponent’s score as well as their own, for comparison; (Coaches may determine to use card scoring & load scores later if issues arise)
- Players are required to use their app during the match to record strokes electronically - subject to verification & attesting afterwards. It is recommended that confirmations be made after each hole. (And away from the greens to permit following play)
- The official final scoring will be entered into the iWanamaker site.
- It is recommended that each individual also use individual scorecards for personal recording, scoring for an opponent & their notes, and back-up (in case of technical difficulties) however…
- Individuals are responsible for sharing the scorekeeping responsibilities to maximize accuracy and fairness. Players within each pairing shall attest to the accuracy of the scores at the end of the round. Comparing & acknowledging is best done after each hole.
- Scores will be maintained as Strokeplay throughout the match.
Round(s)
Round 1Wed, Sep 14th @ 2:30PM (MT)
Stonecreek, the Golf Club
Format: Strokeplay