Expressions of Interest for Referees (Rules Officials) Wanted

The Club will be conducting an intensive, supported training program for a group of Members:

• to provide those interested in rules officiating with the opportunity to receive training and mentoring, and
• to ensure that there are sufficient referees available for future Club requirements, and
• to provide an opportunity to be an accredited R&A/Golf Australia level 1 and level 2 Rules Official.   

The group is planned to comprise up to eight (8) members; diverse in age, gender and golfing ability.

Any member wishing to be considered for inclusion in this program is asked to advise Adam Bryant (Club Operations & Membership Manager) at adam.bryant@glenelggolf.com or the Admin office.

Once selected, we will arrange with the group of officials to arrange an appropriate time to convene.

Role and Expectations

Role

A Referee is a person appointed by the ‘Committee’ managing an event to assist players, decide questions of fact and apply the Rules in the context of either stroke or match play, and may either accompany a group or match, or be assigned to a particular part of the course.

The Referee has an obligation to advise players about the Rules but must not influence the player on what course of action should be taken.

It is not sufficient for a Referee merely to provide a correct decision when appealed to: they must also at all times be sufficiently alert to observe accurately, and to interpret correctly, all events which may occur during a round. 

While, in general terms, a Referee should not intervene when a player is observed about to breach the Rules, this does not mean that a Referee may not be proactive in offering assistance or asking if a player would like assistance. Some players at the Club level may not realise that the Referee is there to help, not just to make decisions.

It is very important that a Referee be calm and considerate when dealing with players at all levels of the game. A dogmatic and unsympathetic approach is likely to be unhelpful and have a detrimental effect on players, and understanding and tact should be the bywords of interactions with players. 

Expectations

It is expected that a Member seeking to become a rules official at the Club will:

• diligently attempt to successfully complete the accreditation and development process (see below);
• willingly participate in officiating duties at the Club;
• participate in the activities of the Club’s Rules Group, including attending meetings, participating in discussions, sharing information and experiences, contributing to activities, and assisting and mentoring newer officials as the opportunity arises; and
• assist members in resolving rules issues and in understanding the rules.  

Training and Development

The Club, at its expense, and utilising the existing expertise of current Club officials, will provide a program of training and development comprising:

Introduction to the rules 

An initial group session comprising an introduction to the Rules of Golf and familiarisation with the Rules of Golf, Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf and the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf as well as Local Rules (A, C and Temporary).

Tutored completion of Level 1

Information, tutorial and practical sessions designed to provide candidates with the best chance of success in the on-line Level 1 assessment.

Tutored completion of Level 2

Arrangements for participation in Golf Australia Level 2 tuition and conduct tutorials to consolidate learning to maximise the chance of success in the Level 2 assessment.

Mentored introduction to officiating practice

Provide accredited persons with necessary resources, and with opportunities to partner with a range of experienced officials until confident to act alone.