The RCGA Network

The RCGA Network

 

The RCGA Network is one of the largest Handicap Networks in the world. The Network services some 270 member clubs across Ontario (over 450 in Canada) and supplies over 80,000 GAO members across Ontario, (some 200,000 RCGA members across Canada) Handicap Network services. A few of these services include supplying certified Handicap Factors, detailed statistical game tracking, Peer Review options, and many other great features.

Your members can post scores at over 270 member courses across Ontario (450 nationwide), and/or over the GAO website from home or at work; anywhere that has internet access. Your club and members can also track and check history of other members on the system (over 80,000 across Ontario, some 200,000 nationwide).  Your members have access to a customized on-line Year-end Performance Report (showing provincial rankings and other interesting statistics, as well an option to track game statistics (greens in regulation, number of putts per round etc etc etc).

The Handicap System and RCGA Network enables golfers of all abilities to have a reasonable or similar chance to win, thus equity in competing in a friendly or serious game. This concept is the basis for the accepted format of handicapping, now in use by the GAO and other golf associations across Canada and the United States. The format is known as Slope. The Slope System attempts to establish a more accurate playing handicap for golfers on every golf course considering many factors of the individual golf course and not merely the yardage.

Coupled with Slope, the advent of centralized networked handicapping brings a much higher degree of integrity to handicapping throughout the province. By providing a standardized, accessible and easy to use platform for posting of scores, whether you're playing at your home course or at a course in cottage country, the golfer would enter their score at the course played. This encourages the timely and accurate reporting of all games played which in itself greatly raises the accuracy of golfers' handicaps.

 

Additionally, what is affectionately known as Sandbagging, an age old problem with handicapping in this sport, is now able to be more controlled. Simply put, sandbagging is when a golfer frequently runs away with low net honors at your clubs tournaments and everyone knows this golfer is a sandbagger playing to an inaccurate (high) handicap.

 

The RCGA Network automatically tracks exceptional tournament play for all golfers on the system and analyzes all tournament scores over a twelve month period . A reduction, or adjustment, of the golfers Factor will result if it is found that a player consistently scores much better in competition than in informal type games. In other words sandbagging will no longer be tolerated. This automated process of dealing with sandbagging is extremely effective and is a tremendous leap forward in achieving an effective handicap system.

The Handicap Factor is then displayed at the golfers home club computer as well as being available on an inquiry basis at any site on the network. The RCGA Network has many other benefits for members, the club and its Handicap Committee;

    - Complete tools for Handicap Committees
    - Verified Official Association Handicap Factors
    - Statistical Year-end Reports available
    - Automatic tracking and adjustment of exceptional tournament play golfers
    - Increased Peer Review
    - Electronic bulletin board and messaging module
    - Scores posted by each golfer
    - Ongoing system enhancements
    - Ability to post scores and track stats (on the GAO's website 24 hrs/day)
    - Golfer history maintained and securely stored
    - Familiar and standardized system for posting, golfer can post their scores at any Network Terminal at any club
    - Daily home course handicaps displayed
    - Accessible Peer Review
    - Easy to use (no previous computer knowledge required)

Computer Specifications – Requirements for the RCGA Network;
Note, it is highly recommended you EXCEED these specifications for efficient operation of the system

 

RCGA Network access the from the golf course computer (kiosk):
- Pentium 4 processor with 256 megabytes RAM

- DSL, cable, or satellite Internet connection
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
- Windows 2000 or XP
- 17" colour monitor or larger, set to 1024 x 768 resolution
- Touch Screen Monitor optional – many clubs have found this to be very user friendly.