More Pace of Play, and Two Course Event Scheduled

Pace of Play

So why are we talking about pace of play again?  Because lately as more than 40% of groups rounds were over 4 hours and 45 minutes.  Golf should be enjoyable.  For some of our players, an enjoyable round takes less than 4 rounds while others enjoy a slower pace.  While we will continue to strive to help all our members rounds go more quickly, at the very least, our goal is to make rounds more enjoyable by allowing all players to play at the pace that works for them.  One of the most important ways to do that is to have faster players tee off first.  We will continue to enforce our current POP policy with one key change:  All groups that have been flagged as not keeping pace will receive the last tee times of the day.  Please refer to our Pace of Play policy  on the website to understand what keeping pace means. To help everyone see how they are doing, we have upgraded the Pace of Play Detail item at the bottom of the Results page.  Each week you will be able to see your start/finish times, the length of your round,  how far you finished behind the group in front of you, and  whether your group was flagged as not being on pace.

Two Courses--Coming

One of the contributors to longer rounds is the size of our events.  Over the past 3 years, the average field has grown from 90 to 135 players.  The classic good news/bad news situation!! We had great success last summer by splitting our event into 2 events with around 60 players in each event.  The latest tee times were around 9:00a.  Perfect for the summer heat.  Unfortunately, GolfATX is not allowing us to use two courses this year despite our pleas.  For this upcoming summer, we will be testing the use of Riverside GC as a 2nd event site.  Since we used this process last summer, we know this will work logistically.  However, members that have GolfATX Annual Memberships will have a price differential.  We've asked Riverside about lowering their rates, but that is not in the cards.  We're betting that having earlier, faster rounds will be worth the price difference for our members playing Riverside that have GolfATX Annual memberships.  And here's a bonus. We're playing Riverside at least FOUR times this season. So payments for Riverside winnings this year will be IN CASH (actually a check) sent to each winning member at the end of the season. The 1st Riverside Two Course playdate is June 23rd.  On that date, you'll have the choice of registering for one of the two course offerings for the day.  In this case, the choices will be Riverside or Morris Williams.  We'll do our best to honor everyone's preferences, but will re-assign players if needed.  If the event goes well, we have already reserved 5 additional summer dates at Riverside. 

We are also scheduling our modified Pinehurst events more in the hotter months.  Alternate shot events like this generally take 45 - 60 minutes less than other events...making them perfect our hot summer days.

One final thing....it would be helpful if each group that plays together regularly, designate a timekeeper.  Ensuring that we have accurate start/finish times filled in every week makes a big difference.  Every week, at least 3 or 4 groups' cards have to be adjusted due to missing or incorrect times.  Your accurate time is always better than our best guess.  Also.....neatness counts!!!!!!  Please and thank you.

Rule Modifications

Event Modification - 5 club challenge at Lions

Several events may be modified by club usage restrictions.  Examples include but are not limited to using a certain number or type of clubs.  The first of these will on March 31st at Lions. The event will be a 2 person scramble but with each player limited to  5 clubs.  All existing event rules remain the same with the exception that each player can only carry and use a maximum of 5 clubs. Putters are considered a club.  Players are not allowed to share or use each others' clubs.  Minor Event mods for an upcoming event will be communicated to the members via the website and/or email at least 3 days prior to the beginning of that event's registration period. 

Recording Your Scores

When recording your scores...you should only write down your gross scores....no matter what the tournament format is.  Writing and signing anything different from the gross scores will be considered an incorrect scorecard and subject to disqualification.

Last Item--10 Minute Separation

Each week as we've tried to maximize the number of players with the minimum amount of time, we're encountering continuing reports of slow play. When we play Lions Muny (with forced 10 min. tee times), our overall pace has been notably faster, so in an effort to reduce our average pace of play, this week we will be implementing 10 minute separation. Hopefully this will speed up play and make our rounds more enjoyable for everyone.

President's March Newsletter and More

Dear ASGA members, 

A Past Winter!

The seasons and life are  going by so quickly. Have you noticed? On November 6, 2025, your current board transitioned into being the newest board of directors. The next election is scheduled for 10-6-2026 That is only 7 months away. 

 At the minimum, we need one member to come forward to express an interest in joining the board at the next election. That person should likely have been a member for 1or 2 years. Longer could certainly be an advantage. The position is General Membership Delegate. Our Bylaws requires that this position is new each year as they become the conduit for members to communicate with the board and to help new members get the most out of ASGA.  Often they then run for another position on the board the next year. If you have interest please contact any of the board and especially me as the current president or Ric Chapa as the current General Membership Delegate. We will keep it confidential and keep you posted as the time grows nearer for the election.

Another set of seasons can be a bit confusing. On March 1, 2026 we began what is referred to as meteorological spring. This will be followed on March 20 by astronomical spring and all of that is trumped by March the 8th giving us the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. So regardless of which season you prefer to start your spring plans for golf, extra one hour of sunlight, which means heat, will be added to each golfing day until the saving time ends. 

February was the hottest on record in Austin and with that in mind, unless the weather gods decide to give is back the cooler weather we did not get it seems like the best thing for all of us to do is sign up to play, accept the tee times our group gets even if they are near the end of the tee times and play as fast as you can to beat the "heat" and stir up a breeze that might help to keep us all cooler. The positive thing in doing this now is that you can enjoy this "cooler" weather fully knowing that following the current season will be some days that the heat will really be hot later in the day and it could be really hot. However, it is possible that the summer season comes that finally the often mentioned  "that could be like a cool day in hell" could finally happen and both those spending their time in hell and us seniors trying to find cool time to play, would all enjoy.  

Enjoy the seasons we have at hand as time, Seasons do pass faster and faster and the most current ones are the only ones we can for sure count on. 

I hope you will consider the board and for sure play and have fun while you can

 

Travis McWhorter
ASGA President

Other Items of Note

Spring Event Reminder:

Since we have so many new members since last summer, we wanted to remind everyone that the Annual Spring event will be held on Tuesday & Thursday, April 14 & 16. More to come.

Rules Updates:

Effective Tuesday March 10th, we have made a couple of changes:

1.   Mulched areas around trees and shrubs will be treated under the same rules currently in place for rocks and tree roots:

1H.Lateral Tree Roots-Rocky Areas--Mulched Trees and Shrubs:  Ball may be moved to the nearest point of relief (off the rocks and/or roots and/or mulch)  but no closer to the hole. - No penalty

2. Special event club limitations:

1C. Club Limit:  You may have more than 14 clubs in your bag at one time except in a special format tournament where the number of clubs is specifically limited.  For special format events where the number of clubs is limited, players may only have that exact number of clubs or less in their golf bags.  Players are not allowed to share clubs with one another.

 

Honors Policy: 

We have finalized the new Honors Violation Policy that we previewed in December's newsletter.  The new policy is effective immediately.  Here's a quick refresher:

If you suspect a rule is being violated, it's up to you and the players in the affected group to point it out to the offending player or team immediately.  One of two things will happen:

1)The player agrees with you, and they rectify the situation in real time. This avoids that player or team from being disqualified for posting an incorrect score.  Or;

2)if the player disagrees with you, you should let that player as well as the rest of your group know that you will be contacting the Event Chair regarding this situation.  Everyone in the group must understand why you feel there is a violation and why the other player does not.  The point of this is not to determine who is right, but simply to make sure everyone understands what happened. Without your group's on the spot understanding of the situation, any accusations after the fact are essentially hearsay.  We want to do better than that.  You should contact the Event Chair, Greg Marshall within 24 hours and advise him of the situation in writing.  Greg will take it from there and make a ruling as soon as possible.

The full policy can be read on the website under the Golf Information tab.  Questions....contact Greg Marshall, Events Chair 

--

Latest Happenings

From your President 

During the month of December, 2025 ASGA lost 2 past Members.

One of our current members, Jim Abercrombie advised me of our losses. The two gentlemen may be remembered by some of our longer members but reading the obit of these two reminds me of our diverse membership and I am always amazed at some of the accomplishments of our golfer friends. I wished that we published a history of our golfing buddies while they are still with us as we would find many of us have more in common than golf. Though we do love our golf and golf friends.

Bruce Jones came up with the following information about these two and each played a lot of golf with ASGA. They were members beginning prior to 2006 until 2018/2019.

Understanding ASGA’s participation records began in 2006, Joe Lipsky participated in over 370 events. His last tournament was July, 2018. 

Tommy Warner played in over 430 events. His last round was in February, 2019. 

I have attached a link to each of their obituaries following:

Joseph Lipsky—Obituary

Tommy Warner--Obituary

And by coincidence, Bob Chapa, another long-time member, passed away in January, 2026. Bob  too began before 2006, and played in over 425 events. 

It turns out Bob and Tommy were ASGA partners in over 110 events from 2007-2018.

Bob Chapa—Obituary

Tommy Warner(left) and Bob Chapa

For those who knew these gentlemen I trust the thoughts to your time with them was refreshing. We wish their families and friends the greatest memories as well.

     Sincerely,

        

    Travis McWhorter 
    President 

Some Signup Info to Help Out Your Webmaster

Many of you long-time members probably remember those early morning Wednesdays when you waited at the course so you could sign up and get that ideal tee time for next Tuesday’s ASGA tournament. Fortunately all that ended in September, 2020 when we began our on-line signups. 

For some of our new members, here are a few details on how this works.  Once the schedule is published each Sunday (around 11AM), the listing is sent to the appropriate course for the upcoming Tuesday and ASGA has no further input to the schedule. Nor can we see or alter the schedule once it is sent to GolfATX. Changes before publishing can be sent to the Webmaster.

If you need to cancel after the schedule is published, or perhaps wish to add your name to an open position, you need to contact the course. Only they can assist you at that point. We do ask that you wait until Sunday afternoon before you call, so the course manager can load the names into the Tuesday schedule.

Thanks for your support in this matter.

On behalf of your ASGA board,

Bruce Jones
Web Admin

January News

 Hitting Into Blind Areas

Just a reminder to check ahead of you and make sure your landing area is clear before you hit your shot..  This is especially true for even semi-blind shots.  If you can't see the landing area, have someone in your group head up and take a peek.  Just remember to be courteous and cautious.  This applies to maintenance workers as well as your fellow golfers.  

While everyone wants you to hit a monster drive.....no one wants to get hit by it!!! 

Greg Marshall
Events Director

Note: For issues of etiquette on the course, Greg is your contact.

Signups Info

We're continuing to experience very high signup numbers. Please be aware of the current situation.

• We are not accepting new or rejoining members at this time. There is a waitlist of 20+ people wishing to join. The waitlist is closed. We may add three or four from the waitlist in the coming weeks.
• When threesomes overwhelm the signup list, we reserve the right to split the signups into a twosome and a single. The third person in the signup will be the single in these situations. The split will typically be made to best accommodate requested tee times.
• Clay/Kizer is currently working with us to provide eight minute separation on tee times. Lions indicates they do not have enough carts to rent if we do eight minute separation. 
• 10 minute separation means if we have 148 players, the last tee time will be 6 hours after the first tee time. So if you receive 10:30 or earlier, you're in the first half of the tee times!
• A reminder--if you have an add/change/cancel request to a signup, send an email to the webmaster if it is PRIOR to the schedule being published. If it is after the schedule is published, you need to contact the course.
  A no-show is when you don't bother to let the course know you're unable to attend. You hurt our reputation with GolfATX when you no-show.

Thanks as always for your support--on behalf of the Board,

Bruce Jones

Admin/Webmaster

(Almost) Winter News

 Proposed Honors Violation Policy

"We have had a number of concerns regarding rules violations in the past few months, so we are establishing a formal Honors Violation policy that will be presented to the Board soon to move towards including in our By-Laws.  As part of the responsibilities as Event Chair, I am leading a program implementation in order to have a standard way to deal with alleged violations that arise. Here is a quick overview of the policy:

If you suspect a rule is being violated, it's up to you and the players in the affected group to point it out to the offending player or team immediately.  One of two things will happen:
1)The player agrees with you, and they rectify the situation in real time. This avoids that player or team from being disqualified for posting an incorrect score.  Or;

2)if the player disagrees with you, you should let that player as well as the rest of your group know that you will be contacting the Event Chair regarding this situation.  Everyone in the group must understand why you feel there is a violation and why the other player does not.  The point of this is not to determine who is right, but simply to make sure everyone understands what happened. Without your group's on the spot understanding of the situation , any accusations after the fact are essentially hearsay.  We want to do better than that.  You should contact the Event Chair, Greg Marshall within 24 hours and advise him of the situation in writing.  Greg will take it from there and make a ruling as soon as possible.  Simple as that.  Please contact Greg with any questions or concerns."

Greg Marshall

Event Chair

Golf Carts Course Abuse

It has been noticed by GolfATX management that some cart drivers are: 

1) not using their handicap placards when authorized, and; 

2) getting very close, in fact too close to the greens. When it is allowed for handicap golfers to drive on the fairways, please use your placards so ASGA is not penalized for those who need to drive in Cart Path Only areas. Remember too for all drivers when approaching greens, you MUST remain AT LEAST 30 FEET from the greens. A request from one of the Golf ATX Professionals:

"(W)e are having an issue with some senior golfers with Handicap placards, and some without, getting way to close to the green during their rounds...What I would ask is if you could let your group know our concerns. The placard can get them to 30ft(10 yards). Any closer can compromise not only the soil but there are irrigation systems underground that can be damaged by the weight of the cart. Thank you in advance."

 Please take care when using this driving privilege. Thank you.

Pace of Play Update

There have been some more minor tweaks to the Pace of Play program. While we are enjoying some faster rounds, some played events still have room for improvement. 

Keeping Pace Policy

1st hour tee time groups not finishing in 4 hours or less will not receive 1st hour tee times for the following 4 weeks.

Groups taking longer than 4:15 **and** finishing 15 minutes or more behind the group in front of them will be flagged as slow. The exception is for 2-person Modified Pinehurst events, where groups finishing more than 15 minutes behind will be deemed as slow......regardless of the length of their round.

Groups flagged as slow will not receive tee times earlier than 10:30 a.m. for their next four events. If that group is flagged again during the following four events, those players will no longer receive tee times earlier than 10:30am on a permanent basis.

Remember to keep up with the group in front of you!

A quick note on teeing off. If your group is ready to tee off and the group in front of you is missing a player, if they decide to wait, have your group go ahead.

Pace of Play is not a recent topic for this group.👀

Dues Renewal for 2026

There are currently 90 members who have not yet renewed for 2026. If your dues is not received by January 1, 2026, you will be ineligible to play in events, and if paid promptly, may miss the first event of the new year.  If not received by January 15, you will be added to the waiting list of new seniors who wish to join our group. We are in process of trimming down our membership roster considerably to avoid overloaded event subscriptions. Thank you for your consideration.

Currently, there is a link on the home page to view a list of those who have not renewed. After January 1, you can determine if you are current by viewing the Handicap Listing. If your name does not appear, we did not receive your dues payment.

Playing an Event After the Schedule is Posted?

For some of our newer members, a reminder. Schedules are published Sunday morning, but there will always be members who need to cancel. If you wish to play that event but weren't on the schedule, you can always check with the course and ask if there are any openings in the schedule.. 

On behalf of the ASGA Board,

Bruce Jones
ASGA Admin