A close second, right after Make-Up Matches, Forfeits and No-shows are the biggest "pain" for league secretaries and cause the greatest amount of confusion in the GLS program. Most leagues are not that concerned about the player who doesn't show up, in other words, the ABSENT player. The absent player usually receives zero points, however, there are several options for handling the absent player. The more difficult decision is how to handle the player who does show up, in other words, the PRESENT player. It doesn't seem quite fair to just give this player "all the points." GLS can automatically deal with forfeits and no shows. You are able to select several methods of dealing with forfeits including handling it manually at the time the scores are entered.
When entering scores, if a player is absent without a substitute player, click on the button, "Player Absent without Sub." You can now put any score and handicap you wish for the absent player. The "dummy score" you record will not be posted to the absent players scoring record. This score is ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING THE PRESENT PLAYER A SCORE TO PLAY AGAINST. GLS can automatically fill in a "dummy score" using the rules as shown below. For example, a score can be filled in which is based on the Present Players Average score plus a certain percent or certain number of strokes. In this example if the players average is 40 and you selected a penalty of 3 strokes, then a score of 43 would be posted for the absent player. This would be, on a par 36 course, a bogey on every hole except a par on the two easiest holes. Thus, the present players would have to play against a 43, and the points would be figured accordingly. As you can see below, you can also base the "dummy score" on the Absent Players Average.
Some leagues draw a random score card for the player to play against. This is actually a good idea, as the players can figure the results at the golf course after the round if they wish. A random card can be drawn and the score handicap for the random player can be inserted for the absent player. When you enter the scores, remember to click the "Absent Without Sub" button, then enter the random score.
Present Players and Teams (players who show up)
Many leagues want the present players to "earn" their points rather than just give them all the points. Other leagues have a set number of points earned for a forfeit. This figure is usually at least half of the points available for the match. You are able to select if and how a "dummy" score is determined. The present player will compete against this dummy score to earn the points he gets. You can have the dummy score based on the absent players actual average or based on his own actual average. You are also able to discount the average by a certain percentage or by a certain number of strokes. The following options are available:
The Present Player Automatically Gets _____Points
How dummy score is determined:
Manually…will be inserted when scores are entered. Use this if cards are drawn at random…
Use the Present Players Average Actual Score and Current Handicap plus a ____% penalty
Use the Present Players Average Actual Score and Current Handicap plus ____strokes (Recommended w/ 3 strokes)
Use the Absent Players Average Actual Score and Current Handicap plus a ____% penalty
Use the Absent Players Average Actual Score and Current Handicap plus ____strokes
The same method is used if an entire team forfeits. The following options are available:
The Present Team Automatically Gets _____Points
How dummy score is determined:
Manually…will be inserted when scores are entered. Use this if cards are drawn at random…
Use the Present Players Average Actual Scores and Current Handicaps plus a ____% penalty
Use the Present Players Average Actual Scores and Current Handicaps plus ____strokes (Recommended w/ 5 strokes)
Use the Absent Players Average Actual Scores and Current Handicaps plus a ____% penalty
Use the Absent Players Average Actual Scores and Current Handicaps plus ____strokes
Absent Players and Teams (players who don't show up)
Sometimes players are absent for a good reason. In this case, you may give absent players the benefit of the doubt and let them receive points automatically if they are absent. You can do this with GLS. You can also allow points for absent players a certain number of times. Most leagues just give absentees 0 points.
The following options are available:
Absent Individuals (If individual points are at stake)
Absent Players can Receive Points Earned by the dummy score; ____Yes, ____No
If Yes, how many times? _____times.
If No, Absent Players automatically receive _____Points. (default is 0 points, can be negative)
Absent Teams (Team Forfeit)
Absent Teams can Receive Points Earned by the dummy scores; ____Yes, ____No
If Yes, how many times? _____times.
If No, Absent Team automatically receives _____Points. (default is 0 points, can be negative)