Handicaps Network Africa (HNA) would firstly like to apologise to all the golfers for the disruptions and delays that you have experienced over the last two months.
We underestimated the difficulties NGN would encounter in getting the handicap information from their club computers to us. In some cases this took three or four attempts and over 6 weeks to accomplish. We were originally advised we would receive this information in two days.
We also underestimated the delays many of the back office service providers would have in integrating their club systems to the new server and as a result rounds have not been automatically opened at the club checkin counters.
These delays and the subsequent changes to the handicap calculations have caused you and your club administrators a lot of frustration and we would like to sincerely apologise.
What Most Golfers Want
We canvassed 60 000 golfers and the response we received was as follows:
98% – Want to be able to enter their scores at any course they play.
91% – Believe all golfers should play off the same handicap calculation.
89% – Want to be able to enter their scores on the internet.
90% – Want to be able to view their friends scores.
76% – Want to receive their handicaps via sms.
74% – Want to see their average on each hole of the courses they play regularly.
60% – Want to be able to enter their scores via their cell phones.
70% – Would like to see their club weekly competitions on the website.
We are going to deliver everything you have indicated is of importance as well as some further options for those that want them. We will also continue to get your feedback to ensure that the system and the handicap calculation provides what the majority of golfers want.
Progress Report
The good news is that all the data from the 430 clubs has been transferred and all the clubs that have responded to us have had the new software and or new terminals installed. We are also working with the back office service providers and the majority have now made the relatively simple change to allow rounds to be opened by the club system at registration. Due to the geographic spread of the clubs it will however take them a few weeks to install this upgrade.
The website is up and running, so all of your scores and historical handicap information, as well as your graphs and the latest golfing news can be viewed athna.openagency.co/lookupgolfer.cfm. One of the major benefits of the new system is that it is a central system so every score you enter no matter where you are will immediately be on the central server and viewable on the internet or at the club terminal. This central system will also allow us to be able to implement a variable calculated rating so that it can be adjusted depending on how the course played on the day.
Cards Not Working
We are aware that certain golfers’ handicap cards are no longer registering on the card readers at the handicap terminals. We would like to implement an interim process to allow you to make use of the terminals and alleviate the pressure on clubs to manually input scores.
Please contact the relevant person at your club where you can either order an interim card for R25, which will be delivered within 7 days or elect to receive, free of charge, a user name and pin code to allow you to manually login at the terminals. In order for you to receive these details, we require an email from your club, verifying your details and your email address to which we will then email you your user name and password. The same can be done for any lost or stolen cards.
New 2010 Cards
New SAGA affiliation/handicap cards to replace the old Srixon cards will start being delivered to your clubs free of charge within 4 to 6 weeks. We have had to delay the distribution of new cards to give the administration and point of sale service providers time to ensure their systems can read and identify the player code on the new card.
Terminal Screen Changes
As a result of on-going feedback received from golfers, we have redesigned the layout and functionality of the terminal screens. These new layouts will be deployed shortly and will simplify score entry. You will not be required to open a round to enter your score, but if the round has been opened by the club, at registration, then as you swipe your card it will immediately go to the score entry screen for that day. We have also combined the screens so that all the information necessary to enter a score will be on one screen. All screen keys have also been made larger and clearer.
Handicap Calculation and Queries
The SAGA are working towards ensuring that our handicap system is similar to that in use in the USA. This has resulted in a number of changes recently, and some frustration from some golfers, as the changes have resulted in some large reductions.
To view the scores being used to calculate your handicap and your full history please go to hna.openagency.co – go to LOOKUP GOLFER, enter your surname and club and then press the SEARCH button. Then go to the player listing that appears and select your name and click on it. Scroll down to below the graphs to see your scores. The scores currently being used for handicap calculation are highlighted in red. If you have any queries, use the contact details at the bottom of the page to contact us and we will reply with the details of your handicap calculation and answer any queries you may have.
Summarised Handicap Calculation
The detailed explanation of the handicap calculation manual is available to be viewed on the hna.openagency.co webite and at the SAGA websitewww.saga.co.za.
It can be summarised as follows:
The minimum number of scores to compute a handicap is five. Only scores recorded in the previous full 60 months are considered for handicap purposes. If a player does not have five scores within the previous 60 months the player’s handicap will be converted to “n/a”.
The monthly handicap calculation is done on the last day of each month, and only considers scores up to and including those played three days before month end. It is based on a 96% average of the 10 best scores from the last 20 rounds played. If the players second lowest nett score is three or less than the player’s current handicap, then a lesser number of scores (currently eight) is used to compute the handicap.
The Calculated Rating (CR) can be altered depending on weather conditions or difficulty of course setup. This variance can be as low as one below the Standard Rating (SR) and as much as four above.
A Penalty Calculation will be awarded to any golfer who fails to enter a score 72-hours after completion of their round.
Other Problems, Suggestions or Issues.
If you have any other problems suggestions or issues please email us atfeedback@hna.openagency.co.
Conclusion
We look forward to working with you to deliver a world class score entry and handicap system that will continually be updated to meet and hopefully exceed your expectations and we would like to once again apologise to you and your club for the disruptions caused during the changeover period.
