Competition Purse - FAQ
Q. What is the Competition Purse?
A. The Competition Purse is an online payment facility to automate the collection of competition entry
fees. Members select the competition time-sheet and enter using the online booking system but
agree to pay the required entry fee automatically from an online account set up within the
Competition Purse facility.
Q. What is the timeframe for introducing the Competition Purse?
A. The Club is introducing the Competition Purse system for all golf competitions, entered through the
online booking system, from August 1st, 2015. Members will be able to access their purse online to
open their accounts from July 1st, 2015. The minimum amount to open the account is €20; the
recommended minimum account balance is €10.
Q. I only play casual golf outside of competition times. How will the Competition Purse system
affect me?
A. The Competition Purse facility will not affect you in any way. You will be able to book your casual
golf online or with the Pro Shop/Caddymaster as normal.
Q. Can I top up my account balance using my debit card or credit cards?
A. Yes, debit and credit card payments are supported by the new system.
Q. Other than online is there a way for me to top up my Competition Purse account?
A. You can call into the Office during the week and ask the staff to top up your account using cash,
cheque, debit or credit card.
Q. How do I top up my Competition Purse on-line?
A. You log into the booking system as normal and click on the ‘Top Up’ button. Then select the amount
you wish to top up and follow the instructions to enter your debit or credit card details; your purse
account will be updated immediately. See “Instructions for Top-Up” document.
Q. What happens when you put your name down on the waiting list?
A. The waiting list will continue to function as normal. Only if your name appears on the time sheet at
competition closing time will you be liable for payment.
Q. Once you top up your account, is there any waiting period before you can book into a
competition?
A. No, your top-up payment is immediate.
Q. How much can I top up each time?
A. You will be able to top up between €20 and €100 on-line.
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Q. My playing partner does not have a debit or credit card. Can I top up his account online?
A. No. You can only top up your own Competition Purse on-line.
Q. Can I use Club vouchers to top up my account balance?
A. No. For administrative reasons it is not possible to use Club vouchers to top up your account.
Q. If I am having difficulty topping up my account what should I do?
A. If any member is having any issues in topping up their account they should feel free to contact the
staff in the office for assistance.
Q. How do I know how much credit I have in my Competition Purse account?
A. When you log into the on-line booking page you will see your purse balance on the top of the
screen alongside the “Top up“ button. You can also view a history of all your transactions.
Q. Once I have topped up my Competition Purse, how do I book into a competition?
A. You will book into a competition in exactly the same way as now. The only difference is that the
booking will be rejected if there are insufficient funds in your purse to cover the entry fee.
Q. How will I pay my competition entry fee?
A. To enter a club competition you will enter your name on the computer timesheet (as is currently
the case). This will mark your account to be debited with the appropriate entry fee. The fee will only
be deducted from your account once the competition has been closed by the Competition Secretary
(or an authorised delegate). The competition entry fee will then be deducted from your account.
Q. Will I be able to book myself into a club competition online if I do not have credit in my
Competition Purse?
A. No. The booking system will automatically reject your booking if you (or someone on your behalf)
try to book into a club competition when you have insufficient funds to cover the entry fee. You will
however get a message warning you of this and inviting you to top up your account on-line. When you
have topped up, you can then make your booking.
Q. Will the office or the Pro Shop be able to book me into a competition if I do not have credit in my
Competition Purse?
A. No. The booking system will automatically reject the booking if the office or Pro Shop attempts to
book you into a club competition when you have insufficient funds to cover the entry fee.
Q. Will I be able to book my playing partners into a competition if they do not have sufficient funds
in their Competition Purse accounts?
A. No. Competitions will be set up to charge the members that are playing so each individual must
have sufficient funds to cover the entry fee otherwise the booking will reject the partner that does not
have sufficient funds in their account.
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Q. If I forget to book online and arrive at the Club to play in a competition can I enter a club
competition?
A. The Pro Shop will be able to enter you in the competition (subject to a tee time slot being available)
provided you have sufficient credit in your Competition Purse.
Q. Do I still have to use my club swipe card or enter my GUI or ILGU number into the system to enter
a club competition?
A. Yes. You must continue to swipe into a club competition using your club card or by entering your
GUI or ILGU number. Members who do not do this are deemed to have not entered the competition
even though they may have their Competition Purse marked for payment for that competition.
Q. What if I put my name down for a competition and something comes up that means I can’t play?
A. These competitions close for entries at 10pm on the evening before the competition. If you cancel
before that time you will not be charged for the competition entry. Anyone who cancels after that will
be charged. The competition entry fee may be reimbursed to a member who cannot play due to
exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Competition Secretary.
Q. What happens if I make a booking and forget to play?
A. Members who make a booking and do not cancel before the closing time will have their account
debited when the competition is completed.
Q. Is the entry fee deducted from my account at the time of booking?
A. No. While you must have funds in your account to make the booking, the entry fee will only be
deducted after the competition has been completed. This allows time for members who are unable to
play to cancel without being charged and then refunded (subject to the 10pm timesheet closing time
as previously outlined).
Q. Can I cancel my booking and make another booking for the same competition before the closing
time without being charged.
A. You can make as many amendments as you wish before the closing time and you will only be
marked for payment once.
Q. How do I know the entry fee and the closing time/cut off period by which I should cancel for each
competition?
A. This information will be displayed on the online timesheet booking page for each competition.
Q. If a competition is cancelled do I get my money back?
A. Entry fees are only transferred from your Competition Purse account once a competition has been
completed. If a competition is cancelled then no money will be taken from your account.
Q. What is the position of the Competition Purse balance for a member?
A. The purse balance remains the property of the member. The relevant entry fee is deducted from
the balance and transferred to the Club only after the completion of a competition. The purse balance
is carried forward, even into a new year if unused.
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Q. How do I enter the “2s “?
A. Entry to “2s” competitions will be handled outside the Competition Purse initially. However in due
course it is expected that this payment will also be automated.
Q. I am a five day member and do not play at the weekends. Do I need to do anything about the
Competition Purse?
A. The Competition Purse is being introduced for all club competitions only. If you wish to enter and
play in the Wednesday competition, for example, you will need to use the Competition Purse.
Q. Will matchplay competitions like the GUI Gold Medal, ILGU Victory and Jubilee Cups and Mixed
Foursomes be included?
A. Yes. Entries for such matchplay competitions will be set up in the online booking system like all
other competitions. After the closing date for entries has expired a draw will be made for the 1st
round of competition and entry fees deducted using the Competition Purse facility.
Q. Will invitation competitions be included?
A. Yes. Entries for such invitation competitions will be set up in the online booking system like all other
competitions. The member making a tee-time booking will be deducted payment for any guests
entered.
Q. I do not use the on-line booking system and I do not have an email account. Someone else books
for me. What do I need to do?
A. Even if you do not use the tee time booking system for timesheet bookings you are still set up on
the system and a Competition Purse account will be set up automatically by the office for you. You
can then top up your account to allow you to enter club competitions. You can do this in the office.
Whoever books you in for competitions at present can continue to do so. If you do not have an email
account you will not get confirmation of your competition bookings as at present. Therefore you will
need to keep an eye on your account balance to ensure that you keep your account topped up.
Q. Will Juveniles need to use the Competition purse facility?
A. Yes, but only if they are entering GUI or ILGU competitions.
Q. What would happen in the scenario where in a fourball or foursomes competition, one player has
been left alone and must accompany his/her opposition to mark their card.
A. The competition entry fee would not be deducted from this player as he/she is not playing in the
competition.
Q. If you try to book a line or slot and you do not have sufficient funds to complete the booking, will
the system hold the line for you?
A. No. You must have sufficient funds in your Competition Purse to complete a timesheet transaction
i.e. for the booking to complete successfully. The sequence is to top-up first, then make timesheet
booking.
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