STANDARD CONDITIONS OF PLAY FOR ACA GOLF CROQUET EVENTS
1. All events will be played under the WCF Rules of Golf Croquet adopted by Croquet Australia, and the Australian Tournament Regulations (on the ACA website).
2. The Australian Handicapping System is in force for this Tournament, and entrants are to have a current Golf Croquet handicap. A handicap may be assigned by the Tournament Manager in terms of the Appendix to the Rules of Golf Croquet.
3. Players are to ensure that they have their ACA Handicap Cards with them to present to the Tournament Manager or their representative before each event commences. Handicap cards should be completed after each game. If players reach a trigger point their handicap changes immediately.
4. All competitors who have not already provided an address, telephone number or email address at which messages can reach them during the events should provide this information during registration.
5. Courts will be available for practice each day until 15 minutes before start times, and after the completion of play for the day, subject to requirements for dressing courts and maintenance. The Tournament Manager’s approval should be sought for such practice, and players assistance in preparing and clearing lawns will ensure that this practice can continue.
6. Hoops are to be set as near as possible to 3 11/16 inches. To allow for inaccuracies in gauges, balls, hoops and setting techniques, a tolerance of ± 1/32 inch is allowed. Players are asked to help set the hoops at the start of the day if required.
7. Hoops may be checked at any time on the request of the player in play. Any hoop out of specification will be reset. If a player suspects that the outcome of a stroke he has just played was affected by a ball being in contact with both uprights of a hoop simultaneously, he is entitled to have the equipment checked and, if necessary, adjusted or replaced. If it is found that the ball does touch both uprights of that hoop on some axis, he may elect to replay the stroke, unless his turn has ended for another reason.
8. Dawson International balls will be used.
9. Court allocations may be changed by the Tournament Manager and games will be double banked as required.
10. There will be a Referee at each court to act as required. Where there are not sufficient referees present to be in charge of all games, referees will be supervisory.
11. Players’ attention is drawn to Rule 14 of the WCF Golf Croquet Rules book regarding Etiquette, which also covers expedition in play, and to Tournament Regulations 12 - 14 concerning responsibilities of players.
12. Players are to wear neat and appropriate sporting attire and flat-soled shoes ie shoes, the soles of which do not mark the lawn. Players choosing to wear sandals shall, as all players should, be conscious of surrounding play in order to ensure their own safety.
13. Matches shall commence at 8.00 am sharp unless otherwise indicated. Players are requested to be at their designated court before the scheduled starting time.
14. All games will start un-timed. However, the Tournament Manager may impose a time limit if necessary.
15. Players are allowed a joint 5 minutes of practice on the court allocated, before the first game of the day.
16. Players are allowed a break of up to 5 minutes between matches and a lunch break of up to 30 minutes, but such breaks can be waived by mutual agreement of the players. No break is allowed between games in multiple game matches - games should be ‘seamless’ and players are expected to commence play in the second and third games immediately after the completion of the previous game. The Tournament Manager will ensure games go on expeditiously to enable completion of the scheduled program.
17. It is mandatory for players to inform the Tournament Manager if they wish to leave the venue for any reason.
18. The Tournament Manager will decide whether play in any match should continue if the weather is deteriorating.
19. The Tournament Manager in consultation with the Board of Croquet Australia may make any alterations to the program, draw and other arrangements as are necessary in order to complete the tournament in the time available. If available, lights may be used at the Tournament Manager’s discretion.
20. An appeals committee under ACA comprising the Tournament Manager, the Tournament Referee and a member of the ACA Board (or nominated representative) shall determine any matters that are in dispute during the course of the tournament.
21. Should an overseas player win an event, a perpetual trophy shall remain in Australia in the custody of the Administrative Officer of Croquet Australia. All winners of trophies are requested to obtain a quote for the cost of appropriate engraving and submit that quote to the Administrative Officer of Croquet Australia before proceeding.

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PLAY
Tournament Headquarters are VCC at 65 Nobel Banks Drive, Cairnlea. All play will be at Cairnlea. This Program will be available on the ACA website, plus a hard copy for each player if required at Registration at Cairnlea on Friday 8 May between 2-5pm.

The Draw was conducted by the ACA Tournament Committee using the ACA Seeding and Draw procedures. The World Ranking list current at 27 April 2015 was used for seeding purposes. The format for the Open Singles is as follows.
Block Play
1) Two blocks, seeded, with spouses and members of the same family placed in different blocks. Each player to play each other player in the block a 13 point game in a single round robin.
2) Players placed 1 to 8 in each block based on games won will proceed to the final 16 knockout stage of the event. There will only be play-offs for qualifying positions – once you have qualified, place within the block will be decided by games won, then net points, then who beat who.
3) Blocks will play sessions 1 to 6 on the first day, sessions 7 to 12 on the second day, and the remaining session on the third day. Players will not play more than 6 games on any day. Players should have lunch and breaks when time permits between games.
The Knockout
4) The knockout will be announced following completion of all block games.
5) Players will be drawn for the knock-out phase based on final placing in initial blocks. The knockout will be 3 rounds of best of three 13 point games, and then a bo5 final (Tournament Manager’s discretion).
6) Round 1 will be played on Friday afternoon (Day 3). The 8 losers from Round 1 proceed to the Y Event.
7) Round 2 & 3 will be played on Saturday (Day 4). The 4 losers from Round 2 in the X event will proceed to the Z event. The 4 losers from Round 1 in the Y proceed to the W Event.
8) Round 4 (Final) will be played on Sunday (Day 5) along with the playoff for Third & Fourth.
The Plate Event
9) Players not in the Knockout may play in the Plate Event, which will be a single block. Players play each other in a 13 point game; with 3 games on Day 3 and 6 on Day 4. The top 2 play a bo3 Plate Final on Sunday (Day 5).
10) Remaining players may play a bo3 to determine places within the block; or play a Swiss for those that want extra games.

Brian Reither (TM) will post the actual schedule of play at Cairnlea, at Registration on Tuesday 12 May 2015