Updates for SRC 2026

Captains’ Newsletter #1

Dear Captains,

We appreciate your continued commitment and enthusiasm toward the SRC. The Board of Directors has been working diligently on planning during the off-season for the 2026 season, and we are happy to share some important updates with you. These include modifications to our competition format, expanded post-season engagement opportunities, and improvements aimed at fostering both team spirit and competitive excellence. We look forward to your involvement in these initiatives and to another successful SRC season ahead. Kindly ensure that this information is shared with your teams.

Divisional Alignment

Divisional alignment is arguably the toughest off-season task, requiring considerable time to balance team preferences, variety, travel considerations, competitiveness, and club or course types. Our goal is to maintain 5-team divisions, where each team skips playing at the team listed directly beneath them on the events page. The fifth team in the division does not compete at the first team listed. In situations where the total number of teams in a Region is not divisible by five, we implement 4-team divisions.

Playoffs

The 5 Regional Playoff sites are:

1. Central Region - Rebel Creek Golf Club, August 10, 2026 – 4 of 12 teams qualify for the Championship
2. East Region - Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club, August 18, 2026 – 4 of 12 teams qualify for the Championship
3. Georgian Region - Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club, August 20, 2026 – 4 of 12 teams qualify for the Championship
4. Lexus of London SW Region - St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, August 24, 2026 – 4 of 12 teams qualify for the Championship
5. Niagara Region - Royal Niagara Golf Club, August 31, 2026 – 6 of 18 teams qualify for the Championship

Championship

September 30 – October 1 (September 29 optional practice round)

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley will be the home of the SRC Championship for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons! We are excited to welcome 22 SRC teams to the site of this year's Canadian Open. As noted above, one-third of the teams at each playoff location will qualify for TPC Toronto. Players will have access to all three courses and will play the North Course (where the Canadian Open takes place) plus either the Hoot or Heathlands during the two-day tournament. Additional details about this opportunity will be provided as the season continues.

Member Survey

Member input is essential for an organization’s success. Last October, we asked members to complete a brief survey. Although 1,729 players played in SRC matches last season, only 1,419 received the survey invitation, primarily due to missing email addresses. Captains must ensure their team’s email addresses are up to date, allowing important SRC information to be distributed effectively. About 240 golfers responded to the survey, while not statistically significant, their feedback assisted with off-season planning. Relevant survey details are included in this newsletter.

Team Administrative Fees

As previously communicated, the costs associated with the underwriting of the playoffs and championship have increased dramatically. However, we have been able to hold the team administrative fees to $640 per team. This amount should be sent to our treasurer John Trimble via e-Transfer at trimblewjohn@gmail.com. Please send your team’s $640 within 24 hours of your respective host divisional event.

Team Host Fees

Following the pandemic, divisional play costs have risen, primarily due to increased food expenses. Divisional rounds now range from $65 to $100 per participant, varying by club. The cost breakdown includes a $20 SRC administrative fee, $25–$30 cart charge, with the balance allocated for food.

As part of SRC participation, all clubs have agreed to provide eight consecutive complimentary tee times for the club's rotation during divisional play. Survey results show that 114 respondents favor allowing each club to independently determine the team host date fee, while 133 respondents prefer SRC involvement in establishing host fees. Ultimately, each club is responsible for setting its own costs but is encouraged to follow a standardized formula.

If no food is provided before or after golf, clubs should charge a maximum of $50 per player ($20 SRC admin fee plus $30 cart fee). Any additional fees must correspond directly to menu costs for provided food or be lower. The provision of lunch or post-golf snacks should be discussed among division captains prior to the commencement of divisional play.

Scoring Per Match

Last season’s matches adopted Ryder Cup scoring: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and no points for front or back nine. The change aimed to speed up play. Although the pace of play improved, feedback indicated that teams facing difficulties on the front nine had limited motivation to compete on the back nine, as the match outcome was largely determined at that point. Survey results indicated that 135 of 249 or 54% of respondents want to revert to the 2/2/2 scoring. Conversely, 114 or 46% either wanted to keep the 2-point match scoring, wanted to adopt a hybrid 1/1/2 system or did not care. After a thorough discussion by the Board, it was decided that every match this season will add 8 points to the total standings. Teams earn 2 points for winning the front nine, 2 points for winning the back nine, and 4 points for winning the overall match. If the front nine or back nine is tied, each team receives 1 point. If the overall match is tied, each team is awarded 4 points. This 8-point match system will reward the winner of the match as did the 2-0 system while providing the loser of the front to “play for something” on the back nine. Match scoring will again be reviewed at the completion of this season.

Divisional Game Formats

All game formats (Better Ball, Chapman, Scramble, Aggregate, Alternate Shot, Shamble, and 9 & 9) are available for captains to select for their host event. There are no restrictions on the number of formats chosen within a division.

Captain’s Responsibilities 

1. Please ensure that this information is shared with your teams. It is located for all players to view on the top banner of the src1999.com home page in the “NEWS” tab.
2. Forward this note to the new captain (if you are no longer in that role) and inform Jeff Maslanka jeffmaslanka@rogers.com of the change in your teams’ captain. Jeff will assist all new captains with login challenges.
3. Set your home match date and event details promptly after the division structure is posted, keeping the regional playoff date in mind.
4. Ensure your team members have a registered Index with Golf Canada – this will be a requirement for 2027.
5. If required, please coordinate your team’s $640 SRC administration fee with club management to ensure that it is e-Transferred within 24 hours of your scheduled host date.
6. Team rosters in the Captains Area often need cleanup. Please ensure that each of your players, whether active or inactive, has a functional email address. Often, rosters list players who are no longer with your club or participating. Click the player and select the orange "archive" icon to remove them. All team cleanup is done in the “Manage Team” tab in the Captain Dashboard.
7. Division captains should be in touch, preferably via group email. Aim for consensus on start times, lunch or snack arrangements, site costs, and game formats. Remember our mission – to provide and maintain an energetic and competitive match play format for senior male golfers and promote camaraderie and professionalism.

We appreciate the sponsorship support that helps cover Playoff and Championship expenses. Participants will occasionally receive information on sponsor products or services through advertorials, and we encourage patronage where appropriate. Donations and supplies are essential for SRC’s success and the year-end events. Thank you for supporting our sponsors.

Have a fantastic season!

SRC Board of Directors