COLUMBIA SECRET VALLEY GOLF

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MyCGF – Your Personal DataGolf Portal

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Dear Members, 

MyCGF – Your personal DataGolf Portal. 

The MyCGF portal permits Federated Members of the CGF to view their Results, Handicap history,
printing of HI Certificate and the self-submission of handicap qualifying scorecards. 

MyCGF incorporates historical playing records from the European Golf Association (EGA) Handicap
System updated to the World Handicap System (WHS) in May 2020.  

Please take time to carefully read the updated MyGCF Guide and the following statement on Handicap Integrity. 

Handicap Integrity

The Cyprus Golf Federation maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of
Handicap manipulation or the submission of false or misleading score information. 
Any player who knowingly submits a false, inaccurate, or misleading Score Card, or
otherwise attempts to influence their Handicap Index improperly, will be subject to
investigation by their Home Club and/or the Federation's Handicap, Rules & Course Rating
Committee (HR&CRC). 
Where an investigation establishes that a breach has occurred, the Federation may impose
disciplinary sanctions, which may include the suspension or revocation of the player's
Federation Licence, adjustment or withdrawal of the player's Handicap Index,
disqualification from competitions, and any other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate
under the Federation's Rules and Regulations.  


Updated MyCGF Guide: https://cgf.cy/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MyCGF-Guide-2.pdf


MyCGF Player Area:  https://my.cgf.org.cy


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Kind Regards 


Jamie Evans 
Competitions, Handicaps & Membership Secretary 
Golf Operations Team 
Columbia Secret Valley Golf 


Members Portal: secretvalleygolfresort.net 

Columbia Secret Valley Golf: csvgolf.com
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CSVG Summer Open on Saturday 8th August 2026

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Dear Members,
CSVG Summer Open on Saturday 8th August 2026
 
Individual Stableford (Q)
Men – Yellow Tees
Ladies – Red Tees
Shot-Gun Start at 0900
Prizes sponsored by Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri Bay for:
1st, 2nd & 3rd Men
1st, 2nd & 3rd Ladies
Nearest the Pin
Men & Ladies
This is a CGF NOOM Qualifying Event
Members can register as normal via the on-line entry system.
Closing date is midnight on Saturday 1st August 
 
https://www.secretvalleygolfresort.net/new-system-entry-form
Kind Regards 
 
Jamie Evans 
Competitions, Handicaps & Membership Secretary 
Golf Operations Team 
Columbia Secret Valley Golf 
 
 
Members Portal: secretvalleygolfresort.net 
 
Columbia Secret Valley Golf: csvgolf.com
pdf icon Columbia-Secret-Valley-Golf-Summer-Open-on-Sat-8-Aug-26.pdf
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Guidance and Explanation of Best Practice to Help Prevent “Backstopping” and R&A Rule 15.3

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Guidance and Explanation of Best Practice to Help Prevent “Backstopping”
“Backstopping“ is the common term used to describe the following situation in stroke play: A player, without agreement with any other player, leaves their ball in place on the putting green close to the hole in a position where another player, who is about to play from off the putting green, could benefit if their ball struck the ball at rest.As there has been no agreement to leave the ball in place to help any player, there is no breach of the Rules (see Rule 15.3a).However, The R&A and USGA take the view that “backstopping” fails to take into account all of the other players in the competition and has the potential to give the player with the “backstop” an advantage over those other players.As a result, the following guidance and explanation of best practice is available to players to help prevent backstopping:

  • In stroke play, the competition involves all players and, because each player in the competition cannot be present to protect their own interests, protecting the field is an important responsibility that all players in the competition share.
  • Therefore, in stroke play, if there is a reasonable possibility that a player’s ball close to the hole could help another player who is about to play from off the green, both players should ensure that the player whose ball is close to the hole marks and lifts that ball before the other player plays.
  • If all players follow this best practice, it ensures the protection of the interests of everyone in the competition.
15.3

Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play

15.3a/1
Breach of Rule for Leaving Helping Ball in Place Does Not Require Knowledge
In stroke play, under Rule 15.3a, if two or more players agree to leave a ball in place on the putting green to help any player, and the stroke is made with the helping ball left in place, each player who made the agreement gets two penalty strokes. A breach of Rule 15.3a does not depend on whether the players know that such an agreement is not allowed.For example, in stroke play, before playing from just off the putting green, a player asks another player to leave their ball that is near the hole, in order to use it as a backstop. Without knowing this is not allowed, the other player agrees to leave their ball by the hole to help the other player. Once the stroke is made with the ball in place, both players get the penalty under Rule 15.3a.The same outcome would apply if the player whose ball was near the hole offered to leave the ball in play to help the other player, and the other player accepted the offer and then played.If the players know that they are not allowed to make such an agreement, but still do it, they are both disqualified under Rule 1.3b(1) for deliberately ignoring Rule 15.3a.
15.3a/2
Players Allowed to Leave Helping Ball in Match Play
In a match, a player may agree to leave their ball in place to help the opponent since the outcome of any benefit that may come from the agreement affects only their match.
15.3/1
Methods for Moving Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play
When a player is moving their ball or ball-marker under Rule 15.3, it should be placed to the side by measuring with a club, such as by using the clubhead or the full length of a club. This can be done by measuring directly from the ball or by marking the spot of the ball and measuring from there.Some examples of this include:

  • The player may mark the spot of the ball and then move the ball-marker one or more clubheads to the side.
  • The player may lay a club or clubhead down immediately to the side of the ball and move the ball to the other end of the club or clubhead, or place a ball-marker at that point.

In moving the ball or ball-marker, the player should align the club with a fixed object (such as a blemish on the green or a sprinkler head) to ensure that when replacing the ball, the steps can be reversed and the ball be replaced on the spot from which it was lifted.

Kind Regards 

Jamie Evans 
Competitions, Handicaps & Membership Secretary 
Golf Operations Team 
Columbia Secret Valley Golf 


Members Portal: secretvalleygolfresort.net 

Columbia Secret Valley Golf: csvgolf.com
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Length of Rough around the Greens – Update from the Golf Course Superintendent

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Dear Members, 
The increased height of the rough around the greens is a deliberate management decision due to the ongoing water shortage and drought conditions we are currently experiencing. By maintaining a higher height of cut in these areas, the turf is better able to retain moisture, reduce heat stress, and remain healthy while we continue to manage our limited irrigation water allocation.
I am aware that the height is not completely consistent around the course and that it can make finding and playing a ball more difficult, particularly where a shot has only just missed the green. Unfortunately, this is one of the compromises we have had to make to ensure we can maintain the overall health and presentation of the golf course throughout the summer.

For the foreseeable future, while these water restrictions remain in place, I intend to continue managing the rough at this height. I appreciate that this may cause some inconvenience, but it is the most sustainable approach to preserving turf quality during the current conditions.
In addition to this, the heights of cut have been raised on all surfaces: Tees, Fairways & Approaches, Greens. 
Regards,
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Lucas Adamou

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Dear Members

Just to update all members on the latest news about Lucas.
Lucas is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy, prior to stem cell transplant, at the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv.  (The Sheba is listed among the top 10 hospitals in the world and has amazing facilities.)  While Lucas endures the side effects of his chemo, his sister Lizi is having injections to boost her stem cells prior to transplant.
It is hoped that the transplant will be carried out on Thursday.  Obviously this is a hugely important day for the Adamou family.
Lizi and her father will spend another 7 days in Israel, but Lucas must remain possibly for 3 months.  Natalie, his mother, is going to remain at the Sheba with him.  Fortunately the hospital has accommodation for families such as the Adamous.  
I know all members will wish Lucas all the very best as he once again endures another invasive procedure.  We hope this treatment works for this amazingly courageous young man.
Good health to you all

Jeni Spoor

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Hole 9 – Update from the Course Superintendent

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Hole 9 – Update from the Course Superintendent 


As you may have seen this week, we have been sprigging the area to the right side of hole 9 (just after the bridge) and we will now begin irrigating the area on a hourly basis for the next week and we will reduce intervals as the sprigging starts to establish. The Drop Zone has been moved back to the start of the fairway just after you cross the bridge. 

NO GOLFERS ARE TO ENTER THE SPRIGGING AREA 

THIS IS A NO ENTRY & NO PLAY ZONE

This is the same process that took place to the right side of the 5th tees. I would also advise golfers not to park golf buggy's on the cart path next to the sprigging area to avoid the sprinklers coming on and getting soaked! 


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Sprigging area is a NO ENTRY and NO PLAY ZONE 


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Mandatory Drop Zone for balls landing in the Sprigging Area 


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Watch out for the Sprinklers!! 

Kind Regards 


Jamie Evans 
Competitions, Handicaps & Membership Secretary 
Golf Operations Team 
Columbia Secret Valley Golf 


Members Portal: secretvalleygolfresort.net 

Columbia Secret Valley Golf: csvgolf.com
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CSVG Men’s & Ladies Shoot-Out on Wed 24 Jun 26

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The Columbia Secret Valley Golf Men's and Ladies Shoot-Out took place on the afternoon of Wednesday 24th June. 
 
Members with the lowest handicap indexes held at CSVG were invited to participate. The Shoot-Out took place from the White Tees for Men and Blue Tees for Ladies over 9 holes; holes 1 to 4 and 14 to 18, with one player with the highest score eliminated on each hole. 
In the event of a tie for the highest score on a hole, a play-off with the format decided by the Shoot Out Referee's such as a bunker shot, a chip or a putt would ensure the furthest player from the hole was eliminated.
The Men's Shoot-Out commenced with 10 players at 1.30pm with Sam Lawson and Trevor Fordham as the referees. 
Freddy Humphreys 
Andy Cave 
Jamie Evans 
Dominic Hampton 
Igor Rimmer 
Shaun Adams 
Dmitrii Ermakov 
Rob Humphreys
Steve Rayment 
Jason Woods 

There were 3 play-offs involving a long putt (2nd), chipping (4th) and bunker shot (14th) with the final pairing going down the 18th hole both in with a chance to win outright, however the hole was tied.  The play off was decided with a very long putt. 
Runner Up: Igor Rimmer 

Winner: Dmitrii Ermakov 
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The Ladies Shoot-Out commenced with 9 players at 2pm with Ted McMichael and George Davies as the referees. 
Erica Broadhead 
Li Min Ma 
Iona Elliott 
Olga Pushakova 
Anastasiia Rybnikova 
Ilona Stoilova 
Meg Fordham 
Lisa Wells 
Elena Stepanenkova 
No elimination on the 1st and it was used as a good warm up hole. There were 2 play-offs involving chipping (14th) and long putt (16th) with the final pairing going down the 18th in a closely contested hole.  
Runner Up: Lisa Wells 

Winner: Erica Broadhead 
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The Shoot Out presentation was well supported on the members balcony with appreciation from all the players for our Referee's, Sam, Trevor, George and Ted. 

Thank you to our 2013 Captain Ted McMichael for presenting the Winner's Trophies. 

Kind Regards 
Golf Operations Team 
Columbia Secret Valley Golf