CDH - Central Database of Handicaps »
Central Database of Handicaps
Updated 13th October 2009
In August 2007, whilst the English, Scottish and Welsh Golfing Unions were deliberating plans to introduce various types of Central Handicapping Databases and other software services, Club Systems International (CSI) wrote an open letter to all three organisations offering assistance. In short, CSI gathered the support of all the major Independent software vendors (ISVs) and helped to set up a working group which represented both ISV's and Unions. This working group could then help to deliver the golfing Unions requirement; hopefully at low cost and little inconvenience.
Early in 2008 the English Golf Union joined this working group and throughout the year we jointly formulated a specification for their Central Database of Handicaps (CDH). The ISVs (including CSI) involved in the project, provide handicapping software to over 90% of the clubs in England and had the support of most, if not all, of the smaller suppliers.
All licensed ISVs have been working on and testing their systems during 2009 ready for a full roll out from January 2010.
CSI's development is now completed and has been in testing at more than 50 English clubs. Technical testing has gone very well and the beta testing stage has now been drawn to a close. Clubs will be asked to follow the CSI/EGU sign up procedure once the correct version of CLUB2000 (V12) has been installed.
Clubs wishing to take part in the English CDH will need to be fully supported users and have installed the 2010 version (V12) of CLUB2000 scores and handicaps. This version will be rolled out from November 2009. Only clubs taking part in the beta testing will be able to continue using the V11 2009 CDH version.
Your club will need a 2010 CD update. This will automatically be dispatched once you have taken out your 2010 CSiCare support contract. You will be contacted with further details in the next few weeks.
Scotland & Wales
As detailed above, a working group of ISVs (CONGU Licensed software suppliers) produced a specification for the upload of data to a central database of handicaps. The English have developed their database to accept this upload. The same format (or interface) is available for any golf union to use FREE of charge. A meeting has been held between the working group and the Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies Golf Association and the Golf Union of Wales. At this meeting the same upload was offered and the golf unions are in consultation with their contractors. Hopefully they will soon decide whether they will drop their separate initiative and use the same method as the English.
Ireland
The Golfing Union of Ireland and The Irish Ladies Golf Union have had a CDH for some years. CLUB2000 has been compatible with their method of upload since the start. Their system, like any ongoing IT project, is under constant review and the GUI have been contacted to offer the same interface as the other unions.
The ISVs believe that having all Unions accepting data in the same way and in the same format, will offer all involved unions, clubs, golfers and the software suppliers, the best solution for a collection of compatible, reliable, National Databases.
