HandicapMaster.org

What's New in HandicapMaster 7

Changes to HandicapMaster in Version 7 (2007 Edition)

  • Important Changes to HandicapMaster Installation: HandicapMaster installation is brought in line with Microsoft recommendations for applications.

    This means that data files are now installed to the Windows User's own 'Application Data' folder, giving each user on a Windows PC their own database and settings for HandicapMaster. It is possible to configure for shared database(s) by running the new Database Configuration Wizard (see below). This version of HandicapMaster will install to 'HandicapMaster7' program files folder. It is strongly recommended that this edition is installed alongside (not over top of) any existing installation of HandicapMaster. Data may then be migrated from an older version of Handicap (version 5.0.28 or later) to version 7 using BACKUP DATABASE (older HandicapMaster) and RESTORE DATABASE (new HandicapMaster).
  • HandicapMaster 'NETWORK' edition: A new Network edition is added to the product range for HandicapMaster CONGU Handicapping software.
    Network edition sports the same facilities and functions as the Premier edition, but runs using a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database. This affords better performance and reliability when HandicapMaster is operated in a Network environment.
  • Booking into Future Competitions: A new facility to allow Players to book into future Competitions is added to the Premier and Network Editions of HandicapMaster. Players may be offered the option to book a specific Tee Time, or book a place in a 'block' of times (whereby Tee Times will be subsequently Drawn).
  • Age Groups: Each Player may now be assigned to one of five Age Groups ('Junior', 'Adult', 'Senior' or either of two groups which you can choose the names of) through their Membership Record.

    A new column in the All Members list is added to list the Age Group of Members.

    Entry to competitions many be limited based on Age Group. For example, a competition may be set-up as a “Seniors-only” competition. In this example, only names of Seniors will be listed when entering scores, creating Start Sheets, etc. A new ‘Eligibility by Age’ section is added to Competition Templates to facilitate this.

    Many reports now support filtering by Age Group. For example, it is now possible to create a Handicap List for Seniors only.

    Where a Date of Birth is entered in a Membership Record, HandicapMaster will predict the Age Group to be used (although this can be overridden). The age used to predict when a player is a “Senior” may be set using FILE -> OPTIONS -> MEMBERSHIP tab.

    The “Junior” column in the EXPORT file is replaced with an “Age Group” column. IMPORT supports the new “Age Group” column.
  • Compatibility with Microsoft Vista Operating System: Changes have been made to enable HandicapMaster to be installed and run on Microsoft's new 'Vista' operating system.
    Note: Compatibility checked with Vista RC1 release. Further changes may be required for Vista final version.
  • Texas Scrambles: 3 and 4-player Texas Scrambles may now be processed by HandicapMaster. A Choice of two different Handicap Allowance configurations are available. A mixture of 3 and 4 player teams may be entered in the same competition.
  • Database Configuration Wizard: A new Wizard to allow multiple databases to be accessed from a single HandicapMaster installation is added. This removes the need to have multiple desktop icons, but they are still supported.
    To configure multiple Databases, select FILE -> OPTIONS -> DATABASE tab -> CONFIGURE.
  • Housekeeping Wizard: The 'Archive' option is renamed 'Housekeeping...' and a new 'Housekeeping' Wizard is introduced. A new option to Housekeep the database using recommended settings is added.
Housekeeping Wizard
  • New Tools for integration with external Membership databases (Premier and Network editions): As part of a forthcoming 'Partner Programme' tools are being introduced that will enable businesses with their own membership systems to interface these to HandicapMaster in a real-time manner. A new ActiveX interface, known as ‘Remote Request Integration Facility’, is implemented to allow integration with external membership systems to add, edit and delete members. The ConfigureCSVLoad utility has been replaced with a new Integration Configuration Facility which is built into HandicapMaster. This supports both CSV loading and the new Remote Request Integration Facility. An option to issue a 'callback' to external Membership system when a player signs in to a competition is added.

Improvements in HandicapMaster 7

Competitions

  • You may now print the 'Analyse Scores Entered' list using a new report 'Analysis of Scores Entered' (see below). An additional button marked 'Report' is added to the Analyse Scores Entered toolbar to enable quick access to the printable report of the scores displayed.
  • You may now select a handicap allowance of two thirds for Singles competitions.
  • You may now cancel out of selecting players for a Team Competition (without the need to go through to the Scorecard Screen, as previously).
  • There are now less steps required as part of completing then Apply Scores wizard to close a competition (there are less steps displayed on screen).
  • You may now choose an overall name for a Multiple-round or Alternative Day Competition when applying scores. This is displayed on Aggregate competition results reports.
  • You may now publish Knock-out Draws to MasterScoreboard.co.uk.

Membership

  • A Member Locker Number facility is added to the 'Edit Member' facility, allowing a locker number to be recorded for a member.
  • You may now add a common item of text to receipts (Membership Subscriptions Option).
  • You may now assign a Subscription template to one or more Membership Categories. The Accounting menu has been changed, 'Join Members to Subscriptions' becomes 'Assign Template to Members' (Membership Subscriptions Option).
  • You may now publish members' names and membership Numbers/GOLFnet numbers to the BRS Online Tee Booking service, if you have an account with BRS Golf (Premier and Network Editions only).
  • The Membership Subscription and Invoice Templates now allow '10 Monthly' payments. Supported payment schedules are Annual (1 Payment), Monthly (12 payments) and 10 Monthly payments (Membership Subscriptions Option).
  • A Warning is now displayed when saving a membership record if the GOLFnet or Membership Card number is already used in another Membership Record.

Player Entry

  • You may now run Player Entry directly from HandicapMaster by pressing the F5 Function key.
  • The Names of Players are no longer displayed in the list of players when they have entered a Score Card for the competition.
  • You may now restrict players to only using their Magnetic Swipe Cards to identify themselves as they enter scores or book into a future competition (Premier and Network editions only).
  • You may now restrict Score Entry or Sign-in to only those players listed in a Start Sheet (Premier and Network editions). For team events, HandicapMaster will automatically use the team as set up in Start Sheets, when one of the players identifies himself at Score Entry time.
  • When competitors are signing-in before play, Away Player's Handicaps are now only checked at Sign In and are not checked a second time when entering Score cards (Premier and Network editions only).
  • When using a Keypad for Player Entry, key '0' is now the designated key to move to next letter in Alphabet (when choosing a name from a list).

Reports

  • Analysis of Scores Entered Report (New): This displays the scores entered (but not yet processed) in an opened competition; the same information as the 'Analyse Scores Entered' screen list.
  • Age of Members Report (New): This may be useful to determine when Members are eligible for Senior Competitions.
  • Locker Numbers Report (New): This displays a list of Members and their locker number.
  • Competition Bookings Report (New): This displays bookings received for future competitions (including available Tee times) and can also be used to create a entry sheet if required.
  • End of Season Low Handicap Records Report (New): This report is added to assist Secretaries with reporting Handicap Records to Area Authorities. A new option in Reports -> Layout and Options is added enabling this report to be limited to Handicaps of a specific value. Not Society Edition.
  • Summary of Scores Report: You may now choose the starting date for analysis.
  • Competition Results Report: Layout for team competitions is amended (displaying names of players in one column).
  • Competition Results Report: A new option to display total score in first column for Multiple Round Competition Results is added.
  • Competition Results Report: The 'Gross Scores' Competition Reports now include Handicapping information and Competition Scratch Score information.
  • Competition Results Report: Now includes the Venue in headings for aggregated competitions.
  • Competition Scores Returned Report: This now includes Away Club Players in addition to Home club Players.
  • Competition Winners Report: Overall Winners from aggregated competitions are now included in the report. This report now lists Competitions in reverse chronological order.
  • Eclectic Results Report: This now shows the Handicap Allowance used.
  • Start Sheet Labels Report: When labels are printed from a Competition Start Sheet, the word 'Game' is used in place of 'Match' to be consistent with the Start Sheets report.
  • General Play Changes Report: Previous Handicap of each player is now included as part of 'change' of handicap.

Start Sheets

  • You may elect to retain Players in pairs (teams) when randomising players in the Start Sheet.
  • You may now Auto Fill a Start Sheet using the players listed in another Start Sheet.
  • You may now include Players without a current Handicap on a Start Sheet.
  • 'GAP' button is replaced with 'Unavailable' button and can now be used to identify slots or Games that are not to be included on a Start Sheet report.
  • 'AutoFill' option now checks that players are eligible for the competition when importing players from a past Competition or Start Sheet.

General

  • Ireland GOLFnet; The 'GOLFnet Update' option is renamed 'Publish to GOLFnet (Ireland)...'. The GOLFnet update windows are now presented in a Wizard format.
  • Player's current handicaps are now included in the heading on the Handicap Graph screen.
  • A warning is now displayed if an Away Score is entered for a future date.
  • The 'All Members' list (and associated lists) is amended to read a status of 'No Handicap' in place of 'Social' where a Member has not been awarded a Handicap.
  • A Progress Bar now displayed as HandicapMaster program is exited.
The Competition menu has been changed:
  • 'Create a Start Sheet' item becomes 'Start Sheets'
  • When using the keyboard to access the menu the shortcut key for 'Set up a Template' has been changed to Alt+T instead of Alt+S
  • The Alt+S shortcut key is now used for 'Start Sheets' (when using the keyboard to access the menu)

Other

  • File Option 'Close Database after Idle Timeout' is redundant and is removed.
  • Some minor improvements to database query performance have been implemented.
  • New 'Locker Number' field is added to Letter Writer to allow member locker number to be added to letters.
  • CSV membership load facility is enhanced to support Locker Number (Premier and Network Editions only).
  • Accounting Options window is modified to group items together in a clearer manner (Membership Subscriptions Option).
  • The Open a New Competition Wizard no longer displays second round of a competition page if the competition is a team competition.
  • Column 'Junior' is moved next to 'Gender' column in file created when 'Export' is run.
  • Improvements are made to the Publish to MasterScoreboard Wizard.
Back to Top