March 1 through Nov. 30 is the official score-posting season in Oregon and Southwest Washington. OGA Members can post scores Dec. 1-Feb. 29 if rounds are played in Sun Belt states.

Scores made in our region (Oregon and Southwest Washington) cannot be posted during December through February, as this is our off season. We must declare an off season per the Rules of Handicapping – as most of the country does (season dates around the US) – as typically our courses do not play to their ratings due to how inclement weather patterns can affect course conditions.

Our Course Ratings must reflect mid-season conditions, and most of the time they don’t in this winter period. When Course Ratings are compromised, so are handicaps. As well, we must declare the off season in advance to the USGA and cannot alter the dates throughout the winter as the weather changes.

Last year at this time, we had a severe ice storm. This year, we had a dry, sunny February. So, while we don’t know what Mother Nature will do in any given year, we must make the most reasonable determination we can based on what we’ve experienced in the past and given our large geographic area.