My name is Marc Whipple, and I am IT’s General Counsel. My involvement with the sanctioning process has led me to ask to make a special guest appearance here on the Golden Tee Discussion Forum. While being the face of the sanctioning process goes with the job, I’d prefer that it not be necessary. I have plenty to do. To that end, please let me make the following points:

1) There’s a lot of speculation about the precise details of how the division system works. It hasn't been described in precise detail, nor will it be. This is mostly because it is totally irrelevant to a player who is playing their best and trying to follow the letter and the spirit of the rules, and partially because the system isn’t static like the previous systems were so precise details today might be misleading or just plain wrong tomorrow. To make at least one thing official, while we may discuss various specific examples, the general algorithm that controls division placement is a trade secret and will not be publicly revealed.

2) This much, we can say: the new division placement system is more complicated than any of our previous systems. It also has a much longer time horizon for evaluating the player’s history for division placement than any of our previous systems. When we say that it’s premature to discuss the results of the system, that’s because it is. Please don’t think that the way it is today, or the way it has been since the reboot, is necessarily the way it is going to stay. Also, the system absolutely, positively does not use any evaluation parameters other than historical play data. It does not know who you are. It does not know where you play or what your operator charges for a game. It does not know how often you play, or how long you've been playing. It is not trying to ensure any particular outcome other than as stated, to match players of comparable skill as often and as well as reasonably possible.

If you think the system is producing results which are not consistent with this aim, our player support department is always glad to get player input. Please don't hesitate to provide information you think is important regarding divisional assignments. We won't be able to respond to such inquiries specifically but they are always reviewed.

3) We need to remind you that even as the system continues to adjust, the rules are in full force and effect. Attempts to violate them will not be tolerated. We want to particularly draw your attention to this clause in the Terms and Conditions of Play:

In other words, it doesn’t matter if a particular action or series of actions is specifically forbidden. Doing things which have no other purpose than to affect your divisional ranking or improve your contest placements is not allowed. The answer to any question which starts with, "I wonder if it's okay if I do X?" should be assumed to be, "No, and it might get you sanctioned."

This rule is not new. It has been in place for quite some time, and remains in force today. So please don’t do it, as the ITNet Department has a very low tolerance for experimentation in this area. Your assistance and understanding is appreciated.

For your reference, the current ITNet Terms and Conditions of Play can always be found at this link:

http://www.goldentee.com/gt/Common/Legal/terms.jsp

Very nice..................you may want to just ban all of minnesota - will probably take up less of your time that way.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

If that's even REMOTELY close to the "gospel truth" then I only have one question:

Where's the Standing Ovation smiley????


ps: claiming that it this system is "more complicated" than anything else before is ... well ... I dare say you've drastically overstated the painfully obvious, sir! )

Again, kudos on getting rid of the old.

I for one appreciate the update....Thanks.....I'll continue to play and exercise patience since I don't have a back-up addiction right now

Will our stats pages be updated to show what actual division we were playing in?
I like to compare stats and if I am not playing in the top division as we all were previous to this change, the stats will be misleading. I think you would have to have a tab per division with all the same data you provide now.
Others have been referring to the sub divisions as Elite Light, is this the correct term? How many of these are there, or do you just fill them as time allows. Meaning, on a Friday night there might be 5, and during the day there might just be 1? or is it E1 and E2 and they are the same all the time?
Brad

Mr. Whipple, welcome (to the board that is )




Exactly. And hopefully in the future it does not become a detriment to play your best.



/everyone asking Mr. Whipple questions and expecting an answer here...

I thank you for your cordial responses. To be clear on a few other things:

1) I am not a regular participant on this board, nor do I expect to become one. I will not be answering any questions here. The questions above regarding stats and so forth should be addressed to player support: I honestly haven't any idea what the answer is. (My only response is, 'That seems quite reasonable.')

2) Players who have questions about the Terms and Conditions of Play are welcome to email them to legal@itsgames.com. If appropriate, we will respond via email. If a particular question is publicly relevant and does not seem well addressed by information already available, we may make a public post (though the identity of the asker will remain private) or have information on our website and/or the game updated to reflect it.

3) Please note that while I am the principal author of the Terms and Conditions of Play and the Rules of the ITNet, the underlying principles thereof, review of infringements, and imposition of sanctions is the responsibility of the ITNet Department. They, however, will not respond directly to questions about such matters. The Legal Department of IT is the gatekeeper with regard to the Terms and Conditions of Play as well as the Rules of the ITNet.

Don't mind me, just highlighting this part for Sosa