Golf Handicap - Club Competitions

I joined one of our Golf Club's Teams. I had a 19 handicap and played in our "Best Cup" Team. Anyway, we got into the 2nd round. Had a good round in a Club Comp last week and now my handicap has gone down to 18. Got a call from the manager from our team to say that I'm now ineligible to play for the Best Cup team as that's only for 19+ handicappers. I would have thought that as long as my handicap was in order at the start of the Best Cup, that I'm eligible to play as long as we're in the comp. He said no, but I have my reservations. Anyone know what the craic is?

It is usually based on your handicap in the previous calendar year.
If your h'cap was not less than 19 in 2005 you should still be eligible.

That's the format of Barton cup etc.

I actually got to 18 around May of '05 but have been at 19 since June '05.

Handicaps for competitions like these are usually set before they start i.e. certain date before comp. starts.
For most you have to be a member for a year before you can enter a team comp. to stop falsely high handicappers from playing.
If you are a member for 1 year+ I would definitely question this. Try

Got talking with the Club Pro and he said it's "handicap on the day" - so, looks like I'm out.