zonacat:
However, it is my understanding that a 'forfeit' prevents any record of your match beside a win or loss. No scoring record, no advancement in tier. Is that not correct?
This is how match play stats work anyway. Your score isn't kept and posted, only a win or a loss is. And you were credited for the win against this player. It would be exactly the same if he played it to the end, no difference, except for the following.
From what I understand, although match play wins affected your avg and tiering up ever since the new anti sandbagging system was put in place, they changed it after a while so it only does that IF you beat your opponent all the way, but not if it forfeits. I remember a IRL friend of mine pointing out (in these forums) the fact that he was able to turn his master buddy into a tour master with only 6 forfeits on the 1st tee, without the master hitting a single ball.
I think it was great, if they actually changed the rules, so disconnections and forfeits from higher tiered players no longer tier up the lower ones. Count yourself lucky, cause you'd be a master by now, if they didn't. And you're in no condition to move back to master tees yet, neither in XP level (you'll need better gear) nor in level of skill. I don't mean to offend you in any way, but take a bit more time and play some more stroke play rounds (try some practice rounds as well, not just ranked) and you'll tier up when you'll actually be a bit more prepared for the hole distance you'll be facing as a master.
Cheers,
Matt