2012 Rules & Regulations
I. Authority
The Tournament Committee oversees the scheduling, formats and regulations for all Chapter Pro-Ams and Tournaments. Decisions of the committee are subject to review by the IEPGA Board of Directors.
The Pro-Am Rules Committee shall be comprised of the Tournament Chairman, the Host Professional (or PGA affiliated) designee and an on-site member of the IEPGA Board of Directors at any given Pro-Am or other Chapter event. If a member of the Board is not available, one shall be located if possible by telephone. If that fails, a Professional shall be selected the Director of Tournament Operations to participate in making any necessary rules decisions. Rules committee decisions shall be final as of the day of the event; decisions may be appealed to the IEPGA Board of Directors.
II. Eligibility
A. Golf Course
Pro-Ams will be held at 18 hole courses only with the exception of Pro-Juniors events. Courses must be willing to host an IEPGA event as requested by the Chapter Board of Directors. Pro-Ams will not be held at courses where a PGA affiliated person is not employed. The host course MUST provide a PGA Professional for the entire event, violation of this WILL result in an automatic $100.00 fine. A facility must be USGA recognized and rated to be eligible for hosting an event.
Pro-Am scheduling will occur in November-December for the following season. Head Professionals of 18 hole courses may contact the Tournament Chairman prior to December 20th to confirm their preferred date the next year. Courses will be asked to host an event approximately three out of every five years.
B. Golf Professional
The Professional must be PGA affiliated with Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA, must be in good standing with the IEPGA and PNWPGA, must meet all sectional and national employment and playing criteria and must meet Pro-Am selection criteria as outlined on Page 4.
All money won by Amateurs in IEPGA Pro Am Events will be paid to the golf course that the Professional is representing. In the case of an unattached Professional, money shall be paid to the course where his or her handicap is held provided that that facility employs a PGA Professional. If the facility does not employ a PGA Professional, then that Amateur’s winnings will be sent to the host course for that event. Amateur winnings from Professionals whose courses are not willing or able to host an event will be posted at the host course for each event.
Class “F” or inactive members are not eligible to play in any Chapter events.
C. Pre-Apprentices
- Apprentices-See attachment for eligibility
D. Amateurs
All amateurs participating in Pro-Ams must have a VALID, CURRENT and VERIFIABLE INDEX. Amateurs must be 18 years of age and must also have completed their high school eligibility requirements, except in the Pro-Junior event. Amateurs must be at least 50 years of age for the Pro-Seniors Events.
E. Handicaps
Permanent indexes will be used, no temporary indexes/handicaps will be allowed. Indexes MUST be verifiable at the site of the event. Amateurs must play to their current index.
Handicap limit for individual play will be 36 for open, men’s and senior events, 40 for lady events.
Maximum handicap in the team event shall be 90% of the players 18 hole handicap for all events.
Professionals are responsible for accuracy of USGA GHIN #’s and indexes used in Pro-Ams.
We will follow the USGA’s reduction formula for all pro-am events. The tournament committee and board of directors reserve the right to adjust handicaps.
Home course adjustments to player handicaps may be honored by the IEPGA for events.
F. Event Types Defined; Amateur Participants
Open: These events are open to both men and women. Teams may be comprised of any mix of men and women up to the maximum of 4 amateurs. Adjustments to handicaps may be made based upon the difference in the course rating of the men’s and women’s tees at the designated course.
Men’s: Men only may play in these events; maximum of 4 amateurs per team.
Women’s: Women only may play in these events; maximum of 4 amateurs per team.
Senior’s: Men and women at least 50 years of age may participate. Teams may be comprised of any mix of men and women up to the maximum of 4 amateurs. Adjustments to handicaps may be made based upon the difference in the course rating of the men’s and women’s tees at the designated course.
Junior’s: Boys and girls ages 8-17 as of the event date may participate in these events. Separate divisions for girls and boys will be maintained, further separated by age ranges. Handicap adjustments may be made for the team game based upon the difference in the course rating of the men’s and women’s tees at the designated course. Teams for this event will be comprised of two juniors and one Professional.
There will be an equal number of men’s, women’s and senior events each season. There will be one Pro-Junior event each season.
III. Conduct and Dress
A. Conduct of all players shall be in accordance with the rules of the tournament and the host club. Such acts as malicious damage to the golf course or club, throwing or breaking of golf clubs or abusive language will not be tolerated and may result in fines, disqualification or both. Golf Professionals are responsible for the behavior of their amateur players.
B. Dress of amateurs and Professionals will be in accordance with the host club regulations. Professionals are responsible for ensuring their team members are informed of any host course dress code. Professionals are additionally responsible for compliance with PNWPGA dress code.
Exception: During Pro-Ams, Professionals may wear acceptable golf shorts, provided they are conservative in style, and are hemmed and pocketed front and rear. Gym shorts, sweat pant type shorts or other non-golf related shorts are not acceptable. Professionals in violation of the dress code will not be allowed to start until properly attired, even if this results in penalty or disqualification. Violations detected on the course will result in disqualification.
C. No metal spikes of any kind may be used in any IEPGA event, for both Professional and amateur competitors. Penalty for non-compliance – Disqualification.
Players may play in tennis shoes or other acceptable form of shoe if acceptable spikes are not available. Host courses are encouraged to supply themselves for this contingency as a service to players and may charge accordingly. It is up to the playing Professional to inform their players of this requirement.
IV. Pro-Am Selection
A. Priority for Picking Events and Tee Times
Group 1: All Class A Members employed the previous season and all Life Members.
Group 2: All Eligible Apprentices
est.
Waiting list tee times will be assigned in the following priority:
Head Professional at Host Course
Assistant Professional at Host Course
All other times will be assigned based on the previous years points.
“Out of Town” Preferred Tee Times
If your golf course lies 80+ miles from Spokane City Hall, your course is willing to host an event and you play in a minimum of 14 events you will be eligible for an extra ½ participation point per event for the next years tee time draw.
Completed sheets with all tee time assignments will be faxed back upon completion. Requests for open tee times must be made on or before our Spring Meeting by contacting IEPGA Headquarters at 509 953-4879 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
B. Selection of Events and Times: Instructions
10-minute tee time format now in use.
The 1:00 PM times off #1 and #10 tees are reserved for sponsors and are not available for member fixed tee time use.
Members in Groups 1 and 2 must select a minimum of 14 Pro-Ams to be eligible for a fixed tee time.
If, at your time to select, you do not want any of the remaining times as described above, you may opt out of the current order and defer to the end of Group 2 in the same order originally picked. After all other members within Groups 1 and 2 have chosen their respective times or deferrals, your tee times will be assigned by the tournament committee based upon your stated preferences. The tee time draw order is determined by accumulated participation points from the prior season, within group classifications. Any ties will be broken by blind draw.
You must be present during the tee time selection process (Spring Meeting) or must appoint a designee who must bring your selection sheet. If you or your designee does not appear, you must call in on the waiting list for times each week.
If you do not receive a time for an event and still wish to play, you may call 509-953-4879 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM ONLY, thirteen days prior to an event to put your name on the waiting list. Example: If you did not get in the Spokane CC Pro-Am, scheduled for Monday, June 12th, you may call to be put on the list on or after 8:00 AM, Tuesday May 30th. Please leave your name, phone numbers and event you are calling for and an AM or PM preference. You will be contacted by phone if an opening becomes available.
C. Cancellations
I. Cancellations may only be made by calling or emailing the IEPGA Tournament Headquarters at 509-953-4879 or iepga@hotmail.com. Leaving a message on the message phone is an acceptable means of cancellation. Pro-Am cancellations must be made no later than 5:00 PM one week prior to the event you wish to cancel, this includes giving your time to other eligible Professional at your club. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a $100.00 fine. No shows and/or same day cancellations are fined the equivalent of full team entry fee plus any reserved carts, including the Pro-Juniors. Emergency cancellations and/or no show exception requests are subject to review by the IEPGA Board of Directors.
2. If any Professional that takes a fixed time fails to appear to play in 14 of the scheduled Pro-Ams in any given year, then they will be dropped to the end of their group for the subsequent year’s tee time draw.
3. Withdrawal during an event will be permitted only in the event of illness or physical disability requiring medical attention or in the case of serious personal emergency. Withdrawal for any other reason or not informing the Tournament Chairman or Head Professional of your withdrawal will result in a $100.00 fine
Amateur participants whose Professional withdraws must be accompanied by a designated marker in order to continue to participate in their respective individual competitions.
D. Sponsor Times
Sponsor times are designated at 1:00 PM off #1 and #10 weekly.Head Professionals and Directors of Golf will be asked to play with sponsor teams. If the sponsor declines to play, then the assigned Professional may elect to bring his/her own team, or cancel without penalty, resulting in an open time to be filled by the waiting list.
E. Tee Time Switching
Tee times may be switched between Professionals with playing privileges from the same course without penalty. A Professional may also give up a tee time to another Professional
with playing privileges from the same course without having one to trade. Giving a tee time in this manner will count toward the cancellation limit and must be made within the cancellation timeframe. Please notify the Tournament Chairman of any changes as soon as possible.
F. Participation Points – 2011 for the 2012 Tee Time Draw
The point system is based on participation in Pacific Northwest PGA events. Since it is the IEPGA system participation in chapter events is weighed more heavily than section events.
***4 POINTS will be awarded for participation in a Chapter Pro-Am provided your team entry was faxed to the Chapter office before the Friday 5:00 p.m. deadline.
NO EXCEPTIONS***
8 POINTS 6 POINTS 4 POINTS 2 POINTS
Chapter Championship Pro-Junior All Chapter events All Chapter events
Chapter Assist. Champ. with faxed entry with no faxed entry
Junior clinics & all Section events
Reminder: The 14 rule is still in affect. You must play in at least 14 of the scheduled pro am events. If you do not play in at least 14 of all of the Pro-Am events you will drop to the end of your classification for next year’s draw.
G. Playing Points
The following points system will determine the overall placement for Professionals and Low Gross Amateurs during the Pro-Am Season.
Professionals Amateurs
1st Place 15 Points 1st Place 10 Points
2nd 12 “ 2nd 9 “
3rd 11 “ 3rd 8 “
4th 10 “ 4th 7 “
5th 9 “ 5th 6 “
6th 8 “ 6th 5 “
7th 7 “ 7th 4 “
8th 6 “ 8th 3 “
9th 5 “ 9th 2 “
10th 4 “ 10th 1 “
11th 3 “
12th 2 “
13th 1 “
Professional (Regular and Seniors)points will be awarded based upon full Professional field finish. Any amateur in the field may obtain cup points regardless of which flight they are in based upon their gross score.
V. Responsibilities of the Playing Professional
A. Professionals are responsible for providing valid and current USGA GHIN #’s and indexes for all amateur players and for completing the check-in sheet NO LATER THAN 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO YOUR TEE TIME. They must also complete scoring summaries, adjust scores in accordance with ESC guidelines and secure all amateur signatures before turning in check-in sheet and scorecard at the end of their round. The check-in sheet is the official scorecard for the competition. (The scorecard itself provides the necessary hole by hole information). Failure to provide all required signatures on the check-in sheet may result in disqualification of the team and or individual players. The scorer’s signature should appear on the scorecard. Scorecard and check-in sheet must be turned in immediately following play.
B. Late arrivals to the check-in table will be subject to USGA rules and regulations.
C. It is also the playing Professional’s responsibility to inform their players of all applicable dress codes, local rules, power cart policies and other course requirements. (i.e., soft spikes). Failure to comply may result in revocation of entry, fines or both.
D. Entry fees are to be paid by CHECK ONLY – no cash. Please make checks payable to IEPGA.
E. The playing Professional is responsible for the conduct of all amateur partners. All team members are subject to penalties described in Etiquette Section of the 2011 USGA “The Rules of Golf”.
F. The playing Professional is responsible for ensuring private cart trail fees are paid to the host Professional.
If the Professional is approached for the appropriate trail fee and declines to pay, that Professional is subject to a fine equal to the amount due for private cart usage, plus $ 50.00.
G. Professionals must select only one division to play in and note the division on sign-in sheet prior to teeing off.
VI. Host Professional Responsibilities
A. The host Professional will have the course prepared in accordance with the preliminary letter from the Tournament Chairman. Prepare local rules sheet as necessary, provide sufficient copies for all participants, and assist with all event signage, banners and other necessary materials as required. There must be a PGA affiliated Professional on site and available during the entire event, violation of this will result in an automatic $100.00 fine to the host Professional.
B. Make arrangements for forecaddies if so requested by the Tournament Committe. Prepare an invoice for forecaddies, and/or sponsor carts and range balls as applicable.
C. Privately owned golf carts may not be used without the permission of the Host Professional. If it is your intention to allow private carts and collect trail fees, prepare and display signage in the pro-shop to notify the Playing Professionals. The Host Professional must make every reasonable effort to collect said trail fees up to and including approaching and requesting the fees from each team with private carts. Report any Playing Professional who is approached for trail fees and who declines to pay to the Tournament Director. Golf Courses may require ALL participants to take carts, courses that require this must have the ability to supply for a full field.
D. Start all players in an orderly fashion; announcing each group at their specified starting times for both tees. Report any problems or late starts to the Tournament Chairman.
E. Serve as local Tournament Rules Committee member in conjunction with the Tournament Chairman and a present member of the IEPGA Board of Directors. Appoint a PGA affiliated designee in the event of your absence to assist with rules decisions or suspending play for dangerous or other conditions.
VII. Pro-Am Tournament Events and Pay-out Schedule
A. Professional Events
1. Professional Division 13 Places
2. Senior Division
3-6 2 Places
7-8 3 Places
9+ 4 Places
Women Professionals may elect to compete in either of these two divisions. The Tournament Director must be notified of the choice prior to teeing off.
B. Amateur Events Purse Amateur
1. 0-8 Gross (6 Places)
2. 0-8 Net (6 Places)
3. 9-13 Net (9 Places)
4. 14-Up Net (9 Places)
C. Team Event 9 Places
D. Professional Only Skins Game is included in your $30.00 entry fee.
E. Net and Gross Skin games are included for all amateurs; this is included in the Amateur entry fee. All payouts for amateur participants will be directed to the playing Professional’s home course. Exceptions may be made for Sponsor Teams, and for amateurs playing with Unaffiliated, Life Member Professionals or golf courses that are not willing or able to host a Pro-Am event. These monies will be directed per Rule II B
Adjustments in Divisions may be made in the Pro-Ladies and Pro-Seniors to accommodate handicap mix and Pro-Juniors to accommodate ages of participants.
F. 2012 Entry Fees: $230.00
VIII. Rules of Play
Play in all IEPGA Pro-Ams will be governed by the current USGA Rules of Golf and, as applicable, the Pacific Northwest Section PGA Supplemental Rules of Play and by Chapter Rules, subject to changes by the Tournament Committee and/or IEPGA Board of Directors.
Host Course local rules may also be in effect, and will be available at these events as necessary. Local Rules must be approved prior to the competition.
A. Pace of Play
Out of Position Defined: (PNWPGA)
A group is out of position if it reaches the tee of a par 3 hole and the hole is clear, fails to clear the teeing ground of a par 4 hole before the preceding group clears the putting green or arrives at the teeing ground of a par 5 hole when the preceding group has already reached the putting green. In addition, the group’s elapsed time must exceed the applicable time schedule.
Note: A warning remains in effect for the stipulated round.
Pace of Play: 16 minutes per hole
If a group is found to be out of position as defined above and has not met the required pace of play, a warning will be issued. The pace of play will then be reduced to 15 minutes per hole, and the group will be monitored for the next two holes.
If the group is still out of position after two holes are completed and has not met the required 15 minute per hole pace of play, the golf Professional will be fined $50.00. If the group is still out of position but is maintaining the 15-minute pace, they must maintain the 15-minute pace until they are back in position.
If a Professional’s group is identified as out of position during the course of a Pro-Am, their name will be included on a weekly report to the Board of Directors. This report will be included in the weekly result sheet, and will be cumulative throughout the season. The Board of Directors will contact Professionals whose groups are reported four times for further action. This may include suspension of playing privileges or other disciplinary action. This pace of play enforcement is a Consecutive Event Format. For example: If you play in the first event of the year and receive a warning (1st Offense) on the 5th hole, then receive a warning (2nd Offense) on the 10th hole, skip two events and then fall behind on the 6th hole of the 4th event you will be given a $50.00 fine for your 3rd Offense and so on.You will not be allowed to play in another event until your fine is paid.
1st Offense Warning, inclusion on weekly report
2nd Offense Warning, inclusion on weekly report
3rd Offense $50.00 fine, inclusion on weekly report
4th Offense $100.00 fine, mandatory appearance before the Board of Directors
B. Advice:
Advice may be given to and by any member on the same team.
C. Discontinuance of Play; Resumption of Play
Rule 6-8 will be strictly adhered to INCLUDING Note to Rule 6-8b. Appendix I Part C4 explains Note to Rule 6-8b along with signals that will be used.
D. Violations
It is the duty of each member and apprentice to report any acts of misconduct or rules violations during the course of the round. Any infractions of rules and conduct violations called by another shall be reported to the Tournament Director at the soonest possible time during or after the round, who must forward said complaint to the Board of Directors. The compliant must then be submitted in writing to the IEGPA Board of Directors within 48 hours.
E. Practice Putting – practice putting is not permitted. Two stroke penalty for each violation.
F. No Scouting – see PNWPGA Hardcard
IX. Eligibility Requirements for Other Chapter Events
A. see attachment..