The Journey Begins Here 2017 NWGA PLAYER HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 The Journey Begins Here 2017 NWGA PLAYER HANDBOOK

2 A message from the Director. Welcome to the 2017 National Women s Golf Association s tournament season. As we enter into our eleventh year we promise to continue to deliver to our competitors tournaments that are conducted under the highest standards of professionalism; giving aspiring female athletes an opportunity to hone and develop their skills under the conditions of competition similar to what they will see on the LPGA / Symetra Tour. Our goal is to be the number one tour for players who aspire to play on the LPGA / Symetra Tour. As you begin your journey, we recognize that you have options, and we at the NWGA feel that we can offer you a developmental tour tournament experience that is second to none as you prepare for a career in professional golf. Playing with the NWGA, you will find our tour provides: Easy registration process with either mail-in or online registration options. Communication through and social media platforms to keep competitors updated. Golf courses that are marked for tournament play by experienced and knowledgeable NWGA staff members. Hole location sheets with hole positions determined by experienced NWGA staff members. Certified and experienced on-course rules officiating staff who have scored at least 85% or higher on the USGA/PGA Rules of Golf Test, and have served more than five years as on-course rules staff at various levels of competition. Quick turn-around time from event completion to distribution of purse checks. Players have the option for direct deposit as well as having their earnings mailed. Most importantly, we provide all of this at an entry fee that is lower and more affordable than industry standards. I hope to see you in The Journey Begins Here Scott Walker President / Director National Women s Golf Association

3 90 or Higher Rule Any competitor posting a score of 90 or higher in the first two rounds of competition will be cut from the event. Cuts and Reduction of Rounds Most of the tournaments on the NWGA schedule do not have a 36 hole cut. The ones that do have a 36 hole cut will be identified during the registration process. The tournament committee has the right to enforce a 36 hole cut at any tournament if situations such as inclement weather (and similar) arise that threaten completion of the final round by having all competitors return to play the final day. Membership & Entry Fees 2017 Membership $485 prior to January 15, Afterwards, $ Entry Fees Member Professional $454 by check / $470 credit card (online) Amateur $279 by check / $293 credit card (online) Non-Member Professional $579 by check / $600 by credit card (online) Amateur $379 by check / $396 credit card (online)

4 Tournament Withdrawal Policy Players may withdraw without penalty until 12 noon the Friday before tournament week. Players that withdraw after 12 noon the Friday before tournament week will forfeit the amount equal to the course cost ($110-$150 depending on the course), but will be refunded the balance. (At 12 noon the Friday before tournament week, the host club is guaranteed a player count, and payment will be rendered for that guarantee) Withdrawals after 12 noon the Friday before tournament week cannot be transferred to a future event without the player providing payment for the balance of the entry fee due. Players that withdraw after the pairings have been posted, regardless of illness or injury, will forfeit 100% of their entry fee to the tournament. Exceptions: Players that WD due to getting into LPGA or Symetra Tour events running concurrently will receive 100% of their entry fee, minus course cost, back. Players must be confirmed in the Symetra / LPGA Tour field at the time of withdrawal, and position on the alternate list is not justification for late withdrawal. COMPETITOR MUST NOTIFY NWGA STAFF OF THEIR INTENT TO WITHDRAW PRIOR TO THEIR NWGA FIRST ROUND STARTING TIME, OTHERWISE THE PLAYER FORFEITS HER ENTRY FEE. Players that provide medical documentation justifying late withdrawal may receive a refund minus course cost, provided they submit to the NWGA a physicians note and supporting documentation such as receipt for payment of services or insurance claim, etc. Such documentation must be received by the NWGA prior to completion of the final round in order to be processed. Completion of the final round is defined by posting of the last scorecard and tournament results have been posted.

5 Eligibility Professionals - The tour is open to any female professional golfer. Amateurs - Competitive amateurs are permitted to play on the Tour. There are no minimum age requirements. Transitioned Competitors - Competitors who have undergone post pubescent sexual reassignment from male to female are eligible provided they; Undergone COMPLETED sexual reassignment changes no less than 2 years prior to submitting application to play. Have completed at least 1 year of hormonal therapy supplemental to female sexual reassignment to negate gender related athletic advantages. Provide with their application for membership or entry verifiable legal documentation recognizing their transitioned status. Failure to meet these guidelines will result in denial of membership or tournament entry. A transitioned competitor will only be required to provide the required documentation verifying transitioned status once. Subsequent event entry or membership application will not require the above guidelines. How to Enter Tournaments Players may print entry forms and mail their entry to the tour office prior to established deadline dates. Players may register online using a credit card. Transaction fee applies to all credit card transactions. Players may pay by phone using a credit card by calling the tour office. Transaction fee applies to all credit card transactions. Players may not register and pay for a current event on site. ALL entries must be in prior to the established deadline dates.

6 Field Sizes NWGA Tour field sizes will be capped at 72 maximum players. First Come First Served. Q-School Prep Events and Open Tournaments will be capped at 120 maximum players. Amateur Participation Amateurs that make the cut will be eligible to receive merchandise credit in accordance with the current USGA Rule on amateur status. There is no age limitations for amateur participation. Course yardages will not be adjusted for amateur competitors. Tournament Format NWGA Events are 54 Hole Stroke Play competitions. No Cut unless necessary to complete 54 holes. 35% of pro field gets paid. Any event listed on the schedule that will implement a 36 hole cut, 40% and ties will make the cut. All players making the cut will get paid. Distance Measuring Devices In accordance with Appendix 1 Part A, #7, Distance Measuring Devices, for all NWGA events, a player may obtain information by use of a distance measuring device. If during a stipulated round, a player uses such device to gauge other conditions (wind, slope & gradient, etc.) the player is in breach of rule 14-3.

7 Purse and Prize Distribution Unless there is added sponsor money for an event, all purses are determined by the number of professionals in the field. Purses are made up by deducting the entry fee from the cost to operate the event. Amateurs will be competing for their own Low Amateur Awards, which do not affect the professional purse. Amateurs that finish within the top 35% of the field cannot take money away from the professionals. Amateurs will be skipped over and the slot money will be awarded to the next professional slot. Exception: Any event with a 36 hole cut, amateurs are included in the top 40%, and will be awarded gift card merchandise credit not to exceed $750. Checks will be written and made available to the players within 24 hours of tournament completion. Players may have their checks mailed, or they can pick them up from the tour office in Winter Park, FL during normal business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday. Players may also have their earnings directly deposited. No check will be issued unless the proper tax documentation (W-9, or W8- BEN) has been submitted. Checks will not be written on site following any event. Transportation Policy Unless otherwise posted, All NWGA events will require competitors to utilize golf carts during competition. Host clubs will allow for only two (2) carts per pairing for tournament play. Players will be required to ride from teeing ground to fairway. All caddies MUST WALK during play of the hole. Cart Covers: It does get cold during the winter months. Players who have cart covers may utilize them.

8 Caddie Policy Caddies will be required to walk during play of the hole. Exception; players who elect to walk from their approach shot to the green, the caddie may move the cart green side. At no time shall the competitor and the caddie be riding at the same time during play of the hole. Caddies may ride in between holes. The NWGA does not condone the act of riding on the back of carts, and most courses we play will not allow it. IF A CADDIE OR PLAYER CHOOSES TO RIDE ON THE BACK OF THE CART, THE PLAYER/CADDIE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO THE GOLF CART, AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN INJURY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. Caddie Dress Code: Acceptable golf attire consistent with the host clubs dress code policy. Acceptable footwear include flat-soled shoes or sneakers. NO T- SHIRTS, NO JEANS, NO GOLF SHOES, NO FLIP FLOPS, SHOWER SHOES, CROCS, AND THE LIKE. Caddies are expected to present themselves professionally, just as they would in any LPGA Tour event. Players are responsible for their caddies behavior at all times while on the golf course. Caddie behavior deemed inappropriate by the tournament committee, the player will be given the opportunity to handle the situation. If the player cannot control their caddy s behavior, the tournament committee will seek assistance from the host club to have the caddie removed from course property. Any caddie removed from a competition will be banned from the tour for the remainder of the season. AT NO TIME SHALL A CADDIE approach a tournament committee member with a grievance regarding tournament operations, etc. Any grievances shall be brought to the committee by the player themselves. PARENTS SERVING AS CADDIES: If it is apparent that a parent serving as a caddie is putting undue pressure, or being abusive either verbally or physically, or performs the duties of a caddie with an attitude deemed unbecoming, that parent will be banned from caddying in any further NWGA events for their daughter, or caddying for another player who is paired with their daughter.

9 Spectator Policy Riding Events: Based on availability, spectators may have the option to rent carts. There will be some inconsistency in spectator cart rental. You should contact the club to find out cart availability. Walking events: All spectators will be required to walk. Spectators will be required to stay on cart paths well away from players. Handicapped spectators: Please call the club to inquire about the use of carts. Dress Code Proper tournament dress is required for all competitors during NWGA events. Dress standards currently acceptable in golf fashion will determine proper tournament dress. No jean or denim material, open-toed footwear, workout gear, or T-shirts will be permitted during competition. During social engagements (pairings parties, etc.) casual dress is permitted. Unless otherwise posted, at no time shall a competitor attend a social function wearing cut-off jeans and flip-flops. Practice Rounds Players are responsible for booking and paying for their own practice rounds. Range balls: Some courses will provide range balls to our competitors after their round. Many of the courses we play will charge the players for range balls after their round, or in some cases offer a 2-for-1 deal. You may be able to find a cheaper practice round rate through or by identifying yourself as an LPGA member. Please call ahead to inquire about LPGA Discounts. It is unprofessional to just show up and ask for an LPGA discount. Many of these requests have to go through the Head Professional or Director of Golf.

10 $2,500 Q-School Bonus Program Professional members of the NWGA are eligible for the Q-School Bonus Award Program. The Q-School Bonus Award Program is a season long points race where the top three professional members will be awarded a $2,500 Q-School Bonus upon completion of the final event prior to stage 1 of LPGA / Symetra Q- School. LPGA Exempt and Conditional embers are not eligible for this bonus. Only those players required to attend Stage 1 & Stage 2 of LPGA Q-School are eligible. Immigration & Recommendation Letters Players needing letters of recommendation should contact the tour. Letter s will be issued for current tour members only, who have participated in more than ten events during their membership tenure. Immigration Letters: The tour will submit supporting documentation for members of the tour only, and who have committed to play in a minimum of eight events, or 35% of the tours published schedule. We will not submit supporting documentation unless the above requirements are met. It is strongly suggested that you seek counsel from an immigration attorney, draft the proper paperwork, and submit it on your behalf. Any supporting documentation the NWGA provides, United States Immigration will follow up with our organization to inquire about the status of the player. If you do not think you will be able to meet the tour s requirements, we suggest asking the tour you will be playing full-time for supporting documentation of your immigration paperwork.

11 Pace of Play Policy A group pace of play policy is used in all NWGA events. It is your group s responsibility to maintain their position on the golf course. Rule 6-7 states in part that the, player shall play without undue delay, and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines established by the committee. Tournament officials are not required to issue pace of play warnings to groups. Time par will be established for each event, and tournament officiating staff will keep the lead groups in position based on time par. It is the responsibility of the other groups to maintain their position in relation to the group ahead. Any group that is maintaining time par but is holding up play behind them, may be given a pace of play warning if it is apparent that a player(s) is taking more than the allotted time to play a shot (slow play). For the purposes of this policy Position is defined as; Par 4 s - Groups must have begun play from the teeing ground before the group ahead places the flag stick in the hole indicating completion of hole. Par 5 s - Groups must have begun play of their second shot before the group ahead places the flag stick in the hole indicating completion of hole. A reachable par 5 will be treated the same as a Par 4. Penalties: A group that fails to reach the teeing ground of their final hole within fifteen minutes of the group ahead, the group will receive a penalty of (1) one stroke. A player who received a bad time ( + 30 seconds when on the clock), the player will receive; 1st offense (1 shot penalty) 2nd offense (2 shot penalty) 3rd offense (Disqualification) A group failing to meet the pace of play standard: If it is apparent that individual player(s) is the cause for a group not meeting the standard, only that player(s) will be penalized within the group.

12 Pace of Play cont d: Timing of Players: When a group or player is not on the clock, players are expected to keep their shot times below 50 seconds seconds is considered a bad time and the player will receive a bad time courtesy warning. When a group or player is on the clock, players are required to keep their shot times under 30 seconds seconds is considered a bad time. Shot times include time spent getting yardages, club selection, reading line of putts, and executing the shot. BE READY TO PLAY WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO PLAY TO AVOID GETTING PENALIZED. The player with honors will be given an additional (20) twenty seconds to play their shot. Timing of individual players will begin when the player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to reach their ball, and can proceed without distraction when it is their turn to play. Reasonable amount of time is determined by the tournament official. Time spent on club selection, obtaining yardages, and reading line of putt is included in the timing process. Pace of Play is one of the most criticized aspects of tournament golf. The staff and officiating crew of the NWGA is known for issuing penalties to groups, and/or individual players for Pace of Play violations. Pace of Play penalties are preventable, and quite honestly, should never be issued. By taking a proactive approach to maintain your position on the golf course, you can avoid being penalized. If you have any questions regarding these policies and procedures, please contact the Tour office in Winter Park, Florida at Scott Walker, Director National Women s Golf Association