BC Men's Mid Amateur Championship

Play is governed by the RCGA Rules of Golf, and, where applicable, by the following conditions, local rules and definitions. Complete text of Rules and Appendix I Part A, B and C may be found in the RCGA 2008 Rules of Golf, as referenced on page numbers below. Golf Club Local Rules do not apply for BCGA competitions unless specifically stated by the tournament committee.

Unless otherwise noted, penalty for breach of a Condition or Local Rule is:

Stroke Play – two strokes

Match Play – loss of hole

CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION

Time of Starting – If a player arrives at the starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification under Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of first hole in match play or two strokes, to be added to the score on the first hole, in stroke play. Rule 6-3 Note (page 46) and Appendix 1-C2 (page 132)

Golf BALLS – Only golf balls approved and described on the current RCGA “List of Conforming Golf Balls” may be used. Penalty: Disqualification. Note to Rule 5-1 (page 43).

Pace of Play – A player or players shall be subject to penalty if they unduly delay play. The BCGA Pace of Play Policy is in effect and posted at the first tee of all tournaments.

Practice – During a stroke play competition a player shall not play or practice a stroke on or near the putting surface of the hole last played (Note 2 to Rule 7-2 – page 52)

Suspension of Play Due To a Dangerous Situation – In potentially dangerous situations, all play shall be discontinued IMMEDIATELY following a suspension of play signal by the BCGA Tournament Committee. Penalty is disqualification (Rule 6-8b note) Note: All practice areas shall be closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee declares them open again. Signals are

·          Discontinue play immediately: One long note of a siren

·          Discontinue play: Three short notes of a siren, repeated

·          Resume Play: two short notes of a siren, repeated

Transportation – Except when specifically permitted by the BCGA Tournament/Rules Committee, transportation is prohibited Penalty: Match Play – deduct one hole for each hole violation occurred; max two holes. Stroke Play – two strokes for each hole; max 4 strokes. Appendix 1C-9 (page 135)

Note: Special exemptions may be allowed for qualified players who have a serious permanent impairment.

TIES – Ties for first place and places on provincial teams will be decided by Sudden Death playoff, Match Play Matches will be extended hole by hole and all other ties will be broken by matching scorecard, as per RCGA recommendations.

Close of Competition – The competition shall be deemed to be closed when the BCGA Rules Committee has approved all scores. In the event of a play-off, the competition shall be deemed to be closed when the BCGA Rules Committee has approved the play-off scores.

LOCAL RULES

EMBEDDED BALL – Through the green a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground, except in loose sand, may be lifted, cleaned and dropped without penalty as near as possible to the spot where it lay, not nearer the hole.

Exception: A player may not obtain relief under this Local Rule if it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Local Rule. Rule 25-2 (page 92) and Appendix 1B-4 (page 121).

OUT OF BOUNDS – When white stakes or fences are used, the out of bounds is determined by the nearest inside points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level (excludes angled supports). When a white line defines out of bounds, the line itself is out of bounds. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds. Rule 27-1 (page 95). A ball that crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR – Areas enclosed by white lines are ground under repair, and the lines themselves are in the GUR. French Drains (gravel can be seen or felt by probing), trenches filled with gravel or the like, are ground under repair, even though not so marked. Rule 25-1 (page 89)

ROADS, PATHS OR IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS – Areas enclosed by white lines tying into roads, paths or obstructions have the same status as the road, path or obstruction and are not GUR. The line itself is part of the obstruction. Rule 24-2 (page 86)

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES – In this competition, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used

INTEGRAL PARTS OF COURSE – Tree wrappings, electrical wires and cables when closely attached to trees, liners in bunkers, and artificial walls and/or pilings when located within water hazards or bunkers are integral parts of the course. These items are not obstructions and relief under Rule 24-2 is not permitted.

ELEVATED POWER LINES AND CABLES – if a ball strikes such a line, the stroke shall be cancelled and the player must play a ball, without penalty, in accordance with Rule 20-5.

DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE – In stroke play, if a player is doubtful of his rights or procedure, a second ball may be played, without penalty, as permitted in Rule 3-3 (page 38). The Player shall:

·          declare that he is playing a second ball

·          indicate to his marker in advance which ball he wishes to count

·          report to the Committee before returning his scorecard to obtain a ruling regardless of the score made with both balls

GENERAL TOURNAMENT POLICIES

All BCGA tournaments are conducted using the conditions of competition and local rules adopted by the BCGA. Copies of these documents are available on the BCGA web site, the BCGA Office and copies will be distributed to all players at the tournament. The British Columbia Golf Association reserves the right to decline or withdraw any entry at any time.

OFFICIAL TIME

The digital clock at the tee (1^st or 10^th) where the player begins his stipulated round indicates the official tournament time. Starters will not page players in advance of their starting time. Players should report to the tee one starting interval prior to their starting time.

ELIGIBILITY

The tournament is open to all amateur male golfers with a current Handicap factor of 9.0 and under who are current members of the BCGA or have a foreign membership. Contestants must have attained their 25th birthday by the first day of the BC Men’s Mid Amateur with no upper age limit. Players must be currently eligible to participate in Club, Zone and BCGA events and may be required to present proof of their current membership in the BCGA/RCGA or Foreign golf association.

ENTRY PROCEDURES

All entries must be received by mail, fax or on-line by the entry deadline. Phone and email entries will not be accepted. Payment must accompany all entries.

It is the player’s responsibility to ensure entries arrive at the BCGA office on time. Please check the BCGA web site to ensure your entry has been received. The BCGA does not assume responsibility for lost entries.

REFUND POLICY

Tournament entry fees, less a $25.00 service charge, will be refunded when the BCGA is notified by phone, email or through on-line cancellation at least 7 days prior to the tournament. Refunds, less the service charge, will be given only for medical or compassionate reasons for a cancellation received less than 7 days before the tournament. Such cancellations require written confirmation. No refund will be given for any reason once the tournament begins.

BCGA DRESS CODE

The BCGA Dress Code applies to players and their caddies. Only full-length golf slacks, plus fours, tailored golf shorts and golf shirts are acceptable. Prohibited are cut-offs, jeans, sweat pants, warm up pants and shirts with slogans, numbers and offensive illustrations. The Host Club Dress Code, if more restrictive, will apply. All hats must be worn properly and all shirts tucked in. No commercial logos, such as those of alcoholic beverages or other similar products or with slogans, numbers or offensive illustrations will be accepted on any piece of clothing or equipment, except logos of golf equipment companies or golf clubs and commercial logos as being part of the team uniform.

Female Caddies dress code is covered by BCGA Women’s Dress Code.

SPIKELESS SHOES

It is a condition of all BCGA competitions (including practice rounds) that contestants must wear spikeless or “soft spike” shoes; traditional steel or ceramic spikes may not be used. Contestants in non-compliance with the “spikeless” policy will not be permitted to start. In accordance with Rule 6-3, players must arrive on the tee ready to play and extra time will not be afforded for non-metal spike installation or changing shoes. Failure to comply with the “spikeless” policy at any time once play has commenced will result in immediate disqualification.

Caddies must wear flat, rubber-soled shoes (running, tennis, basketball shoes). Spiked or spikeless golf shoes of any kind must not be worn.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

All information for specific tournaments, such as information regarding practice rounds, pairings and starting times will be available on the BCGA web site approximately 7 days before the tournament commences. Email notification of pairings and starting times will be sent to players who have supplied valid email addresses.

WITHDRAWALS

A competitor withdrawing during the event must immediately fill out a Withdrawal Form. The reason must be on medical or compassionate grounds acceptable to a tournament official. Failure to do so may result in suspension from all of next year’s events sanctioned or conducted by the BCGA. A “no-show” will be deemed an unauthorized withdrawal.

FORMAT

The BC Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship consists of two divisions; the Mid Amateur Division for those between 25 and 39 and the Master 40 Division for those 40 and over. All players will compete for the overall Championship.

The BC Men’s Mid Amateur Championship is a 54-hole stroke play gross competition. There will be a cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes for the Mid-Amateur Division (based on a field of 92) and a cut to the low 30 and ties for the Master 40 Division (based on a field of 52). The BCGA reserves the right to adjust these numbers based on the final number of players in each Division.

The White/Haddrell Club Team Championship will be held coincidentally with the first and second rounds of the BC Mid Amateur. Two-man club teams are selected after the first round by taking the two players with the lowest score from each club with two or more competitors.

Ties for first place in the Mid-Amateur Championship and for place on the team representing BC at the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship will be conducted by sudden death playoff on completion of play on the final day. Ties for first place in the Club Team Competition will be confirmed by matching scorecards as recommended by the RCGA method for breaking ties.

SELECTION TO PROVINCIAL TEAMS

Selection to the team representing BC requires two players must be 40 years of age or older. The two remaining players must be 25 years of age or older. The players must belong to the BCGA and have been residing in Canada for one year and in BC for at least three months. Selection will be based in part on play in BC events. The BCGA reserves the right to consider other matters in the team selection at its sole discretion.

RCGA QUOTAS

RCGA Quota spots in the Canadian Men’s Mid Amateur are given to players belonging to the BCGA and who meet residency requirements. Selection will be based in part on play in BC events.

FIELD LIMIT

Maximum Field - 144 players. Should the field be oversubscribed at the time entries close, it will be reduced as follows: 92 spots will be assigned to those players between the ages of 25 and 39 with the lowest handicap factors, and 52 spots assigned to those player 40 years of age and older with the lowest handicap factors. Any spots not taken by each division will be available to golfers in the other division.

It is the player’s responsibility to advise the BCGA office of a reduction in their handicap factor prior to the deadline date in the event of cuts due to the tournament being over subscribed.

In the event the tournament is not fully subscribed at closing date, the qualified entries received at closing will be confirmed and guaranteed. Entry will be re-opened for 14 days, with eligible entries accepted on a first come, first service basis.

POWER CARTS AND CADDIES

Power carts are not permitted and caddies are permitted in the BC Men’s Mid Amateur Championship.

Adherence to the Place of Play is the player’s responsibility

Warnings will not be issued to slow groups

Advise rules officials ASAP of a slow player in your group

Rule 6-7, Undue Delay, Slow Play states:  “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish.  Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.”

EXPECTED TIME - This is the time within which all groups must play each nine holes.  An Expected Time will be given for the front nine and back nine, e.g. the Expected Time for the 1^st nine might be 2:15 and for the 2^nd nine 2:10.  When a group falls behind, whatever the reason, it must regain its position.  Time for ball searches, rulings and walking time between holes is included in the Expected Time.

Each group’s starting time will be recorded on a time card at the start of each round.  The group’s time will be punched on a time clock when the flagstick is replaced at the end of each 9 holes.  If the group is within the Expected Time and less than 13 minutes behind the group in front, no action will be taken, although the group may be warned if they are failing to keep up with the group ahead.

OUT OF POSITION

First Group – The first group is out of position and subject to penalty if they complete the first nine and/or second nine holes over the Expected Time

Following Groups – Following groups are out of position and subject to penalty if they complete the first nine and/or second nine over the Expected Time and complete play of the 9^th/18^th hole more than 13 minutes (13:00) after the preceding group completes play of that hole.

PENALTIES

A rules official may monitor play and may assess individual 2 stroke penalties to any player who is not playing to an acceptable pace.

Any penalty strokes will be added to the ninth or eighteenth hole or the hole being played at the time the penalty is assessed, as directed by a rules official.

NOTE: The time for the 2^nd nine holes starts when the flagstick is replaced upon completion of play on the 9^th/18^th hole.

APPEALS - Slow Play penalties may be appealed to the Tournament Committee.  The appeal must be in writing and must be based on facts relevant to the reason Pace of Play was not maintained.  The decision of the Tournament Committee will be final.