BC Senior Women's Championship

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 her 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

All competitors must be a member of a recognized provincial, state or national golf association and submit with their entry form a photocopy of their official BCGA/RCGA, Zone Junior or Foreign membership card certified as to current handicap factor within 15 days of entry. The membership card must also be available for inspection at the registration table.  For tournaments which have a Handicap Factor requirement for entry, the Factor used is the one in effect on the date of entry.
Note: Entrants must be eligible to play in club and zone tournaments.

Entries are open to all female amateur golfers who will have reached 50^th birthday by June 17^th 2008. Proof of birth date may be requested. Players must be currently eligible to participate in Club, Zone and BCGA events and will be required to present proof of their current membership in the BCGA/RCGA or Foreign golf association. A field of 96 players is accepted, with exemptions for 16 Zone Team Members. The field consists of the lowest 96 handicap factor entries at time of entry. Flights will be determined by factor.

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 WOMEN'S DRESS CODE

This Dress Code governs all BCGA Women’s' Tournaments and all Players representing the BCGA Women’s Division. The philosophy of this Dress Code is to respect the game, maintain Golf's culture and traditions while providing performance clothing to today's woman golfer that is comfortable, stylish and offers variety. This Dress Code Policy is part of the BCGA Code of Conduct and is governed within that policy.

The Host Club Policy, if more restrictive, will apply.

TOPS:

·          Polo shirts with or without sleeves

·          Sleeveless shirts with or without collar but MUST have minimum 4 inch seam at the   shoulder. TANK TOPS ARE NOT PERMITTED

·          Dress T-shirt with or without collar or sleeves including V-neck, Mock neck and Turtle neck

·          Tops may be worn tucked-in or un-tucked but NO midriff or cleavage can be shown

·          Tops may be fitted but NOT skin-tight

BOTTOMS:

·          Pants, capris

·          Skorts or shorts MUST reach a minimum length at end of wearers fingertips when arm is placed straight down side of body (person to stand straight with arms at sides - hem of shorts or skorts MUST extend below fingertips)

·          NO denim, spandex or fleece (sweatshirt) fabrics

·          Bottoms should be tailored but NOT skin tight

All hats must be worn properly. No commercial logos, such as those of alcoholic beverages or of other similar products or with slogans, numbers or offensive illustrations will be accepted on hats or any other piece of clothing or equipment, except logos of golf equipment companies or golf clubs and commercial logos as being part of the team uniform.

A player or caddie violating this dress code will not be permitted to start the competition. A violation of this dress code by either the player or caddie during the stipulated round must be rectified without undue delay or the player will not be allowed to continue play or the caddie will not be allowed to perform the acts of a caddie.

Male Caddies dress code is covered by BCGA 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.

SELECTION TO PROVINCIAL TEAMS

The 4 person team to represent British Columbia in the provincial team competition at the Canadian Seniors will be selected from this event. The top 4 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.

FORMAT

The BC Senior Women’s Championship is a 54 hole gross stroke play competition with no cut. Ties for 1^st place and for positions on the BC Team to the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship will be decided by a sudden death playoff immediately following completion of play of the final round.

There are 4 age category competitions with a prize for the low gross score in each category. The categories are 50 – 56, 57 – 62, 63 – 69 and 70+.

There are 6 flights with prizes going to the low and second gross score in each flight. Flights are determined by players’ handicap factor at the time of tournament registration.

Zone & Club Team competitions are held coincidentally with the first and second round of the BC Senior Women’s Championship. The Zone Team gross and net competition use the combined 36 hole gross and net scores for each zone team member. The Zone Team consists of players who are chosen by each zone in advance of the provincial championship.

Two-woman club teams are selected after the first round by taking the two players with the lowest gross score from each club with two or more competitors and the two players with the lowest net score from each club with two or more competitors.

Players cannot win multiple prizes in the overall competition and flight competitions. In other words, a player winning an overall prize is not eligible for a flight prize. Players cannot win both gross and net prizes in the zone and club competitions.

FIELD LIMIT

Maximum Field - 96 players. Should the field be oversubscribed at the time entries close, it will be reduced to the lowest handicap factors at time of entry. 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 and caddies are permitted in the BC Senior Women’s Championship.