BC Amateur 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 his/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

The BC Amateur Championship is open to 156 amateur golfers who are exempt or have qualified through their zone event.

Exemptions:        2007 top 10 finishers

                               Immediate Past Champions

                               Presidential nominees, Collegiate Exemptions, National Champions residing in BC, current BCGA Seniors, Mid Am, and Junior champions

                       Last minute and foreign qualifiers (see Supplemental Qualifying note below)

QUALIFYING

All contestants are required to qualify for the Amateur by successfully competing in the qualifying event conducted at the zone in which their golf course is resident. If you are a BCGA member through a Member Group, such as the BCGA Players Club, you must compete in the zone in which you are a resident. The Zone will charge a BC Amateur qualifying fee of $30.00 (plus GST) plus an entry fee to participate in their Zone Amateur Championship. Please check local Zone posters.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFYING

For those contestants who could not compete at the zone level, or were unsuccessful, or who are from out-of-province (foreign), a further 18 hole qualifying event will be held at The King’s Links by the Sea. A minimum of 5 spots will be available, together with any unused exemptions. If the field for Supplemental Qualifying is oversubscribed, those players who have not previously attempted to qualify at their zone level will be given priority. Enter on line at www.bcga.org or contact the BCGA office for an official entry form.

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. 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 Amateur Championship is 72 holes stroke play with a cut to 70 and ties after 36 holes.

The Hamber Club Team Championship and Zone Team Championship will be held coincidentally with the first and second rounds of the BC Amateur.

Four man zone teams are named by each zone prior to the start of the tournament. The zone team competition uses the low 3 of 4 scores each day. 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 players. The club championship takes both scores from the club team.

SELECTION TO PROVINCIAL TEAMS

Selection to teams representing BC is open only to players belonging to the BCGA and who 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 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.

POWER CARTS AND CADDIES

Power carts are not permitted in the BC Amateur. Caddies are permitted.