Qualifying Rounds and Championship

18 Holes Stroke Play

Qualifying rounds will be comprised of two consecutive 9-hole stipulated rounds. In the event that every player is unable to complete 18 holes but has completed 9 holes and the event is subsequently cancelled, the 9-hole score will count for the tournament qualifying round and qualifying will be decided based on this score. Nine holes must be completed by every person for the event to count.

“Better-Ball” Format

As prescribed in Rule 31-1 of the RCGA Rules of Golf; “In four-ball stroke play two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one player fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.” Scoring Rule 31-4 in the Rules of Golf prescribes that; “The marker is required to record for each hole only the gross score of whichever partner’s score is to count. The gross score to count must be identifiable; otherwise the side is disqualified. Only one of the partners need be responsible for complying with Rule 6-6b.”

Play will be governed by the Rules of Golf as approved by the RCGA, except when modified by Local Rules, approved by the GAO Tournament Committee. The GAO Tournament Committee, whose decision shall be final, shall settle questions. The competition shall be deemed to have closed when the Championship Trophy has been presented.

Click here for Local Rules and Conditions of the Competition.

Only brands of golf balls on the most current USGA List of Conforming Golf Balls shall be used.

Time of Starting (Note to Rule 6-3a) 

If the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole to be played in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes is disqualification.

Automotive transportation is permitted for all phases of the Championship and the following rules apply. Players may reserve golf carts by contacting the Pro Shop.

Conditions of use:

1. Players who are using golf carts are not permitted to travel beyond the point on the course where their ball lies, to gauge the yardage or to seek the position of the hole. Breach of this rule may result in a two-stroke penalty.
2. Players may share a cart.
3. When a cart is shared by competitors, it becomes the equipment of the competitor whose ball is involved, except that, if the cart is being moved by one of the players sharing it, the cart and its content are deemed to be the equipment of that player. (Definition – “equipment”)
4. A tournament Official may transport a player and/or his equipment if it is deemed necessary to maintain Pace of Play.

Note: Spectators are not permitted to ride in any carts on the Golf Course.

A player may provide his own caddie. A player is not required to employ a caddie for any phase of the Championship or Qualifying.

Caddies must adhere to the Footwear Policy.

It is a condition of the competition, including at all qualifying sites and the Championship proper, that shoes with traditionally-designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e. ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes; regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (if when such metal may come in contact with the course) are prohibited during the stipulated round.

Penalty for breach of this condition: DISQUALIFICATION.

As a condition of the competition, the use of cellular phones, noise-making pagers, radios, iPods, Digital audio players (MP3) and any other similar electronic noise making devices will be prohibited during competition play.

In addition, other electronic devices that support push e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, Internet faxing and web browsing (ie., Blackberries devices) are also prohibited.

Clarifications and special requests regarding this condition should be directed to the GAO Rules Committee in advance.

Players in breach of this condition may be subject to disqualification.

Distance-Measuring Devices

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.

The following Pace of Play Policy is in effect at all Qualifying Rounds and the Championship:

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."

Summary

When a group is out of position at any check-point, the players in the group are liable to penalty under these guidelines. Players in a group that have been determined to be out of position will be liable to penalty according to the following schedule of penalties pending final determination of whether a breach or breaches of these guidelines have occurred:

Check-points for Championships will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of the groups' 9th and 18th holes.

• 1st potential breach (during the round) - liable to a one-stroke penalty
• 2nd potential breach (during the round) - liable to a two-stroke penalty

Check-point for Qualifying Rounds will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of the groups' 18th hole only.

• Potential breach after completing 18th hole - liable to a one-stroke penalty

Allotted Time

When play is in groups of three, each group is allotted a specified time to complete 18 holes at a pace in accordance with the time chart provided in the Local Rules at the group's first hole.

When a group falls behind - regardless of the reason - it must regain its position. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time. Definition "Out of Position" - Stroke Play

First group:

The first group is out of position if it takes more than the allotted time to finish a check-point hole (see Local Rule check-point time table).

Following groups:

A following group is out of position if it:

1. takes more than the allotted time to finish a check-point hole and
2. completes play of a check-point hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole

Group Out of Position

When a group is out of position at a check-point, it will be notified by a Check-Point Official that the group is potentially in breach of these pace of play guidelines. When a group has been notified of its first potential breach, that group is expected to regain its position before reaching the next check-point. If that group reaches the next check-point out of position, each player in the group may incur the applicable penalty for a breach of these guidelines.

Any group that is out of position is subject to being monitored by a Rules Rover.

A player concerned about a non-responsive fellow-competitor in his group should request a Rules Rover to monitor the group in case the group is or becomes liable to penalty under these guidelines.

Final Determination Regarding Breach/ Review Process

Before returning his score card, a player who was out of position during his round may consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine if he has incurred a penalty under these guidelines. The Pace of Play Committee will determine that a player who has been found to be out of position is not in breach of these guidelines only if:

1. the player was delayed by the Committee; or
2. the player was delayed by a circumstance beyond control of the player or the group; or
3. the player was delayed by another player in the group

A player who was out of position during his round and who elects not to consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine whether he was in breach of these guidelines is considered to have been in breach of these guidelines and to have incurred a penalty or penalties according to the Local Rule schedule of penalties.

If a group is liable to penalty, all penalties will be applied to the check-point hole where the breach occurred.

Example scenarios how penalties apply:

1. If a group fails to complete 9 holes in the allotted time, all players in the group are liable to a penalty of one stroke applied to the players' 9th hole (1st potential breach). If thereafter the same group fails to complete 18 holes in the allotted time, all players would be liable to an additional penalty of two strokes applied to the players' 18th hole for a total of three penalty strokes (2nd potential breach) as per Rule 6-7 (see below).
2. If a group takes more than the allotted time to complete nine holes and thereafter completes 18 holes in the allotted time, all players in the group are liable to a penalty of one stroke applied to the players' 9th hole (1st potential breach).
3. If a group completes nine holes in the allotted time and fails to complete 18 holes in the allotted time, all players in the group are liable to a penalty of one stroke applied to the players' 18th hole (1st potential breach).

TIE BREAKING POLICY FOR QUALIFYING ROUNDS

Rule 33-6 states: “The Committee shall announce the manner, day and time for the decision of a halved match or of a tie, whether played on level terms or under handicap. A halved match shall not be decided by stroke play. A tie in stroke play shall not be decided by a match.”

The GAO has determined that, for the purposes of breaking ties for gross score qualifying rounds, in order to determine spots for final position of qualifying, and for determining the order of the alternates, that the following method of tie-breaking will be used:

For an 18-hole competition, use the best back 9, thence to the best score on the last 6 holes, thence to the best score on the last 3 holes, and thence to the best score on the last (18th) hole.

If this fails to break the tie then go to the best score on the second last hole (17th hole), then to the best score on the third last hole (16th hole), then to the best score on the fourth last hole (15th hole), and continue through holes one by one to the best score on the first hole.

If the players are still tied after this, the Committee shall flip a coin.

Note:  In the event that the qualifying round is shortened to nine holes, the method of breaking ties used will be the best score on the last 6 holes, thence to the best score on the last 3 holes, and thence to the best score on the last (9th) hole.  If the players are still tied after this, the Committee shall flip a coin.

Players must be neat in appearance with respect to clothing and personal grooming. Golf shirts and golf slacks are acceptable. Golf shorts/skirts/skorts are permitted and must conform to the host club's regulations. The GAO Tournament Committee in charge shall decide whether this requirement has been met and has the authority to withdraw the entry of a player who does not comply.

The GAO may arrange for (i) promotion of the Championship, for radio and television broadcasting and other exhibition and publication of the Championship or excerpts thereof in various media, including so-called “online” or “new media” and (ii) the design, manufacture and sale of merchandise which commemorates or memorializes the Championship, throughout the country or world. By this application, the player consents to the use by the GAO, of his name, likeness, voice and references to him and photographs and other images of him and his play connected with his appearance in the Championship, or any portion(s) thereof, in connection with such media promotion, broadcasting and other exhibition and publication of the championship and design, manufacture and sale of commemorative merchandise. The GAO may utilize the rights granted it hereunder in connection with the promotion and/or commemoration of the 2008 Championship as well as future Championships, other GAO Championships and the GAO. The cooperation of players with authorized representatives of the media is required, provided that no pre-Championship activities outside of those activities, which are part of the Championship, shall be required and provided that the player’s Championship play is not unreasonably interfered with.