Mid Amateur Championship

Entries are open to male amateur golfers who

1. will have reached their 25^th birthday by August 19, 2008,
2. are members of the Golf Association of Ontario and
3. have an up-to-date 2008 GAO/RCGA Handicap Factor NOT EXCEEDING 8.4.

The Mid Master Division is open to those who will have reached their 40^th birthday by August 19, 2008.

Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by the Golf Association of Ontario.  The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct.

All players including those exempt must apply on-line at www.gao.ca.

Only one entry may be filed per player. The entry fee of $167.00 includes GST and must be paid by every player.

Note:  There is no additional entry fee for those who qualify for the Championship through a qualifying round.

A $30.00 ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM ALL REFUNDS.

By April 15 at 4:00 p.m.

FOR ALL PLAYERS:  The entry fee (less the $30.00 administration fee) will be refunded if any entrant cancels his entry online by April 15 at 4:00 p.m.

After April 15 at 4:00 p.m.

NON-EXEMPT PLAYERS (those qualifying):  The entry fee refund will be considered in the event of injury or illness, if requested in writing (Medical doctor's note required) by 4:00 p.m. as follows:

1. April 23, 2008 for the Essex qualifying
2. April 30, 2008 for the Bond Head qualifying
3. May 7, 2008 for all the other qualifying rounds

REFUND POLICIES FOR EXEMPT PLAYERS ONLY: The entry fee refund will be considered in the event of injury or illness, if requested in writing (Medical doctor's note required) by 4:00 p.m. May 28, 2008.

Qualifying Location

Qualifying will take place at various qualifying sites throughout the province. Applicants may choose any site they wish subject to availability.

The GAO will determine the number of qualifiers’ places at each location after entries close based on the size of the qualifying field to the overall number of qualifying entries. A tie for last qualifiers’ place will be decided by the GAO tie breaking method. If a qualifying location cannot fill its qualifiers’ places, or if an exempt player withdraws, the place made available will be re-allotted to the Alternate List prearranged by the GAO. Alternate have no status at the Championship.

Successful Qualifiers Entry into Championship

Following play on the day of Qualifying, every successful qualifier will automatically be entered into the Championship at Thornhill Golf and Country Club with no additional fee. If a qualifier or exempt player withdraws, the player must notify the sectional official or the GAO (905) 852-1101 promptly in order to insure an Alternate fair opportunity to play. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from future GAO competition.

To apply for an exemption based on qualifications met in non-GAO events, please contact the Tournament Department at the GAO for approval only after entering the championship qualifying round. Contact must be made prior to the closing date for the tournament. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Exemption requests will not be considered unless the applicant has entered a qualifying round.

1. Winners of the past five (5) GAO Mid-Amateur Championships

   2007 Dave Bunker	2005 Bill Swartz
   2006 Peter McCarthy	2003 Michael Jackson

2. Top ten (10) and ties from the 2007 GAO Mid-Amateur Championship (Overall)

   Dave Bunker	Christopher Kertsos	Ron Pearson
   John Crowther	Daniel Legros	Ronald Totten
   Colin Grieve	Chris Markle
   Scott Hickerson	Jesse Maytham

3. Top ten (10) and ties from the *Mid Master Division of the 2007 GAO Ontario Men's Mid-Amateur Championship

   Dave Bunker	Colin Grieve	Raymond Oh
   John Crowther	Christopher Kertsos	Ron Pearson
   Barry Fairhurst	Daniel Legros	Stephen Raitt
   Robert Gibson	Chris Markle

4. Top ten (10) and ties from the 2007 GAO Ontario Men's Mid-Amateur Rankings

   Dave Bunker	Matthew Ion Young	Scott Sinclair
   Justin Fluit	Chris Markle	Ronald Totton
   Lee French	Richard Ross
   Scott Hickerson	Jesse Maytham

5. 2007 GAO Ontario Amateur Champion (if age eligible)
6. 2007 GAO Ontario Senior Amateur

   John Marlow

7. One (1) member of Host Club (if age eligible)
8. Winner of the 2007 Thunder Bay and District GA Mid-Amateur Championship
9. Investors Group Sponsor Exemption Committee Exemptions (up to 3)
10. Winner of the 2007 Public Player Championship has the option to be exempt in either the Mid-Amateur (if age eligible) or the Men's Amateur. Must declare by the entry deadline.

    Raymond Oh

* Mid-Master Division is age 40 and over as the first day of the championship.

FIRST PLACE: Gold medal, Champions Trophy and the Ontario Men's Mid-Amateur Trophy (to be retained by the GAO).

SECOND PLACE: Silver medal. If a tie, duplicate medals will be awarded.

THIRD PLACE: Bronze medal. Awarded only if no tie for Second Place. If a tie for third place, duplicate medals will be awarded.

FIRST PLACE (AGE 40 AND OVER) The lowest scorer Age 40 and over for 54 holes will be recognized as the winner of the Mid Master division (age 40 and over) .  In the event of a first place tie, the winner will be determined by a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff between those players tied for first place. The playoff holes and their order of play will be determined by the GAO and announced prior to the completion of the championship.

The Golf Association of Ontario has a goal of having all of its tournaments recognized as the best Amateur Golf Tournaments in Ontario.

In order to continue to make Golf Association of Ontario Tournaments an enjoyable experience for all participants, spectators, club staff and volunteers who assist in organizing the events, the Association requires that all of the participants in its events adhere to a Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is a guideline that participants are expected to follow while participating in our Tournaments and events.

1. The Code of Conduct requires that, while on the Golf Course, all players:
   1. Will strictly adhere to the Rules of Golf
   2. Will refrain from using abusive or profane language
   3. Will refrain from displays of temper, such as throwing clubs
   4. Will complete all competitive rounds of golf, unless otherwise approved by the GAO Tournament Committee
   5. Will demonstrate respect for volunteers, spectators, tournament officials, the host course and staff, and their fellow golfers will adhere to the dress code during practice and competitive rounds
   6. Will not demonstrate any other conduct not becoming of a GAO member
2. The Code of Conduct requires that, while off the Golf Course, all players:
   1. Will not be associated with vandalism
   2. Will not demonstrate abusive behavior to any fellow competitors, tournament officials, host club members, or community officials
   3. Will avoid any other conduct not becoming of a GAO member
3. Official of the Golf Association of Ontario may assess any or all of the following penalties based on the severity of the violation of the Code of Conduct:
   1. Issue a written letter of warning to the player
   2. Disqualify the player from the tournament at which the violation occurs
   3. Reject selection of the player for teams that represent the Golf Association of Ontario
   4. Disqualify the player from future GAO tournament(s) for which the player is otherwise eligible
   5. Suspend the player’s membership in the Golf Association of Ontario, indefinitely

In the event of a suspension of which the player wishes to appeal, the player is required to submit a written account of the incident to the Executive Committee of the Golf Association of Ontario Board of Directors within fifteen (15) days of the suspension. The player will be notified of the date when such appeal will be heard. The Board will issue a written decision within 30 days of such hearing. All such decisions are final.

Any player, whose membership is under suspension, will not be considered for post-season rankings, exemptions for future events, or selection for teams representing the Golf Association of Ontario.

Practice Rounds at Qualifying and Final Qualifying

There are no official practice rounds provided by the GAO at any qualifying stage.

Practice Rounds at Thornhill Golf & Curling Club

Successful qualifiers to the championship may arrange for a practice round Monday June 2 at Thornhill Golf & Curling Club by calling the Pro Shop (905) 889-4984 in advance to arrange a starting time.

Qualifying and Final Qualifying Rounds:

Those players not exempt should arrive 30 minutes prior to their starting time.

Championship:

Between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 2, eligible players must:

1. Register in person at Thornhill Golf and Curling Club; or
2. State arrival time directly to GAO Headquarters on site

Place may be forfeited by a player whom no word is received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 2.

Alternates for the Championship will be determined from qualifying and posted on the GAO website (www.gao.ca).

Performance in Sectional Qualifying

If a player fails to return a score lower than 95 at a Sectional Qualifying Round, an entry filed by him for a future GAO Championship that is handicap restricted may be declined unless the player can document that he is capable of competing at the required level.

Restriction related to qualifying - as individuals or as team members - for RCGA National Championships.

Individuals who reside in Ontario (within the area east of Brockville) and join the Golf Association of Ontario Public Player Program have access to compete in GAO Championships. However, competing in GAO Championships cannot be used to qualify for RCGA (National) Championships. Qualifying for RCGA Championships must take place within the traditional boundaries of the Provincial Golf Association. If you require further clarification of this, please contact Dave Colling, Director of Tournaments/Player Development at dcolling@gao.ca

The RCGA allots each Provincial Golf Association a number of quota spots for the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship. The quota number is based on an RCGA formula.  The GAO fulfills its respective quota through the Ontario Mid-Amateur and then forwards the names of the eligible golfers to the RCGA.

If there is a tie for the final Quota spot, a hole-by-hole playoff will be held immediately following play.  A player not immediately available for the playoff shall for forfeit his spot.  Multiple no-shows shall be decided by lot.

Selection: The top two (2) 2008 Ontario Men’s Mid Master Championship finishers (age 40 and over) and the top two (2) 2008 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship finishers (age 25 and over) will comprise the Ontario Mid-Amateur Team. The team will represent Ontario at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Note: The Team Selection Committee reserves the right to amend the selection process at any time during or following the Championship.

Ties: In the event of a tie at the conclusion of play for the final team position, a hole-by-hole playoff will begin immediately following completion of the final round.