Entries are open to male amateur golfers who are members of the Golf Association of Ontario and who have an up-to-date 2008 GAO Member Card with a Handicap Factor NOT EXCEEDING 8.4.  Exempt players must also meet the handicap requirement.  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 competitors must present their GAO/RCGA Handicap Factor Card upon registration.

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 22 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 22 at 4:00 p.m.

After April 22 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. April 30, 2008.

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. five business days before the championship.

Qualifying Location

Qualifying will take place at various ClubLink sites throughout the province on May 5 and at National Pines on May 26 only (see note below regarding National Pines). Applicants may choose any May 5 site they wish on 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 The Lake Joseph 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 GAO Match Play Championships

   2007 David Byrne	2004 Christopher Ross
   2006 Jimmy Latta	2003 Dave Bunker
   2005 Tyler Mcdannold

2. Semi-Finalists from the 2007 GAO Match Play Championship

   David Byrne	Robbie Greenwell
   Jeff Clarridge	Christopher Ross

3. 2007 GAO Amateur Champion

   Christopher Ross

4. 2007 GAO Mid-Amateur Champion

   Dave Bunker

5. 2007 Junior Boys’ Champion

   Matt Hill

6. Reigning Men’s Club Champion of Host Golf Club

   Kevin Bryce

7. Committee Exemptions (up to 3)

FINALIST: Silver Medal.

SEMI-FINALISTS: Bronze Medals

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

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

Practice Rounds at The Lake Joseph Club

Successful qualifiers to the championship may arrange for a practice round by calling The Lake Joseph Club Pro Shop (705) 765-2020 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 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, eligible players must:

1. Register in person at The Lake Joseph Club; or
2. State arrival date directly to GAO Headquarters and not arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to their starting time on Monday.

1. Martin Tzankov
2. Jamie Dodds
3. Cameron Faulds
4. Gavin Aldridge
5. Michael Dart
6. Chris Moore

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.