WASHINGTON STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION
62nd MEN'S BEST-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
25th SENIOR MEN’S BEST-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
WINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB
WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON
MAY 17 - 18, 2018
REGISTRATION
All contestants must register in person with the WSGA prior to playing in the championship. Player Registration will be located in the pavilion (located about 100 yards from the golf shop), during the following times:
Wednesday, May 16: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 17: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
STARTING TIMES AND PAIRINGS
The entire field plays 18 holes of Four-Ball Stroke Play (Best-Ball) each day. The Men’s and the Senior Men’s Championships are separate but run concurrently. Tee times will be off of the #1 and #10 tees from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. each day.
THURSDAY, MAY 17: Round One, 18-hole, Four-Ball Stroke Play with a.m. and p.m. starting times from the #1 and #10 tees. Teams will be re-paired according to 18-hole gross scores for final round play.
Senior Men’s Championship: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Men’s Championship: 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 28: Final Round, 18-hole, Four-Ball Stroke Play with a.m. and p.m. starting times from the #1 and #10 tees. WSGA-hosted lunch following the round from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Men’s Championship: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Senior Men’s Championship: 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Round One pairings will be released on Thursday, May 3.
PREFERRED STARTING TIME REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
COURSE YARDAGE
See attached hole-by-hole yardages at the end of this document. The Men’s Championship, Senior Men’s Championship and the Super Senior Flight will all play from different yardages.
PRACTICE ROUND
Contestants may play one complimentary practice round. Practice round starting times will be available on Monday – Friday during the two weeks prior to the championship and after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16. Call the Wine Valley golf shop at (509) 525-4653 to schedule a time. All practice round times and are at the discretion of the golf shop staff. Contestants must identify themselves as WSGA Men’s or Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championship participants.
FOOD SERVICE (NO-HOST)
The Café inside the clubhouse will be open daily from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
GOLF SHOP
The golf shop will be open from 6:30 am. – 8:00 p.m. daily.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
All major credit cards, personal checks, and cash will be accepted in the golf shop and café.
CONTESTANT’S LUNCH
The WSGA will host lunch for contestants on Friday, May 18 following the round from 12:00 p.m. to
3:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DRIVING RANGE
The driving range will be open with hosted range balls from 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. daily.
LOCKER ROOM
Wine Valley Golf Club does not have a locker room.
AUTOMOTIVE CARTS
The use of automotive carts during the Men’s and Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championship is permitted. Carts have been reserved for teams who paid the $35 per day cart fee during registration. Teams who did not reserve a cart during registration may do so through the golf shop on the day of rental on a space available basis. The use of outside private carts will not be permitted unless it is by a club member or approved in advance by the golf shop.
SPECTATOR CARTS
To provide an equal championship platform for all competitors, the use of carts by spectators is not permitted at any time by the WSGA.
CHAMPIONSHIP ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABLED SPECTATORS
The WSGA is committed to providing an enjoyable spectator experience for people with disabilities at WSGA Championships. Requests from spectators seeking transportation onto the golf course due to a permanent disability, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), must be submitted to a WSGA staff member on site. While spectator carts are not allowed, the WSGA will make every effort to accommodate these requests by assigning a WSGA volunteer driver based on availability. The driver will transport the spectator to viewing locations throughout the golf course, not shot-by-shot or hole-by-hole.
Spectators with transportation needs should contact the WSGA Championship Department at
(206) 526-8605 prior to the championship so that arrangements can be made to have a driver on site.
Requests due to temporary injuries or impairments will not be granted.
Only spectators who have complied with the above procedures and met the requirements will be permitted to ride. Every possible effort will be made to ensure that spectators with permanent disabilities are able to view the competition.
CADDIES
Host Club caddies will not be available. Players may provide their own caddie. Caddies will be required to wear a caddie bib provided on the starting tee.
HANDICAPS
Entrants must have an active GHIN number and USGA Handicap Index, issued by a WSGA member club, not exceeding 36.4 (partners' course handicaps must be within 8 strokes of one another or an adjustment will be made to the player with the higher course handicap to meet this requirement). The maximum allowable course handicap will be 36 (players above this will be reduced to meet this requirement). Entrants must be members in good standing of a WSGA member club.
Contestants will receive 90% of their course handicap for net scoring, and receive those strokes on the appropriate handicap stroke holes.
The WSGA will update contestants’ handicap indexes as of the May 15, 2018 GHIN Handicap Revision and convert them in accordance with Wine Valley Golf Club’s slope rating for use during the championship.
REDUCTION OF COURSE HANDICAP POLICY
The WSGA Championship Committee reserves the right to adjust the course handicap of any competitor in the WSGA Men’s or Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championship. A reduction of a competitor's course handicap will be based on the following criteria:
High finishers in the NET portion of the above named WSGA Championships during the past two year period will be awarded points accordingly as per the table below. Points may also be given to include a team that collects a gross division prize as the points are not limited to the 5 highest net finishers, but the 5 best net scores in the field.
For the 2018 WSGA Men’s Best-Ball Championship, reductions will be based on points accumulated from the 2016 and 2017 WSGA Men’s Best-Ball Championships.
For the 2018 WSGA Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championship, reductions will be based on points accumulated from the 2016 and 2017 WSGA Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championships.
Any contestant, who accumulates 7 points over the two year period, will have their course handicap reduced by 2 strokes for use during the championship. Any contestant who accumulates more than 7 points during the two year period, will have their course handicap reduced an additional 1 stroke for each additional two points accumulated.
In the case of a tie for one of the first 5 places, each of the team members would earn the full number of points for that placing. For example: Two teams tie for 2nd place. Each team member would earn 4 points under this system. You would not give out 3rd place points (or add 2nd & 3rd place points together and divide by 2) under this scenario. The next finisher in line after the two teams that tied would earn 2 points for the 4th place. No fractions of points are awarded.
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POINT ASSIGNMENT TABLE |
||||
|
Total Players in the Field |
||||
|
Finish |
Up to 20 |
21-49 |
50-99 |
100+ |
|
First Place |
3pts |
4pts |
5pts |
6pts |
|
Second Place |
2 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
Third Place |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Fourth Place |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Fifth Place |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
PRIZES
The gross Men’s Champions will have their names inscribed on the Ray Koch Memorial Trophy. The gross Senior Men’s Champions will have their names inscribed on the Robert Ihlanfeldt Memorial Trophy. In addition, WSGA championship crystal and merchandise certificates will be presented to the overall gross and net champions in both the Men’s and Senior Men’s Championships as well as the Super Senior Flight.
Merchandise certificates will also be awarded to high finishing gross and net teams in all flights of both championships.
NOTE: All merchandise certificates must be redeemed in the Wine Valley golf shop. Merchandise certificates should be redeemed before the end of 2018.
Kusak crystal awards will be awarded to any contestant who scores an eagle or hole in one during the championship.
AWARDS CEREMONY
An awards ceremony will commence immediately after completion of final round play, in each championship, on Friday, May 18. The WSGA Championship crystal and merchandise certificates will be presented at this time.
EXEMPTIONS
The 2018 Men’s Best-Ball Champions will receive an exemption into the 2019 Men’s Best-Ball Championship and the 2019 WSGA Men’s Champion of Champions. The 2018 Senior Men’s Best-Ball Champions will receive an exemption into the 2019 Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championship and the 2019 WSGA Senior Men’s Champion of Champions. Teams must be comprised of the same players to receive the best-ball exemption.
PERFORMANCE POINTS LIST
Performance Points are not awarded for the WSGA Men’s or Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championships.
GHIN SCORE POSTING
The WSGA requires that players post their adjusted tournament scores on the USGA GHIN System for handicapping purposes.
DRESS CODE
The WSGA expects all contestants and their caddies to wear suitable attire on the host club property throughout the duration of the championship, including practice rounds. Suitable attire does not include cutoffs, short shorts, tank tops, jeans or denim of any kind or color, tee shirts, sweat pants, or unkempt clothing of any kind. Contestants must wear neat and clean slacks or Bermuda or walking shorts. Shorts must be of an appropriate length and must adhere to the dress code of the host club. Golf shirts with collars are mandatory. Hats and visors must not be worn in the clubhouse and must be worn forwards. Shoes and socks must be worn at all times. Sandals of any kind, even sandals with soft spikes, are not allowed on the golf course at any time, including practice areas. If additional measures are required by the host club, they will be communicated to all contestants prior to the championship and must be adhered to. Gallery must adhere to the host club dress code policy. Failure to adhere to the dress code may result in disqualification and removal from the course.
FOOTWEAR
Shoes with the traditionally-designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e., ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially metal (if such metal may come in contact with the course) are prohibited during the stipulated round. Penalty for breach of this condition: DISQUALIFICATION
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
In all WSGA Championships, a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play, (e.g., elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14.3.
CONDUCT CODE
Unacceptable conduct or behavior on the golf course or anywhere on club property will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate disqualification, at any time, from any WSGA event. The following are examples of unacceptable conduct or behavior:
- Loud, abusive, and/or profane language
- Intentionally throwing and/or breaking equipment or the like (club, ball, etc.) in anger or frustration
- Intentionally damaging host club, WSGA, and/or fellow contestant property
- Abuse of any kind of host club officials, volunteers or staff, and/or WSGA volunteers, staff or fellow contestants
- Public criticism of host club, officials, volunteers or staff, and/or WSGA volunteers, staff or fellow contestants
- Intentionally engaging in a criminal act
- Engaging in activities that result in the potential endangerment of others
- Intentionally violating the Rules of Golf
- Intentionally violating stated club policy
- Violation of WSGA Dress Code
- Violation of WSGA Footwear Policy
The Committee in charge of the competition shall be the sole judge of determining Conduct Code violations.
WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY
All refunds prior to the entry deadline are subject to a $10 administrative fee. Refunds are not available after the closing deadline except for documented and approved medical reasons. Refunds approved after the closing deadline, and up until round one pairings are released, are subject to a $25 administrative fee. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER ROUND ONE PAIRINGS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.
During play of the championship, a “Withdrawal Form,” available from a WSGA staff member, must be completed by any competitor withdrawing. Entrants who unofficially withdraw, by not filling out a form or without sufficient reason, may not be granted entry into any future WSGA championship for a minimum of two years.
PACE OF PLAY POLICY
STROKE PLAY - Revised (2018)
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 subject to penalty under these guidelines.
Check-points will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of either the, 4th, 9th, 13th and 18th holes, or the 5th, 9th, 14th and 18th holes. Exact checkpoint locations will be determined prior to the start of each event. Players will be notified of checkpoint locations on the starting tee.
Allotted Time: Flagstick in the Hole
Maximum times to play will be determined for each day of the championship by the on-site Championship Committee. Maximum times to complete each hole will be printed on each competitor’s scorecard. Competitors will be advised, prior to starting, of that day’s maximum time to complete the round. It is the group’s responsibility to finish each check-point within the times outlined on the scorecard or within position of the group directly in front of them. 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 Only: The first group is out of position if it takes more than the allotted time to complete a check-point hole (see check-point time on scorecard).
All Following Groups:
A following group is out of position if it:
- Takes more than the allotted time to complete a check-point hole and
- Completes play of a check-point hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.
Group Out of Position
The first time a group is out of position at a check-point hole they will be issued a warning. When a group has been notified of its first breach, that group is expected to regain its position before reaching the next check-point. If that group is out of position at the next or any subsequent check-point, the group may incur the following penalties:
• 1st breach* – warning
• 2nd breach – one stroke penalty
• 3rd breach – two stroke penalty
• 4th breach – disqualification
* If a group clears the 3rd check-point without any breaches, but is out of position at the 4th check-point, the potential penalty for each player in the group is one stroke.
Any group that is out of position is subject to being monitored by a Rules Rover.
Player’s Rights
Any player may appeal the penalty at scoring.
A player concerned about a non-responsive fellow-competitor in his/her group should request a Rules Rover to monitor the group in case the group is/or becomes subject to penalty under these guidelines.
Final Determination Regarding Breach / Review Process
All breaches will be reviewed at scoring by the Pace of Play Committee. If the player/group appeals the penalty, the Pace of Play Committee will consider only the following in an appeal:
(a) The player was delayed by the Committee; or
(b) The player was delayed by a circumstance beyond the control of the player or the group; or
(c) The player was delayed by another player in the group.
A player who was out of position during his/her round and who elects not to consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine whether he/she 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 above schedule of penalties. If a group is subject to penalty, all penalties will be applied to the check-point hole where the breach occurred.
CAMPERS AND R.V.'s
Campers and/or recreational vehicles may not be parked for use as overnight accommodations on golf course property without prior approval from the host club.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
To book a hotel reservation, please use the following link - HOTEL RESERVATIONS. You will be prompted to create an account using your GHIN #, which will then allow you access to the site where you can search hotels by proximity to the course at a large discount.
Additional Hotel Reservation Options:
Courtyard Marriott Walla Walla - (509) 876-8100
Reservation Code: "WSGA Best-Ball" or Book Online
Single King or Double Queen - $119.00