Player Eligibility:
Team entries must be in pairs but not necessarily members of the same golf club. Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by Golf Ontario. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct.
Entries are open to male amateur golfers who:
1. Players must be 55 & older as of the first round of the Golf Canada National Championship (September 12, 2024) and;
2. Are Golf Canada/or Golf Ontario members through a member golf club or the Golf Ontario Public Player Program. Out of country players may participate but must pay an affiliate fee, and also meet the handicap requirements for the championship.
3. EACH team member must have an up-to-date Golf Canada Handicap Index of 10.0 or less visible on the Golf Canada Score Centre at the time of online registration through the completion of the championship and;
4. EACH team's combined Handicap Index must not exceed 14.0 at the time of online registration through the completion of the championship.
Composition of Teams:
Four-Ball is a form of play (in either match play or stroke play) involving partners where:
- Two partners compete together as a side, with each player playing his or her own ball, and
- A side's score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.
After the close of entries, changes in the makeup of the team will not be permitted.
EACH team's combined Handicap Index must not exceed 14.0 at the time of online registration through the completion of the championship.
Application Procedures & Entry Fees:
All teams, including those exempt, must apply on-line at www.gao.ca before the entry deadline: August 16th, 2024 @ 4:00pm.
Only one application and entry fee may be filed per player.
Applications are subject to the approval of Golf Ontario. Golf Ontario will acknowledge each entry through email.
Players eligible for exemption based on the exemption page must pay the fee based on the schedule above.
Schedule of Entry Fees:
- Qualifier Fee $217
- Championship Fee $93
- Exempt Team Fee $310
All entry fees listed above include applicable credit card fees and are subject to additional national and provincial taxes
Entries for qualifying are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the field for the qualifying site is full.
Entries are then placed on a waiting list in order of receipt and contacted if, and when, a spot becomes available.
A $45 plus tax non-refundable administration fee will be applied for any withdrawals prior to the tournament deadline. Entry fees will not be refunded after the entry deadline date. Late entries will not be accepted.
Starting times will be established by Golf Ontario and will be posted on the tournament website within (7) days of the competition.
Schedule & Field Size:
Competition will be in two stages, at stroke play
1. Qualifying - 18 holes for all teams at selected clubs throughout province except those exempt.
2. Championship – 56 teams eligible, including those exempt, 18 Hole Stroke Play
September 26th, 18 Holes – Shotgun 1:15pm
Lowest 18 Hole team score for the championship will be the champion. In the event of a first place tie for the championship, the winner will be determined by a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff between those teams tied for first place. The playoff holes and their order of play will be determined by Golf Ontario and announced prior to the completion of the championship.
NOTE: There is no official practice round arranged by Golf Ontario at this championship.
Championship Banquet (Immediately following completion of play) – All players are invited to the championship banquet held at the clubhouse following play. Proper attire is required. Tickets for the banquet will be included in your registration package.
Due to the limited space, extra tickets for family members, friends or guests are not available.
Format
Four-Ball Stroke Play – “Better-Ball”
A competition in which two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.
Representation of Side:
A side may be represented by either partner for all or any part of a stipulated round; both partner’s score need not be present. An absent competitor may join his partner between holes, but not during play of a hole.
Scoring
The marker is required to record each hole only the gross score of whichever score is to count. The gross scores to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise, the side is disqualified. Only one of the partners need to be responsible for complying to Rule 3.3b.
Qualifying & Alternates:
Locations: Qualifying will take place at various sites throughout the province. Applicants may choose any qualifier they wish subject to availability. A player may sign up for only one qualifier per championship. Golf Ontario reserves the right to cancel a qualifying site for any reason including but not limited to weather, limited entries, etc. If a qualifying round is cancelled players may choose either to receive a refund or relocate to another qualifying site.
Qualifying Spots & Ties: Golf Ontario will determine the number of qualifying spots available at each location after entries are closed. The number of qualifying spots available will be based on the size of the qualifying field compared to the overall number of qualifying entries. This will be available and posted at the qualifier prior to the start of qualifying.
A tie for the last qualifying spot will be decided by the Golf Ontario tie-breaking method.
Successful Qualifiers Entry into Championship: Following the last day of Qualifying, every player that has successfully qualified will automatically be entered into the Championship (at this time the player will also be charged the applicable $80 - $40 per player Championship Fee). If a qualified player or exempt player withdraws, that player must notify Golf Ontario promptly in order to ensure an Alternate player has a fair opportunity to play. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from future Golf Ontario competitions. If a qualified player or an exempt player withdraws, the spot made available will be re-allotted to the Alternate List prearranged by Golf Ontario.
Awards:
First Place: Gold medals, Champions Trophies and the Oakdale Trophy (Senior) to be retained by Golf Ontario.
Second Place: Silver medals. If a tie, duplicate medals will be awarded.
Third Place: Bronze Medals. Awarded only if no tie for Second Place. If a tie for third place, duplicate medals will be awarded.
Exemptions Awarded:
- Winning Team earns a 5-year Exemption into the Senior Men's Better Ball Championship. The TEAM, (both players), is exempt (not one of the two players with a different partner).
Caddies:
Caddies are not permitted for the championship.
Practice & Registration:
Registration at Championship: To allow time to register and get to your starting hole, teams must register in person 45 minutes before the scheduled shotgun start time on Thursday, September 26 at Brampton Golf Club. Place may be forfeited by a team whom no word is received by this time.
Notice of Withdrawal:
If a player withdraws, they must notify Golf Ontario at (905) 852-1101 extension 226 promptly in order to ensure an Alternate has a fair opportunity to play. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from future GO competitions. Please see the Golf Ontario Withdrawal & Refund Policy for full details.
DISCLAIMER
Golf Ontario reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, terms, provisions and/or schedules herein.