Date: August 2, 2018
To: U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying Contestants
From: Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations
Subject: U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying – Lake Oswego, Ore
2018 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying – Lake Oswego, Ore
Oswego Lake Country Club
Lake Oswego, Ore
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Welcome to the 2018 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying!
Enclosed you will find your pairing and starting time for the 18-hole competition on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at Oswego Lake Country Club, Lake Oswego, OR.
There are 77 Mid-Amateur entrants competing for four (4) spots and two (2) alternates into the United States Mid-Amateur Championship at Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte, NC, September 21-27, 2018. In the event of a tie for the final qualifying spot or any alternate positions, a hole by hole playoff will commence immediately following the return and verification of all scores.
Additional player information:
Pairings: For pairings click here
Practice Round: Please contact the Oswego Lake Pro Shop at 503-635-3659 and identify yourself as a U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying contestant to make your complimentary practice round arrangements. Players can schedule their practice round on a space available basis, Tuesday practice round times are reserved for out of town contestants only. Practice rounds are for players only and will not be extended to caddies or family members.
Qualifying Yardages: click here Please note these yardages are subject to change by Committee.
Practice Range: The practice facility will be open one hour prior to the first starting time. Complimentary range balls will be available on the driving range for contestants.
Caddies: Oswego Lake will not have caddies available; you may bring your own caddie. Please note that players shall walk at all times during the stipulated round. The optional condition for transportation as prescribed in Appendix I of the Rules of Golf shall be in effect.
Dress Code: Proper attire must be worn at all times. Proper attire does not include spandex body wear, cutoffs, running shorts, short-shorts, tank tops, tee shirts, or denim of any kind. Neat and clean pants, slacks, cords, or appropriately hemmed, tailored shorts are acceptable, as are sweaters and golf shirts with a collar. Shoes must be worn at all times.
Spikeless Shoes: It is a condition of this competition that metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. This includes alternative spikeless products, which are partially comprised of metal, when such metal comes in contact with the turf. The penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification.
Golf Balls: Only brands of golf balls on the USGA’s latest list of conforming balls shall be used. The “One Ball Condition” shall be in effect.
Golf Clubs: In Sectional Qualifying as well as in the Championship proper, the player’s clubs must conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in the Rules of Golf effective from January 1, 2010. The Condition of Competition is available for review on the entry application.
The USGA and The R&A have created a reference resource called the Informational Club Database to assist golfers in determining whether their irons, wedges, hybrids and fairway woods comply with the Rules of Golf effective from January 1, 2010 and are permissible for play under the groove condition of competition, which is in effect for all USGA Amateur Championships. For information about and to access the database, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html. Additionally, for other information regarding the groove condition, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/grooves/. Finally, for information regarding the conformance status of clubs not listed or for any other questions regarding the condition, please contact the USGA Research and Test Center at (908) 234-2300.
Player Club Testing is available for all USGA Amateur Championships. Please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/InviteForOpenClubTesting/ for more information.
The USGA strongly suggests that all players verify the conformance of their clubs well in advance of their scheduled qualifying competition. It is the player’s responsibility, not the USGA’s responsibility to ensure that his clubs conform. Waiting until the day of the competition is the fault of the player. The Committee is under no obligation to test the club the competitor may play. However, if it is later determined that the club is non-conforming, including after the competition has closed, the player will be disqualified.
Distance Measuring Devices: In Sectional Qualifying and in the Championship Proper, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. 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. gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3.
Pace of Play: The OGA checkpoint pace of play policy will be in effect for this qualifying round. It is your responsibility to become familiar with this policy prior to your qualifying round.
OGA Pace of Play Policy: click here
USGA Hard Card: click here
Time of Starting/ Official Time: A player is deemed to be at the starting area when they are within the roped off area. If a site requires different conditions, the starting area will be defined in the Notice to Players. If a player has previously checked in with the starter, he is still required to be at the starting area at the starting time scheduled by the Committee. The Official Time is defined by the clock located at the tee where a player is scheduled to begin the stipulated round.
Scoring Area: A player has deemed to have officially returned his/her score card when he/she leaves the scoring area. The scoring area is defined by ropes, stanchions, a taped off area or in their absence, the outside edge of the scoring tent. If a site requires different conditions, the scoring area will be defined in the Notice to Players.
Performance in Local Qualifying: If a player fails to return a score within 10 strokes of the Oswego Lake CC 72.9 course rating, an entry filed by him for a future USGA Championship may be declined, unless the player can document that he is capable of competing at the national championship level. Also any player who “No Cards It” due to poor play will be held to Rule 6-6b (Signing & Returning Card) and will receive a letter from Golf House. If a player WDs for the same reason, he is also subject to the same letter.
Best of luck to each of you!