ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

 

ELIGIBILITY:

 

Applications are open to amateurs who possess an active USGA/ GHIN Handicap Index of 8.0 or less from a TGA member club or course.

Amateurs must meet the USGA definition of an amateur golfer.

 

Persons applying for reinstatement to amateur status are not eligible.

 

All applications will be reviewed by the TGA to verify that each entrant has an official USGA Handicap Index® from a TGA member club or course. Any amateur whose name does not appear on the TGA’s handicap roster will be ineligible and their entry application and entry fee will be returned.

 

ENTRY FEE:

 

$200 for an exempt player

$115 to enter qualifying

Successful qualifiers will pay an additional $135 totaling $250

 

ENTRY DEADLINE:

 

All players, including those exempt, must file an application by the entry deadline - Wednesday, June 10, 2020 5:00 p.m. CDT to be eligible to compete in the Championship. THE TGA WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE ENTRY APPLICATIONS. 

 

SCHEDULE:

 

Monday, July 6, 2020: Practice Rounds

 

Tuesday, July 7, 2020: Pool Play (Match 1 & Match 2 (Pool 1-8))

 

Wednesday, July 8, 2020: Pool Play (Match 2 (Pool 9-16) & Match 3 (Pools 1-16))

• Top players out each group will advance to single-elimination match play

 

Thursday, July 9, 2020: Round of 16 & Round of 8

 

Friday, July 10, 2020: Semi-Final Matches & Finals Match

 

Pool Play Match Assignments

 

Each player is ranked 1-4 based on how they were drawn into the group.  Each round will have the following match assignments:

 

Round 1 - 1v2; 3v4

Round 2 - 1v3; 2v4

Round 3 - 1v4; 2v3

 

The highest-ranked player will play first from the starting tee in each match.

 

QUALIFYING LOCATIONS:

 

Colonial CC - June 16, 2020

 

Black Creek Club - June 24, 2020

 

Old Fort GC - June 17, 2020

 

Willow Creek GC - June 22, 2020

 

ACCEPTANCE OF PLACES/ NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL:

 

A player who must withdraw before the championship must notify the TGA office 615-465-6308 or the Official in Charge at the site of the event. If a player must withdraw during an event, he must notify the Official in Charge. If a player does not show for an event or fails to follow the above procedure, their actions may result in a one-year suspension from all TGA competitions. Said player forfeits all entry fees.

 

REFUNDS:

 

No refunds for any reason (except for illness or injury) will be issued after 5:00 p.m. EDT on the evening before the first round of the respective competition (i.e. qualifying round, championship, etc.). Requests for a refund due to illness or injury will be treated on a case by case basis and can include illness or injury of a spouse or child. All refunds will be subject to a $25.00 withdrawal fee.

 

CANCELLATION/EXTENSION OF PLAY

 

If a lengthy suspension of play occurs during the final round or is likely to affect the final round, the TGA will discuss options with the host facility on the cancellation of the final round and/ or shortening of the championship. The TGA will discuss all of these options with the host club’s staff.

 

QUALIFYING TRANSFER:

 

Transfer to another qualifying location is permissible only before the entry deadline. Transfer after the entry deadline is not permitted. Contestants may enter only one qualifying round.

 

QUALIFYING PLACES, TIES, SUBSTITUTIONS:

 

The number of qualifying places at each qualifying location will be determined by the Tennessee Golf Association based on the size of the field in relation to the total number of championship qualifying places available. Any ties for the last qualifying place(s) shall be decided by sudden death playoff immediately upon conclusion of the qualifying round. Alternate places decided during the playoff will be honored until the final qualifying spot is determined. At that point, any remaining alternate positions are determined by scorecard playoff. At 12:00pm, on the day prior to the first round, the TGA reserves the right to re-order the Alternate Site List in order to better fill the championship proper.

 

CART & CADDIE POLICY AT QUALIFIERS:

 

Spectator Carts are permitted at qualifiers provided the host facility has enough carts to allow the renting of a spectator cart. Players will always take priority. The TGA is not responsible for the rates and availability of spectator carts at qualifiers.

 

CART POLICY AT CHAMPIONSHIPS:

 

Cart fees are included in your entry fee for the Championship. Golf carts are reserved for contestants, TGA officials, and host club staff. Spectator carts will be available at facility discretion once the Round of 16 matches begins. Players may ride, carry their bag or have a caddie at the Championship, however, no refunds will be given for unused cart fees and players choosing to walk must adhere to the established Pace of Play policy.

 

RULES OF GOLF:

 

Play will be governed by the Rules of Golf and the most current TGA Rules of Play Card. All questions shall be settled by the Committee in charge of the competition, whose decision is final.

 

CONDUCT CODE:

 

Contestants (and their caddies) are to observe proper golf etiquette at all times. Any abuse or disrespect of fellow competitors, TGA staff, officials, spectators, employees of the host facility or any other persons conducting or attending at Tennessee Golf Association sponsored event can be grounds for disqualification from the event, and possible revocation of right to enter future Tennessee Golf Association events. Such abuse may be verbal or physical or threat thereof and includes, but is not limited to: the use of obscene language or gestures, physical damage to property or equipment including that of the Tennessee Golf Association or host facility. R&A USGA Official Guide to the Rules of Golf 1.2b.

 

TGA DRESS CODE:

 

Contestants must wear appropriate attire. Gym shorts, cut offs, shirts without collars, and denim shorts or pants are not acceptable. Mock turtlenecks are acceptable based upon the host club’s policy. Shorts must be bermuda type in length.

 

FOOTWEAR:

 

Traditional type spikes, regardless of composition, are prohibited at all qualifying rounds and at the championship proper. Penalty for breach of this condition of play is disqualification.

 

PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION; BROADCASTING:

 

The TGA may arrange for (i) promotion of the Championship, for radio, internet and television broadcasting and other exhibition and publication of the Championship or excerpts thereof in any and all media throughout the world, whether now known or hereafter developed, and (ii) the design, manufacture and sale of merchandise which commemorates or memorializes the Championship throughout the world. By this application, the player consents to the use by the TGA, or persons authorized by the TGA, of his name, likeness, voice and references to him and photographs and other images of him and his play connected with his appearance in the Championship, or any portion(s) thereof, in connection with such media promotion, broadcasting, and other exhibition and publication of the Championship and design, manufacture and sale of commemorative merchandise. The TGA may utilize the rights granted it hereunder in connection with the promotion and/or commemoration of the 2019 Championship as well as future Championships, other TGA Championships and the TGA.

 

PRIZES:

 

Crystal awards will be presented to the Champion and Runner-Up. The TGA will issue gift certificates to the champion, finalist, and semi-finalists which will be valid at the host golf course.

 

JACKSON CUP:

 

The champion of the Amateur Match Play Championship’s name will be placed on the Jackson Cup. The trophy was presented to the TGA in honor of the legendary amateur Tim Jackson and is on permanent display at Golf House Tennessee.