120th WPGA Open Championship
Conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Played for Harry C. Milholland Vase
Monday-Wednesday, June 19 - June 21, 2023 • Edgewood Country Club • Pittsburgh, PA
Entries Close: Wednesday, May 17, at 5:00 PM
FORMAT: 18 holes of stroke play for qualifying rounds. 54 holes of stroke play for championship with a cut to the low 32 scores and ties following round two. The championship will be limited to 78 players. See schedule below.
ELIGIBILITY: Entries are open to professional and amateur golfers.
Entries are open to professional golfers as follows:
A. Professional golfers with permanent residency in the WPGA's jurisdiction.
B. Golf professionals and apprentice golf professionals in good standing with their respective PGA Sections.
Entries are open to amateur golfers with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 6.4 strokes as follows:
A. Amateur golfers that are affiliated with a WPGA Member Club as of May 1 and who have had a Handicap Index® issued by a WPGA Member Club for three (3) years, or
B. Amateur golfers residing within 50 miles of the WPGA's jurisdiction as of April 1 and who have a Handicap Index® issued by a WPGA Member Club with a minimum of five (5) rounds in the preceding twelve months posted at the WPGA club issuing the WPGA handicap index.
Players without a Handicap Index® issued by a club licensed by the WPGA will be directed to an existing WPGA Member Club or an Association-sponsored Type 3 Golf Club.
Contestants in doubt of their eligibility for the championship should contact the Association office.
SCHEDULE:
Preliminary Qualifying Rounds
A. May 25 – Diamond Run Golf Club, Sewickley, PA
B. June 1 – Montour Heights Club - Coraopolis, PA
CONTESTANTS MAY ENTER ONE QUALIFYING ROUND ONLY.
Championship at Edgewood Country Club
A. Monday, June 19 – 18 holes of stroke play.
B. Tuesday, June 20 – 18 holes of stroke play.
C. Wednesday, June 21 – 18 holes of stroke play for the low 32 and ties, or anyone within seven strokes of the leader after 36 holes.
2023 WPGA Open Championship Exemptions:
2013-2022 WPGA Open champions
2018-2022 WPGA Amateur champions*
2022 WPGA Mid-Amateur champion*
2023 WPGA Spring Stroke Play champion*
2022 Tri-State, PGA Section champion (Based on Eligibility)
2019-2022 Frank B. Fuhrer, Jr. Invitational champions (Based on Eligibility)
2023 Tri-State Open Championship, Top 3 & ties
Edgewood Country Club Head Professional
2022 Edgewood Men’s Club champion
2022 Top 10, Tri-State PGA Section points list
2022 WPGA Honor Roll, Top 5*
2022 WPGA Open Championship, Top 10 & ties
2022 WPGA Amateur Championship, Top 3 & ties*
2018-2022 Pennsylvania Open champion (Based on Eligibility)
2023 U.S.Open Local Qualifiers
*Amateur exemptions awarded must retain amateur status.
Special exemptions as selected by the WPGA Championship Committee.
Exempt:
John Aber, J.F. Aber, Ian Bangor, Joe Boros, Jim Cichra, Adam Corson, Amani D'Ambrosio, Jimmy Ellis, Devin Gee, Michael Gervais, Jimmy Gillam, Mark Goetz, Tanner Johnson, Sean Knapp, Darin Kowalski, Rob McClellan, Gregor Meyer, Pete Micklewright, Ari Popadopoulas, Brady Pevarnik, Jack Ramsett, Easton Renwick, Kevin Shields, Neal Shipley, Jake Sollon, Alec Stopperich, Chris Tanabe, Beau Titsworth, Mike Van Sickle, Will Wears, Brett Young
FUTURE EXEMPTIONS:
Champion - Next ten WPGA Open Championships
Top Ten & Ties - 2024 WPGA Open Championship
Low Amateur/Any Amateur in Top 10 - 2024 WPGA Open Championship
ENTRIES (Form, Fee, Closing Date): Entry and fee of $180.00 (Amateur) or $230.00 (Professional) must be submitted to the Association by 5:00 PM EST by Wednesday, May 17, 2023, to be considered. Carts are permitted during qualifying rounds only. Entry fee includes greens fee, cart fees, range fee, locker fee, prizes, trophies, and lunch. Late entries are accepted for an additional fee of $50 up until the publication of Groupings & Starting Times, or if players are needed to fill open groupings at the discretion of the WPGA.
Online registration – Players must enter online on the WPGA website. Players must have a valid e-mail address and a WPGA account to register online. Player accounts can be created on the WPGA Player Registration Portal, by contacting the WPGA office at 412- 826-2180, or by email. Online entries may be paid by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card. American Express is not accepted.
Entry fee will be refunded with a $15.00 service charge for withdrawals before the close of entries. Withdrawals after the close of entries will be subject to a $25.00 service charge. No refunds will be issued for withdraws taking place 48 hours prior to the first tee time.
PURSE/PRIZES: A trophy will be awarded to the winning player, runner-up and low amateur. Prizes will be awarded to amateurs in the top 20 and the professional purse (minimum $27,000) will be distributed to all professionals making the cut. Prizes for amateurs will consist of credits in the host club’s golf shop. The Open Championship is a WPGA Honor Roll and Palmer Cup Team points event. Please see the Honor Roll Center for applicable points table.
REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION:
A. Players must walk for the championship proper and may bring their own caddies or carry their own bags during the championship. Carts are permitted during qualifying rounds.
B. It is a condition of competition that shoes with traditionally designed spikes, regardless of composition, or spikes comprised either entirely or partially of metal, regardless of design, are prohibited during the championship.
C. Play will be governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, conditions stated on the WPGA Rules of Play card, and other Local Rules as posted.
D. Proper attire is mandatory in all phases of the championship. Shirts with collars and sleeves are required. Shorts of Bermuda length or longer are acceptable.
E. A tie for first place shall be decided immediately upon completion of play with a hole-by-hole playoff.
F. Players falsifying a Handicap Index may be subject to indefinite suspension from WPGA Championships.
G. Starting times and other information will be available on the WPGA website approximately one week before the championship. Players unable to retrieve starting times should call the WPGA office (412-826-2180).
NOTICE:
By submission of this entry, I agree to the following:
I have read and understand the entry requirements and championship regulations.
I agree that there are certain risks inherent in golf and accept personal and sole liability for such risks including but not limited to health risks.
This entry is subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by the WPGA. The reason may include unbecoming
conduct.
The WPGA may reject an entry application, revoke an accepted application, expel from a Championship and/or suspend a player from future championships if the player engages in conduct detrimental to the integrity and image of the game of golf and/or public confidence in the WPGA. Such conduct may include but is not limited to, damage to the golf course or the players’ equipment, verbal or physical abuse of spectators, officials, volunteers or staff, blatant and excessive profanity, disorderly behavior, failure to abide by club/course rules or any other unbecoming conduct.
Responsibility for ensuring entry is received by the WPGA prior to the specified deadline is mine alone and that this application may be automatically rejected by the WPGA if received by after such date and time.
Risk of delay or error in transmission is solely with me and that the WPGA has no liability with respect to any such delay or error and the consequences therefrom, including the entry not being accepted.
Any player under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian agree to the WPGA terms and conditions for minors before their application will be accepted. Parental consent can be done by checking the appropriate box during online registration. If you need additional information, please contact the Association office (412-826-2180).