121st WPGA Open Championship
Conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Played for Harry C. Milholland Vase
Monday-Wednesday, July 22 - July 24, 2024 • Indiana Country Club • Indiana, PA
Entries Close: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 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 April 1, 2024 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, 2024 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. June 11, 2024 – Treesdale Golf and Country Club, Gibsonia, PA
B. June 26, 2024 – Willowbrook Country Club - Apollo, PA
CONTESTANTS MAY ENTER ONE QUALIFYING ROUND ONLY.
Championship at Indiana Country Club
A. Monday, July 22 – 18 holes of stroke play.
B. Tuesday, July 23 – 18 holes of stroke play.
C. Wednesday, July 24 – 18 holes of stroke play for the low 32 and ties.
2024 WPGA Open Championship Exemptions:
2014-2023 WPGA Open champions
2019-2024 WPGA Amateur champions*
2023 WPGA Mid-Amateur champion*
2024 WPGA Spring Stroke Play champion*
2023 and 2024 Tri-State, PGA Section champion (Based on Eligibility)
2019-2023 Frank B. Fuhrer, Jr. Invitational champions (Based on Eligibility)
2024 Pittsburgh Open Champion
2024 Tri-State Open Championship, Top 3 & ties
Indiana Country Club Head Professional
2023 Indiana Men’s Club champion
2023 Top 20, Tri-State PGA Section points list
2023 WPGA Honor Roll, Top 5*
2023 WPGA Open Championship, Top 10 & ties
2023 and 2024 WPGA Amateur Championship, Top 3 & ties*
2019-2023 Pennsylvania Open champion (Based on Eligibility)
2024 U.S.Open Local Qualifiers
*Amateur exemptions awarded must retain amateur status.
Special exemptions as selected by the WPGA Championship Committee.
Exempt: J.F.Aber, John Aber, Ian Bangor, Frank Blazewick, Drew Bohn, Joe Boros, Brett Carman, Jim Cichra, Justin Collins, Amani Dambrosio, Devin Gee, Michael Gervais, Jimmy Gillam, Doug Gradwell, Justin Griffith, Andrew Heffernan, Steve Hopley, Tanner Johnson, Sean Knapp, Darin Kowalski, Talon Kriebel, Austin Lemieux, Jason Li, Shawn McCall, Rob McClellan, Chris McKnight, Gregor Meyer, Jimmy Meyers, Jon Mills, Justin Moose, Dennis Munko, Tim Novic, Ari Papadopoulos, Eddie Perrino, Brady Pevarnik, Garrett Powell, Jon Pratkanis, Jack Ramsett, Easton Renwick, Dan Rodgers, Kevin Shields, Neal Shipley, Jake Sollon, Rick Stimmel, Chris Tanabe, Beau Titsworth, Jack Urban, Mike Van Sickle, Gordon Vietmeier, Roy Vucinich
FUTURE EXEMPTIONS:
Champion - Next ten WPGA Open Championships
Top Ten & Ties - 2025 WPGA Open Championship
Low Amateur/Any Amateur in Top 10 - 2025 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 EDT by Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 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 (after May 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm EDT) from any eligible person, including exempt players, will not be accepted.
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 Tournament Portal. Please contact the WPGA office at 412-826-2180 for assistance if needed. 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. Additionally, conditions stated on the WPGA Rules of Play and Terms of Competition Card and other Local Rules as posted, will be in effect.
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 the Player's 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 the Player 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).