124th WPGA Amateur Championship
Conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Played for the William C. Fownes, Jr. Trophy
Entries Close: Wednesday May 1, 2024 5:00 pm EDT
FORMAT: 18 holes of stroke play for qualifying rounds. 54 holes of stroke play for championship. The championship will be limited to 78 players. See schedule below.
ELIGIBILITY: 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. May 15 - Green Oaks Country Club, Verona, PA
B. May 22 - The Country Club, Meadville, PA
C. June 5 - Latrobe Elks Golf Club, Latrobe, PA
CONTESTANTS MAY ENTER ONE QUALIFYING ROUND ONLY.
Championship at Chartiers Country Club
A. Monday, June 17 – 36 holes of stroke play. Field cut to 32 plus ties following Round Two.
B. Tuesday, June 18 – 18 holes of stroke play.
2024 Amateur Exemptions
2014-2023 WPGA Amateur champions
2023 WPGA Men’s, Senior & Junior Players of the Year
2021-2023 WPGA Mid-Amateur champions
2019-2023 Pennsylvania Amateur champions
2021-2023 Pennsylvania Middle-Amateur champions
2022-2023 WPGA Junior champions
2023 C.R. Miller Champion
2022-2023 WPGA Senior Amateur Champion
2023 Jamison Cup Medalist
2024 WPGA Spring Stroke Play - Top 3
2023 Erie District GA Amateur Stroke Play Champion
2023 WPGA Amateur - Top 10 & ties
2023 Pennsylvania Amateur - Top 10 & ties
2023 WPGA Mid-Amateur - Top 3 & ties
2023 Low amateur, West Penn Open, and any amateur in Top 10
2023 WPGA Honor Roll - Top 5
2024 U.S. Open local qualifiers
2023 USGA Championship match play qualifiers
2023 WPGA Palmer Cup team members (non-senior)
2022-2023 Frank Fuhrer III Collegiate Player of the Year
2023 Chartiers Country Club Men’s Club Champion
Special exemptions as selected by the WPGA Championship Committee.
Exempt: J.F. Aber, Ian Bangor, David Brown, Tyler Cozad, J.W. Cunningham, Amani Dambrosio, Sean Edgar, Kevin Fajt, Ryan Ferry, Justin Griffith, Tanner Grzegorczyk, Griffin Hansberry, Matt Holuta, Tanner Johnson, Trent Karlik, Darin Kowalski, Sean Knapp, Austin Lemieux, Kevin Locante, Gregor Meyer, Jimmy Meyers, Tim Novic, Kevin O'Brien Brady Pevarnik, Nathan Piatt, Jon Pratkanis, Rocco Salvitti, Adam Scuilli, Neal Shipley, Nathan Smith, Nick Sorkin, Rick Stimmel, Sean Sweithelm, Dan Thompson, Trevor Todd, Alex Turowski, Nicholas Turowski, Jack Urban, Mike Wolfe, Michael Wareham.
FUTURE EXEMPTIONS:
Champion - Next ten WPGA Amateur Championships
Top 10 & ties - 2025 WPGA Amateur Championship
Champion - Next four WPGA Open Championships
Top 3 & Ties - 2025 WPGA Open Championship.
ENTRIES (Form, Fee, Closing Date): Entry and fee of $160.00 must be submitted to the Association by 5:00 P.M. EST, by Wednesday May 1, 2024 to be considered. Entry fee includes greens fee, cart fees, range fee, locker fee, prizes, trophies, and lunch. Late entries will not be accepted for WPGA Amateur Qualifying Rounds or for Exempt Players.
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 Management 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.
PRIZES: A trophy will be awarded to the winning player. Prizes will be awarded to the top players and ties. The Amateur Championship is a WPGA Honor Roll event. Prizes will consist of credits in the host club’s golf shop.
REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION:
A. Players may take carts during the qualifying rounds. Caddies are permitted.
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).
