Golf Genius ::

Continue reading for IGA Women's Match Play Eligibility

IGA Match Play

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be an active IGA Member. Individual members are tracked through their enrollment at an IGA Member Club (via GHIN). Eligible entries must be male amateur golfers as defined by the USGA rules. Members of the IGA (thru an IGA Member Club) from out-of-state are eligible to compete. He must have an up-to-date men's Handicap Index not exceeding 4.0 under the World Handicap System to be eligible.

EXEMPTIONS: The defending champion (Blake Cronin) is exempt from the 18-hole qualifying round. The defending champion may choose to compete in the qualifying round to earn medalist honors but is assured of no lower than the #2 seed in Match Play.

FIELD: The field will be limited to 119 eligible entrants. If less than 32 women enter the IGA Women’s Match Play, male players will be added from the waitlist to arrive at a total number of 156 golfers (men + women).

WAITLIST POLICY: IGA Championship field sizes will be set to 5 players less than a full field size (ex: IGA Match Play field of 124 players will be set to 119 players). At entry close, the IGA will allocate the five remaining spots as exemptions to qualified players deserving of being in the final field, no matter their position on the waitlist. Generally, this will mean players that have historically supported this event or have a history of high finishes at IGA Championships. For players who need to withdraw before the entry deadline but after a waitlist has been created, their spot will be given in the order of first come first serve from the waitlist. The waitlist will be published on the event portal website as soon as it is created.

Preferred entry will be made available from March 3rd- March 31st to individuals who meet the criteria outlined below. Following that period entries will open on April 1st to all eligible IGA members.

Preferred Entry Criteria
1. All former IGA Match Play Champions
2. Round of 32 at 2024 IGA Match Play Championship
3. Top 20 & ties in 2024 Iowa Player of the Year
4. Top 10 & ties in 2024 Senior Player of the Year
5. Top 5 & ties in 2024 Super Senior Player of the Year
6. Top 5 & ties in 2024 Iowa Senior Amateur
7. 2024 Iowa Junior Amateur Champion
8. Top 20 & ties at 2024 Iowa Amateur
9. Top 10 & ties in 2024 Iowa Mid-Amateur

FORMAT: Four-day event. The entire field plays an 18-hole stroke play qualifying round on the first day. The low 64 proceed to match play. A playoff will determine the final spot(s) for match play in the event of a tie.
Tuesday, June 24 - 18 Holes Qualifying Round
Wednesday, June 25 - morning Round of 64
Wednesday, June 25- afternoon Round of 32
Thursday, June 26 - morning Round of 16
Thursday June 26 - afternoon Quarterfinals
Friday June 27 - morning Semifinals
Friday June 27 - afternoon Finals

PAIRINGS, TEE TIMES: Entry confirmation & pairings will be emailed from the IGA office after the entry deadline. Pairing information will NOT be sent via standard mail to those who do not provide an email address. Pairings will also be made available on the IGA website, www.iowagolf.org. The field will be paired at random for the qualifying round.

CONDITIONS, SCHEDULES: Once the match play bracket has been announced or published any player(s) that withdraws from the competition results in a forfeit of their match (bracket remains as published). The IGA reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein as needed. This may include, but is not limited to, suspending play to a following day, or canceling current or future rounds. The decision of the Rules and Competitions Committee in any matter shall be final. Under any circumstances, all possible attempts will be made to complete the event in the scheduled number of rounds.

WITHDRAWALS AND REFUNDS: Entry fees will be refunded if the IGA office is notified on or before June 10. After June 10, fees will be refunded only in the event of injury or illness. There will be a $20.00 service charge on all refunds.

ENTRY FORM, FEE, and CLOSING DATE: Entrants are solely responsible for securing fees by the due date. Entries must reach the IGA office by 11:59 P.M., June 10 and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee ($200). You must enter online using a credit card at www. iowagolf.org up to the deadline or until a field limit is met, whichever comes first. Late, unsigned, or incomplete applications are not acceptable and will be returned. There will be no exceptions!

IGA Women's Match Play

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be an active IGA Member. Individual members are tracked through their enrollment at an IGA Member Club (via GHIN). Eligible entries must be female amateur golfers as defined by the USGA rules. Members of the IGA (thru an IGA Member Club) from out-of-state are eligible to compete.

EXEMPTIONS: The defending champion (Anna Jensen) is exempt from the 18-hole qualifying round. The defending champion may choose to compete in the qualifying round to earn medalist honors but is assured of no lower than the #2 seed in Match Play.

FIELD: The field will be limited to 27 eligible entrants. If less than 32 women enter the IGA Women’s Match Play, male players will be added from the waitlist to arrive at a total number of 156 golfers (men + women).

WAITLIST POLICY: IGA Championship field sizes will be set to 5 players less than a full field size (ex: IGA Women's Match Play field of 32 players will be set to 27 players). At entry close, the IGA will allocate the five remaining spots as exemptions to qualified players deserving of being in the final field, no matter their position on the waitlist. Generally, this will mean players that have historically supported this event or have a history of high finishes at IGA Championships. For players who need to withdraw before the entry deadline but after a waitlist has been created, their spot will be given in the order of first come first serve from the waitlist. The waitlist will be published on the event portal website as soon as it is created.

Preferred entry will be made available from March 3rd-March 31st to individuals who meet the criteria outlined below. Following that period entries will open on April 1st to all eligible IGA members.

Preferred Entry Criteria

1. All former IGA Women's Match Play Champions

2. 2024 IGA Women's Match Play Quarterfinalists

3. Top 10 & ties in 2024 Iowa Women's Amateur (Championship Division)

4. Top 5 & ties in 2024 Iowa Women's Amateur (Open Division)

5. All IGA Women's Player of the Year since 2020

6. All IGA Junior Girls' Player of the Year since 2020

7. All Senior Women's Player of the Year since 2022

8. 2024 Iowa Senior Women's Amateur Champion

9. 2024 Iowa Girls' Junior Amateur Champion

10. 2024 IGA Women's Four-Ball Champions (Championship Division)

11. 2024 Iowa Forever-39 Champion

12. 2025 Junior Girl's Four-State Team

FORMAT: Depending on the total number of entrants in the Women’s Match Play, the IGA will establish a bracket of either 8, 16, or 32. 18-hole stroke play qualifying on Tuesday will determine the seeds for match play.

Assuming a bracket of 32 the format will be as follows:
Tuesday, June 24 - 18 Holes Qualifying Round
Wednesday, June 25 - midmorning Round of 32
Thursday, June 26 - morning Round of 16
Thursday, June 26 - afternoon Quarterfinals

Friday, June 27 - morning Semifinals
Friday, June 27 - afternoon Finals

IGA MATCH PLAY POLICY: If a player does not complete the stroke play qualifying round (withdraw, disqualification, etc.) they will not advance to the match play portion of the championship.

MEN’S MATCH PLAY: The IGA will be hosting the Men’s Match Play Championship concurrently with the Women’s Match Play Championship. There is a separate entry application for the Men’s Match Play Championship (available at www.iowagolf.org). The combined field for the men’s and women’s championships will be 156 players, with at least 32 guaranteed for the ladies.

ENTRY FORM, FEE, and CLOSING DATE: Entrants are solely responsible for securing fees by the due date. Entries must reach the IGA office by 11:59 P.M., June 10 and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee ($130). You must enter online using a credit card at www.iowagolf.org up to the deadline or until a field limit is met, whichever comes first. Late, unsigned or incomplete applications are not acceptable and will be returned. There will be no exceptions!

GOLF BALLS; DRIVER HEADS
Only brands of golf balls on the most current USGA List of Conforming Golf Balls and driver heads on the most current USGA List of Conforming Driver Heads may be used. Updated lists may be found on the USGA website at www.usga.org or by contacting the USGA Equipment Standards Department at (908) 234-2300. The so-called “One-Ball Rule,” Model Local Rule G-5 will not be in effect.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Proper golf attire is mandatory; the committee reserves the right to determine whether this requirement is met. Competitors may be required to change clothing to compete. Traditional ladies’ golf attire will be permitted. Blue jeans are NOT permitted.

PACE OF PLAY: Under Rule 5.6b(3) the IGA has adopted pace of play guidelines that include the maximum period of time allotted to complete a stipulated round, number of holes and/or strokes. These guidelines and the resulting penalties will be made available to every competitor in advance of the championship.

RULES OF GOLF: Play will be governed by the Rules of Golf. Local rules on scorecards do not apply. Decisions concerning the rules will be settled by the Rules Committee assigned by the IGA and those decisions will be final.

It is the policy of the Iowa Golf Association that, in a match play event, at least eight (8) individuals must enter an event to constitute holding such event. If seven (7) or less enter a championship it will be canceled. Entrants to such an event will be given the option to participate in another championship where eligible or receive a full refund on entry fees as soon as practical.