51st NEBRASKA MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Champions Run
June 25-29, 2018
ELIGIBILITY
Entries are open to amateur golfers with an active USGA Handicap Index® issued by a “member club” of the Nebraska Golf Association and a resident of Nebraska (see NGA residency below).
NGA Residency: An individual is considered to be a resident of Nebraska if they: a) maintain either a primary or a secondary residence in Nebraska, or b) are an active duty member of the United States Military stationed in Nebraska, or c) are a student physically attending college in Nebraska within a time period four-months prior to the event, or d) are a graduate of a Nebraska high school attending an out-of-state college. If these criteria are in question, the NGA Tournament Committee shall render any final decision.
The championship field will be limited to 156 players. If more than 156 entries are received by the June 18, 2018 deadline, the field will be comprised of players that filed entries by the deadline in these categories:
1. From the NGA Player Rankings, the top 50 point leaders as of January 1, 2018
2. From the NGA Point Standings, the top 25 point leaders as of June 18, 2018
3. Those golfers that qualified for match play at the 2017 Nebraska Match Play Championship
4. Special Exemptions selected by the NGA Board of Directors
5. Remainder of the field determined by order of entry
Amateur Status: All players must conform with the USGA Rules of Amateur Status as specified in the USGA Rules of Golf.
Code of Conduct: The NGA may reject an entry application, revoke an accepted application, expel from the 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 NGA. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to, damage to the golf course or the player’s equipment, verbal or physical abuse of spectators, officials, volunteers, or staff, blatant or excessive profanity, disorderly behavior, failure to abide by club rules, or any other unbecoming conduct.
ENTRIES; FORM, FEE, CLOSING DATE
All players must file an entry application. Players must file on-line at the NGA website (www.nebgolf.org).
Entry fee of $150 must be paid by every player. Entry fee will be refunded regardless of reason if the NGA is notified (402-505-4653) before the close of entries. After the close of entries, fee will be refunded in the event of a medical condition, if requested no later than June 24. No refund for any reason after June 24. A $30 service charge will be deducted from all refunds.
ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NGA NO LATER THAN 5 P.M. C.D.T. ON MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2018.
ONLINE ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT www.nebgolf.org
Late applications are not acceptable and will be automatically rejected. (Entries by telephone, telegraph, or FAX not acceptable.) Time limit for entries means time of receipt at NGA (not time entry is sent to NGA). Entries should be submitted early to allow ample time for delay or error in transmission. The risk of delay or error in transmission lies solely with the entrant and the NGA shall have no liability with respect to any such delay or error and the consequences therefrom, including rejection of the entry.
FORMAT; SCHEDULE
Competition will be in two stages.
A) Stroke Play – 36 holes stroke play to determine 32 qualifiers for match play. A tie for the last qualifier’s place will be decided immediately by a hole-by-hole play-off.
MONDAY, JUNE 25, 18-holes.
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 18-holes.
B) Match Play – General numerical draw will be used. For purposes of determining places in the draw, ties in qualifying rounds will be decided by a blind draw, except that places of those participating in a play-off will be determined by the order on the public scoreboard summary and by performance in the play-off.
WEDNESDAY A.M., JUNE 27, First Round, 18-holes.
WEDNESDAY P.M., JUNE 27, Second Round, 18-holes.
THURSDAY A.M., JUNE 28, Quarterfinal Round, 18-holes.
THURSDAY P.M., JUNE 28, Semifinal Round, 18-holes.
FRIDAY, JUNE 29, Final, 36-holes.
PRIZES
WINNER: Gold medal, championship money clip, commemorative framed bracket and custody of championship trophy, subject to such conditions as the NGA may establish .
RUNNER-UP: Silver Medal and crystal trophy.
LOWEST QUALIFYING SCORE: Silver medal; if a tie, duplicate medals will be awarded.
MERCHANDISE PRIZES: TBA
RULES OF GOLF; CLOSE OF COMPETITION
Play will be governed by the Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and the R & A. Questions shall be settled by the on-site Rules Committee, whose decision shall be final. The competition is deemed to be closed when the Championship trophy has been presented.
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 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.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
During the Championship a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3. If a player obtains distance information by using a multi-functional device, refer to Appendix IV for additional guidance. To learn more about conformance issues related to the Local Rule, visit www.usga.org/dmd.
FOOTWEAR
It is a condition of the competition that shoes with traditionally-designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e., ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (if such metal may come in contact with the course) are prohibited during the stipulated round. Penalty for breach of this condition: DISQUALIFICATION.
CADDIES
A player may provide his own caddie. If he wishes the host club to furnish a caddie, he should ask the NGA because sufficient caddies may not be available at the host club. Caddies are required to wear a caddie bib.
TRANSPORTATION
Automotive transportation is permitted.
PUBLICITY and PROMOTION; BROADCASTING
I understand that the NGA or its designees, may record, film, photograph, or otherwise capture my likeness, image, voice, biography, references to me, my quoted statements, and my play in the Championship (the foregoing, together with my name, my “Appearance”). In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Championship, by submitting this Application, I grant (and/or have the authority to grant to the NGA in the case of a parent/guardian of a minor or other authorized representative submitting the Application on my behalf) to the USGA, and its licensees, successors and assigns, the perpetual, transferable, assignable, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable right to use my Appearance, in whole or in part, in all manner (including exhibition, distribution, reproduction, publication, display, broadcast, transmission or otherwise), and media now known or hereafter invented or discovered, and for any purpose whatsoever. The rights granted herein include, without limitation, the right to use the Appearance, or portions thereof, in promotion of the Championship and future championships through any of the foregoing means of distribution, as well as in the design, manufacture and distribution of merchandise related to the Championship or other championships, that include elements of my Appearance. The NGA is not obligated to use my Appearance in any matter, and materials embodying any aspect of my Appearance do not need be submitted to me for approval. I release and discharge the NGA, its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims arising from use of my Appearance, including claims for misrepresentation of me, my character, or my person by any means. As between the NGA and me, the NGA shall own all right, title and interest, including the copyright(s), in and to any works created by the NGA, its licensees, successors and assigns, that include all or a portion of my Appearance. This grant shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and the successors and assigns of the NGA. I hereby waive all privacy, publicity, defamation, libel, and proprietary rights relating to the Appearance as used by the NGA in conjunction with these terms. Players are required to cooperate with representatives of the media; however, no pre-Championship activities outside of those activities which are part of the Championship will be required. Authorized representatives of the media will not interfere with the player’s Championship play in an unreasonable manner.
SCORE POSTING
All scores will be posted for handicap purposes. Players should not post these scores individually.
PRACTICE PRIVILEGES
Complete details on practice rounds will be available on both the championship web site and in the player memorandum.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Players must be neat in appearance with respect to personal grooming and clothing.
CONDITIONS; SCHEDULES
The NGA Tournament Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules herein. The decision of the NGA Tournament Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Information on the Championship will be e-mailed after the close of entries. If you have not received information within two days of the Championship, it is your responsibility to contact the NGA (402 505-4653). Tournament information will also be available on the championship site accessible through the NGA website www.nebgolf.org.