WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND

 

2023 Competition Rules and Conditions

These Rules and Conditions are additional to the Rules on for Association Competitions

 

Format

1. The competition is open to women amateur golfers. Play is individual stroke play (medal). Players initially compete in a club qualifier over 18 holes and if successful the national final in July.

 

Conditions of Play

2. To compete in the championship a player must be a member of an associated club. A player who is a member of more than one affiliated club may choose which qualifying event to play in. but may only play in one club qualifying event.

 

3. The maximum permitted handicap index is 36.0. Players with higher handicap indexes may play but they will be capped at this maximum limit. A player’s playing handicap shall be 95% of their course handicap.

 

4. There shall be two divisions and throughout the tournament players will compete in the division appropriate to their playing handicap on the day of play as follows: Division 1 playing handicap 20 and below; and Division 2 playing handicap 21 and above.

 

5. Players who submit a ‘no return’ in the club qualifier may not progress to the next round as a qualifier or substituted player from the reserve list.

 

6. Unless exempted as a clubs gross or nett champion, or the previous year’s national gross and nett champions, a player may not play in the national final if they have not played in a club qualifier.

 

Club Qualifying Round

7. Clubs wishing to enter shall before the end of June each year, stage a Club Level Qualifying Round which may be in conjunction with one of their club medal competitions.

 

8. For every three players that enter the Club qualifier one player shall qualify for the regional final. If there are at least 9 entries qualifiers shall be as follows:
   • Best gross overall
   • Best nett score Division 1
   • Best nett score Divisions 2
   • Best nett overall for all remaining places

 

Where Clubs do not have any entrants in a specified Division the qualifying place shall be awarded to the next best nett overall. Where there are fewer than 9 players in a qualifier qualification should be based on best gross overall then best net with any remaining places allocated according to nett scores.

 

9. In addition to the club qualifiers as above, each club running a qualifier shall be entitled to two additional places, for their current gross and nett club champions (ie. the winner of the club championship played over 18 or 36 holes medal play). These players are eligible to play in the regional final without having to play in their club qualifying round or pay the club qualifier fee. If they are not available to play reserves are permitted in line with the club qualifier criteria above. Any reserve must have played in the Club qualifying event.

 

10. The results of the club qualifier must be returned to the competition organiser as directed and the associated fees paid. The Club return should include the following and must be returned by 30 June:
    1. A full list of all players who played in the Club qualifier (copy of result sheet)
    2. A list of those who have qualified for the regional finals
    3. Confirmation of the regional final each qualifier would like to attend
    4. Payment for club entry fees as directed on the website

 

National Final

11. After receipt of club entry forms and payment, the competition organiser shall confirm with each club contact their national final qualifiers. They will also provide details of how to confirm entry and pay the individual fees due for the national final. Club contacts will be responsible for notifying their players. Players (or clubs) can then confirm places at regional events by completing the individual on-line entry form and paying the associated fees due. This must be done before the closing date given.

 

12. Players shall be responsible for confirming their entry and ensuring fees are paid by the due date.

 

13. Clubs may replace ‘unavailable players’ with the next best players from their qualifying list. Where possible these should be notified to the organiser in advance of the national final. Where necessary replacements will also be allowed on the day of play.

 

14. Once the start sheet for the national final has been compiled this shall be sent to club contacts who shall be responsible for notifying their players. It will also be posted on the on-line competition page.

 

Trophies and Prizes

15. At the national final the NAPGC Championship Trophy will be awarded for the best gross score in Division 1 and The Mike Murphy Trophy for the best nett score in Division 2.

 

16. Prizes shall be awarded in the following order:
    1. Division 1 – Best gross, best nett, best remaining gross, best remaining nett
    2. Division 2 – Best nett, second best nett
    3. Further prizes will be dependent on entries and at the discretion of the Competition Organiser.

 

17. The divisional trophy winners will be granted direct entry to the following year’s Championship Final in order to defend their titles, subject to still being playing members of a club affiliated to the NAPGC.

 

18. The Division 1 gross champion shall represent the NAPGC in the EG County Champion of Champions.