PRINTABLE VERSION OF PLAYER HANDBOOK ADMINISTRATION
TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE
The Tournament Committee is responsible for all aspects of Rules 33 and 34 (USGA Rules of Golf).
Composition of this Committee is:
• Tour President - Robin L. Waters, PGA
• VP of Operations - Steve White
• Tour Director - Jeff Harlow
• Director of Operations - Donald Davis
• Rules Officials -
LOCAL QUALIFIER
Monday Qualifier Fees
Members - $150
Non-Members - $200
Amateurs - $250
If a player successfully Monday qualifies for an event the entry fees are as follows:
Members $850 entry fee – $1,000 total
Non-Members $1,000 entry fee - $1,200 total
Amateurs - $250 entry fee - $500 total
Balance of entry fees must be paid by 3pm Tuesday.
• Maximum of ten (10) spots available:
6 to 10 entrants = 6 spots
11 to 15 entrants = 8 spots
16+ entrants = 10 spots
• If necessary, more than 10 qualifiers will be accepted in accordance with Tour Policy in order to fill the field.
• Starting times generally begin at 7:30am.
• Course will be closed to practice rounds during qualifying starting times.
• If a qualifier finishes in the top 20 of a tournament, he is exempt from qualifying the next week.
• If a qualifier or non-member wins an event, he will be given full exempt status for the remainder of the year. Non-members must acquire a membership by paying Members Dues for the year to invoke this privilege.
• Once a non-exempt member accumulates $3000 in official earnings he will obtain full exempt status. Non-members that accumulate $4500 in official earnings can acquire a membership by paying Members Dues for the year to invoke this privilege.
RETURNED CHECKS FIELD SIZE : 168 PRACTICE GUIDELINES RANGE HOURS PLAYER MESSAGE BOARD SCORING TENT LATE TO THE TEE SHOOTOUTS
• First offense: $100 service charge
• Second offense: $200 service charge plus loss of check writing privileges
Reserved Spots for NGA Tour:
Top 20 from previous week 3
Local Qualifier *10 *see local qualifier
Host Professional 1
Tour Exemptions 2
Top 3 from previous week 3 (
Tournament Committee has the authority to adjust field size. The Field will be cut to the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes have been completed.
PLAYER ATTIRE
The NGA Hooters Tour is proud of its image and its players. Proper on-site attire will only contribute to this image. Players shall present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming. The Tour Director shall interpret this regulation. Jeans, shorts (unless committee authorizes) and T-shirts are not allowed:
• Playing practice rounds
• Using practice facilities
• Playing competitive rounds
• Attending Tour social functions (i.e. Pro Am Parties) (NO hats, sandals or sneakers.)
CADDY ATTIRE: The professional is responsible for their caddy’s appearance. Shorts are permitted, CADDY BIBBS are required (male/female). Caddy bibs will be supplied by the Tour. Shoes are mandatory, but no spikes.
The golf course will be available for practice beginning on Monday following the last tee time of the local qualifier. Unless the tournament committee has scheduled a special event (shoot-out, pro-am) the course will be available for practice parts of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In the case of inclement weather an effort to preserve and/or maintain the playability and condition of the golf course facility, the local facility staff and/or Tournament Committee has the authority to close and/or limit play on any day. Players may, if approved by the Tour Staff and golf course facility, tee off on #1 & #10 tees for practice rounds. Players teeing off on #1 tee have priority as they make the turn to #10 tee. Players failing to observe this priority on #10 tee are subject to being fined. On Pro-Am days, players may not start on #10 after 9:00 am. Players will not hit more than one ball to greens or off tees during practice rounds. Do not hold up other players trying to complete their practice rounds.
GROUPS ARE TO BE LIMITED TO FOURSOMES. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE BYTHE TOUR.
Monday Noon until 6:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am until 6:30pm
Wednesday - Friday 6:30am until 6:30pm
Saturday 6:30am until 6:30pm
Sunday 6:30am until last starting time
(Range Hours May Vary at each site. It may also be temporarily closed during the day for additional picking and Jr. Clinics). As daylight permits, the range may remain open later during some events. The range facility is available to NGA Hooters Tour players and pro-am participants only. Players must cooperate with the closing hours of the range so the balls may be picked, cleaned and readied for the next day. A fine will be incurred if a player does not comply with the facility or tournament staff concerning the closing or temporary closing of the range.
Due to the restricted nature of some facilities, the length and width of the range may dictate the use of irons only or a small number of hitting stations. We appreciate your cooperation when this request is in effect. One hour prior to the start of each pro-am, the range will be divided into two equal sections: 1/2 for professionals and 1/2 for the amateurs in the pro-am.
The player message board will be located outside the Tour Trailer. All incoming phone messages will be attached to this board and players are advised to check it daily. Also, the Tour will place announcements pertinent to all players here, as well as future Schedules of Events for upcoming tournaments.
As players make the turn after 9 holes, they may be asked to provide their scorecards to be recorded for scoreboard use, as well as get a drink and snack for the remainder of the round, if desired. After completion of the round, the players are to bring their scorecards to the tent, sign them, and turn them in to the scoring volunteers. Once the player has turned in his scorecard and left any boundary of the tent, the scorecard is considered official. The scoring tent is limited to players and their caddies making the turn or completing a round. Other players are not allowed to gather in the tent area while play is in progress.
STARTING TIMES
Starting times will be posted at the following locations:
• Pro Shop/Club House
• NGA Tour Trailer
• Host Hotel
• www.hooterstour.com
Starting times for Thursday/Friday rounds will be available by 5:00pm on Tuesday. Round 3 & 4 tee times available one (1) hour after completion of the second round. (see pairing procedures)
OFFICIAL TIME
The Tournament Committee will establish the Official Time by calling 303-499-7111. The clocks on the starting tees are the “OFFICIAL TIME”. An inaccurate time on any other clock, is not an excuse for late to the tee. The responsibility of being ready to play at the appointed time lies solely with the individual player.
Rule 6-3 Provides: “The player shall start at the time laid down by the Committee.” The NGA Hooters Tour incorporates the Note under 6-3 that allows the player to be up to 5 minutes late with a 2 stroke penalty. After 5 minutes, he shall be disqualified. A player must be present and Ready to Play (present on the teeing ground with a club and ball) when the 1st player of the group is instructed to play. The order of play is not relevant.
PACE OF PLAY
Slow Play
Rule 6-7 states, in part: “The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee.” The following pace of play guidelines and slow play penalties and fines, except during match play competitions, have been adopted.
1. Definition of “Out of Position”
The first group to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group exceeds the time allotted per hole, as detailed on the applicable course’s Local Rules Addendum. The second and third groups, and additional groups as determined by the Rules Committee when play is in pairs, to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they (a) exceed the allotted time to play or (b) reach any place where there is an open par-3 or par-4 hole or (c) when the preceding group is on the putting green of a par-5 hole when the group in question is on the teeing ground. Any subsequent group will be considered out of positionif, at any time during the round, they reach any place where there is an open par-3 or par-4 hole, or the preceding group is on the putting green of a par-5 hole when the group in question is on the teeing ground.
2. Monitoring Groups
It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of his groups position on the golf course. Rules Officials ARE NOT required to warn groups prior to being timed. A group will be subject to being timed until back in position with the group ahead or back on TIME PAR.
3. Timing
The timing of a player’s stroke will begin when it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction. Any time spent determining yardages will count as time taken for the next stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. A player will have 40 seconds to play a stroke when being timed.
NOTE: An extra 10 seconds will be allowed for:
A. the first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole
B. the first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole (when attempting to reach the putting green)
C. the first player to play a third stroke on a par-5 hole
D. the first player to play on or around the putting green
4. Fines and Penalties - Penalty Phase
Any player in a group out of position will be subject to being timed. Any player who exceeds the allotted time to play a stroke will be fined $100 on his second bad time of the year and is then considered to be in the Penalty Phase of the Pace of Play Policy. Players in the
Penalty Phase of the Pace of Play Policy exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke will be fined and penalized.
5. Summary of Fines and Penalties during a Round
First Offense: One timing exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke -- one stroke penalty and a $200 fine.
Second Offense: One more timing (a total of two) exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke
-- two stroke penalty and $300 fine.
Subsequent Offense: One more timing (a total of three) exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke
-- disqualification and $400 fine.
*All fines should be made payable to USO of Metropolitan
The following policy will be in effect, as an additional condition in the 2008 Pace of Play Policy. When a group is timed, it will be cataloged in the Tour Trailer. Each player in the group will receive a strike for that round. Once a player accumulates a total of seven (7) strikes for the year, he will be deemed in violation of the Pace of Play Policy, and will be fined for that violation and any additional violations under this condition, as follows:
Seventh Strike: $200 Eighth Strike: $300 Ninth Strike: $400 Tenth Strike: $500 Eleven Strikes or more: $600
NOTE: In the administration of these pace of play guidelines, a member of the Rules Committee shall not tolerate abuse, oral or otherwise, by a player. Such abuse constitutes conduct unbecoming a professional.
If it is clearly visible to a NGA HOOTERS TOUR OFFICIAL that a player or players are repeatedly exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke, that player or players pace of play may be monitored even though the player or player’s group is not out of position. A player being monitored under these conditions will be fined $50 if he exceeds 50 seconds to play a stroke three times during the play of a hole, or four times over two consecutive holes. Bad times received under this part of the policy are not applied elsewhere.
6. Appeals
Any appeal of a penalty and fine must be referred to the Tour Director immediately upon completion of the player in question’s round. The Tour Director’s decision shall be final.
PACE OF PLAY SUPPLEMENT
The following policy will be effective beginning
SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO DANGEROUS SITUATION
When play is suspended for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they shall not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they shall discontinue play immediately and shall not thereafter resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.
Penalty for breach of this rule is DISQUALIFICATION
All practice areas shall be closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open for use.
Signals for Suspending and Resuming Play
• Suspend Play: Several short intermittent blasts from a horn or siren
• Resume Play: Two (2) intermittent blasts from a horn or siren
• Suspension Due to Immediate Danger (Lightning, Tornado, etc.): One (1) continuous blast from a horn or siren
SUSPENSION AND DELAYS
When sufficient daylight remains, and the length of a delay warrants, players will be given a minimum of 15 minutes after a delay or suspension to warm-up and resume their position on the golf course. In some situations, preparation time may be reduced or negated by the tournament committee.
MOBILE TELEPHONES
A mobile phone may be used to call in rulings to the Tour Trailer or Pro Shop. The numbers will be listed on the Local Rules Sheet. Any other use of a cell phone during the stipulated round will result in disciplinary action and possible DISQUALIFICATION. (Use is defined as the phone being on at any time during the competition)
REDUCTION OF ROUNDS
The goal of the NGA Hooters Tour is to complete four-round, 72-hole events. The tournament committee and players will make their best effort to complete each round and tournament as scheduled. After exhausting all feasible options, the tournament committee may suspend or cancel a round (Rule 33-2d) in the event unplayable conditions occur. Play will resume when conditions improve, even if the round cannot be completed that day. a.) Play may resume the following day, to include completion of the next scheduled round if daylight permits. b.) When daylight does not permit, the suspended round may be completed the next available day. Thus, one round might be completed over a two to four day period. A minimum of 36 holes must be completed for an event to be considered official. If less than 36 holes are completed, 100% of the entry fees will be returned to the participants. Based on course availability and distance to the next tournament site, the tournament may be concluded on Monday.
PLAYOFFS AND TIES
The only ties which will be broken by a playoff are those to decide first place. All other ties will remain as ties and the purse for those positions will be divided equally. A sudden death playoff will immediately follow play on a hole or holes chosen by the Tournament Committee.
PRIZE MONEY DISTRIBUTION
The NGA Hooters Tour will pay the top 60 and ties after each completed event. Prize checks will be available on site the following Tuesday after 3PM. If a player chooses to have his check sent to an address in lieu of picking it up, there will be a sign up sheet available in the Scoring Tent following play on Sunday. The check shall be mailed from the Tour office to listed address. No check will be distributed without a W-9 on file. Foreign players must complete a W-8 BEN and according to IRS regulations, taxes will be withheld at 30%.
IT IS THE PLAYER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THEIR ADDRESS UPDATED WITH THE TOUR OFFICE.
* CHECKS NOT PICKED UP BY END OF CURRENT YEAR WILL BE FORFEITED (DEC 31, 2008)
MEMBERSHIP
REGISTRATION AND WITHDRAWAL
A player is considered registered for an event upon receipt of the entry fee which must be accompanied by the appropriate tournament series entry form. A confirmation of receipt, if requested, will be mailed to the player’s appropriate address. Intent to play an event does not register you for a tournament. A player must prepay for tournaments one series at a time. (Check all entry forms for the appropriate deadline date, entries must be in the TOUR OFFICE by the DEADLINE DATE) Entries received after the series due date will be taken on an availability basis only.
• If a player withdraws from a tournament (injury, sickness, etc.) he will not be allowed to use the practice facilities during the Event Week.
• If a player walks off the golf course and does not notify any member of the tournament committee, the player will be fined and suspended from the following week’s tournament.
To withdraw from a tournament, a player MUST contact the Tour Office in
WITHDRAWAL DEADLINES:
* Up to the Monday of the week prior to the tournament - No Charge
* From Tuesday of the week prior to the tournament until Monday 5:00pm EST of tournament week - 50% of entry fee
* After Monday 5:00pm EST of tournament week-100% of entry fee
** Prior to starting the first round of a tournament, if a player withdraws because of sickness or injury, a medical doctor’s note stating you are physically unable to compete in any golf competition must be faxed to the NGA Tour office within 24 hours in order to receive a full refund. (NO EXCEPTIONS!)
** All Nationwide or PGA Tour exemptions will be granted a full refund. It is the player’s responsibility to call BEFORE your tee time to withdraw. YOU MUST CALL THE TOUR OFFICE. Refunds will be remitted from the Tour Office upon player’s request.
*Credits unclaimed within 12 months of withdrawal will be forfeited If you have any questions concerning this policy, please contact the NGA Hooters Tour Office at (800)-992-8748.
NOTE: After hours messages on the Tour Office Voice Mail will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS!
PAIRING PROCEDURES
Pairings for first and second rounds of the first two (2) tournaments will be done randomly. Rounds 3 & 4 are paired by score. All remaining tournament’s first and second round pairings are grouped based on the OFFICIAL MONEY LIST. The actual groupings are established by computer. These will be available after 5:00pm on Tuesday. Third and fourth round pairings are by score. These will be available approximately one hour after completion of play.
No requests will be taken for tee times. Players are asked to please respect this procedure.
PRO-AMS
The NGA Hooters Tour’s policy regarding pro-am participation is as follows: Players for the Pro Ams will be chosen from the money list two weeks prior to the event (leading money winner on down). A player list will be posted the Thursday prior to the Pro-Am to inform players who are playing. Players will be allowed to miss four (4) Pro Ams and you must notify the Tour Director by the Friday prior to the tournament week. NO EXCEPTIONS! Failure to attend the pairings party is a finable offense. The first offense will be a $50 fine and removal from the pro-am. Any offense thereafter will result in disqualification from that week’s golf tournament. All professionals are expected to comply with the dress code of the NGA Hooters Tour for the pairings party and the pro-ams. Also, members are expected to treat their amateur partners in a professional and hospitable manner. Unless otherwise notified, ONLY those players participating in the pro-am are invited to the pairings and cookout parties. Those professionals not participating in the proam must comply with the facility’s guidelines and maintenance schedule upon Wednesday practice rounds. Some tournaments will have a double shotgun pro-am and will occupy the course for the entire day. Members only will be paid $60 for the Pro-Am, unless a Pro Purse has been set up, in which all or a portion of the $60 will be allocated.
PRO-AM FIVE HOUR RULE
In order to keep the Pro-Am’s manageable for the Food and Beverage Staffs and to allow the maintenance staff proper time to prepare the golf course for tournament play, the NGA Hooters Tour will place a time limitation on Pro-Am’s similar to those imposed by other major tours. A horn will sound to begin play once the teams have reached their designated holes, five (5) hours from that time another horn will sound. If a team was the first to play from a tee (example: #3A), that team may finish the hole they are on. If a team was the second to play from a tee (example: #3B), they will finish the hole they are on and then play the next hole. A team will be given a par for any hole that is not completed. Time elapsed during a weather delay does not count against the 5 hour limit.
*** (Exception: The 5 hour rule may be waived at certain contracted events)
EIGHTY – SIX (86) RULE
Any player posting a score of 86 or higher in the first round of competition will be withdrawn from that event without refund.
JUNIOR CLINICS
Junior clinics will be held on Tuesday’s at 4:30pm unless otherwise scheduled. Each clinic will have 2-12 NGA Hooters Tour Professionals participate. Professionals will be chosen by Tour Director the week prior to the clinic. The names for each clinic will be posted on the player message board. Every NGA Hooters Tour member will be chosen once during the season to help with a clinic. It is the responsibility of every player to attend the clinic for which they are chosen to participate. Players failing to attend are subject to discipline by the Tour Director and will be chosen for 2 future clinics.
DISCIPLINE, PENALTIES AND APPEALS
Any player and/or his caddy that shall be deemed guilty of conduct unbecoming a Golf Professional while participating on the NGA Hooters Tour or activities related thereto shall be subject to fine or suspension from tournament play. The NGA Hooters Tour Tournament Committee is authorized to impose penalties from a minimum fine of $200 to a maximum fine of $500 for the first offense, and suspension from tournament play for the second offense, for any of the following violations:
1. a. Alcohol abuse at any Tour function b. Alcohol consumption during play
2. a. Club throwing/club breaking b. Profanity c. Littering or damage to course or property
3. Gambling in clubhouse
4. Any type of jeans or shorts (see Player Attire)
5. Violation of Golf Cart Regulations or Golf Cart Etiquette (i.e. Parking on slopes of greens/ tees and not returning the carts before Pro-Am deadline)
6. Other conduct deemed by the Tournament Committee to be unbecoming a golf professional
7. Public Attacks
8. Attendance at “participant only” functions by uninvited players and/or caddies Players observing conduct unbecoming a Golf Professional by a fellow competitor, not necessarily within his grouping, should report the action to a tournament official. If the official can verify the action through other witnesses, penalties may be imposed without physically seeing the action. A player may appeal disciplinary action taken by the Tournament Committee in accordance with the provisions above. Such appeal shall be in writing and may include defenses of mitigating circumstances, including written statements of witnesses. Appeals will be reviewed by at least two members of the Tour Staff and two members of the Player Board*. Such an appeal must be in writing and must be received by the Tournament Committee within two (2) days after notice of such disciplinary action is given to the player.
Fines are due and payable prior to the next tournament unless a written appeal has been made. Should the appeal be denied, the fine will be deemed payable prior to start of next round played. The player will be ineligible for any NGA Hooters Tour competition thereafter until such fine is paid.
NOTE: If any discipline problem or action is deemed to be extremely offensive or has caused irreparable harm to the NGA Hooters Tour, its staff and/or players, the individual(s) involved can and will be banned from the NGA Hooters Tour indefinitely.
*Appeals prior to formation of 2008 Player Board will be decided by Tour Staff and two members of previous years’ Player Board.
MEDIA COMMENTS: PUBLIC ATTACKS
A favorable public reputation of the NGA Hooters Tour, its affiliated tournaments and co-sponsored events is a valuable asset and creates tangible and intangible benefits for the NGA Hooters Tour and all Tour members. Therefore, it is an obligation of the membership to refrain from comments that attack or disparage the NGA Hooters Tour, tournament sponsors, tournament venues, volunteers or fellow competitors. Legitimate disagreements with the aforementioned must be handled with Tour officials privately. Any such public attack will be viewed as conduct unbecoming a professional, which is a finable offense.
TOUR TRAILER
The NGA Hooters Tour Trailer will house the on-site tour office as well as be the official scoreboard area for all 2008 NGA Hooters Tour competitions. A player message area will be set-up weekly outside the Tour Trailer. Players will not be allowed to gather inside the trailer or to make personal calls on the Tour telephones.
PLAYERS WANTING TO PAY FOR THE NEXT SERIES ONSITE MAY DO SO IN THE TOUR TRAILER UNTIL 3:00 PM THURSDAY, PRIOR TO THE FRIDAY DEADLINE DATE. The Tour Trailer is to be used for Tour business ONLY.
If this sponsorship is sold, this event will generally be held on Tuesdays, beginning between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. A notice will be posted on the Player Message Board if a Shootout is scheduled. Tour reserves the right to adjust entry qualifications. Players will be chosen as follows:
• Top player in point’s race
• Top three available players from money list (Tour members)
• Top three available players from previous week’s results (Tour members)
• Defending Champion of previous year’s tournament
• One Tour player of sponsor’s choice
• One sponsor player If sponsor chooses not to participate, remaining spots will be filled from the official money list.
Example of $500.00 purse shootout breakdown:
1ST $200 5TH $25 8TH $15
2ND $100 6TH $20 9TH $12.50
3RD $62.50 7TH $17.50 10TH $10
4TH $37.50
LONG DRIVE CONTEST
If the sponsorship is sold, this event will generally be held on Wednesdays, beginning between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. All professionals may participate in this event; a sign up sheet will be posted on the Player Message Board for all interested professionals.
1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $100
HOUSING
At some sites there will be ample private housing, while other events will have little or none. Player housing will be handled by the host clubs. Players should call the courses at least three weeks in advance to be placed on the housing list. The Tour does not guarantee player housing. A volunteer housing coordinator at each site will then match up the player with a host family if available. Housing requests are taken on a first come, first serve basis. Housing is considered a bonus. If a complaint is received in regard to a player’s behavior while in housing, the player is subject to loss of housing privileges for the remainder of the tournament season and subject to disciplinary action.
PLAYER IDENTIFICATION
Each member of the NGA Hooters Tour will be given a personalized tour card which will act as the player’s ID badge. The intention of this card is to provide identification for the players, not discounts at Hooters Restaurants. If the card is lost, a personalized card can be replaced at a cost of $10.
PLAYER BOARD
Prior to the formation of the 2008 Players Board, the returning members from the 2007 Player Board will serve on the board until new members are elected. In the event there are no returning board members, these positions will be appointed by the Tour Staff. The names of the acting board members will be posted on the Player Message Board.
• The 2008 Board will consist of three (3) player representatives selected by the players and four (4) player representatives selected by the Tournament Committee. The voting for this year’s player board will take place in
• Players wanting to be considered as an appointee to the Board should notify the Tour Director by completion of play
• The Board will convene at least six times during the current season.
• The Board is intended to be an avenue to express player views and concerns professionally to the NGA Hooters Tour Staff, as well as establishing a bond between all parties to contribute to the ongoing success of the NGA Hooters Tour. All concerns and issues discussed with the Board will be considered when making decisions.
PLAYER AWARDS
At the completion of the 2008 season the NGA Hooters Tour will choose the recipient of the following awards.
Player of the Year ~ This will go to the NGA Hooters Tour member who achieves the greatest success in 2008 on tour.
Rookie of the Year ~ This will be awarded to the NGA Hooters Tour member, who is playing his first full season of professional golf, and achieves the greatest success in 2008.
Most Improved ~ This award will go to the player who has played two or more years on the NGA Hooters Tour. Work ethic, demeanor on and off the golf course, improved money earnings and stroke average will all be considered.
Golf Achievement ~ This award is presented to the player that personifies the professional golfer. One who participates in junior clinics, outings, press conferences, pro-ams and any other extra NGA Hooters Tour activities in a professional manner will be strongly considered.
PLAYER MAIL PROCEDURE
• Player mail should be sent c/o the tournament site, including the Player’s name and the NGA Hooters Tour
• Mail will be filed alphabetically in a portable file located in the Tour Trailer
• The file will be carried from event to event.
• Mail sent directly to the
• NO C.O.D.’s
EXEMPT STATUS POLICY
An NGA Hooters Tour Member will achieve Full Exempt Status for the 2009 Season if he fulfills one of the requirements listed below and becomes a Tour Member:
• Past Champions from the previous two years are fully exempt
*All past champions may apply for Special exempt status.
*Resume must be provided and deadline requirements apply
• Finishes in the Top 100 of the 2008 Official Money List. Deadline
• Has finished as the Official Money Winner during any season on the NGA Hooters Tour (1988 - present).
• Has been a full-time member of the NGA Hooters Tour for two or more years, AND has held a Nationwide/ PGA Tour card for at least 2 years.*
*Resume must be provided and deadline requirements apply
• Any player who has played on the NGA Hooters Tour for two or more years and has made it to the 2nd stage of PGA Tour Q-school in the current year. (Deadline requirements apply)
• A Medical Exemption may be granted if a FULLY EXEMPT player has missed over half of the scheduled events during the 2008 season and has supplied the proper medical documents to the NGA Hooters Tour. (A player must request the exemption in writing to the Tour.)
• The NGA Hooters Tour may grant Special Exemptions to those players who have proven themselves in major competitions and/or other competitive tours.
* Resume and any documentation requested by the Tour must be provided *
• The top ten (10) Money Leaders from the 2008-2009 Winter Tour will be fully exempt.
• The top ten (10) Money Leaders from the 2008 Carolina Series will be fully exempt
• The top 10% and ties from each ranking school are fully exempt.
• All past champions and players seeking medical and/or special exemptions must apply BEFORE
Any player who does not fulfill one of the above requirements must enter a 2009
2008 RANKING AND RE-SHUFFLE POLICY
Category 1 Fully exempt players (established pre-season)
• Top 120 on 2007 Regular Tour money list
• Top 10-15% from 2008 Ranking Schools
• Top 10 from 2007-08 Winter Series
• Special Exemptions
Category 2
• Non-exempt members who accumulate $3000 in earnings
• Non-members who accumulate $4500 in earnings and have accepted Tour membership offer
Category 3
• Non-exempt players with pre-season ranking number Series one (1), two (2) and three (3) fields will be filled according to the above categories until a full field of 155 (Full field of 168 minus ten (10) MQs, One (1) Club Spot, and Two (2) sponsor exemptions) is attained. Deadline for Series 1 is
PURSE INFORMATION
17 Tournaments
$200,000 Purses
2008 Purses will be guaranteed at $200,000 regardless of field size.
2008 BENEFITS
• All members going to ranking school will receive an NGA Hooters Tour player bag.
• Free Bridgestone Range Balls at every event Pepsi products (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Aquafina Water, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew and Gatorade) and snacks will be supplied to the players on the 1st and 10th tees during tournament competition.
REPLACEMENT OF WITHDRAWALS
Tour procedure for replacing a player withdrawing from field prior to start of tournament. Exempt Entry (non-qualifier): If an exempt entry withdraws from a tournament prior to his round one tee time, he will be replaced in the following order:
1) The highest ranked member available
2) The highest ranked non-member from qualifier
3) If qualifiers are not ranked, a player from the highest ranked group will be drawn by lot.
4) Player selected by tournament committee
Non-Exempt Entry (local qualifier): If a non-exempt entry withdraws from a tournament prior to his first round tee time, he will be replaced in the following order:
1) The highest ranking alternate from the local qualifier
2) A qualifier drawn by lot from the highest ranked group of qualifiers
3) The highest ranked member
4) Player selected by tournament committee
Sponsor Exemption: If a player with a sponsor’s exemption or club spot withdraws from a tournament prior to his round one tee time, he will be replaced by a player selected by the tournament committee.
THE USE OF CARTS AND TROLLEYS
The use of a pull cart or trolly is not permitted. A player does have the option to use a caddy.
SPECTATOR CARTS
It is the policy of the NGA Hooters Tour that spectator golf carts will not be allowed. We would appreciate your cooperation in informing your guests of this policy prior to their arrival. Small, single passenger motorized carts must be approved by the Tournament Committee.
MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How Do I Join the Tour? Send $2000 in with membership application and choose your qualifying site. Past champions (2 years) and Top 100 from the 2008 Money list are exempt from qualifying (deadline requirements apply). These exempt categories must complete membership application as well.
Note: Players may attempt to better their ranking number at the next site for an additional $750 if space is available.
How Do I Get in Tournaments? The Tour uses a priority system based on previous years earnings. Qualifying results and past champions. Based on the pool of players in relation to their Tour Ranking, it will be first come first serve. We will reshuffle ranked players two times during the season based on Official Earnings and also conduct local qualifying on Mondays. For 2008, the order of priority will be past champions (2 years), Top 120 available from 2007 Money List, Qualifiers from 2008
Am I Allowed to wear Other Sponsor Logo’s? Yes, provided they fall within the standards of the NGA Hooters Pro Golf Tour.
How Much Does The Tour Cost? $2000 Ranking/Membership fee (for all members and qualifiers), approximately $1,000 entry fee per tournament and approximately $500 in weekly travel expenses.
Are There Any Other Opportunities To Make Money? Yes, Shootouts, Pro-Ams and Long Drive Contests at most tournaments and qualifying for the NGA/Hooters Tour