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PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLF ASSOCIATION

117th WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

17th WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

PALOUSE RIDGE GOLF CLUB

PULLMAN, WASHINGTON

JULY 9-13, 2018

REGISTRATION

All contestants must register in person with the PNGA, at Palouse Ridge Golf Club prior to playing in the championship. Registration will be located in the pavilion located next to the clubhouse during the following times:

SUNDAY, JULY 8: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 9: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

STARTING TIMES and SCHEDULE

Starting times for stroke play qualifying rounds will be released to players on Tuesday, June 26.
PREFERRED STARTING TIME REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Amateur Championship: 36-hole stroke play qualifying. The General Numerical Draw will be used to seed the 32 players for single elimination match play. Matches will be 18-holes with a 36-hole final match.

Mid-Amateur Championship: 36-hole stroke play qualifying with all players advancing to match play. The Championship Flight will consist of 16 players with remaining flights of 8 players. Matches will be 18-holes with an 18-hole final match.

STROKE PLAY QUALIFYING
Contestants will be paired according to championship and handicap index for round one and round two.

MONDAY, JULY 9: 18-hole stroke play qualifying. Starting times from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

PNGA hosted lunch (sandwich and salad buffet) following the round.

TUESDAY, JULY 10: 18-hole stroke play qualifying. Starting times from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

PNGA hosted lunch (taco buffet) following the round.
*Potential playoff for medalist and/or final spots into match play (Amateur) or the Championship Flight (Mid-Amateur)

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH PLAY

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11: Round of 32 – Starting times beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Round of 16 – Starting times beginning at 12:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 12: Quarterfinals – Starting times beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Semifinals – Starting times beginning at 12:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 13: Championship Final Match – Starting times at 7:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.

MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH PLAY:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11: Match Play – Starting times beginning at 10:00 a.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 12: Match Play – Starting times beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Match Play – Semifinals (Championship Flight only) at 1:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 13: Championship Finals (all flights) – Starting times beginning at 7:40 a.m.

COURSE YARDAGE

Stroke play qualifying yardages listed are subject to change, but will be finalized on July 8 and available to players at registration. Some yardages will be varied throughout match play. Hole by hole yardages are available at the end of this document.

Women’s Amateur: 6,299 yards, Par-72

Women’s Mid-Amateur: 5,707 yards, Par-72

PRACTICE ROUND

The PNGA has made arrangements for contestants to play one complimentary practice round prior to the championship. Practice round starting times will be available for contestants during weekdays the week prior and on Sunday, July 8 after 11:00 a.m. Contestants may schedule their practice round starting time by calling the Palouse Ridge golf shop at (509) 335-4342 beginning on June 19. All practice round starting times will be at the discretion of the golf shop.

FOOD SERVICE (No Host)

Banyans Restaurant will open at 7:00 a.m. daily for snacks, beverages, and grab and go snack/sandwich items. Full menu service begins daily at 11:00 a.m.

CONTESTANTS’ LUNCH

The PNGA will host lunch following the round on Monday, July 9 and Tuesday, July 10 in the pavilion. Monday will be a sandwich and salad buffet and Tuesday will be a taco buffet.

HOURS OF OPERATION

The golf shop and driving range will be open at 6:30 a.m. daily.

RANGE BALLS

Range balls will be available on the driving range each day during the championship, courtesy of the PNGA.

AUTOMOTIVE CARTS (Amateur)

Carts are prohibited. Players must not ride on any form of transportation during a stipulated round unless authorized by the Committee.

AUTOMOTIVE CARTS (Mid-Amateur)

The use of automotive carts is permitted in the Mid-Amateur Championship. Cart fees are $20 per day and are payable to the golf shop on the day of rental.

SPECTATOR CARTS

To provide an equal championship platform for all competitors, the use of carts by spectators is not permitted at any time by the WSGA.

CHAMPIONSHIP ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABLED SPECTATORS

The PNGA is committed to providing an enjoyable spectator experience for people with disabilities at PNGA Championships. Requests from spectators seeking transportation onto the golf course due to a permanent disability, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), must be submitted to a PNGA staff member on site. While spectator carts are not allowed, the PNGA will make every effort to accommodate these requests by assigning a PNGA volunteer driver based on availability. The driver will transport the spectator to viewing locations throughout the golf course, not shot-by-shot or hole-by-hole.

Spectators with transportation needs should contact the PNGA Championship Department at (206) 526-1238 prior to the championship so that arrangements can be made to have a driver on site.

Requests due to temporary injuries or impairments will not be granted.

Only spectators who have complied with the above procedures and met the requirements will be permitted to ride. Every possible effort will be made to ensure that spectators with permanent disabilities are able to view the competition.

PULL CARTS

Pull carts are permitted in both championships.

CADDIES

Host club caddies are not available. A player may provide her own caddie. Caddies must wear a caddie bib provided on the first tee.

PRIZES

PRIZES FOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Kusak crystal prizes will be awarded as follows:

Stroke Play – A PNGA Championship crystal medallion will be awarded to the qualifying Medalist. The Medalist’s name will also be engraved on the Liz Culver Perpetual Trophy.

Match Play – Kusak crystal will be awarded to the Champion, Runner-up and Semifinalists. The Women’s Amateur champion will have her name engraved on the PNGA Women’s Amateur Championship Perpetual Trophy.

PRIZES FOR WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR: Kusak crystal prizes will be awarded as follows:

Stroke Play – A PNGA Championship crystal medal will be awarded to the qualifying Medalist.

Match Play – Kusak Crystal will be awarded to the Champion, Runner-up and Championship Flight Semifinalists, and all other flight winners and runners-up. The Women’s Mid-Amateur champion will also have her name engraved on the PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship Perpetual Trophy.

Kusak Crystal awards will be presented to any contestant who scores a hole-in-one or eagle (stroke play only) during the championship.

AWARDS CEREMONY

An awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 13, immediately following completion of the final match for the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the Women’s Amateur Championship.

EXEMPTIONS

The 2018 PNGA Women’s Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur champions will receive an exemption into the 2019-2023 PNGA Women’s Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships, respectively.

PERFORMANCE POINTS

Performance points may be awarded for the PNGA Women’s Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship through the player’s respective state or provincial association. Players may verify with their association by phone or their website.

GHIN SCORE POSTING

The PNGA will post and transmit the adjusted stroke play scores for all players on the USGA GHIN System for handicapping purposes. Players should post their adjusted match play scores.

DRESS CODE

The PNGA expects all contestants and their caddies to wear suitable attire on the host club property throughout the duration of the championship, including practice rounds. Suitable attire does not include cutoffs, short shorts, tank tops, halters, jeans or denim of any kind or color, tee shirts, bare midriff, spandex, sweat pants or unkempt clothing of any kind. Contestants must wear blouses or golf shirts (if a shirt is sleeveless, it must have a collar). Contestants must wear slacks, golf skirts or shorts. Skirts and shorts must be of an appropriate length and must meet the host club dress code. Hats and visors must not be worn in the clubhouse. Shoes and socks must be worn at all times on the golf course. Sandals of any kind, even sandals with soft spikes, are not allowed on the golf course at any time, including practice areas. If additional measures are required by the host club, they will be communicated to all contestants prior to the championship and must be adhered to. Gallery must adhere to the host club dress code policy. Failure to adhere to the dress code may result in disqualification and removal from the course.

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES

In all PNGA Championships, 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 her play, (e.g., elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14.3.

CONDUCT CODE

Unacceptable conduct or behavior on the golf course or anywhere on club property will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate disqualification, at any time, from any PNGA event. The following are examples of unacceptable conduct or behavior:

Loud, abusive and/or profane language
Intentionally throwing and/or breaking equipment or the like (club, ball, etc.) in anger or frustration
Intentionally damaging host club, PNGA, and/or fellow contestant property
Abuse of any kind of host club officials, volunteers or staff, and/or PNGA volunteers, staff or fellow contestants
Public criticism of host club, officials, volunteers or staff, and/or PNGA volunteers, staff or fellow contestants
Intentionally engaging in a criminal act
Engaging in activities that result in the potential endangerment of others
Intentionally violating the Rules of Golf
Intentionally violating stated club policy
Violation of PNGA Dress Code
Violation of PNGA Footwear Policy

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

All refunds prior to the entry deadline are subject to a $10 administrative fee. Refunds are not available after the closing deadline except for documented and approved medical reasons. Refunds approved after the closing deadline, and up until round one pairings are released, are subject to a $25 administrative fee. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER ROUND ONE PAIRINGS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

During play of the championship, a competitor must notify PNGA staff and state his/her need to withdraw. Entrants who unofficially withdraw (by not notifying the PNGA staff or without having sufficient reason to withdraw) will not be granted entry into any future PNGA championship for a minimum of two years.

PACE OF PLAY – STROKE PLAY

Revised 2018

Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states: “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.”

Summary
When a group is out of position at any check-point, the players in the group are subject to penalty under these guidelines.

Check-points will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of either the 4th, 9th, 13th and 18th holes, or the 5th, 9th, 14th and 18th holes.

Exact checkpoint locations will be determined prior to the start of each event. Players will be notified of checkpoint locations on the starting tee.

Allotted Time: Flagstick in the Hole
Maximum times to play will be determined for each day of the championship by the on-site Championship Committee. Maximum times to complete each hole will be printed on each competitor’s scorecard. Competitors will be advised, prior to starting, of that day’s maximum time to complete the round. It is the group’s responsibility to finish each check-point within the times outlined on the scorecard or within position of the group directly in front of them. When a group falls behind – regardless of the reason – it must regain its position. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time.

Definition “Out of Position” – Stroke Play

First Group Only: The first group is out of position if it takes more than the allotted time to complete a check-point hole (see check-point time on scorecard).

All Following Groups:
A following group is out of position if it:

(a) Takes more than the allotted time to complete a check-point hole and

(b) Completes play of a check-point hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.

Group Out of Position
The first time a group is out of position at a check-point hole they will be issued a warning. When a group has been notified of its first breach, that group is expected to regain its position before reaching the next check-point. If that group is out of position at the next or any subsequent check-point, the group may incur the following penalties:

• 1st breach* – warning
• 2nd breach – one stroke penalty
• 3rd breach – two stroke penalty
• 4th breach – disqualification

* If a group clears the 3rd check-point without any breaches, but is out of position at the 4th check-point, the potential penalty for each player in the group is one stroke.

Any group that is out of position is subject to being monitored by a Rules Rover.

Player’s Rights
Any player may appeal the penalty at scoring.

A player concerned about a non-responsive fellow-competitor in his/her group should request a Rules Rover to monitor the group in case the group is/or becomes subject to penalty under these guidelines.

Final Determination Regarding Breach / Review Process
All breaches will be reviewed at scoring by the Pace of Play Committee. If the player/group appeals the penalty, the Pace of Play Committee will consider only the following in an appeal:

(a) The player was delayed by the Committee; or

(b) The player was delayed by a circumstance beyond the control of the player or the group; or

A player who was out of position during his/her round and who elects not to consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine whether he/she was in breach of these guidelines is considered to have been in breach of these guidelines and to have incurred a penalty or penalties according to the above schedule of penalties. If a group is subject to penalty, all penalties will be applied to the check-point hole where the breach occurred.

PACE OF PLAY – MATCH PLAY

Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states: “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.”

Definition “Out of Position” – Match Play

The first match to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind the prescribed schedule as detailed on the scorecard given to each match prior to starting.

Any following match will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play and (b) reaches the tee of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; reaches the tee of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear; or reaches the tee of a par-5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position.

Pace of Play Penalties – Match Play

An out of position match may be monitored and timed. Anytime a match is being monitored and timed they will be notified of such timing by a Rules Rover.

The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player in a match being timed who takes more than the allotted time (see below) to play a stroke after timing of the player’s stroke begins:

1st breach – warning

2nd breach – loss of hole

3rd breach – 2nd warning

4th breach – disqualification

Timing

When a match is being monitored and timed each player is expected to play any stroke within 40 seconds after timing of the player’s stroke begins.

Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player’s stroke will begin when he/she has had a reasonable opportunity to reach his/her ball, it is his/her turn to play and he/she can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage will count as part of the 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 lift, clean and replace his/her ball, repair his/her ball mark and other ball marks on his/her line of putt and remove loose impediments from his/her line of putt. Time spent looking at the line from beyond the hole and/or behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

NOTE 1: The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to monitor or time a group/match when the Committee deems it necessary. Players should also be aware that the Committee may assess a “bad time” to a player in a match that is out of position if the player makes no effort to help his match get back in position. An example of this would be a player who delays play between shots.

NOTE 2: If the match in question regains its proper position, any previous breach of these guidelines will be carried over for the remainder of that stipulated round in the event that the match requires additional monitoring.

CAMPERS AND R.V.’s

Campers and/or recreational vehicles may not be parked for use as overnight accommodations on golf course property without consent from the host club staff.

PLAYER LODGING

Special hotel rates have been reserved at the following hotels. Special rates are only available if booked through the website link provided on the PNGA website and in the registration confirmation email. Rates are only valid through June 8, 2018.

Courtyard by Marriott Pullman $132/night

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Pullman $129/night