Regulations and Policies for OGA Tour Competitions

Regulations and Policies for OGA Tour Competitive events can be viewed below.

Contact:  Questions regarding OGA Tour events should be directed to the OGA - (866)981-4653.  Please do not contact the host site except as provided in "Practice Rounds" below.

All events will be shotgun starts - you must check-in at least 20 minutes prior to event start and present for general announcements.

The entry fee includes:
-18 holes of golf and warm up range balls (note: some sites may not have a driving range)
-Cart rental is available on a first come first serve basis on-site for an additional fee (at some events you entry fee includes cart - see schedule)
-$20 from every entry will be forwarded to the prize fund to be awarded based on Net and Gross finish.  A full field event (60 players) will have a $1200 prize fund.  For additional information on the Prize fund and Points awarded see "Prizes and Points" below.

Rules: The Rules of the USGA shall govern all play.  In addition, see the OGA Local Rules and Conditions of Competition for additional Local Rules and Conditions.  All players are required to check in prior to each event where a Local Rules sheet will be distributed containing additional course specific Local Rules (check-in will be available up until 20 minutes before the competition begins).

Format: Individual and Senior Series Events are 18-hole stroke play gross and net competitions where you must hole out on every hole (NO gimmies or concessions allowed).  Partner Series Events are 18-hole stroke play gross and net competition played under Rule 31 - Four-Ball Stroke Play.  Each side will consist of 2 players.  Each player will play their own ball throughout the round with the low gross and low net score on each hole counting toward the 18 hole gross and net score for the side.  Note that the Four-Ball format requires only one player on a side to hole out on each hole though hole scores must be individually identifiable on the scorecard returned by the team.  

Selecting a Partner (Partner Series events only): If you already know your partner you will be provided the opportunity to enter their name during registration.  If you need to change your partner, please contact the OGA for assistance.  If you sign up as a single, if possible, you will be matched with a partner on the registration deadline.  If you are the last single to register and an odd number of players register for the event your full entry fee will be refunded and your entry will be withdrawn from the event.

Flights:  OGA Tour events are flighted based on the most recent handicap revision.  The number of gross and net flights will be determined based on field size.

Tees: The tees assigned for play will be based on your handicap index.  In general, the lower your index the longer the course will play.  For example, single digit handicaps will play from approximately 6500 yards and handicaps above 20 will play from under 6000 yards.  Exact yardages will be posted on the OGA Tour website in the week prior to the event and are subject to change based on weather and course conditions the day of the event.

Prizes and Points: All prizes will conform to the Rules of Amateur Status.  The Prize fund is determined by multiplying the number of competitors by $20.  Points are awarded based on the OGA Tour Points Schedule and top performers throughout the year will be invited to participate in the season ending OGA Tour Championship to be held at Bandon Dunes Golf Links on October 22, 2010.

All OGA Members with a current USGA Handicap Index are eligible to earn prizes and points.  OGA Members without a current USGA Handicap Index will only be eligible to earn prizes and points in "flight one" of the gross competition.  

Competitors who are not OGA Members are eligible to earn prizes, however, non-members cannot accumulate points toward OGA Tour Championship qualifying.  In addition, handicap indexes not issued by a state and regional golf association will be accepted at the discretion of the OGA.  If you do not have a handicap index issued by a state or regional golf association it is recommeneded you contact the OGA prior to registering for more information.

An optional side-game will be available to participants that will pay both gross and net payballs.  Participants will have the option to enter the side-game upon check-in at each event.

All prizes will be announced and awarded approximately 30-45 minutes after the final scorecard is received.  Points will be awarded within 5 days of the competition and posted on the OGA website.
 
Starting Times:  This competition is a shotgun start.  All players must be at their assigned starting hole ready to play when the competition begins.  Due to the short window between the registration deadline and the competition date, the OGA does not guarantee that players will receive starting hole and pairing information prior to check-in the day of the event.  Check-in will open 75 minutes before the competition starts and close 20 minutes prior to the competition start.

Ties: Should the competition result in a tie for either points or prizes, the USGA scorecard method will be used to determine final positions.  Should a tie still remain ties will be decided by lot.  All other positions resulting in a tie will not be broken.

Pace of Play: All scorecards must be returned to the Committee in 5 hours.  If a competitor regularly returns a scorecard after 5 hours, the Committee reserves the right to deem the competitor ineligible to receive prizes or points at future events.  It is your responsibility to keep pace with the group in front of you and play your round in approximately 4:30 minutes.  You are forewarned that you will likely have an unpleasant experience if you are not able to maintain a 4:30 pace (approximately 15 minutes per hole).

Practice Rounds: Practice rounds are not included in your entry fee.  Please do not contact Private Clubs regarding practice rounds.  At public and resort facilities you are welcome contact the course direclty to schedule a practice round.

Dress Code: Traditional golf attire is required and must be kept and clean throughout your time on facility property.

Transfers: In the event that you are unable to participate in an event you have registered for and notify the OGA prior the registartion deadline, you may trasfer your entry to another OGA Tour event on a space available basis.  All transfers will be charged a $10 administrative fee.

Withdrawals: If you withdraw, you must do so before the registration deadline either online or by notifying the OGA.  See "Registration Deadline" for details regarding the deadline date and time.  Your entry fee will be refunded minus an administration fee according to the following schedule:

3 weeks prior to registration deadline: $15
Prior to registration deadline: $30

If you fail to cancel by the deadline date, the entire registration fee will be forfeited.

Registration Deadline: All entries must be received with full payment by 5pm one week prior to the event date.  For example, if an event will be conducted at 8am Saturday, entries must be received by 5pm on the previous Saturday.  This deadline may be extended at the discretion of the OGA.

Method of Entry:  The OGA Tour accepts walk-in, phone, mail, fax and online entries.  Note that Walk-in, phone and mailed entries must be received during normal business hours at the OGA office (Postmarks are not valid).  OGA Administrative Office Hours are Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm.  Entries left under the door, though a phone message or by mail after normal business hours will not be processed until the following business day.  Entries submitted via fax or through our online registration system are accepted at anytime provided they are faxed or submitted online prior to the registration deadline.