General Conditions

The Professional Golfers’ Association Tournament Procedures as defined in Part 6 of the PGA Regulations will be applicable. Your attention is drawn in particular to the following:

Tournament Rules Part 6B: 3.1. Association tournaments shall be governed by the Rules of Golf as published by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the PGA Conditions of Competition and Local Rules card as well as the additional Local Rules for each event, save that certain alterations and additions that may be deemed necessary and stipulated from time to time by the Executive Committee.

The Nottinghamshire PGA Honorary Secretary is the Tournament Director as defined in the PGA Tournament Regulations Part 6B: 2.1.

The Notts PGA Committee has the sole right to interpret the Conditions of Competition and reserves the right to rescind, alter or add to them from time to time. Such interpretation to be final.

The Notts PGA will not be liable for:
(1) Any loss or damage to any property of members and/or amateur players who will be solely responsible for the safety of all of their property together with making full and proper insurance arrangements in respect of the same, and
(2) All and any loss or damage (including consequential or indirect loss) howsoever, whensoever or wheresoever arising save in respect of death or personal injury due to the negligence of Notts PGA.

Method of Entry

1. Entry Invitations will normally be sent out at the latest 3 months prior to the date of the Tournament.

2. Entries will be accepted from PGA Members Category AA / Category A and Registered Trainees Category T who are fully subscribed Members, Honorary Members of the Notts PGA.

3. Entries from PGA Members Category TP1, TP2, or TP3 will not be accepted unless approval is obtained from the County Committee.

4. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee Entry Forms are normally considered, in the first instance, from PGA Professionals / Assistants who regularly support the Notts PGA - provided their entries are received by the ‘closing date’.

5. Should there be sufficient Start Times available entries will also be accepted from PGA Members from other Regions / Counties subject to the restraints detailed in the PGA Regulations Part 6A: 2.4.

6. Members should indicate on their entry form their preference for a starting time. If the Tournament Director is able this time will be allocated but since this will not always be possible a time may be allocated with a difference of 45 minutes either way.

7. Where a Professional / Assistant has entered an ‘higher ranking event’ for which their entry has yet to be confirmed, they are requested to indicate the situation at the time of entry to enable any Reserves to be forewarned as to the possibility of being included. If they subsequently wish to withdraw in order to play in the ‘higher ranking’ event they should advise as soon as possible.

8. The Closing Date for Entries will be 30 days prior to the date of the Tournament unless otherwise advised. Late entries will only be accepted if Start Times are available.

9. All PGA Professionals / Assistants who wish to withdraw their Entry are requested to advise the Tournament Director as early as possible and at the latest 7 days prior to the date of the Tournament. Failure to do so will result in the Entry Fee being forfeit. Disciplinary action in line with PGA Regulations Part 6B: 12 may also be applicable.

10. PGA Professionals / Assistants / Registered Trainees are responsible for ensuring their Amateur Team Members are made aware of the 'Conditions of Competition'.

Start Times

1. The Honorary Secretary will endeavour to publish Start Times at the latest 10 days prior to the Tournament.

2. Time of Starting - Rule of Golf 6.3, the Conditions of Competition & Local Rules as published by the PGA and Tournament Rule Part 6B: 26 are applicable. Note - The Start Time as published determines any penalties.

Stipulated Round / Format / Handicap Requirements

1. The Tournament will be played over 36 Holes.

2. The Tournament Format:

   • Professional & Amateur Pair             Amateur Handicap Limit men 20 ladies 24

• 1st Round - Better Ball Stableford (18 Holes) - Handicap Allowance ¾

  • 2nd Round - Foursomes Stableford (18 Holes) - Handicap Allowance ½ combined.

• WPGA Members receive a yardage allowance of up to 10% – see PGA Tournament Rules Part 6B: 14.2.

• The Handicap Stroke Table as published at the Course being played will be applicable.

• All Amateur Players must have an active Handicap from an EGU Affiliated Club.

• Lady Amateurs receive ‘courtesy’ shots - based on the difference of the Men’s & Ladies SSS of the Course being played - up to a maximum of 2 shots. The courtesy shots are added after the Handicap Allowance.

Adverse Weather Conditions

1. Your attention is drawn to PGA Tournament Regulations Part 6B: 4 & 5 as regards adverse weather conditions.

2. In particular the following will apply:

   1. If in the judgment of the Tournament Director adverse weather conditions or any other occurrence beyond the control of the Association renders the commencement or continuation of the Tournament impracticable play shall be suspended.

   2. If it becomes necessary to suspend play for a period during a Tournament the Tournament Director will cover the course informing players of the suspension. To signal a suspension of play the following signals will be used:

Dangerous situations (for example, lightning) one prolonged blast of the siren shall be sounded. On the blast of the siren, players must discontinue play immediately (each player may lift his ball but only after marking the position in which it lay). Play shall not continue until the Tournament Director has ordered a resumption of play.

Non-dangerous situations (for example, heavy rain or wind) three consecutive blasts of the siren shall be sounded (repeatedly). Players shall discontinue play immediately, unless they have commenced play of a particular hole, in which case they may (at their discretion) complete the hole that is being played (following which they shall immediately discontinue play). Should a player decide to discontinue play immediately whilst his ball is in play, he may lift his ball but only after marking the position in which it lay.

1. In the event of a hole or holes becoming flooded or otherwise unfit for play the Tournament Director may authorize the cutting of a fresh hole or holes even if a round is in progress if it is considered that by doing so the Tournament may be saved.

2. Play will remain suspended until such time as the Tournament Director after consultation with the Notts PGA Committee Members present and any Sponsors considers that play can be continued.

3. As soon as conditions allow play to be resumed, the Tournament Director will cover the course again (to determine whether or not play should be resumed) and play will be resumed immediately as soon as two short blasts on the siren are sounded.

4. For the avoidance of doubt, play shall remain suspended until such time as the Tournament Director after consultation with the Notts PGA Committee Members present and any Sponsor determines otherwise. If play is to be abandoned altogether for the day the Tournament Director shall advise players accordingly.

5. In the event of a round being cancelled because of unplayable conditions the tournament may be reduced to a stipulated number of rounds or holes to be played if an additional day is impracticable for the tournament to continue. For detailed guidance refer to PGA Regulations Part 6B: 5.4.

Local Rules of Golf

1. The Tournament Conditions of Competition & Local Rules published by the PGA will be applicable.

2. The Local Rules in force at the Course being played will also be applicable with the addition of the Notts PGA Local Rules, applicable for both Professionals & Amateurs, as follows:

• Embedded Ball - Through the green a ball that is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground, other than sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. Exception: A player may not obtain relief under this Local Rule if it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Local Rule.

• Aeration Holes - Through the green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that avoids such situation.

·       Distance Measuring Devices – In accordance with the Note to Rule of Golf 14-3 – in the Notts PGA Invitational Pairs Tournament a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

Prizes / Determination of Winners

1. Professional prize monies will be awarded for 1st to 5th places or more if sufficient entries.

2. Amateur Prize Vouchers will be provided for 1st to 5th places or more if sufficient entries.

3. The Final Result will be determined by the aggregate of both rounds (36 Holes).

4. In the event of a tie the Trophy Winners will be decided by a count back over the last 18 holes. In the event of further ties over the last 9, 6, last 3, last 2, last 1, last 12, last15, and so on until a result is reached.

5. All other Ties:

• The Professionals prize moneys will be shared accordingly.

• Amateur Vouchers will be decided by a count back over the last 18 holes. In the event of further ties over the last 9, 6, last 3, last 2, last 1, last 12, last15, and so on until a result is reached.

Dress Code

1. The Dress Code of the Golf Club hosting the Pro Am will take precedence and must be adhered to at all times.

2. The standards of the Notts PGA need to be maintained particularly as regards punctuality, etiquette and dress. PGA members are required to abide by PGA Regulations and are requested to encourage their Amateur Team members to comply with the following standards:

• No Golf Shoes, hats/caps or waterproofs in the Clubhouse.

• No football shirts, shirts without collars or sleeves.

• Shirts to be tucked into the waistband.        

• No denim jeans or jackets, combat style or ‘cropped’ trousers, jogging / shell suits or similar.

• No trainers or open sandals without socks.

• Tailored shorts to just above the knee, with knee length socks may be acceptable on the Course but not necessarily in the Clubhouse.

• White sports socks may be acceptable on the Course but check the Golf Club dress code.

• If a Prize is to be collected the wearing of a Jacket, Collar and Tie (or high neck polo shirt) is to be encouraged.