Date: June 26, 2018
To: U.S. Amateur Qualifying Contestants
From: Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations
Subject: United States Women’s Amateur Qualifying
2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifying – Woodburn, Ore
OGA Golf Course
Woodburn, OR
Monday, July 2, 2018
Welcome to the 2018 United States Women’s Amateur Qualifying!
Enclosed you will find your pairing and starting time for the 18-hole competition on Monday, July 2, 2018.
There are 68 amateur players at the Woodburn, OR site competing for six (6) spots into the US Women’s Amateur Championship at The Golf Club of Tennesse, Kingston Springs, TN, August 6 – 12, 2018. However, in the event of a tie for the final qualifying spot or any alternate positions, a sudden-death playoff will commence immediately following the return and verification of all scores.
Additional player information:
Practice Round: Players may call the golf shop, 503-981-4653x4, to make practice round arrangements. Practice round times are available on a space available basis any time after 12pm. Please identify yourself as an U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifying contestant when making practice round arrangements. Contestants are eligible for one complimentary practice round. Practice rounds are for contestants only and will not be extended to guests, caddies, or family members.
Golf Clubs: In Sectional Qualifying as well as in the Championship proper, the player’s clubs must conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in the Rules of Golf effective from January 1, 2010. The Condition of Competition is available for review on the entry application.
The USGA and The R&A have created a reference resource called the Informational Club Database to assist golfers in determining whether their irons, wedges, hybrids and fairway woods comply with the Rules of Golf effective from January 1, 2010 and are permissible for play under the groove condition of competition, which is in effect for all USGA Amateur Championships. For information about and to access the database, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html. Additionally, for other information regarding the groove condition, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/grooves/. Finally, for information regarding the conformance status of clubs not listed or for any other questions regarding the condition, please contact the USGA Research and Test Center at (908) 234-2300.
Player Club Testing is available for all USGA Amateur Championships. Please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/InviteForOpenClubTesting/ for more information.
The USGA strongly suggests that all players verify the conformance of their clubs well in advance of their scheduled qualifying competition. It is the player’s responsibility, not the USGA’s responsibility to ensure that his clubs conform. Waiting until the day of the competition is the fault of the player. The Committee is under no obligation to test the club the competitor may play. However, if it is later determined that the club is non-conforming, including after the competition has closed, the player will be disqualified.
Distance Measuring Devices: In Sectional Qualifying and in the Championship Proper, 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 her play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3.
Golf Balls: Only brands of golf balls on the USGA’s latest list of conforming balls shall be used. The “One Ball Rule” shall be in effect.
OGA Pace of Play Guidelines: The OGA Checkpoint pace of play policy will be in effect for this Qualifier and strictly enforced. Please become familiar with the attached guidelines and contact the OGA office with any questions regarding pace of play prior to your qualifying round.
Practice Range: Range balls will be located on the driving range for contestants.
Caddies: Contestants are on their own to make arrangements for a caddie. Please note that players shall walk at all times during a stipulated round. The optional condition prescribed in Appendix I of the Rules of Golf shall be in effect. Caddies will not be allowed to use a golf cart.
Dress Code: Proper attire must be worn at all times. Proper attire does not include spandex body wear, cutoffs, running shorts, short-shorts, tank tops, tee shirts, or denim of any kind. Neat and clean pants, slacks, cords, or appropriately hemmed, tailored shorts are acceptable, as are sweaters and golf shirts with a collar. Shoes must be worn at all times.
Spikeless Shoes: It is a condition of this competition that metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. This includes alternative spikeless products, which are partially comprised of metal, when such metal comes in contact with the turf. The penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification.
Performance in Qualifying: If a player fails to return a score within 10 strokes of the OGA Golf Course rating of 76.2, an entry filed by her for a future USGA Championship may be declined, unless the player can document that she is capable of competing at the national championship level. Also any player who “No Cards It” due to poor play will be held to Rule 6-6b (Signing & Returning Card) and will receive a stroke letter from Golf House. If a player withdraws for the same reason, she is also subject to the same letter.
Best of luck to each of you.