Date: September 17, 2018
To: U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying Contestants
From: Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations
Subject: United States Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying
2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying – Portland, Ore
Columbia Edgewater Country Club
Portland, OR
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Welcome to United States Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying – Portland, Ore!
Enclosed you will find your pairing and starting time for the 18-hole Four-Ball competition on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.
There are 52 sides at the Portland Ore. site competing for two (2) spots into the US Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, OR, May 25 - 29, 2019. 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:
Pairings: For pairings click here
Practice Round: To schedule practice rounds, please contact the Columbia Edgewater Golf Shop at 503-285-8354. Practice rounds can be scheduled on a space available basis during the following: Mondays after 1pm, Tuesdays after 1pm, Wednesdays before 9am or after 2pm, Thursdays no times are available, Fridays after 1pm, Saturdays after 12pm and Sundays after 2 pm. Note that greens will be aerated on September 18 and 19. Monday October 8th the golf course will be closed, Tuesday, October 9th limited times will be available after 2pm for OUT OF TOWN CONTESTANTS ONLY. (Out of town is defined by 100 miles or more.)
Players must identify themselves as U.S. Four-Ball participants 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. Players who wish to use their practice round are expected to abide by all club rules including pace of play.
Qualifying Yardages: click here Please note these yardages are subject to change by Committee.
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 use of a distance measuring device. 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. elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3.
For more information, visit www.usga/dmd.
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.
OGA Pace of Play Policy: click here
Practice Range: The driving range will be open at 7:00am on October 10th. 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.
Rules: Rules regarding Four-Ball Stroke Play reference Rule 31.
To view Rule 31 click here
USGA Hard Card: click here
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 side fails to return a score within 10 strokes of the Columbia Edgewater Country Club Course rating of 73.4 an entry filed by him for a future USGA Championship may be declined, unless the player can document that he 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, he is also subject to the same letter.
Best of luck to each of you.