Date:               September 29, 2020

To:                   U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying Contestants

From:              Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations

Subject:          United States Amateur Qualifying

 

 

2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying – Lake Oswego, Ore

Oswego Lake Country Club

Lake Oswego, Ore

Monday, October 19, 2020

 

Welcome to the 2020 United States Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying!

 

Enclosed you will find your pairing and starting times for the 18-hole competition on Monday October 19, 2020.

 

There are 54 sides at the Lake Oswego, Ore site competing for two (2) spots into the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Chambers Bay, University Place WA, May 22 – 26, 2021. 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:

Starting Times: Click Here

 

USGA Local Rules and Conditions of Competition: Click Here

 

COVID-19 Competition Safety Restrictions: Please see the following guidelines to be used at this Qualifier:

General Safety and Health Guidelines

    • Social Distancing (minimum of 6-foot distance from others, excluding household members) must be practiced at all times when at tournament site
    • Mask/facial covering should be worn in accordance with state government guidelines when a 6-foot distance cannot be met
    • Sanitizing or washing of hands often is recommended. Hand sanitizers will be given to each player at the starting tee and must be used after touching a flagstick or bunker rake
    • Refrain from touching your face
    • Gatherings are strictly prohibited – players and spectators are asked to leave the property as soon as the round has been completed
    • No handshakes, high fives or hugs
    • Anyone who is sick must stay home

Liability Waiver

    • All contestants, parents of minors, caddies and spectators are required to sign a waiver of liability before being permitted on site or allowed to participate; If you have already signed an OGA waivers for the 2020 season you will not need to sign another; anyone refusing to sign the waiver will not be allowed on property.
    • To sign the waiver, click HERE. This will also be available to sign the day of the competition.

Starting Area

    • Players are asked to report to their starting tee 5 minutes ahead of their starting time
    • No starter boxes with supplies available, only official clock – players are required to provide their own pencils, tees, ball markers, divot tools, sharpies, bug spray, etc.
    • Tournament paperwork (Notice to Competitors, hole location sheets, hard card, pace of play) will be emailed to players the evening before the event
    • Players must stand 6 feet apart when receiving instructions from starter
    • Starters will wear mask and gloves
    • Score cards will be provided and picked up by a side from table
    • Hand sanitizers will be given out at the starters tent

Spectator Policy

    • One spectator per contestant is allowed on site to accompany the player before, during and after the round, preferably a family member or guardian. If a violation occurs, one warning will be issued and any subsequent violation will result in the offending person being removed from the course
    • College coaches may attend OGA and OJG events (must check in with Tournament Director and sign waiver
    • The Tournament Director may authorize other persons to attend (e.g., media, host club officials or members)
    • Spectator carts may be provided for ADA compliancy and only one person may ride in the cart at any time
    • Spectators must practice social distancing (at least 6 feet away from others)

 

Groove Rule: 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 Equipment Rules effective from 1 January 2010. The Local Rule is available for review on the entry application and applies to all fairway woods, hybrids, irons and wedges.

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 Equipment Rules effective from 1 January 2010 and are permissible for play under the groove and punch mark Local Rule, 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 and punch mark Local Rule, 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 Local Rule, please contact the USGA Equipment Standards at (908) 234-2300.

Player Club Testing is available for all USGA Amateur Championships. Please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/grooves/ 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 or her 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 if the player made a stroke with it.

 

Pace of Play: It is a condition that the player must play without undue delay and within guidelines established by the Committee.

Click Here for pace of play guidelines.

 

Footwear: Rule 4.3 is modified in this way: During a round, a player must not wear shoes with traditionally-designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e., ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, of any design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (if such metal may come in contact with the course).  Penalty for breach of this Local Rule: See Rule 4.3. 

 

Drivers/Golf Balls: The Local Rule for Conforming Driver Heads is in effect, See Model Local Rule G-1. The Local Rule requiring that all golf balls used be on the List of Conforming Golf Balls is in effect. See Model Local Rule G-3. Please check the USGA website, www.usga.org, for a list of approved golf balls and drivers. The “One Ball Rule” is in effect.  See Model Local Rule G-4. 

 

Time of Starting/ Official Time: A player is deemed to be at the starting area when they are within the roped off area.  If a site requires different conditions, the starting area will be defined in the Notice to Players.  If a player has previously checked in with the starter, he is still required to be at the starting area at the starting time scheduled by the Committee.  The Official Time is defined by the clock located at the tee where a player is scheduled to begin the stipulated round. 

 

Scoring Area: A player has deemed to have officially returned his/her score card when he/she leaves the scoring area. The scoring area is defined by ropes, stanchions, a taped off area or in their absence, the outside edge of the scoring tent. If a site requires different conditions, the scoring area will be defined in the Notice to Players.

 

Practice Round: Players may call the Oswego Lake golf shop at 503-635-3659 to make arrangements. Practice rounds can be made on a space available basis. 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.

 

Practice Range: The driving range will open prior to the first starting time on Monday.  Range balls will be available complimentary to contestants.

 

Caddies: Contestants may bring their own caddie. 

 

Qualifying Yardages: Click Here Please note these yardages are subject to change by Committee.

 

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.

 

Code of Conduct:  As set forth in the USGA application, the code of conduct applies to all USGA Qualifying and Championships. 

 

Food Service: Food service will be available.

 

Official in Charge

Brent Whittaker

Oregon Golf Association

Director of Tournament Operations

Office: 503.981.4653|Cell Phone: 503.989.0069|Fax: 503.981.7599

2840 Hazelnut Dr., Woodburn, OR 97071

email: bwhittaker@oga.org | Online:www.oga.org 

 

If it becomes necessary to withdraw prior to the date of the competition, please contact Brent Whittaker at 503.981.4653 or bwhittaker@oga.org and the USGA at 908.326.1950 or champs@usga.org

 

Best of luck to each of you!