Date:               May 12, 2021

To:                   U.S. Open Local Qualifying Contestants

From:              Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations

Subject:          United States Senior Open Qualifying

 

 

2021 U.S. Senior Open Qualifying – Portland, Ore

Riverside Golf & Country Club

Portland, Ore

Monday, May 17, 2021

 

Welcome to the 2021 United States Senior Open Qualifying!

 

Enclosed you will find your pairing and starting time for the 18-hole competition on Monday, May 17, 2021.

 

There are ­­­­­91 players at the Portland, Ore site. At this time the USGA has not determined the number of spots into the 2021 U.S. Senior Open Championship at Omaha Country Club, Omaha, NE, July 7 – 11, 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
    • No handshakes, high fives or hugs
    • Anyone who is sick must stay home

 

Liability Waiver

    • All contestants, parents of minors, are required to sign a waiver of liability before being permitted on site or allowed to participate; If you have already signed an OGA waiver for the 2021 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 10 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 from table
    • Hand sanitizers will be given out at the starters tent

Spectator / Caddie Policy

  • Spectators and caddies will be allowed with no limit on the number of spectators.
  • Both will be required to go through a symptom and temperature check upon arriving.
  • Once approved to be on site, they will receive a wrist band that must be worn while attending the event.

 

Groove Rule: In 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 Open 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 Open 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 Riverside Golf Shop at 503-282-7265 to make arrangements. Practice rounds can be made on a space available basis on Tuesday the 11th or Wednesday the 12th after 1pm. 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!