The Official Tournament Entry
2017 NYSGA Team Amateur Series
Eligbility
Entry is open to any amateur golfer who (1) is a member of a club that is a member of the New York State Golf Association and (2) has a current, up-to-date USGA Handicap Index at a NYSGA member club.
Registration
All teams must submit an entry application prior to the close of entries. One member of the team must file the entry through the NYSGA online registration website. The player to register the team will be prompted during the registration process to select their partner via a search by last name. If you are unsure on how to add your partner, sign up individually and the registration confirmation email will include instructions on how to add/switch your partner.
Players may register as a single competitor and they will be paired with other single players of similar age and ability by the NYSGA immediately following the close of entries. If a team does not sign up properly by the close of entries, they will lose the option to select their own partner and they will be treated as a single competitor. Any questions regarding registration should be directed to the NYSGA offices (315) 471-6979, BEFORE the close of entries.
Format
The format of the NYSGA Team Amateur Series is four-ball stroke play (gross and net). Four-ball stroke play is a competition in which two competitors play as partners, each playing their own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.
Rules
The USGA Rules of Golf govern play, unless modified by Local Rule as noted on a tournament’s Notice to Players.
The player is responsible for knowing the Rules and incurs the applicable penalty for any breach of the Rules, regardless of intent. The NYSGA will have Rules Officials at each tournament to aid players during play. If a player sees another player breach a Rule, they must report it to the player and the NYSGA.
Divisions and Flights
Teams may register to compete in one of the following divisions: Men’s A Division (6,500 – 6,300 Yards), Men’s B Division (6,000 – 5,800 yards), Mixed Division (One male (6,000 – 5,800 yards) / one female (5,400 – 5,000 yards)), or Women’s Division (5,400 – 5,000 yards). Note that yardage may vary based upon tournament site. See Handicap section 3-5 in the USGA Handicap Manual for information on how men and women compete from different sets of tees on an equitable basis. A minimum of 4 teams are required to create a division.
Teams in each division will be pre-flighted, according to total combined Course Handicap (after adjustments) within their division based on the total number of entries. Teams within each flight will compete for gross and net prizes.
Handicap
Men will receive 90% of their Course Handicap, and women will receive 95% of their Course Handicap. Should the difference in Course Handicaps of the two players on a side exceed eight (8) strokes, an additional 10% reduction to Course Handicap will be applied to both members of the side.
Players must have an active, up-to-date Handicap Index to compete. The NYSGA has defined “up-to-date” as having posted five, 18-hole scores in the previous three (3) active posting months.
Multiple Net Winner Course Handicap Reduction Policy
Individuals who are part of a team that win first place net in two or more events in a calendar year will be subject to reduced course handicaps through the remainder of the calendar year. Competitors who qualify for this reduction will be subject to the following course handicap reductions for the remainder of the tournament season. After 2nd win – Additional 10% reduction of CH, After 3rd win – Additional 20% reduction of CH, After 4th win – Additional 30% reduction of CH, and so forth. If a player wins two or more events with different partners, only the multi event winner will incur the appropriate handicap reduction.
Prizes
The teams who finish in the top net positions of their flight will receive prizes in the form of professional shop credit. Prizes will be awarded immediately following scoring, and the pro shop will remain open following play so that players can use their winning on the day of the event.
NEW: Any prize not claimed on the day of the event will remain at the host club pro shop. The NYSGA will not mail out unclaimed gift certificates.
Pace of Play
As a shotgun tournament, it is expected that each group remains immediately behind the group in front of them for the entire round. If a group becomes out of position, they will be warned by an NYSGA official and must visibly speed up their play in order to get back into position. If a team does not get back into position after 15 minutes, or falls further behind, another warning will be issued with the following penalties imposed: 1st warning (no penalty), 2nd warning (1 stroke penalty), 3rd warning (2 stroke penalty), 4th warning (disqualification).
The NYSGA expect players to play ready golf when doing so avoids interfering with the play of other members of the group. Play for
Caddies, Carts, and Spectators
Carts are included in the entry fee and all participants are required to use a golf cart. Caddies are prohibited. Spectators are permitted as long as they do not interrupt play.
The 2017 NYSGA Team Amateur Series Championship
Entry is open to any team that placed first (net) within any division of a NYSGA Team Amateur Series event. Flight Winners within a division WILL NOT earn invitations to the championship event. Both members of the team must be available to play, as substitutions for one or more team members will not be permitted. The final championship field will consist of 55 teams (5 divisions in 11 events). There will not be a waitlist for teams to gain entry if an eligible team is unable to compete. Individuals who win more than one event with different partners will only be eligible to compete in the championship with one team member. The individual will be allowed to choose which partner he/she will compete with in the championship event (of eligible partners).
The NYSGA Amateur Series Team Championship will be played at Turning Stone’s Kaluhyat Golf Course on Saturday, September 30, 2017.
The entry fee for the 2017 NYSGA Amateur Series Team Championship will be set at $105. This fee includes the use of practice facilities (driving range, practice putting green, and any short game areas), 18 holes of competition golf with the use of a golf cart, prizes in the form of pro shop credit, and a lunch following play.