ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be an active IGA Member. Individual members are tracked through their enrollment at an IGA Member Club (via GHIN). Eligible entries must be male amateur golfers as defined by the USGA rules. Members of the IGA (thru an IGA Member Club) from out-of-state are eligible to compete.
CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT:
By registering for any Iowa Golf Association (IGA) championship, players acknowledge and agree to abide by the IGA Code of Conduct. Participants are expected to uphold the standards set forth by the Association throughout the duration of the event. To review the full Code of Conduct policy, please visit: iowagolf.org/policies-
FIELD: The field will be limited to the first 77 teams. Three teams will be added to the field after entries close in the event the championship fills up and a waitlist is established. Entries will be on a first come first served basis.
Preferred entry will be made available from February 2nd - March 1st to individuals who meet the criteria outlined below. Following that period, entries will open on March 11th to all eligible IGA members. Players who qualify for preferred entry can only register with a fellow preferred entry participant. If only partner on a team is eligible for early entry, they must wait until March 2nd to register.
Preferred Entry Criteria
1. Iowa Amateur Champions since 2001
2. Top 20 & Ties in 2025 Iowa Amateur
3. IGA Four-Ball Champions since 2016
4. Round of 16 at 2025 IGA Match Play
5. Top 20 & Ties in 2025 Herman Sani Tournament
6. Top 10 & ties in 2025 Iowa Mid-Amateur
7. Up to 10 Unrestricted IGA Selections
8. Top Five & Ties in 2025 IGA Four-Ball
WAITLIST POLICY: IGA Championship field sizes will be set to 3 teams less than a full field size (ex: Four-Ball field of 80 teams will be set to 77 teams). At entry close, the IGA will allocate the three remaining spots as exemptions to qualified teams deserving of being in the final field, no matter their position on the waitlist. Generally, this will mean teams/players that have historically supported this event or have a history of high finishes at IGA Championships. For players who need to withdraw before the entry deadline but after a waitlist has been created, their spot will be given in the order of first come first serve. The waitlist will be published on the event portal website as soon as it is created.
FORMAT: The tournament will be a 36-hole (No Cut) event. Four-Ball Stroke Play (or 2-man best ball) as defined by the USGA Rules of Golf. Field will be paired at random for the first day, but will be paired by score on the second day.
Friday, May 1: 18 Hole First Round
Saturday, May 2: 18 Hole Final Round
SCORING: Rule 23.2b states: “The gross score of at least one partner must be entered on your scorecard. There is no penalty for entering more than one partner’s score on the scorecard. Each score on the scorecard must be clearly identified as the score of the individual partner who made it; if this is not done, your side is disqualified
PRACTICE PRIVILEGES: Practice rounds are at the discretion of the host club/course in terms of starting times and fees. Players are responsible for scheduling their own tee times with the host club. Practice privileges are limited to entrants only.
WITHDRAWALS AND REFUNDS: Entry fees will be refunded if the IGA office is notified on or before April 20, 2026. After April 20, fees will be refunded only in the event of injury or illness. There will be a $20.00 service charge on all refunds.
PAIRINGS, TEE TIMES: Entry confirmation & pairings will be emailed from the IGA office after the entry deadline. Pairing information will NOT be sent via standard mail to those who do not provide an email address. Pairings will also be made available on the IGA website, www.iowagolf.org.
ENTRIES — FORM, FEE, CLOSING DATE: Entrants are solely responsible for securing fees by the due date. Entries must reach the IGA office by 10:00 a.m. on April 20 and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee ($300 per team). You must enter online using a credit card at www. iowagolf.org up to the deadline or until a field limit is met, whichever comes first.
CONDITIONS, SCHEDULES: The IGA reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein as needed. This may include, but is not limited to, suspending play to a following day, or canceling current or future rounds. The decision of the Tournament Committee in any matter shall be final. All possible attempts will be made to complete the event in the scheduled number of rounds.
GOLF BALLS; DRIVER HEADS
Only brands of golf balls on the most current USGA List of Conforming Golf Balls and driver heads on the most current USGA List of Conforming Driver Heads may be used. Updated lists may be found on the USGA website at www.usga.org or by contacting the USGA Equipment Standards Department at (908) 234-2300. The so-called “One-Ball Rule,” Model Local Rule G-5 will not be in effect.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Proper golf attire is mandatory; the committee reserves the right to determine whether this requirement is met. Competitors may be required to change clothing to compete. Shorts are permitted, provided they are Bermuda length or longer. T-shirts, tank tops, gym shorts, sweatpants and blue jeans are NOT permitted.
PACE OF PLAY: Under Rule 5.6b(3) the IGA has adopted pace of play guidelines that include the maximum time allotted to complete a stipulated round, number of holes, and/or strokes. These guidelines and the resulting penalties will be made available to every competitor in advance of the championship.
RULES OF GOLF: Play will be governed by the Rules of Golf. Local rules on scorecards do not apply. Decisions concerning the rules will be settled by the Rules Committee assigned by the IGA and those decisions will be final.