46TH U.S. Senior Open Championship

Local Qualifying

Oak Ridge Country Club

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

 

Information and Local Rules

 

INFORMATION

 

TEES: All competitors will play from the USGA tee markers.

 

FORMAT/QUALIFYING PLACES: Format is 18-holes, stroke play. The field of contestants will compete for qualifying places and two alternate positions in the FINAL QUALIFYING for the 46th United States Senior Open Golf Championship to be played July 2-5, at the Scioto Country Club, Columbus, Ohio.  The number of qualifying spots is as follows:

 

Spots:             12                      Alternates:               2                    

 

PLAYOFF: In the event of a tie for the qualifying position and/or the 1st and 2nd alternate position, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff to determine the final results. All announcements regarding the play-off, including the holes to be used, will be made at the scoring area upon completion of the qualifying round.

 

EVACUATION PLAN: In the event play is suspended for a dangerous situation (lightning), players are to return to the Clubhouse.  The signal for a suspension due to a dangerous situation is one (1) prolonged horn blast, repeated.

 

RULES OF PLAY

 

All play is governed by the Rules of Golf, the MGA Rules Card, Notice to Competitors and the following Local Rules. NOTE: Disregard all Local Rules printed on the local scorecard. If you need an official and one is not immediately available, you may play a second ball under Rule 20.  You should announce in advance which ball you wish to count for your score if the Rules allow.

 

PACE OF PLAY/UNREASONABLE DELAY (RULE 5.6): Players are expected to play without delay, and groups are expected to remain in position with the group immediately in front of it.  Timing sheets showing the time by when each hole must be completed are posted on the Qualifying webpage.  Groups who fall out of position WILL BE WARNED and are subject to monitoring and timing by a Rules official.  Players are expected to play a stroke within 40 seconds of when it is their time to play.  Players who receive a bad time will be PENALIZED.  The expected pace of play is 4:29 for 18 holes. 

 

Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.6a: 

First breach (Group Out of Position): Warning; Second breach: One penalty stroke; 

Third breach: Two penalty strokes; Fourth breach: DISQUALIFICATION.

 

OUT OF BOUNDS: Boundaries are defined by white stakes and lines and property fences.

 

PENALTY AREAS: When stakes and lines are used to mark a penalty area, the stakes identify while the lines define the edge. 

 

GROUND UNDER REPAIR: In addition to areas circled by white lines, the following areas are considered ground under repair:

  1. All cultivated flower & shrubbery beds – No Play Zones
  2. Turf nursery right of #15 fairway as defined by stakes - No Play Zone

 

NO MOW AREAS: They are part of the GENERAL AREA (and not penalty areas).

 

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: The following are immovable obstructions:

  1. Un-circled worn areas adjacent to or at the end of cart paths are treated as part of the cart path,
  2. Landscaped areas adjacent to or completely encircled by cart paths are treated as part of the path, and
  3. Stone pavers adjacent to a cart path are treated as part of the path.

 

RULES COMMITTEE: Doug Hoffmann© and Bob Boldus