The following terms of the competition, together with any additions or amendments as published by the Tournament Committee at the host club, will apply to this Championship
1. GENERAL
a. The 73rd Singapore Open Amateur Championship will be played at the Laguna National Golf & Country Club, Classic Course from 20 to 24 Jul 2020 in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by R&A Rules Limited and with the Local Rules approved by the Organising Committee.
2. ELIGIBILITY
a. Entries are open to male amateur golfers who are 12 years old and above on 01 January 2020.
b. They must hold a WHS/USGA Handicap Index of 6.0 or lower as of 1st May 2020 Foreign players may use an equivalent non-USGA internationally recognized handicap.
c. Handicap index with Excessive Penalty Scores will not be accepted.
d. All entries will be subject to the approval of the Organising Committee (OC) which reserves the right to accept or refuse or having accepted, subsequently reject any entry without giving a reason for its decision.
e. Entrants must conform in all respects to the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by R&A Rules Limited.
3. TOURNAMENT FORMAT OF PLAY
a. The Championship will be decided by stroke play over four rounds of 18 holes. A cut will be made after 36 holes for the top 64 players (including tie/ties for the 64th placing) who shall qualify for the third and fourth rounds.
b. The Champion shall be the player with the lowest gross aggregate score over the four rounds.
c. An International Team Event will be held in conjunction with the Championship. It shall be played over the first two rounds of the Championship. Each team will be represented by two players who shall be citizens or permanent residents of the country they represent.
d. The Winning Team shall be the team with the lowest combined gross scores of the team members for the two rounds.
e. Each country may have a maximum of 2 teams.
f. In the event of insufficient entries, the Team Event may be canceled.
4. SIZE OF FIELD
a. The field will be limited to a maximum of 120 participants. Entries will be accepted from 120 applicants with the lowest Handicap Index.
b. The OC also reserves the right to refuse any entry without assigning any reason for such refusal. The decisions of the OC as to the acceptance or refusal of any entry shall be final.
5. ENTRY
a. The entry fee is S$280.00 for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents and S$350.00 for Foreigners (both prices are inclusive of GST) and must be submitted at the time of entry.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
a. Participants may pay via credit/debit card through the Golf Genius upon registration.
b. There will be no refund of the entry fee after the closing date.
c. Entries must be submitted through the official online entry form from SGA’s website.
d. Only entries with payment instructions/completed payment will be processed.
e. Participants are advised to check the SGA website for confirmation of entries received.
f. Proof of payment will not be considered as an entry.
g. The OC reserves the right to limit, accept or reject entries.
6. CLOSING DATE
a. The closing date is Monday noon, 06 July 2020. Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the OC.
7. DRAW
a. The draw for the first will be made by the OC prior to the start of the Championship.
b. The draw for the succeeding rounds will be based on the cumulative gross scores of the preceding rounds.
8. TIME OF STARTING
a. Players shall start at the time and in the order indicated in the draw. No substitution of players and changes of starting times shall be permitted after the draw has been made.
b. The OC reserves the right to fix and/or alter the starting times.
9. SUBMISSION OF SCORECARD
a. Players should check their cards in the returning area (scoring table) and ensure that they are correct and signed. Any doubtful points should be settled with the OC before returning the scorecard.
b. A player is deemed to have returned his scorecard and no further amendments may be made once he has left the returning area (scoring table) or the demarcated area where they exist.
10 DECISION OF TIES
a. Individual Event – In the event of a tie or ties for the first place, the Champion shall be decided by a hole by hole play-off to take place as soon as practicable. The purpose of the play-off is to decide the Champion only. In the event that inclement weather or other reasons deemed by the Tournament Director to make a play-off impractical, the winner shall be decided by matching of scorecards of the 4th round for the best score of the last 18 holes (1 – 18), last 9 (10 – 18), last 6 (13 – 18), last 3 (16 – 18) or the final 18th hole. If necessary, the 3rd, 2nd or 1st round will be used in the same manner to break the tie.
b. Ties for all other positions will be decided by matching of scorecards of the 4th round for the best score of the last 18 holes (1 – 18), last 9 (10 – 18), last 6 (13 – 18), last 3 (16 – 18) or the final 18th hole. If necessary, the 3rd, 2nd or 1st round will be used in the same manner to break the tie.
c. International Team Event – In the event of a tie or ties for the first and any place, the tie will be decided on the lowest combined team scores of the second round. If a tie still arises, the combined team scores of the 1st round will be used until a decision is reached. The Organising Committee’s decision to determine the Winning Team is final.
11. SUSPENSION OF PLAY FOR DANGEROUS SITUATION (NOTE TO RULE 5.7b)
a. A suspension of play for a dangerous situation and the resumption of play shall be signaled using the host club’s warning system. Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.7b is Disqualification.
b. All practice areas that are in open areas shall be closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the OC has declared them open.
12. INCLEMENT WEATHER
a. In the event that the first round of the tournament cannot be completed, it shall be continued the next day prior to the commencement of the second round.
b. In the event that the second round of the tournament cannot be completed, it shall be continued the next day prior to the commencement of the third round.
c. In the event that the second and/or third round cannot be completed, the rounds shall be abandoned. The result of the tournament will then be based on the completed rounds.
d. However if the Tournament Committee considers that for any reason the course is not in a playable condition or due to unforeseen circumstances that completion of the round is deemed impossible, it may order a temporary suspension of play or declare play null and void and cancel all scores for the round in question. When a round is canceled, all penalties incurred in that round are canceled.
e. The decision of the Tournament Committee will be final.
13. CADDIES / BUGGIES / MOTORISED TROLLEYS
a. The use of caddies/buggies / motorized trolley in this Championship is prohibited.
b. All players are to carry their own bags or use their own hand-drawn trolleys.
14. PACE OF PLAY
a. Rule 5.6b (Prompt Pace of Play) will be strictly enforced using the ‘SGA Individual Pace of Play’ policy. See separate memorandum to players for the Pace of Play guidelines.
15. DISPUTES OR DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE
a. If there is a doubt as to the correct procedures, players are to refer to the Tournament Referee. If a Tournament Referee is not immediately available, a player (having notified his marker) may elect to play two balls in accordance with Rule 20.1c(3) and obtain a ruling at the conclusion of the round, prior to signing and the return of the scorecard.
b. No spectators (including parents or accompanying officials) are to enter into any discussion on a matter under dispute.
16. SGA REFEREES
a. The appointed SGA Referees’ decision on all matters pertaining to the Rules of Golf is final.
17. INSURANCE
a. All players are required to have appropriate golfing insurance.
18. LIST OF CONFORMING DRIVER HEAD & GOLF BALL
a. List of Conforming Driver Heads: Model Local Rule G-1 is in effect.
b. List of Conforming Golf Balls: Model Local Rule G-3 in effect.
19. GROOVE AND PUNCH MARK SPECIFICATIONS
a. Groove and Punch Mark Specifications: Model Local Rule G-2 in effect.
20. PRIZES
a. The following prizes will be awarded:
i. The Champion;
ii. The 1st Runner-Up;
iii. The 2nd Runner-Up;
iv. The Daily Best Gross;
v. The International Team Event – Top three teams.
b. The 73rd Singapore Open Amateur Top Local (Singaporean) Performer will be invited to play in the SMBC Singapore Open 2021.
21. PRIZE PRESENTATION LUNCHEON
a. All players are invited to a Prize Presentation Luncheon on 24 Jul 2020 at Laguna National Golf & Country Club.
22. DRESS CODE
a. Players must be properly attired on the golf course. Blue jeans, designer jeans, round neck T-shirts and tank tops are prohibited. Golf shirts must be worn and shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh (no jean shorts).
b. This dress code will be used in conjunction with any additional dress code restrictions of the host club. A player violating this dress code will not be permitted to start the tournament. A violation of this dress code by a player during the stipulated round must be rectified without undue delay or the player will not be allowed to continue play.
c. Soft spikes shoes are compulsory.
23. CONDUCT OF PLAYERS
a. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be.
b. Any action contrary to the spirit of the game such as abusive language, throwing of clubs, or other disruptive behavior, will not be tolerated and may result in a player not being able to continue in this competition.
c. The use of mobile phones (except in an emergency and calling SGA referees) and smoking are not allowed on the course.
24. SPECTATORS/ PARENTS
a. Spectators/parents, if allowed on the course by the host club, must remain on the cart paths at all times. They must stay off the greens and out of the bunkers at all times. They are prohibited from using golf buggies.
b. They should maintain a reasonable distance from the players to avoid the appearance that they are imparting advice or assisting the player in any way. They may approach a player for a moment to exchange clothing, food, or beverages, but should not have prolonged contact.
c. Spectators must be properly attired on the golf course. Blue jeans, designer jeans, round neck T-shirts and tank tops are prohibited.
d. Spectators must register, obtain a spectator pass which must be worn at all times while inside the course and must acknowledge and sign the indemnity form.
e. Those found violating these policies may be asked to leave the course.
25. AMENDMENTS TO CONDITIONS
a. The OC reserves the right to amend these Championship conditions.