114th WPGA Open Championship - Qualifying Round Player Entry
Conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association
Played for Harry C. Milholland Vase
July 16 - July 18, 2018 • Oakmont Country Club • Oakmont, PA
FORMAT: 18 holes of stroke play for qualifying rounds. 54 holes of stroke play for championship with a cut to the low 32 scores and ties following round two. The championship will be limited to 78 players. See schedule below.
ELIGIBILITY: Entries are open to professional and amateur golfers residing in the Western Pennsylvania region as of April 1, 2018 or affiliated with a WPGA Member Club as follows:
A. Professional golfers.
B. Golf professionals and apprentice golf professionals in good standing with their respective PGA Sections.
C. Amateur golfers with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 6.4 strokes. A Handicap Index® issued by a WPGA Member Club is required for entry. Amateur golfers without a Handicap Index® issued by a club licensed by the WPGA will be directed to an existing WPGA Member Club or an Association-sponsored Type 3 Golf Club.
If a player is in doubt to their eligibility for the championship, please contact the Association office.
SCHEDULE:
Preliminary Qualifying Rounds
A. June 26 – Grove City Country Club, Grove City, PA
B. June 28 – Green Oaks Country C, Verona, PA
C. June 28 - Shannopin Country Club, Pittsburgh, PA
D. July 5 - Edgewood Country Club, Pittsburgh, PA
CONTESTANTS MAY ENTER ONE QUALIFYING ROUND ONLY.
Championship at Oakmont Country Club
A. Monday, July 16 – 18 holes of stroke play.
B. Tuesday, July 17 – 18 holes of stroke play.
C. Wednesday, July 18 – 18 holes of stroke play for the low 32 and ties, or anyone within seven strokes of the leader after 36 holes.
PURSE/PRIZES: A trophy will be awarded to the winning player, runner-up and low amateur. Prizes will be awarded to amateurs in the top 20 and the professional purse (minimum $27,000) will be distributed to all professionals making the cut. Prizes for amateurs will consist of credits in the hostvclub’s golf shop. The Open Championship is a WPGA Honor Roll and Palmer Cup Team points event. Please see the Honor Roll Center for applicable points table.
Exempt Player List: John Aber, Joe Boros, David Brown, Andy Butler, Justin Collins, Arnold Cutrell, Dennis Dolci, Bob Ford, Mike Frisina, Devin Gee, Kyle Grube, Matt Gurska, Matt Holuta, T.J. Howe, Reid Howey, Trent Karlik, Brandan King, Sean Knapp, Darin Kowalski, Evan Long, Shawn McCall, Rob McClellan, Mitch Mercer, Jimmy Meyers, Pete Micklewright, Chuck Nettles, Daniel Obremski, Jon Pratkanis, Easton Renwick, Jason Robinson, Robert Rohanna, Connor Schmidt, Kevin Shields, Nathan Smith, Rick Stimmel, Dan Thompson, Beau Titsworth, Mike VanSickle, Gordon Vietmeier, Roy Vucinich, Gene Walter, Brett Young
Exemptions:
2018 Western Pennsylvania Open Exemptions:
2008-2017 WPGA Open champions
2014-2018 WPGA Amateur champions
2017 WPGA Mid-Amateur champion
2018 WPGA Spring Stroke Play champion
2017 Tri-State, PGA Section champion (Based on Eligibility)
2014-2018 Frank B. Fuhrer, Jr. Invitational champions (Based on Eligibility)
2018 Tri-State Open, Top 3 & ties
2017 Oakmont Country Club Men’s Club champion
Oakmont Country Club head professional
2017 Top 10, Tri-State PGA Section points list
2017 WPGA Honor Roll, Top 5
2017 WPGA Open, Top 10 & ties
2013-2013 Pennsylvania Open champion (Based on Eligibility)
Top 10 - Tri-State, PGA Section points list as of 6/13/2018 (Based on Eligibility)
Top 5 - WPGA Men’s Honor Roll as of 6/13/2018
2018 U.S.Open Local Qualifiers
Special exemptions as selected by the WPGA Championship Committee
*Amateur exemptions awarded must retain amateur status.
FUTURE EXEMPTIONS: Next Ten West Penn Opens – Champion. Top Ten & Ties/Low Amateur & Any Amateur in Top 10 - 2018 West Penn Open.
ENTRIES (Form, Fee, Closing Date): Entry and fee of $180.00 (Amateur) or $230.00 (Professional) must be submitted to the Association by 5:00 PM EST by Friday, June 15, 2018, to be considered. Entry fee includes range Fee, locker fee, prizes, trophies and lunch. Carts are permitted during qualifying rounds only, and cart fees are included in the entry fee.
Online registration – Players must enter online on the WPGA website. Players must have a valid e-mail address and a WPGA account to register online. Player accounts can be created on the WPGA Player Registration Portal, by contacting the WPGA office at 412- 826-2180, or by email. Online entries may be paid by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card. American Express is not accepted.
Additional registration options – Entry forms will only be accepted in person at the WPGA office. Make check or money order payable to Western Pennsylvania Golf Association. Entries will not be accepted via telephone or fax. Late entries will not be accepted.
Entry fee will be refunded with a $15.00 service charge for withdrawals before the close of entries. Withdrawals after the close of entries will be subject to a $25.00 service charge. No refunds will be issued for withdraws taking place 48 hours prior to the first tee time.
PRIZES/PURSE: A trophy will be awarded to the champion, runner-up and to low-amateur. Prizes/Purse will be awarded to all players who make the cut. The Open Championship is a WPGA Honor Roll and Palmer Cup Team points event. Amateur prizes will consist of credits in the host club’s golf shop.
REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION:
A. Players must walk for the championship proper and may bring their own caddies or carry their own bags during the championship. Carts are permitted during qualifying rounds.
B. It is a condition of competition that shoes with traditionally designed spikes, regardless of composition, or spikes comprised either entirely or partially of metal, regardless of design, are prohibited during the championship.
C. Play will be governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, conditions stated on the WPGA Rules of Play card, and other Local Rules as posted.
D. Proper attire is mandatory in all phases of the championship. Shirts with collars and sleeves are required. Shorts of Bermuda length or longer are acceptable.
E. A tie for first place shall be decided immediately upon completion of play with a hole-by-hole playoff.
F. Players falsifying a Handicap Index may be subject to indefinite suspension from WPGA Championships.
G. Starting times and other information will be available on the WPGA website approximately one week before the championship. Players unable to retrieve starting times should call the WPGA office (412-826-2180).
NOTICE:
By submission of this entry, I agree to the following:
I have read and understand the entry requirements and championship regulations.
I agree that there are certain risks inherent in golf and accept personal and sole liability for such risks including but not limited to health risks.
This entry is subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by the WPGA. The reason may include unbecoming conduct.
The WPGA may reject an entry application, revoke an accepted application, expel from a Championship and/or suspend a player from future championships if the player engages in conduct detrimental to the integrity and image of the game of golf and/or public confidence in the WPGA. Such conduct may include but is not limited to, damage to the golf course or the players’ equipment, verbal or physical abuse of spectators,officials, volunteers or staff, blatant and excessive profanity, disorderly behavior, failure to abide by club/course rules or any other unbecoming conduct.
Responsibility for ensuring entry is received by the WPGA prior to the specified deadline is mine alone and that this application may be automatically rejected by the WPGA if received by after such date and time.
Risk of delay or error in transmission is solely with me and that the WPGA has no liability with respect to any such delay or error and the consequences therefrom, including the entry not being accepted.
Any player under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian agree to the WPGA terms and conditions for minors before their application will be accepted. Parental consent can be done by checking the appropriate box during online registration. If you need additional information, please contact the Association office (412-826-2180).
