Date: April 28, 2018
To: United States Open Local Qualifying Contestants
From: Brent Whittaker, Director of Tournament Operations
Subject: United States Open Local Qualifying 2018
U.S. Open Local Qualifying
Riverside Golf & Country Club, Portland OR
Monday, May 7, 2018
Welcome to the 2018 United States Open Local Qualifying!
Enclosed you will find your pairing and starting time for the 18-hole competition on Monday, May 7, 2018 at Riverside Golf & Country Club.
There are 37 professionals and 57 amateurs competing for six (6) qualifying spots into the sectional qualifying stage at the Portland OR qualifying site. In the event of a tie for the final qualifying spot or any alternate positions, a sudden-death playoff will commence immediately following the return and verification of all scores.
Additional player information:
Groove Rule: In Local (first stage) and Sectional (second stage) Qualifying as well as in the Championship proper, the player’s clubs must conform to the groove specifications in the Rules of Golf effective January 1, 2010. Note: Ping EYE2 clubs manufactured prior to April 1990 may not be used during Local and Sectional Qualifying as well as the Championship proper. The Condition of Competition is available for review on the entry application.
The USGA and R&A have created a reference resource called the Informational Club Database to assist golfers in determining whether their irons, hybrids and fairway woods comply with the New Groove Rules. For information about and to access the database, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html. Additionally, for information regarding the conformance status of clubs not listed, please contact the USGA Research and Test Center at (908) 234‐2300.
Player Club Testing is available for the 2018 U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships. Please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/submission_process/Checking‐Clubs‐for‐Conformance‐to‐the‐New‐Groove‐Rules(2)/ for more information. The USGA strongly suggests that all players verify the conformance of their clubs well in advance of their scheduled qualifying competition. It is the player’s responsibility, not the USGA’s responsibility, to ensure that his clubs conform. Waiting until the day of the competition is the fault of the player. The Committee is under no obligation to test the club the competitor may play. However, if it is later determined that the club is non‐conforming, including after the competition has closed, the player will be disqualified.
OGA Pace of Play Guidelines: The following pace of play policy will be strictly monitored and enforced. Pace of play guidelines are attached and will also be available at the 1st tee.
Practice Round: Practice rounds are available during the following dates and times: after 2 pm on Monday, after 11am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, Thursday before 11am or after 3pm and after 2pm on Saturday or Sunday. Please contact the Riverside golf shop at 503-282-7265 to schedule practice rounds. Contestants are eligible for one complimentary practice round. Practice rounds are for contestants only and will not be extended to guests, caddies, or family members. Players who wish to use their practice round are expected to abide by all club rules including pace of play.
Practice Range: The driving range will open one hour before the first starting time on May 7th. Complimentary range balls will be available on the driving range for contestants.
Course Yardage: The Qualifying will be played from the black tee yardages listed on the Riverside scorecard. Please note these yardages are subject to change by the Committee. See attachment.
Dress Code: Proper attire must be worn at all times. Proper attire does not include spandex body wear, cutoffs, running shorts, short-shorts, tank tops, tee shirts, or denim of any kind. Neat and clean pants, slacks, cords, or appropriately hemmed, tailored shorts are acceptable, as are sweaters and golf shirts with a collar. Shoes must be worn at all times.
Spikeless Shoes: It is a condition of this competition that metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. This includes alternative spikeless products, which are partially comprised of metal, when such metal comes in contact with the turf. The penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification.
Golf Balls: Only brands of golf balls on the USGA’s latest list of conforming balls shall be used. The “One Ball Rule” shall be in effect.
Performance in Local Qualifying: If a player fails to return a score within 8 strokes of the Riverside Golf & Country Club rating of 73.0, an entry filed by him for a future Open Championship may be declined, unless the player can document that he is capable of competing at the national championship level. Also any player who “No Cards It” due to poor play will be held to Rule 6-6b (Signing & Returning Card) and will receive a stroke letter from Golf House. If a player WD for the same reason, he is also subject to the same letter.
Best of luck to each of you!