Tournament Rules

Eligibility: 18-hole tee times from 5:30 AM thru 3:20 PM. 9-hole tee times from 5:30 AM thru 3:20 PM. Players are limited to one tournament entry.  If more than one round is played, the first round will be considered the official entry. High school students are not eligible to win Low Net or Low Gross prizes (to retain IHSA athletic eligibility).

Fees: Each player must pay the appropriate green fee. There is no tournament or prize fee.

Handicaps: A USGA Handicap is required of contestants in the 18-hole tournament. The USGA Handicap must be registered with a golf course or regional golf association like the CDGA. Handicaps must be based on 15 or more scores and must be presented to the starter and verified by the Rules Committee.

Rules of Golf: The USGA Rules of Golf will govern all play, except as modified by the following local rules.  Remember to notify a fellow competitor before invoking any rule.

Local Rules:

• Distance Measuring Devices: Devices that only measure distance are allowed.
• Lost Ball: Proceed under Rule 18.1 or use local rule for lost ball or out of bounds, add 2 strokes, continue play.
• KEEP PACE will be enforced on the 18-hole course; slow play penalties will be assessed as warranted. A 2 stroke slow play penalty will automatically be assessed to any group given a 3rd warning.

The Golf Course:

• Male contestants will play from the white tee markers, female contestants will play from the red tee markers.
• Out of Bounds (USGA Rule 18.1): Out of bounds is designated by white stakes or property fence.  18-Hole Course - Out of bounds exists to the left of holes number 5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 17, & 18; beyond the green on holes number 5, 14, & 17. 9-Hole Course - Out of Bounds exists to the left of holes number 2, 3, 4, & 5.
• Immovable Obstructions (USGA Rule 16.1): include Halfway House, sprinkler heads, irrigation boxes, shelters, maintenance roads, cart paths, permanent yardage stakes, & stone walls. Free drop within one club length of nearest point of relief no nearer the hole if lie, stance or area of intended swing is affected. Line of sight relief not allowed.
• Ground Under Repair is designated by a continuous, connected white line.
• Stones bordering lake banks are part of the penalty area and are an integral part of the course. No relief allowed.

Lightning Detection System:

• Long 15 Second Blast - play suspended; mark position of ball with a tee; seek shelter immediately.
• Three Short 5 Second Blasts - play resumes without delay; place ball in marked position and resume play.
• Players are encouraged to check the lightning countdown clock on the VL App or Website Course Status Indicators.

Scorecards: Official scorecard must be kept using the Village Links smartphone App.

Ties: All ties will be broken using the USGA method for breaking ties.

Prize Drawing: A random lottery drawing for top prizes will be conducted Sunday, May 29th at 1:00 PM. Contestants who made it into the drawing must either attend themselves or provide a proxy, or else the Rules Committee shall decide the award. In all cases, the decision of the Rules Committee will be final.

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