WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

PGA West - Nicklaus Tournament Course
PGA West - TPC Stadium Course

****PLAYER INFORMATION****

 

PLAYER INFORMATION EMAIL

Please review this entire email carefully as it contains important Player Information.   


STARTING TIMES & PAIRINGS


Players are expected to arrive at their assigned tee approximately ten (10) minutes in advance of their starting time as the starter will have information to discuss and distribute to each player in the group.  Players will not be paged or called to the tee.  Players arriving late will be penalized under the Rules of Golf, noting players arriving to the tee at their starting time will be deemed to be late to the tee. 

Lead Groups (7:15AM and 12PM) should plan to be at their assigned tee 10 minutes in advance of their starting time.  Subsequent groups are encouraged to arrive in time to watch the group in front of them tee off. 

1st round starting times and pairings have been posted and emailed to each participant.  

Each player will have a scheduled round on the Nicklaus Tournament Course and the TPC Stadium Course on Saturday and Sunday.  Final Round starting times and pairings will be posted online and emailed out on Saturday evening.  Approximate starting times for both days are below:


March 30 - Round 1 - Stadium Resort Course (AM Wave 7:15AM - 9AM)
March 31 - Round 2 - Nicklaus Tournament Course (PM Wave, 12PM - 2PM)

Western Amateur Championship

Western Amateur Senior Championship
Senior Hogan Flight

 

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March 30 - Round 1 - Stadium Resort Course (PM Wave, 12PM - 2PM)
March 31 - Round 2 - Nicklaus Tournament Course (AM Wave, 7:15AM - 9AM)

Hogan Flight
Senior Sarazen Flilght
 

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March 30 - Round 1 - Nicklaus Tournament Course (AM Wave, 7:15AM - 9AM)
March 31 - Round 2 - Stadium Resort Course (PM Wave, 12PM - 2PM)

Palmer Flight
Senior Palmer Flight

 

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March 30 - Round 1 - Nicklaus Tournament Course (PM Wave, 12PM - 2PM)
March 31 - Round 2 - Stadium Resort Course (AM Wave, 7:15AM - 9AM)

Sarazen Flight
Jones Flight
Snead Flight
Senior Jones Flight
Senior Snead Flight
 

 Please note that players will be re-paired according to 1st round score on Sunday.  Leaders in each flight will tee off at the end of each respective wave.

 

TOURNAMENT CLUBHOUSE


The Tournament Clubhouse at PGA West will be the site of check-in, scoring, and is the home clubhouse to both the Nicklaus Tournament Course and TPC Stadium Course:
 

Tournament Clubhouse
56-150 PGA Blvd
La Quinta, CA 92253
760-564-7101


ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN


All contestants are required to check-in with the tournament committee upon arrival to the course either on Friday or Saturday.  All Tour Players are requested and strongly encouraged to check-in on Friday if at all possible.  Players wishing to check-in on Saturday are advised to leave themselves some extra time.  


Friday from 3PM – 6PM


Saturday from 6:15AM to 8:45AM

Saturday from 11AM to 1:30PM


Tour Players will receive their tee prize upon checking in as well as be provided an opportunity to enter the optional Skins Game and “Troops First Foundation” 50/50 raffle. 


OPTIONAL SKINS GAME


As noted above, entry into the Skins Game is optional and will be handled only at check-in.  The following Skins Game will be available:

$60 total buy-in which is broken down as follows

            $20 Giant Skins Game ($10 each day)

            $40 Flight Skins Game ($20 each day)

Total buy-in for Skins is $60 and must be paid in cash.  No partial entries will be allowed. 


TROOPS FIRST FOUNDATION 50/50 RAFFLE


The Western Amateur Championship is excited to offer the “Troops First Foundation” 50/50 raffle.  The benefitting charity is a non-profit organization whose benevolent mission is to develop, operate, and support a synergistic group of wellness, quality of life and sports-based initiatives in support of today’s military personnel. 

The entry for the 50/50 raffle is $20 and there is no limit to the number of entries.  On Sunday morning one lucky winner will be drawn and half the pot will go entirely and exclusively to the Troops First Foundation, with the other going to the lucky winner.   The winner need not be present to win.  2018 participants raised over $3,000, with the other $3,000 going to the lucky winner! 


PRACTICE FACILITY


The practice facility will open at 6:30AM on Saturday and Sunday and close promptly at 4PM.  Range balls are included and are available during both rounds of the competition compliments of PGA West and the Golf Channel Amateur Tour.      


AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION/CADDIES/SPECTATORS


Spectators are welcome at all Major Championships provided the course allows spectators to walk the course and the spectators do not interfere with pace of play.  Spectators are the responsibility of the player they are watching and must remain out of play and practice proper golf etiquette at all times. 

Caddies are the responsibility of the associated player and are requested to practice proper golf etiquette.  If there is an issue with the behavior of a spectator(s), or caddie(s), the individual(s) will be asked to leave the premises.  Per Rule 6.1, the player incurs the applicable penalty for any breach of a rule by his/her caddie, including unsportsmanlike conduct. 

Spectators and/or caddies are not permitted in a player golf cart at anytime during the stipulated round.  Golf carts are for the sole use of the players, and there may only be two carts per group.  Any spectator or caddy found riding in a player golf cart may result in the immediate disqualification of the player(s) who are associated with the violating spectator(s) and/or caddie(s) at Western Amateur.   Please note that spectators/caddies may sit in a cart when it is parked at a tee or the green and ride on a space available basis from the green to the next tee and to the starting hole.  


TIES/PRIZING


An on-course playoff will determine the Western Amateur Champion in each flight if there is a tie for 1st Place, weather and time permitting. 
 

The Western Amateur will reward (approximately) the top 25% of each flight with gift certificates.   All Tour Players who are in the top third of their flight on Sunday are requested to stay in the scoring area.  Prize fund distributions and an awards ceremony will take place for each flight as soon as the last scorecard is recorded for that particular flight.  


DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES


Distance measuring devices are permitted so long as the device has no feature on it such as slope/grade/wind.   


PACE OF PLAY POLICY


Please familiarize yourself with the Pace of Play policy below as it will be strictly enforced. 

The Am Tour policy leaves the responsibility for maintaining the pace of play where it belongs, with the player.  Efficient pace of play is a huge factor of a successful and positive Am Tour experience for all participants in accordance with Rule 6-7 of the USGA® Rules of Golf.  

Lead Group(s):
The first group(s) must finish their first nine holes within the maximum allotted time established by the committee (typically, this time will be 2 hours 10 minutes).  If the lead group finishes over the maximum allotted time after nine holes, each player in the group will be assessed a 2-stroke penalty on their 9thhole. 

The first group(s) off each tee must also finish 18 holes within the maximum allotted time established by the committee (typically, this time will be 4 hours 30 minutes).  Failure to finish under this maximum allotted time for 18-holes will result in a 2-stroke penalty, which will be assessed to the score on the final hole of play. 

Exception:
If the lead group(s) are held up by public play that was sent out before them or that began on the opposite tee, they will be exempt from the pace of play penalty(s) if they finish over their maximum time but within 14 minutes of the group ahead of them

Following Groups:
A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to any group failing to complete their 9th hole within 14 minutes of the group in front of them AND over their maximum allotted time

A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to any group failing to complete their 18th hole within 14 minutes of the group in front of them AND over their maximum allotted time


Players are advised of the following:

  • Rules officials are not required to notify a player and/or group that they are behind.  This is the responsibility of the group and each individual player in that group
  • Each group is responsible for monitoring its own pace.  Being in position means to be immediately behind the group in front of you.
  • As a courtesy to each player, the pace of play policy will be reiterated on the starting hole
  • As a courtesy to each player, the maximum allotted time will be on your official scorecard
  • If a player is penalized three (3) times during the season that player will be suspended from tournament play for a minimum of six (6) months


CONCERNED PLAYERS AND APPEALS
A player concerned about slow player(s) in a group should first remind that player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently. The concerned player may, before or after penalties are assessed, request an Official to monitor the group. If a player is identified as holding up the pace of the group, penalties may be applied to that player and rescinded from the others.  Appeals for exceptional situations will be considered only in the scoring area after the completion of the round and prior to the return of a player’s scorecard.


RULES OF PLAY


Play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf.  Local rules in effect will be found on the Notice to Contestants sheet distributed to players at the starting hole. 

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

 

By submitting an entry for any Golf Channel Amateur Tour event, the contestant understands that his/her participation is at the sole discretion of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour.  A contestant may be removed from any competition at the discretion of the GCAT staff or committee at any time before or during the competition.  Incidents of unbecoming conduct or actions deemed to be detrimental to the image of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour or the “spirit of the game” are grounds for such removal and suspension/expulsion from the Tour.  These include, but are not limited to:

1.        Willful damage of the golf course or golf course property

2.       Club throwing or unnecessary club tossing

3.       Offensive or unbecoming language

4.       Public criticism of golf course or verbal abuse of GCAT staff, officials, host club staff, or other contestants

5.       Potential endangerment of others.

6.       Conduct deemed unbecoming


DRESS CODE


All Tour Players and caddies/spectators are expected to abide by the Tour dress code (collared shirt or similar golf shirt tucked in) with hats being worn with the bill being in the front.  No denim or athletic, gym, cycling, tennis, or running shorts are allowed. 


TEEING GROUNDS


The following are the approximate yardages for each flight.  The approximate hole-by-hole yardages for practice purposes have been posted to the tournament website.  


Nicklaus Tournament Course & TPC Stadium Course

Black Tees (approximately 6600 - 6800 yards)
Championship Flight
Palmer Flight


Blue Tees (approximately 6300 - 6500 yards)
Senior Championship
Senior Palmer
Senior Hogan
Hogan Flight
Sarazen Flight

White Tees (approximately 6000 yards)
Jones Flight / Senior Jones Flight
Snead Flight / Senior Snead Flight
Senior Sarazen Flight
Ladies in Championship Flight and Palmer Flight


Gold Tees (approx. 5500 - 5700 yards)
Ladies in Hogan, Sarazen Flights


Red Tees (Approx 5300 yards)
Ladies in Jones and Snead Flights and Senior Sarazen


CONTACT


Joe Wagner
Regional Director
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
858-245-4655
Jwagner@golfchannel.com