2019 National Championship
PGA National Resort & Spa
Champions Course
Palmer Course
Squire Course
Fazio Course
******PLAYER INFORMATION******
REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN
Registration and player check-in will take place in PGA Ballroom Foyer at the host hotel, PGA National Resort & Spa. All Tour Players must register and check-in with the tournament committee during the following days and times only:
- Sunday, September 15 from 5PM to 8PM
- Monday, September 16 from 11AM to 7PM
Players will confirm starting times and pick up their tee prizes as well as be given an opportunity to enter into the optional skins game and Troops First Foundation Raffle.
There will be no formal player registration & check-in after 7PM on Monday, September 16. Players who are not checked-in will not be able to get into the skins game or raffle and may pick up their tee prizes the evening of the first round at the Nightly Scoring Function
*Note, players only need to register/check-in one time for the tournament. There will be no check-in at the host courses so make sure you are at the correct course and starting hole 10-15 minutes prior to your starting time.
OPTIONAL SKINS GAME
Entry into the Skins Game is optional and will only be handled at registration on Sunday, September 15 and Monday, September 16. The following Skins Game will be available:
- $100 Flight Skins ($25 per day, per flight only). There will not be a Giant Skins Game.
Total buy-in for Skins is $100 and must be paid in cash. No partial entries will be allowed. All skins game entries must be submitted in person no later than Monday, September 16 by 7PM, EST. Please note if there is no skin won in any round (1-3) that pot will be carried over to the next day. If there are no skins won in the final round the pot will be distributed to four (4) players in the skins game via raffle.
FEHERTY’S TROOPS FIRST FOUNDATION RAFFLE
Entry into the Troops First Foundation Raffle is optional and will only be handled at registration on September 15 and 16. The benefitting charity is a non-profit organization whose benevolent mission is to develop, operate, and support a synergistic group of wellness thru quality of life and sports-based initiatives for today’s military personnel.
The entry for the raffle is $20 and there will be no limit to the number of entries. One winner will be drawn at the first scoring function on Tuesday evening September 17th from 7:30PM-9:00PM, and the second winner will be drawn at the scoring function on Thursday evening September 19th from 7:30PM-9:00PM. Winners need not be present to win and each winner will receive ¼ of the total pot, with the other half going to the Troops First Foundation
STARTING TIMES
Tuesday, September 17 (1st Round)
Starting times for round 1 have been emailed to participants and are posted online on the National Championship tournament page.
Wednesday, September 18 (2nd Round)
Starting times for round 2 will be released on September 17
Thursday, September 19 (3rd Round)
Players will be re-paired according to cumulative score within each flight for the 3rd round. Round 3 starting times will be available at the nightly scoring function on Wednesday evening from 7:30PM to 9:000PM and will be posted online and emailed to players at that time.
Friday, September 20 (Final Round)
Players will be re-paired according to cumulative score within each flight for the final round. Final round starting times and pairings will be available at the nightly scoring function on Thursday evening from 7:30PM to 9:000PM and will be posted online and emailed to players at that time.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Course rotations and starting times may be altered due to inclement weather and/or weather delays in an effort to complete 72-holes. Players are requested to always double check their daily course and starting time the night before at the Nightly Scoring Functions and/or online. The event may be shortened if it is not possible to complete 72-holes.
COURSES
There are four courses in the rotation this year:
PGA National Resort & Spa (All four courses are on the PGA National Resort property)
Champions Course
Palmer Course
Squire Course
Fazio Course
PRACTICE FACILITIES
There are two practice facilities available to players, all at the PGA National Resort. Due to limited range space, players are requested to limit warm-up time to 1 hour prior to actual starting time, and priority will be given for players based on starting time. Driving range hours for all facilities will be 6:30AM to 3PM.
CHECK-IN AT COURSE
There will be no formal check-in procedure at each course. All players are expected to be at their correct starting hole a minimum of 15 minutes in advance of their starting time. Starters will not page players to the tee. Starters will provide handouts to each group on the tee box (scorecard, rule sheet, pin sheet) and cover important information.
NIGHTLY SCORING FUNCTIONS & TOURNAMENT INFORMATION DESK
There will be a nightly scoring function on the evening of September 17, 18, and 19 located in the PGA Ballroom of the PGA National Resort from 7:30PM-9:00PM. Players will have the opportunity to view all tournament results (including optional skins game results and daily low-round winners) and pick-up any winnings. In addition, there will be a tournament information desk available for any questions related to the tournament, as well as fun activities each night. There will be complimentary beverages at each nightly scoring function (draft beer, water, soda, coffee, and tea)
PLAYERS DAILY LUNCH
A full buffet lunch will be available to all players in the BELLA LAGO and MASTERS ROOM at the PGA National Resort & Spa each day of competition, starting on Tuesday, September 17. The buffet lunch will be from 11:00AM to 2:00PM each day. (THESE LUNCHES ARE FOR PLAYERS ONLY)
FEHERTY’S TROOPS FIRST FOUNDATION SILENT AUCTION
Items will be on display for bid starting at registration on Sunday, September 15 from 5:00PM - 8:00PM and Monday, September 16 from 11:00AM - 7:00PM. Bids will close on Tuesday, September 17th at 8:00PM. All proceeds from the auction will go directly and entirely to the Troops First Foundation.
WINN GRIPS CUSTOM SHOP
Winn Grips will once again be onsite during the 2019 National Championship. Be sure to visit the Winn Grips Custom Shop in the Carnoustie Room to receive 2 free grips of your choice that will be professionally installed. Dates and hours are from:
Sunday, September 15th - 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Monday, September 16th - 11:00PM - 7:00PM
Tuesday, September 17th - 5:00PM - 9:00PM
Wednesday, September 18th - 5:00PM - 9:00PM
TIES/PRIZING
An on-course playoff will determine the National Champion in each flight if there is a tie for 1st Place (Weather and time permitting), all other ties will be a scorecard playoff. Prize fund distributions and an awards ceremony will take place in the Masters Ballroom of the PGA National Resort for each flight as soon as the last scorecard is recorded for that particular flight on Sept 20.
CADDIES/SPECTATORS
Spectators are welcome at the National Championship 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. All caddies and spectators must adhere to the dress code and cell phone policies listed in this document.
Spectators and/or caddies are not permitted in a player golf cart during play of the stipulated hole. Exceptions: Spectators/caddies may sit in a player cart when it is parked at a green or tee box and may ride, on a space available basis, ONLY from the green of the last hole played to the next tee box. Golf Carts are for the sole use of the players. Any spectator or caddie found riding in a 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 the 2018 National Championship.
Spectator carts or use of any pesonal carts are prohibited.
DRESS CODE
All Tour Players and caddies/spectators are expected to abide by the Am Tour and PGA National Resort & Spa dress code policy.
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS
PGA National Resort & Spa
400 Ave of the Champions
West Palm Beach, FL 33418
Phone: 800-863-2819
Golf Shop: 561-627-1804
Spa: 800-843-7725
On Premise Dining Outlets:
IBar: 561-627-4852
All other on premise food and beverage options: 800-863-2819
PACE OF PLAY POLICY
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 5.6 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 9th hole.
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.