When and where does the event take place?

The 2019 National Championship will take place on September 17 – 20

The 2019 Senior National Championship will take place on September 23 – 26.

 

Both Championships will be held at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Host courses are The PGA National Resort and Spa Courses – Fazio Course, Squire Course, Palmer Course, and the current home of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic:  The Champions Course

 

 

When is the entry deadline?

The deadline for entry into the National & Senior National Championships is Tuesday, August 27 at 6pm EST. Please note that the tournament could be sold-out well in advance of this deadline and as such, players are encouraged to register as soon as they are eligible. Under no circumstances will late entries be accepted.

 

 

If flying to the National Championships, where should I fly to?

All courses are located in the West Palm Beach, FL area which is serviced by the West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).  The PGA National Resort and Spa courses are roughly 16 miles or a 25-minute drive from the airport.

 

 

Alternative Airports:

 

Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) is approximately one hour away.  Miami International Airport (MIA) is approximately 90 minutes away.

 

 

What day should I arrive at PGA National?

National Championship:

Players must check-in with the tournament committee by 7pm EST on Monday, September 16

 

Senior National Championship:

Players must check-in with the tournament committee by 7pm EST on Sunday, September 22

 

 

What day should I depart from PGA National?

2019 National Championship is scheduled to finish on September 20 at 6pm EST. Please be advised that inclement weather can delay finishing times and players are advised to schedule departures with flexibility in mind.

 

2019 Senior National Championship is scheduled to finish on September 26 at 6pm EST. Please be advised that inclement weather can delay finishing times and players are advised to schedule departures with flexibility in mind.

 

 

 

What is the format of the National Championship?

Both the National and Senior National Championships are 72-hole individual stroke play competitions with no cut. Every contestant will have a scheduled round at each of the four courses. All play will be primarily in threesomes for pace of play. USGA rules are in effect at all times during play.

 

 

What courses will be used? Which course do I play each day?

PGA National Resort & Spa:

Champions Course

Fazio Course

Squire Course

Palmer Course

 

 

What happens in the event of inclement weather/rain?

Every effort will be made to complete 72 holes should there be delays due to inclement weather. Should a course be deemed unplayable or dangerous because wind/lightning is eminent, the Senior and National Championships may be reduced to a shortened number of holes. Players are advised to be prepared in the case of inclement weather/rain.

 

 

 

What are the payouts for top finishers in each flight?

All payouts from the National Championships will conform to and not exceed the maximum allowable amounts under USGA rules regarding Amateur Status. Payouts will consist of trophies, gift certificates and/or equipment/products. Prize and flight breakdowns will be available at the tournament.

 

 

Will there be an optional skins game? What is the cost and how will it be posted and paid out?

Yes, an optional skins game will be made available to all interested players. All skins game entries must be paid in cash on-site at tournament check-in. No late skins entries or entries taken at the course will be accepted.

 

The skins game will apply for all four rounds of the tournament. The cost is $25/day for a total buy-in of $100. No partial entries will be allowed. A skin is won by having the lowest score with no ties on a particular hole against players from your own flight only.

 

Skins game results will be posted and paid out at the nightly scoring functions at the PGA National Resort & Spa each evening. Any winnings that are not picked up and signed for by a player will be mailed out.

 

What happens if no one wins a skin for a day?

If not one skin is won for a single day those monies will be carried over to the following day’s skins game and added to the pot. If no skins are won on the last day, all players involved in that skins game will be placed into a drawing and four player names will be drawn. Each player that is selected in the random drawing will be awarded with ¼ of the total pot.

 

 

What happens in the event of a tie for 1st place in the National Championships or Senior National Championships?

Any tie for 1st place after four rounds of play will result in a Sudden Death, on-course playoff immediately following play, weather permitting.

 

 

What tees will my flight play from?

Yardages and flight tee assignments for each course will be posted soon.

 

 

Are caddies and spectators allowed?

Caddies and spectators are welcome at the Senior and National Championships.  Spectators and/or caddies are not permitted in a player golf cart during 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. 

 

Carts are for the sole use of the players. Any spectator or caddie found riding in a golf cart while the ball is in play, may result in the disqualification of the player(s) who are associated with the violating spectator(s) and/or caddie(s) at the 2019 National Championships. Caddies are only permitted to ride in between holes, from green to tee, when the ball is not in play and/or before the round commences and after the round is completed.

 

 

Where can I find tee times and pairings?

Tee times and pairings for the 1st round, along with the course rotation for each flight will be posted online and emailed to players no later than 5PM ET on September 10. Players will be re-paired according to score for the 3rd round and the final round. Tee times and pairings will be available at each nightly scoring function at the host hotel, emailed and posted on-line.

 

 

Am I guaranteed 72-holes?

All players will have a scheduled round on each of the four host courses and there will be no cut. The possibility exists that a round may be cancelled or shortened due to inclement weather. The possibility exists that certain flights could play more holes than others. Every reasonable effort will be made to complete all 72 holes in a safe and expedient manner.

 

 

How do I book a practice round?

National Championship participants can schedule practice rounds at their discretion as follows:

 

PGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA - Fazio and Squire Courses

Players may start to book their practice rounds by calling on August 10, 2019 for the Fazio and Squire courses by calling 760-328-3198.  

 

Practice round rates will be $75 + tax from September 10 - 16 and September 21 - 22

 

PGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA - Palmer Course

Players may start to book their practice rounds on the Palmer course on September 10 by calling 760-324-7336

 

Practice round rate is $85 + tax and limited to September 10 - 16 and September 21 - 22

 

 

PGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA - Champions Course 

Players may start to book their practice rounds on the Champions course on September 10 by calling 760-324-7336

 

*Please note all practice rounds booked in advance will be played starting at 11AM or later. 

Practice round rate is $95 + tax  and limited to September 10 - 16 and September 21 - 22.

 

 

When and where is the Spousal/Guest Brunch?

Spouses and significant others are invited to attend the Guest Brunch at PGA National Resort & Spa in the Ironwood Restaurant from 9-11am EST on Tuesday, September 17 for the National Championships and 9-11am EST Monday, September 23 for the Senior National Championships.

 

 

How do I register for the Spousal/Guest Brunch?

Due to limited seating capacity, all players are able to register one (1) guest for the Spousal/Guest Brunch. Answering ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and providing a guest name (if attending) was required when registering for Am Tour Nationals. Updates or changes, email GCATSupport@GolfChannel.com.

 

 

When and where is the awards presentation?

The awards ceremony will take place for each flight immediately following that flight’s play on the final round at the PGA National Resort & Spa clubhouse.  

 

 

How does the Tour ensure proper flighting?

The tournament committee will look at and monitor each contestant’s Tour Index using scores shot in Tour events and will ensure that each player is flighted properly according to the rules and regulations in the Golf Channel Am Tour – Player Handbook.

 

 

What happens if I need to cancel my registration?

Players cancelling before the deadline of Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 6pm EST will incur a $125 cancellation fee.  After this date, registration fees will not be granted a refund.

 

 

What is the address and phone numbers for the Host Hotel and Tournament Courses?

PGA National Resort & Spa

400 Ave of the Champions

West Palm Beach, FL 33418

Phone:  800-863-2819

Golf Shop:  561-627-1804

 

 

Can I pay with cash or check?

No. We currently only accept credit cards and/or debit cards for on-line registration.

 

What if I have a question that is not in the FAQs?

Players will additional questions can contact their Local Director, Regional Director or by contacting Golf Channel Am Tour support.