WSGA

Players are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations concerning participation in WSGA events, as these policies apply to every tournament.

SPIRIT OF THE GAME

Golf is mostly played without the supervision of a referee or tournament official. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, always demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Any action contrary to the game’s spirit, such as abusive language, throwing clubs, or other disruptive behavior, will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification. If a player commits a serious breach of conduct, such as cheating, deceiving, or altering his or her scorecard, the player will be suspended indefinitely until he/she meets with the tournament committee.

TERMS OF COMPETITION

The Wisconsin State Golf Association reserves the right to decline or withdraw an entry at any time. Anyone whose entry is accepted shall be subject to the rules and conditions set by the WSGA. The WSGA will not make any provisions for a player asking for special consideration due to other commitments. In other words, make it your primary project for the day.

ELIGIBILITY

WSGA tournaments are open to amateur golfers who are members of a current WSGA member club in good standing. The USGA’s definition of an amateur golfer is the standard of the WSGA. Applicants must be amateur golfers according to the USGA’s Rules of Amateur Status, have a current Handicap Index listed on their club’s directory at the time of tournament registration and meet all the eligibility requirements for the event they are entering and must remain active through the event proper. Any member who has not established a current Handicap Index is ineligible. WSGA membership is not official until a member’s name and Handicap Index are on their club’s directory. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to review the circumstances of any non-Amateur or Amateur Awaiting Reinstatement to determine eligibility. See event information page for specific eligibility requirements.

ENTRY DEADLINES

All WSGA tournaments may be entered any time after the opening date; registration must be completed by 5:00 pm (CT) on closing date. The closing dates are available on all event information pages.

LATE ENTRIES

Late entries will be accepted for 48 hours after the closing date based on availability and until pairings are published on the WSGA website. All late entries, including exempt players, will be subjected to pay an additional $30 per player of the applicable entry fee. All late entries are subject to approval by the WSGA.

SITE TRANSFERS

Players may request to transfer from one site to another based on availability at any time prior to the pairings being posted for either of the sites involved. Once pairings are published, transfers will be permitted only for exceptional circumstances (example: a player qualifies for a USGA championship that conflicts with the qualifying date).

ONLINE REGISTRATION
Available for all events at wsga.org. When registration is completed, the player’s credit card will be charged the full entry fee. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. of the closing date.

WITHDRAWALS

To withdraw for any reason players MUST notify the WSGA office at (414) 443-3560 or email info@wsga.org. Failure to notify the WSGA will cause the player to be listed as a NO SHOW. (See No Show below)

ONLINE WITHDRAWALS

Players who enter online may also withdraw online up to two days before the competition starts. After that, players must contact the WSGA directly as stated above.

REFUNDS

Prior to closing date – Full refund minus $20 administrative fee.

Closing date to 48 hours prior to the event – Full refund minus $50 administrative fee.

Inside 48 hours prior to the event – NO REFUNDS. Exception due to significant distress (work conflicts do not qualify) may be requested before the event starts.

No refunds will be given for an event that is shortened to a lesser number of holes, but still completed. Every effort will be made to reschedule an event canceled due to inclement weather. If an event is canceled, the player’s (team’s) entry fee is subject to partial or full refund depending on circumstances and at the discretion of the WSGA and host facility.

SUBSTITUTION FOR TEAM EVENTS

Prior to qualifying or championship without qualifying – substitutions permitted up to 48 hours prior to the event. Inside 48 hours, substitutions will be accepted only in the case of injury or illness with notification before the player’s start time. Players arriving at the starting tee without notifying the WSGA of a substitution will not be eligible to compete.

After qualifying – substitutions will be permitted after qualifying in accordance with the above policy.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Players will be emailed when tournament information (including pairings, starting times and course assignments) is posted on the WSGA website at the tournament information page. If you have not received your information withing seven days of the event, it is YOUR responsibility to contact the WSGA Tournament Department. PLEASE DO NOT CALL MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

NO SHOWS

A player who does not show up and does not notify the WSGA is subject to suspension from future WSGA events following the infraction. NO SHOWS also include a player who starts and withdraws before the competition’s close and has not turned in their scorecard to a tournament official.

MOBILE SCORING

All scores must be submitted electronically using the WSGA app. There will be no “traditional” scorecards used for submitting official scores at events, but paper scorecards will be available as an unofficial convenience. One player from each group will be assigned to score for the entire group. Scores will be considered official once electronic scorer submits (signs and saves) scores electronically. In the event of a Rule’s situation, players involved will be allowed to discuss such issues with WSGA official in scoring area.

HANDICAP ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON PERFORMANCE IN NET CHAMPIONSHIPS/QUALIFYING

The WSGA reserves the right to adjust a player’s Handicap Index prior to or during any net competition based upon previous performances in WSGA events.

COURSE HANDICAPS

The player’s current Handicap Index, as of the qualifying and/or championship date, is used to determine the player’s course handicap for a relevant net competition.

SPECTATORS

Walking spectators are always welcome and encouraged at WSGA Championships. For qualifying events, contact the assigned course to determine their policy. Everyone on the course must meet the dress code requirements for the course. Denim, t-shirts and athletic or short shorts should not be worn. The use of electronic devices should be limited to areas where their use will not distract players on the course. Spectators should maintain a reasonable distance from the players and caddies to avoid the appearance that the spectator is imparting advice or assisting the play in any way. A spectator may approach a player for a moment to exchange clothing, food, or beverages, but they should not have prolonged conversations. Spectators should walk ahead or with the group you are watching and stay in the rough or near the cart paths. Spectators should not delay other groups by walking slowly. Spectators must always stay off greens and out of bunkers. Spectators violating these policies may be asked to leave the course. Spectators are prohibited from using golf carts without approval from WSGA and host facility.

FOOTWEAR POLICY

To ensure the best playing conditions during the event for all players, the wearing of shoes with traditional spokes or spikes where metal may contact the course is prohibited. Model Local Rule G-7 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Shoes must be worn during competitions.

DRESS CODE

Players and caddies must be properly attired on the golf course and on the club premises. Blue jeans, designer jeans, T-shirts and tank tops are prohibited. Golf shirts must be worn, and shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh (no jean shorts). The dress code will be used at all WSGA tournaments in conjunction with any additional dress code restrictions of the golf course involved. A player or caddie violating the dress code will not be permitted to start the competition. A violation of this dress code by either a player or a caddie during the stipulated round must be rectified without undue delay or the player will not be allowed to continue play or the caddie will not be allowed to perform the acts of a caddie.

WEATHER POLICY

WSGA events are scheduled to be conducted during rain, shine, or in other weather conditions. There are a few exceptions in which play will be delayed, suspended, or canceled. If there is a need to suspend play during the round, the Committee will adhere to Rule 5.7b in the Rules of Golf.

During a multiple day event, if play is suspended and unable to resume on the same day due to inclement weather or a dangerous situation, the event may be shortened to 18 holes per the decision of the Committee. For a single day event, the Committee may adopt the WSGA Incomplete Round Policy.

In the case that an event is canceled prior to starting, every effort will be made to reschedule an event that was canceled due to inclement weather. If an event is canceled, the player’s (team’s) entry fee is subject to partial or full refund depending on circumstances and at the discretion of the WSGA and host facility.

INCOMPLETE ROUNDS

When weather conditions or darkness threaten to suspend play during a WSGA event, the following procedure will be used to determine qualifiers/winners. Starting times using one tee start – Play will consist of two rounds of nine holes each. If the entire field completes 18 holes, qualifying will be based on the total score for the two rounds. If the entire field completes 9 holes only, the score will be based on the 9-hole round. If this is an individual net competition, the player’s score will be his or her gross score minus any handicap strokes he is allowed that nine.

WSGA WOMEN COMPETITORS

Net Competitions: When men and women compete in the same WSGA net competition, women will compete from forward tees. Scratch Competitions: When men and women compete in the same WSGA scratch competition, all players will play from the same tees.

GENDER POLICY

The WSGA adheres to the USGA Gender Policy.

QUALIFYING RESULTS

Competitions are officially closed once qualifying results have been received, reviewed, and verified by the WSGA tournament committee.

QUALIFYING SPOTS

The number of spots available at each qualifying site will be determined based on the total number of entries received prior to the entry closing date for each event. The final number of spots per qualifying site will be available from the Committee on the day of qualifying.

PLAYING MULTIPLE QUALIFIERS

Except for Net Partners, Scramble and Senior Tour events, players may compete at only one qualifying site per championship. In Net Partners or Scramble events, a player may represent two different teams, however, if both teams advance, a player may only represent one team at the championship proper.

CHAMPIONSHIP ALTERNATES

The following policy is in effect for placing alternates in the WSGA Championships: (a) When a qualifier withdraws, the first alternate from that location will replace him or her. If the first alternate has been selected to play or declines, the second alternate will be contacted. (b) If an alternate is not available from that site or an exempt player withdraws, the WSGA would refer to the re-allotment (“one for every”) list to fill the spot. The first alternate from the first site on the spot allocation list will be contacted. If that player declines, the second alternate will be contacted. If an alternate is not available from the first site on the spot allocation list, the alternates from the second site will be contacted. (c) Alternates are welcome to stand-by at the championship site and will be entered based on the above policies.