How do I register for events?
Access the National website http://www.thegolfchannel.com/amateurtour/. On the National website click "Find Your Local Tour." Click on the Seattle link. Click on the "event Schedule" link. Click on the ‘Registration’ link for the event that you wish to register for. Enter the email address and password that was setup during the membership registration. The system will refresh with all of the information entered from the Member Profile. Select the payment method "Credit Card" and click the ‘I agree’ box. Click the ‘Continue’ button. The system will refresh with all pertinent information summarized. Review this information carefully and click the ‘FINISH’ button. A word of caution when clicking the ‘FINISH’ button is that it only be clicked once as each click creates a registration and a charge to your credit card if you used one for payment.
Can I use an electronic distance measuring device?
The Seattle Tour allows the use of any electronic distance measuring device that complies with the Rules of Golf. The use of non-conforming devices is cause for disqualification and revocation of membership.
How many events do I have to play in?
As a member of the Tour, members can participate in any Tour event in the US. All regional schedules are available on the national Tour website. Any tour member can compete in as many events as they wish but for purposes of qualifying for the national championship, can only accumulate points for the same number of events they play in on their local schedule.
For example, a member can play 25 events around the country, but if the local schedule has 12 events, only points from their top 12 non-local finishes will be counted towards winning their local flight to qualify for post-season play. The Seattle Tour also requires its members to play in 6 of the local events if they were joined prior to June 17th and 4 of the local events if they joined after that date to be considered for post-season play.
What is the Tour policy for registration, payment and withdrawal’s?
Only Tour Members, and guests of the Tour (based on availabilty ) may participate in Tour events. All entries must be received prior to the entry deadline, which is on the event schedule and is generally the 14 days prior to the event. The Seattle Tour schedule is listed on the national website. Members can register for a respective event online, or by calling the Tour Office only if they do not have Internet access. Events may have a limitation on the number of entries, and therefore will be filled on a first-come first-serve basis.
The entry fee will be inclusive of all assessed fees that may include: green fees, shared cart, range balls, prize pool contribution and a management fee to run the event. Each event entry fee is posted on the national website.
Each member shall be responsible for submitting the required tournament fee for each individual tournament. Each tournament fee is to be paid by the entry deadline of any given event or the deadline set forth by the tournament director. Withdrawal from any event must be done prior to the entry deadline in advance of the tournament or there can be no refund. Should a member on the event waiting list be able to fill the position of the withdrawn member, the withdrawn member will receive credit towards the next event. It will be assumed that a member is not participating in a tournament if the registration is not submitted prior to the published deadline. In the event a member’s entry is received after the deadline, the Tour Director may add a $15.00 late fee to the entry fee amount. Depending on when the late entry is received, a member’s participation may be denied if adequate space is not available in the flight.
Can I bring a guest?
Guests of members are always welcome to play in any Tour event on a space available basis except in Regional Majors, season ending championships and post-season events. A limited number of tee times may reduce or exclude play by guests at certain events. Members should provide the Tour Director with as much notice as possible if a guest is being invited. Guests will be subject to the same registration deadlines and late fees. Every effort will be made to accommodate a guest whenever possible. Members also agree to be financially responsible to the Tour for their guests in the event the guest withdraws after the deadline or does not show for their tee time.
Scores will be posted for all guests for informational purposes only. Guests will be eligible for skins games only if they possess an active and verifiable Index. Guests must also possess a similar handicap or playing abilities to be paired with the member. Guests will not be awarded Order of Merit points nor may they participate in the prize pool.
How do I find out my tee time?
Tour events will utilize tee times. Pairings will be as stated in the "Notice to Contestants" each registered member receives via email approximately 48 hours prior to the event. Pairings are subject to change anytime prior to the event. If an individual tee time has been moved to an earlier pairing, the Tour Director will personally notify that individual of the change.
What is the format of the events?
The majority of events played on the Seattle Tour will be stroke play, gross competition within the assigned flight or as stated on the confirmation notice. Tour play will be governed by the current Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA), and modified by the Notice to Contestants prepared by the Committee. Tour Officials will be on site at every tournament to handle member registration/check-in, provide assistance, handle scoring/prize pools, monitor the pace of play and make rulings. Any Tour Official may assess penalty strokes for rules infractions or slow play subject to review by the Tour Committee. All decisions made by the Tour Committee will be final.
Do I have to check in at each event I play in?
All Tour members must personally check-in at least 30 minutes prior to the assigned tee times and be at the starting point in time to see the group in front of them tee off. The first group must be at the assigned tee no less than 10 minutes prior to the assigned start time. Failure to do so will result in a 2-stroke penalty. If a member is not at the starting point, ready to play, at the assigned starting time and his group has hit their 2nd shot, that member is disqualified.
What’s included in my entry fee for an event?
All Seattle Tour event fees will include: greens fee, the shared-use of golf cart (depending on course policy), prize fund contribution, administrative overhead and range balls. Members must follow cart rules established by the golf course and make arrangements directly with the course if an additional cart is required or desired for spectators or caddies, based on availability and course restrictions. Any driver of a cart must be at least 18 and possess a valid driver’s license.
What rules does the Tour play by?
Current USGA Rules of Golf will govern all play. The Tournament Committee will provide an event rules sheet containing local rules and those rules will govern play for that tournament. The one-ball rule will not be in effect during play however all members must complete the hole with the same ball type as they began play of the hole. If there is any confusion of a particular ruling during play, and a Tour Official is not accessible, the member is to enter a second ball into play (Rule 3-3). The member then plays both balls throughout the hole, keeping separate scores and must bring the situation to the Rules Committee at the end of the round for a ruling and prior to signing their scorecard.
Are spectators and caddies allowed?
The Tour permits spectators and caddies at all of its events subject to course restrictions. Spectators known to the member and caddies are the responsibility of the member and are requested to practice proper golf etiquette while on the course. If there is an issue with the behavior of a spectator(s), the individual(s) will be asked to leave the premises. Caddies are not allowed to drive a cart unless they are of legal age and possess a valid drivers license.
Does the Tour provide hole placement sheets?
The Tour will attempt to provide members with hole placement sheets that designate the general location of the hole position on the green.
Is there a dress code policy?
The Tour will strictly enforce a tournament dress code with no exceptions. Collared shirts are required, and no jeans, denims, jogging outfits, or sweat pants are permitted. Shorts may be worn, but must be within five inches of the knee.
Is there a code of conduct?
The Tour will not tolerate swearing, vulgar language, alcohol abuse, lack of golfing etiquette, or other such behavior. Such conduct may result in tournament disqualification and suspension or expulsion from the Tour. Any member that uses a cell phone, beeper, radio and other such device during play will incur a 2-stroke penalty per occurrence. A Tour official need not be present or witness the use. An exception will be made in the event of an on course emergency or request for assistance. Any member that throws a club in anger or frustration will be immediately disqualified from the event. Two disqualifications in any season for club throwing will warrant revocation of membership for the balance of that season.
How much of my entry fee is put into the prize fund?
A portion (usually not less than $25) of each member’s entry fee is used to generate each flight prize pool and varies by event. The prize certificates value at each event will be established prior to such event based on participation. The prize pool may vary slightly the day of the event due to late entries or withdrawals. In order to abide by the guidelines for amateur status put forth by the USGA, no single prize awarded will exceed $750 in value.
