Championship Conditions

GENERAL

1.1 FORM OF PLAY
THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHALL BE DECIDED BY STROKE PLAY OVER THREE ROUNDS OF 18 HOLES EACH DAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF GOLF AS APPROVED BY R&A RULES LIMITED, THE LOCAL RULES APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE AND THE CONDITIONS HEREIN.

1.2 ELIGIBILITY OF COMPETITORS
ALL COMPETITORS MUST BE:
A) AMATEUR GOLFERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF AMATEUR STATUS AS APPROVED BY R&A RULES LIMITED;
B) PLAYING OFF A HANDICAP OF 5.0 OR BETTER;
C) 35 YEARS OR OVER AS OF 0.00 HRS ON DAY 1 OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: DISQUALIFICATION.

1.3 NUMBER OF COMPETITORS
144 COMPETITORS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE. IF THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES EXCEEDS 144, PLACES IN THE STARTING FIELD WILL BE DECIDED BY HANDICAP BALLOT (SEE SECTIONS 3.4 AND 4.1).

1.4 CUT
WHEN THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS ON THE FIRST DAY EXCEEDS 120, THE 90 LOWEST SCORES AFTER THE FIRST 36 HOLES, INCLUDING TIES, WILL QUALIFY FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL ROUND. THE REMAINDER WILL BE ELIMINATED.

1.5 CADDIES / TRANSPORTATION
A) A COMPETITOR IS PROHIBITED FROM HAVING A PROFESSIONAL GOLFER SERVE AS HIS CADDIE DURING ANY STIPULATED ROUND.
B) COMPETITORS MUST NOT RIDE ON ANY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION DURING A STIPULATED ROUND UNLESS AUTHORISED BY THE COMMITTEE.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: TWO STROKES FOR EACH HOLE AT WHICH ANY BREACH OCCURRED; MAXIMUM PENALTY PER ROUND: FOUR STROKES. IN THE EVENT OF A BREACH BETWEEN THE PLAY OF TWO HOLES, THE PENALTY APPLIES TO THE NEXT HOLE.
FOR 1.5 (A), A COMPETITOR HAVING A CADDIE IN BREACH OF THIS CONDITION MUST IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERY THAT A BREACH HAS OCCURRED ENSURE THAT HE CONFORMS WITH THIS CONDITION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE STIPULATED ROUND. OTHERWISE, THE COMPETITOR IS DISQUALIFIED.
FOR 1.5 (B), THE USE OF ANY UNAUTHORISED FORM OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL BE DISCONTINUED IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERY THAT A BREACH HAS OCCURRED. OTHERWISE, THE COMPETITOR IS DISQUALIFIED.

1.6 PACE OF PLAY
IN THE ABSENCE OF MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, A GROUP IS LIABLE TO BE TIMED IF IT IS IN EXCESS OF THE TIME ALLOWED AND, IN THE CASE OF SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT GROUPS, OUT OF POSITION. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF TIMING, IF ANY COMPETITOR EXCEEDS 50 SECONDS ON A FIRST TO PLAY APPROACH SHOT (INCLUDING A PAR 3 TEE SHOT), CHIP OR PUTT, OR 40 SECONDS IF IT IS A TEE SHOT OR SECOND OR THIRD TO PLAY SHOT, HE IS DEEMED TO HAVE A “BAD TIME”. THE TIME ALLOWED TO PLAY EACH HOLE AND STIPULATED ROUND WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMITTEE AND PUBLISHED ON THE OFFICIAL NOTICE BOARD. OUT OF POSITION IS DEFINED AS BEING MORE THAN THE STARTING INTERVAL BEHIND THE GROUP
IN FRONT. A COMPETITOR WHOSE GROUP IS TIMED WILL HAVE A BAD TIME CARRIED FORWARD IN THE ROUND EVEN IF THE GROUP SUBSEQUENTLY ARRIVES BACK IN POSITION OR WITHIN TIME.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION:
FIRST OFFENCE → VERBAL WARNING FROM A RULES OFFICIAL
SECOND OFFENCE → ONE STROKE PENALTY
THIRD OFFENCE → TWO STROKE PENALTY
FOR SUBSEQUENT → OFFENCE DISQUALIFICATION

1.7 DRIVING CLUBS / CONFORMING GOLF BALLS / TIME OF STARTING
THE SPECIMEN CONDITIONS IN THE RULES OF GOLF ARE IN EFFECT REGARDING CONFORMING DRIVER HEADS AND GOLF BALLSAND TIME OF STARTING.

1.8 SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION (NOTE TO RULE 6-8B)
THE SIGNAL FOR THE SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION WILL BE:
DISCONTINUE PLAY IMMEDIATELY: ONE PROLONGED NOTE OF SIREN.
DISCONTINUE PLAY: THREE CONSECUTIVE NOTES OF SIREN, REPEATED.
RESUME PLAY: TWO SHORT NOTES OF SIREN, REPEATED.

1.9 ANTI-DOPING
COMPETITORS SHALL NOT MAKE USE OF ANY DRUG TO ENHANCE THEIR PERFORMANCE. IN THIS RESPECT, COMPETITORS’ ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE PRESCRIBED LIST OF PROHIBITED DRUGS ISSUED BY THE HOST COUNTRY’S NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL. ANY COMPETITOR INFRINGING THIS CONDITION OR REFUSING TO TAKE A TEST MAY BE DISQUALIFIED.

1.10 GENDER POLICY
ANY PLAYER NOT COMPLYING WITH EGA GENDER POLICY GUIDELINES OR REFUSING MEASURES FOR GENDER DETERMINATION
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOST COUNTRY’S NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
1.11 MOBILE TELEPHONES / ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
THE USE OF A MOBILE TELEPHONE, PAGING DEVICE OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT BY A COMPETITOR OR HIS CADDIE WHILE ON THE GOLF COURSE DURING A STIPULATED ROUND IS DISTRACTING AND INCONSIDERATE. IF THE COMPETITOR OR THE CADDIE IS IN POSSESSION OF SUCH A DEVICE, IT SHOULD BE TURNED OFF. ANY USE MAY RESULT IN THE COMMITTEE TAKING DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST THE OFFENDING PERSON(S) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH OF SECTION 1: ETIQUETTE IN THE RULES OF GOLF AND, ULTIMATELY, IN A PENALTY BEING IMPOSED UNDER RULE 33-7.
1.12 RETURN OF SCORECARDS
COMPETITORS MUST RETURN THEIR SCORECARDS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 6-6B, TO AN AREA DESIGNATED BY THE COMMITTEE AS THE “SCORING OR RECORDING AREA”. THE SCORECARD IS CONSIDERED RETURNED WHEN THE COMPETITOR HAS LEFT THE SCORING OR RECORDING AREA.
1.13 DECISION OF TIES
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE FOR FIRST PLACE AFTER THREE ROUNDS, THE WINNER SHALL BE DECIDED BY A HOLE BY HOLE “SUDDEN DEATH” PLAY-OFF OVER ONE OR MORE HOLES SELECTED BY THE COMMITTEE. THE PLAY-OFF SHALL START AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE FINAL COMPETITORS HAVE FINISHED THEIR ROUND. IN CASE OF A TIE FOR THE SILVER OR BRONZE MEDAL, THE PLACES WILL BE DECIDED ON THE BASIS OF SCORES RECORDED FOR THE FINAL 18, 9, 6, 3 HOLES OR LAST HOLE, IN THAT ORDER.

1.14 RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION / COMPETITION CLOSED
WHEN THE FINAL RESULTS ARE PLACED ON THE OFFICIAL NOTICE BOARD AND/OR RESULTS SHEET, THE RESULTS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED. ANY DISPUTE MUST BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF PLAY ON THE FINAL DAY AND NOT LATER THAN 15 MINUTES AFTER PLAY CONCLUDES ON THE PRECEDING DAYS.

2. COMMITTEE

2.1 COMPOSITION OF AUTHORITY
THE EGA CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPORTING ASPECTS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO AMEND THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONDITIONS.
THE COMMITTEE MAY APPOINT A REFEREE WHOSE DECISION ON THE RULES OF GOLF WILL BE FINAL.

2.2 COMPETITION CANCELLED OR ALTERED
THE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REDUCE OR CANCEL ANY STIPULATED ROUND, SUSPEND OR POSTPONE PLAY, CANCEL THE COMPETITION OR COME TO AN EQUITABLE DECISION TO ACHIEVE A RESULT.

3. ENTRIES

3.1 ENTRY FORM
ENTRIES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON THE OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM AND MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE EGA OFFICE WITH FULL ENTRY FEE PAYMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. PARTIALLY COMPLETED OR LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. AN ENTRANT’S FORM WILL NOT HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY RECEIVED UNTIL HIS NAME HAS BEEN POSTED AT www.ega-golf.ch.

3.2 UNSUCCESSFUL ENTRANTS
UNSUCCESSFUL ENTRANTS SHALL BE INFORMED WITHOUT DELAY AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE IF WITHDRAWALS SUBSEQUENTLY OCCUR. ENTRANCE FEES WILL BE REFUNDED TO ENTRANTS BALLOTED OUT WHO DO NOT SUBSEQUENTLY COMPETE.

3.3 AGE LIMIT
ENTRIES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM MALE AMATEUR GOLFERS WHO HAVE REACHED 35 YEARS OF AGE BEFORE DAY 1 OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

3.4 HANDICAP LIMIT
ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM MALE GOLFERS WHOSE EXACT HANDICAP DOES NOT EXCEED 5.0 STROKES UNDER THE HANDICAPPING SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE RECOGNISED AUTHORITY CONTROLLING GOLF IN THE COUNTRY FROM WHICH THEY ENTER. THE HANDICAP MUST BE CERTIFIED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NATIONAL GOLF AUTHORITY OR ENTRANT’S HOME CLUB AND MUST HAVE BEEN VALID ON THE DATE OF ENTRY.

3.5 BALLOT
IN THE EVENT OF APPLICATIONS EXCEEDING THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP (144), THE STARTING FIELD SHALL BE DECIDED BY A HANDICAP BALLOT WHILE EXEMPTING THOSE ENTRANTS AS DETAILED IN SECTION 4. UNSUCCESSFUL ENTRANTS SHALL BE INFORMED WITHOUT DELAY AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE IF WITHDRAWALS

SUBSEQUENTLY OCCUR. ENTRANCE FEES WILL BE REFUNDED TO ENTRANTS BALLOTED OUT WHO DO NOT SUBSEQUENTLY
COMPETE.
3.6 LATE WITHDRAWALS
ENTRANTS WHO WITHDRAW LESS THAN THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP, OTHER THAN FOR SICKNESS OR OTHER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, MAY HAVE THEIR FUTURE ENTRIES REJECTED

3.7 REFUNDS FOLLOWING WITHDRAWAL
ENTRANCE FEES WILL ONLY BE REFUNDED IN THE CASE OF WITHDRAWAL BEING ADVISED BEFORE THE CLOSING TIME FOR ENTRIES, EXCEPT FOR THOSE ENTRANTS WHO MAY BE BALLOTED OUT AND WHO DO NOT SUBSEQUENTLY COMPETE OR THOSE WITHDRAWING FOR MEDICAL REASONS.

3.8 COMMITTEE AUTHORISATION OF ENTRIES
ALL ENTRIES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE WHO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REFUSE ANY ENTRY WITHOUT GIVING ANY REASON FOR ITS DECISION, WHICH SHALL BE FINAL. ACCEPTANCE OF NON-EUROPEAN ENTRIES WILL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMITTEE.

4. EXEMPTIONS

4.1 CATEGORIES
THE FOLLOWING WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE BALLOT PROVIDED THEY SATISFY THE HANDICAP REQUIREMENTS:
(A) THE DEFENDING CHAMPION, WHETHER HE SATISFIES THE HANDICAP REQUIREMENTS OR NOT;
(B) ANY COMPETITOR FINISHING IN THE TOP 12 (INCLUDING TIES) OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S EDITION, PROVIDING THEY SATISFY THE HANDICAP REQUIREMENTS;
(C) THREE OFFICIALLY NOMINATED COMPETITORS WITH QUALIFYING HANDICAPS FROM EACH EGA MEMBER GOLF AUTHORITY AND UP TO FIVE ADDITIONAL COMPETITORS WITH QUALIFYING HANDICAPS FROM THE HOST COUNTRY.
NOTE: THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS PERMITTED TO BE NOMINATED UNDER EXEMPTION CATEGORY (C) IS TO BE INCLUSIVE OF AND NOT IN ADDITION TO THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS EXEMPT UNDER ANOTHER CATEGORY.

5. PRIZES

5.1 TITLE
THE WINNER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHALL BE THE INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN MID-AMATEUR CHAMPION GOLFER FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY SHALL BE HELD BY HIS NATIONAL GOLF AUTHORITY, WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ENGRAVING, INSURING AND MAINTAINING THE TROPHY AND SHOULD RETURN IT, BEFORE THE NEXT CHAMPIONSHIP, TO AN ADDRESS NAMED BY THE EGA SECRETARY.

5.2 PLACINGS
THE WINNER SHALL RECEIVE A GOLD MEDAL, THE RUNNER UP, A SILVER MEDAL AND THE THIRD-PLACED COMPETITOR, A BRONZE MEDAL.
6. REGISTRATION

6.1 REGISTRATION DEADLINE
COMPETITORS ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER AT THE CLUB HOUSE IMMEDIATELY ON ARRIVAL, BUT NOT LATER THAN 12H00 ON THE DAY PRECEDING THE CHAMPIONSHIP. A COMPETITOR’S FAILURE TO MEET THIS DEADLINE, OR TO PRE-NOTIFY THE COMMITTEE OF HIS PENDING ARRIVAL TIME, MAY RESULT IN THE COMPETITOR LOSING HIS STARTING PLACE TO A RESERVE.

7. DISCLAIMER
ALL COMPETITORS AGREE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN RISKS INHERENT IN THE GAME OF GOLF AND ACCEPT PERSONAL AND SOLE LIABILITY FOR ALL SUCH RISKS.