Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship

ELIGIBILITY

1.        Mid-Amateur: This competition is open to male amateur golfers who have reached their 25th birthday by the first scheduled day of the championship, August 21, 2007 and who are members in good standing of a golf club belonging to and in good standing with the Royal Canadian Golf Association or clubs in other countries, which are in good standing with their respective Associations.

2.        Mid-Master: This competition is open to male amateur golfers who have reached their 40th birthday by the first scheduled day of the championship, August 21, 2007 and who are members in good standing of a golf club belonging to and in good standing with the Royal Canadian Golf Association or clubs in other countries, which are in good standing with their respective Associations.

3.        A player submitting an application listing a foreign club or golf association and proof of foreign handicap certification will be entered as a foreign entrant, whether or not he is a foreign resident.

4.        Handicap Factor must be 5.0 or less on the date of the application filing.

5.        All applications are subject to approval or rejection by the RCGA at any time before or after the start of play.

6.        All players must provide their birth certificate as proof of age for eligibility into the championship.

EXEMPTIONS

1.        Canadian Mid-Amateur Champions for the past ten years:

Kris Wasylowich, Alberta – 2006                                                 Graham Cooke, Québec – 2002, 2001, 2000

Rob Collins, Nova Scotia – 2005                                                 David Schultz, Alberta – 1999             

Frank Van Dornick, Alberta – 2004                                             Brian de Biasio, British Columbia - 1998                            

Garth Collings, Manitoba – 2003                                                Chris Kertsos, Ontario – 1997

2.        Top ten finishers from the 2006 Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship:

Kris Wasylowich, Alberta             William Seagris, Ontario                       Lee French, Ontario

Dale Fuller, North Carolina          Jacques Paiement, Québec                     Darren Shaw, Ontario

Dave Bunker, Ontario                   Greg Koster, British Columbia

Graham Cooke, Québec                Terry O’Brien, Ontario

3.        2006 Canadian Mid-Master Champion: Dave Bunker, Ontario

4.        2007 Canadian Senior Match Play Champion:

5.        2006 Canadian Senior Champion: Peter Howe, British Columbia

6.        Current provincial Mid-Amateur champions

7.        All playing members of the current Inter-provincial Mid-Amateur teams (Inter-provincial teams must include two players who are 40 years of age or older).

8.        Up to three places for prominent amateur golfers not otherwise exempt. These places to be granted at the sole discretion of the RCGA.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD

The championship field for 2007 will be comprised of 156 players selected through the Provincial Quota System, foreign entrants, and the exemptions listed above.

1.        Canadian Entrants: Each Provincial Golf Association has been allocated a quota of applications into the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship.  The quota system is based on a formula and is available for viewing through each Provincial Golf Association. Each Provincial Golf Association will decide on how their quota will be filled.  All quota players must complete this application and submit it to the RCGA within five business days following the completion of their provincial championship.  Unused quota spots past that date will be returned to the RCGA for use at their discretion..

Provincial Quota Numbers for 2007:

2.        Foreign Entrants: All foreign entrants are required to file an application.  Applications will be accepted, subject to the approval of the RCGA Tournament Committee.

APPLICATION FEE & PROCEDURE

1.        All applications must be filed on the official application (enclosed) or printed from the website. Faxed or photocopied applications will not be processed.

2.        The application fee of $200 must accompany the application (includes all applicable taxes). Money orders should be in Canadian funds, and payable to the Royal Canadian Golf Association. Credit card users, please print all numbers clearly. Cheques will not be accepted.

3.        All applications must be returned to the Royal Canadian Golf Association, Amateur Championships Division, 1333 Dorval Drive, Suite 1, Oakville, ON L6M 4X7 and must arrive prior to 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Late, incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be accepted, and are not the responsibility of the RCGA.

4.        Application fees will be refunded if the RCGA is notified (1-800-263-0009, ext. 250) of the player’s intention to withdraw prior to the application deadline. Application fees will not be refunded after the application deadline without a medical certificate. Refunds are subject to a $30 administrative fee.

5.        Entrants will be notified promptly that their application has been received via e-mail. Received applications will also be posted on the championship website. NOTE: Submitting an application does not in itself guarantee a place in the championship. Notice of acceptance into the championship field will be sent to players following the application deadline by e-mail and regular mail.

FOREIGN AND CANADIAN QUALIFYING OPPORTUNITIES

The RCGA will conduct a qualifier for the Canadian Mid-Amateur on Sunday, August 19, 2007 at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario.  All non-exempt, non Provincial Quota players must attempt to qualify on Sunday, August 19, 2007.

Qualifier Entry Requirements:  The qualifier is open to all male amateur golfers who are members of a club belonging to the RCGA or clubs in other countries, which are in good standing with their respective associations.  All players must have a Handicap Factor of 5.0 or less to be eligible to compete.  All players must have their Factor signed and approved by the Club Captain or Handicap Chairman and it must accompany the official entry form. 

Qualifier Field Composition (84 Players):  If over-subscribed, the qualifier field will be selected by the RCGA based on previous championship experience.  The official Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier Resume must be sent with the original application in order for consideration into the field.  Twenty spots will be reserved for foreign players.  *The host province will receive 10 spots into the qualifier.  If your application is not one of the 74 selected, it will be placed on an alternate list in order of championship experience. 

*Provincial spots will be awarded at the discretion of the Golf Association of Ontario provided those players meet the eligibility criteria. 

Qualifier Application Fee and Procedure:

The qualifier fee will be $100.00, which includes all applicable taxes.  Money orders should be in Canadian funds and payable to the RCGA. Please note that the RCGA no longer accepts cheques as a method of payment.

All applications for the Qualifier must be submitted to the RCGA, Amateur Championships Division, 1333 Dorval Drive, Suite 1, Oakville, ON, L6M 4X7; and must be received on or before Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 5:00 pm EDT.  Late, faxed or incomplete entries will not be accepted and are not the responsibility of the RCGA.

Those players who qualify must pay the balance of the entry fee ($100) and fill out an official entry form prior to participating in the Canadian Mid-Amateur.  The $100 qualifier fee is credited to the tournament entry fee.

Qualifying Spots: The number of spots available will be based on the number of entries the RCGA receives prior to the entry deadline; however, the RCGA will have a minimum of 5 spots available.  In the event the qualifying round is cancelled, lot will decide spots into the Canadian Mid-Amateur.

Registration: All qualifiers must register at the The Oaks Golf Club or by calling 519-827-5407 on Saturday, August 18, 2007 between 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.  Failure to do so may result in DISQUALIFICATION.  Your position will be given to the next alternate.

Qualifier Tee Times: Sunday, August 19, 2007 beginning at 7:30 a.m.  You will be notified of your tee time at registration.

ALL PLAYERS FOREIGN AND CANADIAN WHO WISH TO ATTEMPT TO QUALIFY

All applications must be filed on the official application enclosed. Additional entry forms may be obtained by contacting the RCGA by phone to the Amateur Championships Division at 1-800-263-0009, ext. 250, or by email at aturcotte@rcga.org. Additional applications for the qualifier may be obtained by visiting the RCGA website at www.rcga.org or by contacting the respective provincial golf association.

REGISTRATION AT THE OAKS GOLF CLUB

Players must register at the RCGA Tournament Office at The Oaks Golf Club on Monday, August 20, 2007 between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.  Players who do not register for the championship before 5:00 pm Monday, August 20, 2007 may be subject to DISQUALIFICATION. 

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS

Sunday, August 19, 2007                               Qualifying Round                                  18 holes stroke play

Monday, August 20, 2007                             Practice Round                                       All Day (Competitors only)

Tuesday, August 21, 2007                             First championship round                    18 holes stroke play

*Wednesday, August 22, 2007                     Second championship round               18 holes stroke play              

Thursday, August 23, 2007                           Third championship round                  18 holes stroke play

Friday, August 24, 2007                                Final round                                            18 holes stroke play

*After 36 holes the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. A minimum of 15 Mid-Masters players will be included in the two final rounds.

PLAY-OFFS

A tie for the championship (Mid-Amateur/Mid-Masters) will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following conclusion of play.

CADDIES

1.        The use of caddies is not compulsory. Competitors requesting a caddie should mark the appropriate section on the application. 

2.        Caddies must adhere to the RCGA dress code, a copy of which is included in the competitor’s application package.

3.        Caddies must wear flat-soled shoes. Violation of this condition may result in the DISQUALIFICATION of the competitor.           

RULES OF GOLF; CLOSE OF COMPETITION; CONFORMING GOLF BALLS; CONFORMING        DRIVERS

1.        The RCGA Rules of Golf will govern all play. The RCGA Committee shall have the final decision on all claims and disputes.   The competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee. 

2.        Only brands of golf balls on the most current List of Conforming Golf Balls may be used.

3.        The driver a player carries must have a clubhead that is listed on the most current List of Conforming Driver Heads. 

TRANSPORTATION

The RCGA will evaluate each individual request to use motorized transportation in RCGA Championships or qualifying rounds due to a claimed disability. In order for the RCGA to properly evaluate such requests, it is necessary to submit medical documentation setting forth the exact nature of the disability and how that disability prevents such player from walking during a stipulated round. In addition, players will have to submit sufficient information to enable the RCGA to determine that providing a cart would not provide a player with an advantage over other players. Please visit www.rcga.org to download via Adobe Acrobat Reader a copy of the RCGA's Transportation Request Form, which each player seeking a golf cart for himself due to a disability must complete and submit to the RCGA with the original entry form prior to the applicable closing date.

Distance-Measuring Devices

The local Rule permitting use of distance-measuring devices will NOT be implemented at RCGA competitions.  Their use would be in breach of Rule 14-3, the penalty for breach of this rule is DISQUALIFICATION. 

DRESS CODE AND FOOTWEAR

1.        Competitors must adhere to the RCGA dress code. Upon acceptance into the championship each player will be sent a copy of the RCGA dress code and footwear policy.

2.        It is a condition of RCGA competitions that shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this rule is DISQUALIFICATION.

ANTI-DOPING POLICY

The RCGA has adopted the Canadian Anti-Doping Program set by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.  For further information please visit www.cces.ca.