Canadian Men's Amateur Championship

ELIGIBILITY

1.     This competition is open to male amateur golfers 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.     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.

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

ELIGIBLE ENTRANTS FOR THE CANADIAN MEN’S AMATEUR

Each Provincial Golf Association has been allocated a quota of applications into the Canadian Men’s 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 2008

British Columbia       24                            Québec                                      6

Alberta                     19                            New Brunswick                          7

Saskatchewan         4                              Nova Scotia                               5

Manitoba                  4                              Prince Edward Island                4

Ontario                     38                            Newfoundland and Labrador     4           

EXEMPTIONS

1.        Canadian Men’s Amateur Champions for the past 10 years.            

Nick Taylor – 2007                                                Dillard Pruitt – 2002

Darren Wallace – 2004

2.     The quarter-finalists in the 2007 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship:

        Robert Greenwell, Ontario                                   Michel Landry, New Brunswick                            David Markle, Ontario         

        Graham Hill, Ontario                                           Renaud Langevin, Québec                                   Nick Taylor, British Columbia

        Michael Knight, Alberta

3.        2008 Canadian Junior Boys Champion

4.        2007 Canadian Junior Boys Champion               Graham Baillargeon, Ontario

5.        2007 Canadian Mid-Master Champion               Dave Bunker, Ontario

6.        2007 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion             David Lane, England

7.        Playing members of the 2008 Willingdon Cup Teams (Part of provincial quota)

8.        Current provincial Men’s Amateur Champions (Part of provincial quota)

9.        Top 5 players on the 2007 CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit

10.     Host Club Exemption                                         Paradise Canyon Golf Resort

11.     2008 Barrett East Coast Amateur Champion

12.     2008 British Amateur Champion       

13.     2008 Australian Amateur Champion

14.     2008 New Zealand Amateur Champion

15.     2008 Glencoe Invitational Champion

16.     2007 Western Amateur Champion                      Jahred Hack, United States

17.     2007 Porter Cup Champion                                 Brian Harman, United States

18.     2008 Monroe Invitational Champion

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

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 16, 2008. 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 Amateur on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge, Alberta.  All non-exempt, non Provincial Quota players must attempt to qualify on Saturday, August 9, 2008.

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 2.4 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 Men’s 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 Alberta Golf Association 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 16, 2008 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 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 Men’s Amateur.

Registration: All qualifiers must register on Friday, August 8, 2008 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: Saturday, August 9, 2008 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.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD

Field size, as established by the quota system, will be 156 players for 2008, including qualifiers who are successful in the qualifying round.

Note: The winner of the 2008 Canadian Men’s Amateur will be granted an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville, ON. 

REGISTRATION AT PARADISE CANYON GOLF RESORT

Players must register at the RCGA Tournament Office at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort on Sunday, August 10, 2008 between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.  Players who do not register for the championship before 5:00 pm Sunday, August 10, 2008 may be subject to DISQUALIFICATION.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS

Saturday, August 9, 2008                      Qualifying Round                                                 18 holes stroke play

Sunday, August 10, 2008                      Practice Round

Monday, August 11, 2008                    First Championship Round                                 18 holes stroke play

*Tuesday, August 12, 2008                  Second Championship Round                            18 holes stroke play

Wednesday, August 13, 2008               Third Championship Round                               18 holes stroke play

Thursday, August 14, 2008                  Final Round                                                           18 holes stroke play

*After 36 holes the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties.                                      

PLAY-OFFS

A tie for the championship 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. The “One ball” Condition prescribed in Appendix I, page 116 of the RCGA Rules of Golf, is in effect.

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.