11th Oregon Public Links Championship

The use of automotive transportation is permitted in OGA Public Links Championship play. Contestants wishing to reserve a cart must indicate so on the entry form. Cart reservations will be made on a first come, first served basis. Cart fees must be paid by the contestant to the club at the time of rental.

Contestants are expected to (1) know and play by the Rules of Golf, (2) conduct themselves at all times in a sportsmanlike manner, (3) respect the golf course and the rights of other contestants, (4) fulfill their playing obligations and (5) know and abide by the OGA Pace of Play Policy. If the Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, including but not limited to unsportsmanlike conduct (cheating, damaging the golf course, defacing club property, using loud obscene language, throwing clubs, etc.), it may impose a penalty of DISQUALIFICATION and possible suspension from future play in OGA Championships.

The OGA assumes no liability for any conditions of the competition. Upon submitting this entry form and subsequently playing in this competition, players agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the OGA and its respective affiliates directors, officers, employees, agents, and assigns from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities and losses, including, without limitation reasonable attorney's fees and costs and expenses of litigation, arising out of any negligent act or omission of the indemnifying party in connection with the conditions herein. The OGA Tournament Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein. The decision of the Committee in any matter shall be final.

As a condition of this competition, the use of electronic
measuring devices will be allowed. Devices that measure
anything other than distance are non-conforming. Any player
that carries or uses a non-conforming device will be
disqualified.

Suitable attire must be worn at all times. Suitable attire does not include spandex body wear, cutoffs, running shorts, running suits, short-shorts, tank tops, tee shirts, denim of any kind or color, or unkempt clothing of any kind. Neat and clean pants, skirts, slacks, cords, or appropriately hemmed, tailored shorts no more than 6 inches above the knee (men's shorts must have a minimum of three pockets) are acceptable as are sweaters, sweatshirts, and golf shirts (men's shirts must have collars), women's golf shirts and golf blouses. Shoes must be worn at all times. Contestants failing to meet the OGA Dress Code will not be permitted to play.

Entries are open to amateur golfers who, since January 1, 2008, have been bona fide public course players and have not held a membership at any course which does not extend playing privileges to the general public or membership with any private club maintaining its own course.

Entries in the Men's Division are limited to golfers with USGA Handicap Indexes of 36.4 and less. Entries in the Women's division are limited to golfers who were female at birth with USGA Handicap Indexes of 40.4 and less. All entrants must be members in good standing of a public OGA Member club. Entrants must be at least 13 years of age or older as of June 2, 2008.

Only brands of golf balls on the most current USGA List of Conforming Golf Balls shall be used. The so-called "One Ball Rule" Shall not be in effect.

Golf clubs on the latest list of USGA Non-Conforming Driving Clubs will be prohibited from all OGA Championships. A copy of the USGA Non-Conforming Driving Clubs list will be available at the starter’s table prior to each round. The penalty for carrying but not making a stroke with a non-conforming club in stroke play is two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty of four strokes. The penalty in match play, at the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred; maximum deduction of two holes. The penalty for making a stroke with a non-conforming golf club is DISQUALIFICATION. The penalty for using a non-conforming tee or any other object to raise the ball off the ground is DISQUALIFICATION.

the OGA pace of play guidelines will be in effect during the championship. . Pace of play of play guidelines will also be available before each round at the starters tent.

OGA Pace of Play Guidelines

Compliance with Pace of Play is the player’s responsibility

Advise a tournament official immediately of a slow player in your group

EXPECTED TIME – This is the time allotted for all groups to complete play.  An expected time will be assigned for the front nine and the back nine. 

FLEX TIME – The flex time is an additional 5 minutes for each nine beyond the expected time to finish.

This is the maximum amount of time allowed before penalties will automatically be assessed when your group is out of position. 

INTERVAL TIME – This is the time between groups at the beginning of each round (usually 9 minutes).  Your group’s starting time will be printed on each scorecard. 

OUT OF POSITION – This is when your group has exceeded the interval time with the group immediately in front of you.   Your group may be slightly out of position following par 3’s and some par 5’s.  You are expected to close the gap by the end of the next hole.  Any group that maintains the starting interval with the group in front of them cannot, by definition, be out of position.   

TIMING STATIONS – Clocks will be located on the front and back nine each round.  The official timing stations will be located by the 9^th and 18^th holes.  When your group replaces the flagstick into the hole upon completion of the hole, a volunteer will record the time for your group. 

PENALTIES

1)   If a group is out of position and has exceeded their expected time upon finishing the 9^th hole but is within the flex time, the group will receive a verbal notification. 

2)       If a group is out of position and has exceeded both their expected time and flex time upon finishing the 9^th hole, the entire group will automatically be given a 1 stroke penalty for breach of Rule 6-7. 

3)   If your group is out of position and has exceeded both their expected time and flex time upon completion of their 18^th hole, but was in position after nine holes, each player in the group will automatically receive a penalty of one stroke applied to their 18^th hole. 

4)   If your group is out of position and has exceeded both their expected time and flex time upon completion of their 18^th hole and has already received a penalty at the first timing station, the entire group will receive an additional two stroke penalty to be applied to the 18^th hole

(for a total of three penalty strokes)

~ If an appeal has been made, an on-course Rules Official may monitor play to determine if individual rather than group penalties are appropriate.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-7:

First Offense – One stroke

Second Offense – Two strokes

Subsequent offense – Disqualification

Note: Players may be assessed up to 3 penalty strokes per round for violation of Rule 6-7.  Penalty strokes will be added to the hole where the infraction occurred (i.e.  9^th hole or 18^th hole)

APPEAL PROCESS:  Any player that feels as though the group is being delayed by a particular player within the group should make an appeal as soon as possible to The Committee.  Before your scorecard is signed and returned, you must submit a written appeal to The Committee.  The appeal must be in writing and must be based on facts relevant to the reason pace of play was not maintained.  Appeals forms will be made available at the scoring table.  The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final. 

Note:  Nothing in this policy excludes an individual player from being assessed penalties under Rule 6-7: Undue Delay

The optional condition for time of starting prescribed in Appendix I of the Rules of Golf shall be in effect.