OFFICIAL 2023 WAGC TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND RULES

World Amateur Golfers Championship Philippines

The World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) is an International Golf Competition hosted in 45 different countries worldwide and is governed by the Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

There will be qualifying tournaments (Local & Majors) and the National Finals to determine who will be the 5 Category Champions. These Champions will then represent the Philippines Team at the annual World Amateur Golfers Championship.

1. Requirements and Eligibility

a. Must be a Filipino Citizen or Local Permanent Resident

b. You must be 16 years of age and older

c. Must have an active UNHS Handicap.

d. Players with Registered Handicaps from other countries must have a signed document by a representative of the home country amateur golf union and must be submitted prior to competing.

e. All players must have a Handicap score within one of the 5 categories i. 0 – 5.4, 5.5 – 10.4, 10.5 – 15.4, 15.5 – 20.4 and 20.5 – 25.4

f. All players must conform to the NGAP Rules of Amateur Status as specified in the USGA Rules of Golf. Please Refer to the USGA Rules of Golf for the Definition of an Amateur Golfer

2. Format

a. Stroke Play competition will be conducted on Net Score basis.

b. Net winners are determined by subtracting the Player’s course handicap from a player’s gross score.

c. ‘Gimme’ putt’s are not allowed. Players must put the ball in the hole regardless of the distance.

3. Flight Placement and Classification

a. The WAGC is separated into 5 Handicap Category Flights

I.   0 – 5.4,

II.   5.5 – 10.4,

III.   10.5 – 15.4,

IV.   15.5 – 20.4

V.   20.5 – 25.4

NOTE: If a player has his/her handicap index maintained at more than one Club, he/she shall play off with the lowest handicap index issued. During the National Finals event, each player will use their lowest Handicap Index. Their current index or the one used when they won their qualifying round (whichever is lower).

b. During competition, players will then be randomly paired up with other competing participants in the same flight category.

c. Final decisions on re-flighting are solely at the discretion of WAGC Officials and the Tournament Director. Please note WAGC Officials reserve the right to promote a player to a better flight or re-flight a player at anytime.

4. Qualification to National Finals

a. Local Qualifiers – Only winner of each division class during local qualifiers will be invited to participate to the National Finals. The 1st runner-up will be classified as an Alternate in case the winner is not available during the National Finals

b. Major’s – The Top 3 winners of each division during the Major’s will be invited to participate in the National Finals in September. But only the champion will be given an incentive during the National Finals.

5. Double Par Pickup

a. There will be a maximum number of strokes that a player can post on any hole during the tournament.

b. Maximum Strokes Per Hole: Par 3 = 6 strokes, Par 4 = 8 strokes, Par 5 = 10 Strokes

6. Rules of Golf

a. All play will be governed by the Tournament Director under the current USGA® Rules of Golf as set forth by the USGA.

b. All course disputes regarding the competition should be directed to the Tournament Director.

7. Scorekeeping and Scorecards

a. Players must exchange their scorecards with another player in the group.
 
b. Scorecards must have at least 3 signatures at the end of the round, unless there are less than 3 players total in a flight.

c. Please have caddies turn in scorecards when the round is over.

8. Pace of Play

a. The responsibility for maintaining the pace of play where it belongs, with the player. Efficient pace of play is a huge factor of a successful and positive Am Tour experience for all participants in accordance with Rule 6-7 of the USGA® Rules of Golf.

9. Ties

a. In case of ties, the count-back shall be in the following order:

i. Gross scores of last 9 (hole 10-18), if still tied,

ii. Gross scores of last 6 (hole 13-18), if still tied,

iii. Gross scores of last 3 (hole 16-18), if still tied,

iv. Hole by Hole count-back starting on the 18th hole.

v. If the players are still tied after matching the final 3 hole scores, then it goes to the #1 handicap hole on the back nine (#10 – #18) then to the #2 handicap hole on the back nine (#10 – #18) until a winner is determined.

b. For 36-hole events, the scorecard playoff will start with the final round score and work down, if necessary, according to the above schedule.

10. Dress Code

a. A tournament dress code with no exceptions. Collared shirts/mock turtle necks are required, and no jeans, denims, jogging outfits, or sweat pants are permitted.

11. Personal Conduct

a. Players and/or their guest(s) shall conduct themselves in a responsible manner at all times.

b. Any excessive display of anger, vulgar language, club throwing, alcohol abuse, illegal drug use, lack of golfing etiquette or disrespect to a fellow player or any other individual may be grounds for disqualification from any tournament without refund.

12. Cart and Caddy

a. Carts and Caddies are permitted and are dependent on availability of the golf course.

b. Bringing your own Caddy during a qualifier is NOT allowed.

c. Bringing your own Caddy during the National Finals is subject to approval. Please inquire with the organizing committee.

13. Bad Weather

a. Severe weather-related conditions may delay or suspend play. Such conditions are as follows:

 1. The safety of the player due to the danger from lightning ii. The course being deemed unplayable (as determined by the host course) If such inclement weather is present, every effort will be made by the tournament committee to complete the full number of holes. If play is delayed, all players should remain on property at the host facility and await official announcements from the tournament committee.

14. Late Players and Starting Times

a. Please arrive at 2.5 hours before Tee Off for registration and to warm up.

B. If there is a shotgun start, please be at your holes 20 minutes before Tee Off time.

c. Late Players: The Tournament Committee provides a condition (Rule 33-1) that “if the player arrives at his starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of two strokes in the first hole. Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes is disqualification.

15. Cancellation and No Shows

a. Withdrawal from a tournament must be made 7 days in advance before the event date.

b. If a participant is late or does not show up, he will forfeit his registration fee and a refund will not be given.

16. Disputes or Doubts as to Procedure

a. All course disputes regarding the competition should be directed to the referee or tournament director.

b. If the Referee/Tournament Director is not immediately available, a player (having notified his marker) may elect to play two balls in accordance with Rule 3-3 and obtain a ruling at the conclusion of the round prior to signing and returning the scorecard.

c. The SGA Referee’s decision on all matters pertaining to the Rules of Golf is final.

17. Miscellaneous

a. The WAGC Committee reserves the right to modify and revise these policies.