FGA 2001-2003

Registration will be set up at the driving range or registration area (just look for the FGA Tent,) during the day of each event. Registration will start one hour before the 1st scheduled tee time. All players are required to sign in. It is the players’ responsibility to be at the designated teeing ground at their designated time. Players late to the tee box will be assessed a penalty of 2 strokes up to 5 minutes. After 5 minutes players may be disqualified.

II - Payment Policy

Member may pay the day of the Event. Non-member payment must be made in full prior to start of event. The FGA currently accepts the following forms of payment

1) Checks

A $50.00 fine will be assessed against players who submit checks
that are not honored and check-paying privileges may be revoked.

2) Cash or Money Order

3) Credit Card - Visa / Master Card 

III - Membership Dues

The FGA reserves the right to deduct membership dues from prize money funds of any winning non-member or any member past due on renewal before funds are awarded.

IV - Prize Money Distribution

The FGA will pay out the day of the event. If Player must leave before results are calculated their prize will be attached to their score card in the next event he or she attends. 

V - Format

Events will be scheduled for a minimum of 18 holes with the exception of inclement weather. Events are individual net stroke play competitions utilizing the handicap system index format with rules governed by both the USGA and existing local rules. Other formats may be utilized from time to time at the discretion of FGA.

VI - First Time Player (FTP) Adjustments

ALL players participating in FGA events with less than five FGA tournament rounds in their score history will be classified as a "First Time Player" (FTP) and are subject to the following handicapping policy:

1 - FTP's will be assigned an estimated handicap for each of their first five events. The  estimated handicap will be designated on the pairing sheet of the day. The designated handicap is an estimated handicap provided by FGA as a courtesy to FTP's for informational purposes only. Handicaps may vary up or down based upon the score posted for the event entered.

2 - FTP's will have the posted score for each event included in their score history and the official handicap calculated for the event entered will include the score posted for the days competition. This process will continue until five FGA specific tournament rounds are included in the player's score history.

3 - FTP's will be subject to a net minus two strokes under par adjustment for their first event and net minus three strokes under par adjustment for their second event in the event their net score is lower.

4 - FTP's are subject to FGA customized handicap system procedures and probability factors for their first five competitive rounds. After completion of the fifth competitive round, FGA specific tournament score histories will be converted to the standard USGA handicapping system format and FTP adjustments will no longer apply.

5 - FGA management reserves the right to disqualify any participant for misrepresenting themselves or cheating.

VII - Tee Times and Pairings

Players, for the most part, will be paired with other players of similar ability. There are few exceptions.

VIII - Playoffs and Ties

In the event of a 1st place tie, USGA scorecard tiebreaker rules of final nine, final six, final three holes etc., shall apply. All other ties will remain as ties and the purse positions will be divided equally. This will be used for tournament only. Side games will be paid out equally.

IX - Suspension of play

An event shall be considered complete only when the entire field has completed a minimum of 9 holes.

X - Event Withdrawals

Withdrawals from events barring injury or extreme family hardship cases will be deemed conduct unbecoming an FGA Member. The event rules committee will review withdrawals on a case-by-case basis.

Players withdrawing from events may be suspended from future events.

XI - Rules of Play and Conduct

USGA rules govern play. If in the instance of a dispute or question, an alternate ball will be played until the question at hand can be resolved by a tour official. The players must remember that their actions can reflect on the tour and the community and the host facility as well.

Alcohol abuse at any tour function will not be tolerated. Club throwing and club breaking will not be tolerated. Profanity will not be tolerated. Littering and damage to host course equipment and property will not be tolerated. Abuse of tour hospitality locations will not be tolerated. Adherence to player attire will be upheld. Violation of host course and cart regulations will not be tolerated. Other conduct deemed by the Rules Committee to be unbecoming of a golf professional, public attacks against FGA officials, host facilities, players, sponsors, and hospitality locations will not be tolerated.

XII - Pace of Play

Stipulated time for a round will be set at 4 hours (2 hours per nine). If in the instance of slow play by a group being reported to tour officials, a monitor may arrive to observe and access the situation and may begin timing of a player’s stroke that he can play without interference or distraction. A 43-second per shot time limit is in effect.

Time taken to determine yardage will count as time taken for the next stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean, and replace his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt.

The first group to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind there allotted time. Any following group will be considered out of position if it:

     (a) Is taking more than the allotted time to play.
     (b) Reaches the tee of a par 3 hole and the hole is clear.
     (c) Fails to clear the tee of a par 4 hole before the preceding group
          clears the putting green.
     (d) Arrives at the teeing round of a par 5 hole when the preceding
          group is on the putting green.

Both (a) and either (b), (c) or (d) must apply for a group to be considered out of position.

XIII - Schedule, Times, and Inclement Weather

Upon announcement of the tour schedule listing the host facilities and dates, the players will be responsible for arriving at their appointed playing times or face disqualification from that weeks event. In the case of inclement weather, the Tournament Director in conjunction with the Host Professional may cancel the event and refund or credit entry fees to player accounts.

XIV - Balls and Footwear

Only brands of golf balls on the most current USGA list of conforming golf balls may be used. The one ball rule is not in effect. FGA is a soft spike tour.

XV - Caddies and Transportation

Caddies and spectators are permitted but players are responsible for any infractions committed by the caddies just as the players.

XVI - No Show / Late Cancellation / Late Registration Policies

Violation of policy is any player who cancels within 48 hours of event and or no shows to the event. Late registration is any one who signs up within 48 hours of event or just shows up the day of the event.

1) All members must make a $25.00 deposit that will be forfeited for prizes and FGA Admin Fee if policy is violated.

2) Members must sign up prior to 2 days in advance of event. If not, there will be a $10.00 late registration fee.

3) Non-members will have to secure a slot with full payment. Sidegames may be paid for at time of event. If policy is violated, they will forfeit $25.00 and their balance will be credited towards their next event.

4) A member must repay his or her $25.00 deposit for each infraction prior to entering any other event.

5) $25.00 will be refunded if there are no infractions and member does not renew membership.

XVI - Publicity and Promotions

The FGA has the right to any personal-historical information herein for all media and public relations use. The player consents to the use of his name, likeness, voice, and references to him and photographs and other images of him and his play connected with his appearance in the tour. The cooperation of players with authorized representatives of the media is required, provided that no pre-tournament activities outside of those activities, which are part of the tour, shall be required and provided that the player’s event play is not unreasonably interfered with.