GCGA Tournament Policies

Its your responsibility to know our tournament policies.

Eligibility


The golfer must be a member of a Greater Cincinnati Golf Association (GCGA) member club/course with a current USGA/GHIN Handicap Index, and have met all the eligibility requirements for the particular event he/she is entering.

Entry Deadlines


All GCGA tournaments may be entered at any time provided the entry is received on or before the entry closing date & time (listed on each tournament information page). The GCGA accepts online & telephone entries. After the closing date & time, a registration will be considered late and may be declined. All entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Conditions of Play


The GCGA reserves the right to decline any entry. Participants shall be subject to the rules and conditions of play set forth by the GCGA. Any violation of GCGA tournament policies could result in future suspensions. If an entry is rejected, the applicant will be notified and offered the opportunity to submit a written response for reconsideration to the Tournament Committee. The GCGA will not make any provisions for a player asking for special consideration due to other commitments.

Dress Code


Players and caddies must be properly attired both on the golf course and the premises of the club. Blue jeans, T-shirts and tank tops are prohibited. Collared shirts must be worn and shorts, if worn, must be no more than three inches above the knee (no jean shorts). Exception: Women may wear sleeveless collared shirts.

This dress code will be used at all GCGA tournaments in conjunction with any additional dress code restrictions of the particular golf course where an event is taking place.

A player or caddie violating this dress code will not be permitted to start the competition. A violation of this dress code by either the player or his caddie during the stipulated round must be rectified without undue delay or the player will not be allowed to continue play or the caddie will not be allowed to perform the acts of caddie.

Official Time


The clock at the starting tee is the official time of starting. Starters will not search out for players in advance of their starting time. Players should report to tee 10 minutes prior to their starting time.

Caddies


Caddies are permitted in all Metropolitan Championships, except for the Metropolitan Junior Championships. Caddies may ride in a cart assuming there is an open seat. Under no circumstances may a caddie ride on the back of a cart. If there is not an open seat, caddies will be required to walk.

Withdrawals Prior to Event


Players wishing to withdraw for any reason MUST notify the GCGA Office (513-522-4444) prior to the event. If withdrawing on the day of the event, the player should call the host golf course as well. Players who fail to follow this procedure will be listed as a NO SHOW and may be subject to suspension.

Footwear


In the interest of golf course maintenance and in an attempt to provide equitable playing conditions, the use of metal spikes in GCGA competitions is prohibited.

Push/Pull Carts


The GCGA abides by club policy regarding push/pull carts. Should push/pull carts not be permitted at a host facility, players will be notified of the club policy prior to the championship.

No-Shows and Withdrawal During Play


Players who fail to appear at their assigned starting time without notification to the GCGA or the course will be listed as a NO SHOW and may result in suspension. Any player withdrawing during play without notifying a GCGA official and personally surrendering his or her scorecard to an official will be listed as a NO CARD and may result in suspension. Suspensions may last for up to one year and will include the following year’s event in which the infraction occurred.

Scorecards


All players MUST turn in a scorecard. Failure to do so will be listed as a DISQUALIFICATION or NO CARD and may result in disciplinary action.

Score Posting


The GCGA will post scores as a “C” score for all GCGA Metropolitan stroke-play events. In all Match Play events, the golfer is responsible to post his/her score.

Cell Phones & Music


Voice phone calls are strongly discouraged at any time during tournament rounds. Participants must keep their phone on silent/vibrate mode. Functions such as texting, internet usage, etc. are permitted provided they are not a distraction to fellow competitors, do not hinder pace of play, or violate any rules set forth by the host facility.

Players are not permitted to listen to music during their round.

Refunds


Requests for refunds received before the entry closing date will be granted in full. No refunds will be granted after entry deadline. If a multi-day tournament is reduced to fewer than scheduled rounds because of weather, there will not be any refunds or rain checks.

All refunds will be charged a $5 processing fee unless circumstances warrant an exception.

Spectators


Spectators will be expected to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the GCGA Tournament Committee. Spectators will not be permitted to ride in carts unless they have a valid medical reason/handicap parking permit. The rental of spectator carts is at the discretion of the host facility and GCGA staff.

GCGA Local Rules/Terms of Competition/Code of Conduct (Hard Card)


Click Here for Current GCGA Hard Card

GCGA Pace of Play Policy


Click Here for Pace of Play Policy

Disability Form


View and download our disability form.

Player of Year Points


The following table shows the tournaments for which points will be awarded and how points are dispersed. This ranking system will decide our Men’s/Senior Player of the Year along with determining eligibility for our invitational events to include the Pro-Am Matches and Intrastate Challenge. To be eligible a player must participate in at least one GCGA Metropolitan Championship. Senior participants receiving points in Men’s Championships without a Senior Division will also have those points applied to their Senior Player of the Year Points.


Place

Metropolitan Amateur Championship &
Metropolitan Women’s Amateur Match Play (Championship Flight Only)

1

150

2

125

3rd – 4th

100

5th – 8th

75

9th – 16th

50

17th – 32nd

40

Qualify for Match Play

25



Place

Northern Kentucky Amateur,
Metropolitan Senior Amateur, &
Metropolitan Women’s Amateur

Metropolitan Mid-Amateur

Metropolitan Four-Ball &
Northern Kentucky Four-Ball

1

125

100

100

2

100

75

75

3

95

70

70

4

90

65

65

5

85

60

60

6

80

55

55

7

75

50

50

8

70

45

45

9

65

40

40

10

60

35

35

11

55

30


12

50

25


13

45

20


14

40

15


15

35

10

Bonus Points

Event
Points
USGA US Open Qualifying 100 – Qualify for Sectional, 150 – Qualify for US Open, 100 – Make US Open Cut
USGA Amateur Qualifying 75 – Qualify for US Amateur, 100 – Advance to Match Play
USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying 50- Qualify for US Senior Amateur, 100 – Advance to Match Play
USGA Mid-Amateur Qualifying 50 – Qualify for US Mid-Amateur, 100 – Advance to Match Play
USGA Four-Ball Qualifying 50- Qualify for US Four-Ball, 100 – Advance to Match Play

* Alternates in USGA Qualifiers receive 25 points

* USGA Four-Ball Qualifier Points will be applied to the year when the qualifier is held