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Public Links Championship
Eligibility Requirements

FSGA and USGA Eligibility Consistency:  To be eligible for the FSGA Public Links Championship an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for competing in the USGA Public Links Championship and this must also be an FSGA member.

Eligibility Rule:  Entries are open to amateur golfers who since January 1 of the current year, have been bona fide public course players and have not held privileges of any course which does not extend playing privileges to the general public.

Exceptions: A bona fide public player may hold incidental privileges of a course not open to the public when such privileges are provided by:

  • An educational institution at which he is a student; this includes members of a golf team when privileges are awarded at private facilities, the entire team on an equal basis, and are only available during the traditional school year competitive golf season (including post season play which may include Conference, State and National Competitions.
  • A federal armed service of which he is a member or retired member; or
  • An industry by which he is employed or from which he is retired.

 

Ineligible Situations:

If you answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you are NOT Eligible for this year’s FSGA Public Links Championship:

YES   NO

 Private Club Access - Have you had privileges at a private club (not open to the public) at anytime during the current year (since January 1st)?
YES   NO Social Memberships – Do you maintain a social membership at a private club that allows you to play the course sometime during the year?
YES   NO Dependents of Members – Does your spouse or parent belong to a private course and as a result you are allowed to play the course without a guest fee?
YES   NO Golf Course Employees – Have you been an employee of a private course during this year, where you were allowed to play golf more than one day per week?
YES   NO Resort Courses – Do you have a membership at a resort that restricts which days resort guests can play?
YES   NO Golf Team Members – As a member of a scholastic golf team, are you allowed to play a private course not owned by the school at times other than your regular golf season including playoffs and championships?

Permitted Exceptions:

  • Military Courses – A player, because of his military service may hold privileges at a facility from which the general public is excluded.
  • County and City Courses – A player may be a member at a course open to county or city residents even if it is closed to nonresidents.
  • Handicap – There is no restriction where a player maintains his handicap.  (This is the one exception that the FSGA allows that is not permitted by the USGA – maintaining a handicap at a private club will make you ineligible for the USGA Public Links Championship).

For further guidance - please see the interpretations offered by the USGA on their entry form by clicking here.  If you have questions about your eligibility please contact the FSGA at championships@fsga.org.