U.S. Amateur Championship

Verandah Club

1. PAIRINGS AND TEE TIMES: The pairings and tee times for the qualifying round at Verandah Club in Fort Myers, FL on Monday and Tuesday, July 13-14, 2015 will be posted at www.fsga.org on or around Friday, June 26, 2015.

2. PRACTICE ROUND INFORMATION: To arrange your practice round, call (239) 694-4229. On a space available basis, practice rounds are available one week prior to the competition, Saturday and Sunday after 12:00 PM. The cost of the practice round is $30.00 plus tax.  All players playing a practice round must reserve a tee time.

3. 18-HOLE CUT: If the number of entrants exceeds 78 players, an 18-hole cut will be implemented. The low 30% of the field including those players tied at that place, and any player within 8 strokes of the last available qualifying place from the first round of qualifying will be permitted to participate in the final 18 holes of qualifying. The last available qualifying place is the score posted by the player(s) that would have earned the last spot in the Championship field had there only been one round of qualifying.

4. DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES: In Sectional qualifying and in the Championship proper, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

If a player obtains distance information by using a multi-functional device, refer to Appendix IV for additional guidance. 

5. NEW GROOVE REGULATIONS: In Sectional Qualifying as well as in the Championship proper, the player’s clubs must conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in the Rules of Golf effective from January 1, 2010. The Condition of Competition is available for review on the entry application. 

The USGA and R&A have created a reference resource called the Informational Club Database to assist golfers in determining whether their irons, wedges, hybrids and fairway woods comply with the Rules of Golf effective from January 1, 2010 and are permissible for play under the groove condition of competition, which is in effect for all USGA Amateur Championships. For information about and to access the database, please use the following link:  http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html. Additionally, for other information regarding the groove condition, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/grooves/. Finally, for information regarding the conformance status of clubs not listed or for any other questions regarding the condition, please contact the USGA Research and Test Center at (909) 234-2300.

Player Club Testing is available for all USGA Amateur Championships. Please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/InviteForOpenClubTesting/ for more information. 

The USGA strongly suggests that all players verify the conformance of their clubs well in advance of their scheduled qualifying competition. It is the player’s responsibility, not the USGA’s responsibility to ensure that his clubs conform. Waiting until the day of the competition is the fault of the player. The Committee is under no obligation to test the club the competitor. However, if it is later determined that the club is non-conforming, including after the competition has closed, the player will be disqualified.

6. TRANSPORTATION: All players MUST WALK during the qualifying round. However, a cart may be rented for your caddie to transport your clubs at a cost of $25.00 plus tax. 

7. CADDIES AND SPECTATORS:  Spectators are welcome, but they MUST WALK at all times. Only caddies are authorized to ride. You must make your own arrangements if you want to use a caddie.

8. PULL CARTS: Permitted

9. METHOD OF PAYMENT:  Verandah Club will accept Cash and All Major Credit Cards for method of payment.  

10. CONDUCT AND DRESS CODE:  Remember you are a guest at Verandah Club and proper behavior and dress is expected at all times. The proper place to practice your swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

11. PERFORMANCE IN SECTIONAL QUALIFYING: Players are reminded that if they fail to return a score within 10 strokes of the USGA Course Rating of Verandah Club, future entries in USGA competitions may be declined.

12. QUALIFYING SPOTS: At this time the number of qualifying spots has not been determined by the USGA.  This information will be posted at the qualifier.

13. FOOTWEAR:  Verandah Club prohibits the use of traditional metal spikes.

Good luck!