As you prepare for the 2008 season I would like you to think about the kind of program we would have if we did not have the use of Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills, Poppy Ridge and all the member clubs that provide us quality playing fields. As they say, “you cannot have a dance without the barn.”

Roger Val worked his fifth U.S. Amateur in August at The Olympic Club.

We are very fortunate there are member clubs that continually host some of our championships and major qualifying events. Those of you who participate in NCGA events might not realize the importance of this continued support which enables the tournament program to stay alive, grow and succeed. Clubs’ support of the tournament program and the long lasting relationship we have with our member clubs is the secret of our success.  2008 CALENDAR

As a reminder, the 2008 calendar is on the NCGA website (http://www.ncga.org/); it would be wise to review the information to ensure your entry closing dates and your qualifying dates are compatible. Remember, the zone program rotates so your zone dates could be earlier or later depending on the dates that are given to us by the Pebble Beach Company. Entries for club events will be mailed the first of the year and will contain appropriate information. The upcoming NCGA Golf Bluebook edition (mailed in early January) will have all the tournament information as well. It is important to make sure all the players that qualify at your club for team events know the dates for NCGA qualifying and the date of the championship proper.

JUNIOR PROGRAM

For the past 77 years, the NCGA has had one Junior Championship while still working in youth golf throughout the region. Since 1983, we have administered the CIF boys and girls Northern California High School Championships. Recently, the NCGA and the SCGA conducted the High School State Golf Championship on a north/south rotation. Beginning in 2008 we will add more junior tournaments to the NCGA schedule and work with a couple of existing programs — the Junior Golf Association of Northern California and the American Junior Golf Association. Our purpose is to fill any voids that exist, offer resources and provide all juniors the opportunity to participate. We have a staff person in the Rules and Competitions Department dedicated to grow this new junior program. All of us are excited to piggyback the efforts of our Foundation and become more involved with youth and the future of golf.   

During the many years I have been involved with tournament play it always amazes me how many players arrive at the course unprepared for their practice round or the championship.

The staff and tournament officials put in a lot of time preparing events so players can have the best tournament experience possible. The NCGA takes pride in making sure the player has the pristine conditions for competitive golf. Players also have the responsibility to prepare themselves by reading and understanding the conditions of the competition.

Players seem to just find out what their starting times are and ignore all the remaining information. As an example, a player shows up for a practice round at the assigned course and is not in compliance with the club’s dress code. He or she is then asked to change or leave simply because he or she failed to read the player information sheet. This is embarrassing to the NCGA, the club and to the player.

Players need to honor the policies of the different clubs if they want to continue to have reputable venues available for our tournament program; it is not an easy task to procure private golf courses for tournaments.

Another major responsibility is to be at the assigned tee on time. Rule 6 covers the consequences of being late to the tee but does not cover the courtesies that should be granted the starter and the other fellow competitors. The players should go to the first tee when the group in front of them is leaving the tee. This way there is plenty of time for the starter and the players to exchange the necessary information and to hear from the starter what is important for the round other than the Local Rules. Players should arrive at the first tee on time not only to avoid penalty, but also to allow time to receive additional information and count their clubs.

The responsibility of being a marker is often violated as well. Rule 6 states that after each hole the marker is to record the score of his fellow competitor for that hole. I have observed players entering the scoring tent at the U.S. Amateur with a blank card and then asking the player what he had on each hole and honoring the player’s response.

This is an honorable game; however there are reasons for having a required marker for each player. The other part of this is having the courtesy and responsibility to remain in the scoring area even after your card has been completed and surrendered. This way if the player you marked for has any questions you are still available and officials do not have to look for you. It is important to think about the entire group and not just yourself.

There is one last player responsibility – that of thanking the club officials and volunteers who work the event. Regardless of how you play, a hearty “thank you” to the club goes a long way toward securing future events at that same club. One of the biggest challenges the NCGA faces is securing quality venues for its qualifiers and championships. Gratitude expressed for the host clubs is an easy way to show our appreciation. From the volunteers’ perspective, your thanks are the only tangible payment they receive. NCGA volunteers are the backbone of the organization; without them we simply wouldn’t be able to maintain the largest schedule of amateur competition in the country.

The NCGA tournament program offers members the opportunity to participate in championship golf at all skill levels. However, through the direction of the strategic plan the Rules and Competitions Department and tournament committee will continuously evaluate our existing program in order to provide what is best for our members who wish to experience championship golf.

Part of the plan is to develop partnerships and further expand relationships with other golf associations to grow the game. The tournament program this year will include two additional events in conjunction with the Junior Golf Association of Northern California, the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California and the Pacific Women’s Golf Association.

With the JGANC, we will host the Northern California Junior Players’ Championship. The event will be played at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club July 5-6. The second event will be the Women’s Four-Ball Championship hosted by the NCGA, the WGANC and the PWGA September 6-7 at Poppy Ridge. We are very excited about working with these organizations to pool all resources in growing the game of golf through these inaugural events.

We have also been working for many years with the California Interscholastic Federation in administering the high school boys’ and girls’ Northern California High School Championships and their State Championships. Additionally, we provide assistance for the California Community Colleges for their Northern California Championship and their State Championship every other year.

Another element of the plan is to replace the 30 days at Spyglass Hill for our tournament program. Our 50-year contract for the use of these days expires March, 2016. A subcommittee will study this issue and make recommendations to the tournament committee as to what Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge will absorb. In some cases our member clubs might be able to provide assistance as well. The 30 days at Spyglass Hill is a large reason our tournament program has been so successful over the years. It really allowed the NCGA to build a strong base for its existing program. The privilege of having our members play on what I think is one of the best competition courses in the country will be missed.

This new strategic plan provides direction and resources for the Rules and Competitions Department to provide our members who elect to participate in championship golf the best experience possible.

Gentlemen’s Gentleman

In January the NCGA and I lost a true friend, John Zoller. “Mr. Z” was the second executive director of the NCGA and the person who hired me 25 years ago. It was a privilege to have been associated with John. He provided me the opportunity for a career in amateur golf which I have cherished for all these years. His greatest influence on me was how to treat people and make them feel good about themselves; John was the best. He will be missed, especially on the Monterey Peninsula, and I will always be grateful for his support. He was truly a “Gentlemen’s Gentleman.”

I want to remind all tournament chairmen and players to read the tournament policies located in this magazine and mark your calendars for the closing dates of the events that you wish to enter. Our schedule has been published since last October, and with the online registration process there are no reasons to not participate.

The following events and procedures include the more significant changes for 2007.

California State Amateur Changes Direction

The 2007 California Golf Association Amateur Championship will be played at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. This championship, which started in 1912, has been played at Pebble Beach Golf Links all but two times since 1919. It is the intent of the CGA Board of Directors to rotate one of the oldest state amateur championships. The championship will be played in Southern California in 2008.

I want to thank the Pebble Beach Company for the support of this prestigious event. They have been instrumental in developing the rich tradition of the Amateur since 1919. However, because of the format changes and rising costs, the CGA Board felt it was time to go in a different direction. Now, players that qualify for the California State Amateur will have their practice round, stroke-play qualifying and all match play at the same venue.

The courses at MPCC (Dunes and Shore) provide a true test for players competing for the title of California Golf Association Amateur Champion. If you wish to participate and play at one of California’s finest private country clubs it is important you meet the eligibility requirements and have your entry submitted through the online registration process by March 21. Qualifying will be held on two Mondays: April 23 and April 30. Register early and select the qualifying site of your choice.

Other Changes

California State Senior Championship – Now that Poppy Hills will no longer have stroke-play qualifying for the State Amateur, the Senior Championship will start on Wednesday and finish on Friday. Practice rounds will take place on Tuesday.

Women’s Championship – This two-year-old event will add a senior scratch division in 2007. The eligibility age for senior women is 50. Entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis as the number of entries has not reached the need to require qualifying. It is important that if you wish to participate you must be a member of the NCGA with an index of 7.4 or lower for both scratch events and 7.5 and higher for the net flights. It is important to enter early so you can be a part of this great championship at Poppy Hills.

Women’s Four-Ball Net – This tournament was introduced this past year and had a good start even though we did not have a full field. In 2007 we are going to expand the field size by inviting members of the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California and the Pacific Women’s Golf Association to participate as a joint championship. Therefore women belonging to any one of the three organizations will be able to enter. The tournament will not have a qualifier so entry will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

NCGA Junior – Starting this year the Junior Championship will allow girls between the ages of 12 and 14 to participate. This championship does not require juniors to be members of the NCGA but it is highly recommended. Entry is through the NCGA online registration process and the event requires qualifying.

Master Division Four-Ball – The Master Division Four-Ball has not produced enough entries to require qualifying. Therefore entries will be on a first-come, first-serve basis for the first 56 teams. It is important that if the event is full that players still register and be placed on the waiting list. This will enable us to track interest and hopefully the event will once again require qualifying.

New Event

Northern California Junior Players Championship – The NCGA and the Junior Golf Association of Northern California are joining together to run the inaugural Northern California Junior Players Championship to be played at Ridgemark GCC July 5-6. Entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis and requires membership in the JGANC. Both organizations are excited about this new joint venture and it is the intent to make this tournament a prestigious and long-lasting championship. Entries will only be taken online and will close June 1.

Online Registration

Club Events – Last year we made online registration available for club events. Not many clubs took advantage of the process and still entered by the paper method. We are hoping that more clubs utilize the online procedure as it provides many benefits. One major advantage is that you can select your players’ qualifying sites if qualifying is required and have immediate confirmation. The entry deadline is extended from 5 p.m. at the lock box to midnight of the date of closing. In order to use the online procedure each club must submit up to two names of members or staff to the NCGA who will represent the club. This is important because the system is password protected. If you have not submitted your names by now it is important to do so right away to take advantage of the process.

This information, including a registration card for identifying your two club representatives, was sent with the Annual Fall Renewal Packets last October. If this is not available to you, simply call the Rules and Competitions Department and the staff will be glad to assist you.

Player Profile – If you have used the online registration procedure in the past year and have new personal information to update (i.e. address change, phone numbers, etc.) you can go into the online database and make your own changes. You are encouraged to do this prior to the start of our season so we are ensured of having the most up-to-date contact information.

It is the player’s responsibility to know the dates of qualifying and the championship. This information can be found in the Bluebook and on the NCGA website. All players with an e-mail address will be notified that the pairings and player information sheets are posted on the web for all events. Players without e-mail will be sent their pairings in the mail.

To resolve some of these issues and make the 2007 NCGA tournament season even more successful, here are a few suggestions and reminders that should help the registration process.

The 2007 calendar is divided into groups of tournaments to help distinguish who (regular clubs, associate clubs or both) is eligible to participate. All the tournaments listed under regular and associate require qualifying at the club level. The entry, whether paper or online, must be processed by a club official only. All the individual tournaments do not require qualifying at the club level and any NCGA member can enter as long as the eligibility requirements are met.

The most important dates on the calendar are the entry closing dates. It is the club or player’s responsibility to meet these deadlines. The NCGA provides every opportunity for closing dates to be honored; therefore late entries will not be accepted. All clubs will be provided paper entries, but the use of the online registration is highly recommended. Online registration provides instant confirmation, qualifying sites can be selected immediately and the time for receipt of entry on the closing day is extended from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

In order to control the online entry procedure for club entries so only players who officially qualified are entered, a password-protection requirement is in place. Therefore, to utilize online registration, all clubs must provide the NCGA with two club officials for a database which allows only the selected two officials to register on behalf of their club. If a club has not provided these names, it is highly recommended that it be done now so the club is ready in January when registration begins. Please consider using online registration as it saves time for everyone.

All NCGA members (men and women) are eligible to participate in the tournament program and it is important to plan your calendar now so all entry closing dates can be met. PLEASE USE ONLINE REGISTRATION AT NCGA.ORG

Women’s Four-Ball Net Championship

The inaugural Women’s Four-Ball Net Championship will be played at Poppy Ridge October 12-13. Entries close September 6 and we are looking to have a full field. Qualifying is not required so entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested and have not entered, I would recommend entering right away so you do not lose out. This can be done by using our online registration program found on the NCGA website. The most important eligibility requirement is being a member of the NCGA. If you plan on becoming a member of the NCGA, you must join a club prior to September so your name will appear on that club’s September roster. Proof of membership for entering an NCGA tournament is satisfied by being on the club’s roster with a numeric index the month of entry closing. Pass the word around and let’s get everyone involved in this great championship.

Online Registration – Club Entries

We provided the opportunity for clubs to enter its teams through online registration for the first time this year. Some clubs have taken advantage of the online process. It is so much easier and provides automatic confirmation. No more losing your entry in the mail or not making the entry deadline. If you have not tried the process and want to give it a go you need to make sure that we have two names from your club in the system to provide authorization to register. The team entry process is password protected and only an authorized person(s) from the club can register. The best way to provide two names is to call the Rules and Competitions office and a staff member will assist in getting you and your club ready to enter online. There are still a few club events that have not closed.

Live Leaderboard

Posting players’ scores live on the Internet as they complete their rounds was successfully premiered during the Four-Ball Championship in May. This system is now being used regularly for our championships. If you are interested in how a family member, friend or someone from the club is performing in a championship, visit www.ncga.org and click on live leaderboard for the championship you wish to view. As the scores are entered at the scoring table after the completion of each player’s round, the score as well as the player’s scorecard will appear immediately on the web for your review. This is an added service to bring the membership instant results from the championship site rather than wait to the end of the day when all the scores are shown at the same time.

Tentative 2007 Zone Schedule

• March19 & 20 – East Sacramento and North Valley Zones
• March 26 & 27 – South Bay and North Bay Zones
• April 2 & 3 – Northeast Bay and South Valley Zones
• April 9 &10 – South Coast and East Bay Zones
• May 21 &22 – North and San Francisco Bay Zones
• June 11 & 12 – Central Valley and Sacramento Zones
• June 25 & 26 – North Sierra and South Sierra Zones
• August 20 & 21 – Zone Championship

The NCGA has one of the largest tournament staffs in the country and we strive to offer the best experience possible. Our tournament program now offers over 50 championships, including the recently added Women’s Championship, Women’s Four-Ball Net Championship and Mixed Team Championship.

The NCGA, like other associations, was formed to provide and manage amateur golf championships. Over the past 105 years the NCGA started many traditions through the tournament program. One tradition that exemplifies amateur golf is that all championships, are “Played for the Gold”. There is no other reason for our members to participate in the tournament program than to play for the gold medal. They do not compete for gift certificates, clothing, equipment, rounds of golf or anything else. They play for the sole purpose of competing.

The interest our members have shown in “Playing for the Gold” in various championships is tremendous. More than 53,000 members tried to qualify in 2005 at the club level, the start of the journey for the gold, in order to represent their club for the team events at regional qualifying.

For the present and future it is our obligation to continue protecting amateur golf for what it stands for. One immediate way is to enforce The Rules of Golf and The Rules of Handicapping. If the honor of this game is to be protected, then we must do our part by understanding and practicing the principals the game was built on. Only then will we be able to lead our members down the correct path, and if they have the opportunity to “Play for the Gold”, they will truly understand the meaning of competition based on the principles of amateur golf.,/

I applaud those that do understand and respect the game’s rich traditions and honor. An excellent way to participate in a tradition and assist players who are “Playing for the Gold,” is to volunteer for the NCGA.

This is the time of year we start receiving applications to become a Tournament Official for the 2007 season. If you are interested in working tournaments, becoming a knowledgeable rules official and giving back to the game, please contact the Rules and Competitions office for an application. The process has to be completed by this September.

Being a Tournament Official provides an opportunity to become highly involved in various formats and levels of competition. The minimum requirement for days worked is 10, however many officials elect to work as many days as they can.

Women wishing to participate in NCGA events must be members of the NCGA either through an NCGA regular or associate club. NOTE: Membership in the WGANC or PWGA does not entitle a player to compete in NCGA events as the WGANC and PWGA are separate organizations.

Online Registration for All

Individuals entering events the last two years have had the choice to enter online or submit a paper entry to the NCGA lock box. Club events which require qualifying could only use the paper entry process. In 2006, all entries, including the club entries will be online.

Online registration for individual events has been so successful that the entries will no longer be in the Bluebook. Players are encouraged to register online. If a competitor is unable to enter online, entries will be available through the mail by contacting the NCGA. As an additional option, entries may also be downloaded at www.ncga.org.

For the first time, member clubs will be able to register online. For example, a regular club may register its zone team while an associate club may register for the Associate Club Championship. All clubs will still receive paper entries in January but are now encouraged to register online. After qualifying is completed at the club level, an official of the club is the only one that may register the team online.

The benefits of online registration are immediate confirmation, 24-hour availability and the option to register until midnight on the day of entry closing. Online registration will also allow the player to select a qualifying site. However, the committee will still have the right to change a site request if circumstances warrant such action. Players entering by paper will be placed at the nearest available qualifying site of their residence or club location.

New for 2006

A women’s four-ball net event has been added to the schedule and will be played at Poppy Ridge in October. The Women’s Championship and Mixed Championship played for the first time last year were very successful. Both events will be available on a first-come first-serve entry again so be sure to enter early. Make sure you are a member of the NCGA.

The NCGA will also conduct one of the two Northern California sites for US Public Links Championship. Qualifying will be at San Juan Oaks on Thursday June 15th and will consist of 36 holes. The Sacramento site will still be a two-day event and will be held on a weekend. Please refer to the USGA website for Public Links Championship qualifying information.

The Senior Four-Ball Championship’s format has been changed from a two-day event to a three-day event. The cap on the number of entries has been enlarged so more teams can participate (still no qualifying round). The first two days will be a double wheel such as the Four-Ball Championship. The field will be cut after 36 holes to 40 teams and ties.

California Golf Association

Championship

The CGA (State Amateur) will be the held the week of June 19th with the first 36 holes of qualifying held at Poppy Hills. The top 60 players will advance to Pebble Beach for an additional 18 holes of stroke-play qualifying with the top 32 advancing to match play. All match play will be conducted at Pebble Beach.

CGA local qualifying will be on April 10th and 17th with top 78 players including exempts advancing to the championship. Players with indexes of 4.4 or less are encouraged to enter. Competitors will have the choice of two different dates and seven courses. Players entering online will have the opportunity to select a qualifying course if that course is still available.

Senior Championship

The Senior Championship format remains the same for this year. However, the tournament will now be held Thursday through Saturday. This will allow the field to have a practice round on Wednesday, instead of Sunday or a late time on Monday or Tuesday as in the past. The field has also been enlarged to 112 players (56 North and 56 South). The cut for the final round after 36 holes will be the top 40 scores and ties.

Net Amateur Match Play

Because of the lower number of competitors the last couple of years, the CGA Net Amateur field has been reduced to 384 players (192 North and 192 South). Registration will still be processed online but only beginning February 1st on first-come basis. If the field is filled, a player placed on the waiting list will have an excellent chance of getting into the field.

Attention: NCGA Tournament Players

It is imperative that participants in any NCGA event read “Attention: NCGA Tournament Players.” It details all the policies to successfully participate in the NCGA tournament program.

When a player registers to participate in a club qualifier to enter an NCGA event, it is the player’s responsibility to know both the qualifying and championship dates. If the player does not withdraw properly or does not show up, the player will be suspended from playing in NCGA events the following year. This is the player’s responsibility.

Please contact the Rules and Competitions office with any questions or concerns as we want to make sure your tournament experience is the best it can be. Have a great 2006 season and keep it down the middle.