Keeping Score

The 2006 tournament season opens this month with online registration available. The most important element of the tournament program is a participant’s eligibility. As stated in the past, it is the player’s responsibility to ensure NCGA membership status. In order to participate (men and women), the player’s name and numeric index must be on the club’s NCGA/GHIN master report the month the tournament entry closes. If the competitor forgets to renew or has changed clubs and the new club did not transmit that competitor’s information to GHIN, the competitor will not be able to participate until membership is activated. For team events, both players’ memberships must be active.

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.