2010 Prairieville Park Open Rules
All balls and clubs utilized by players in the tournament are subject to the guidelines and approval of the Tournament Director. We will make available to the players certain balls and putters approved for tournament play. Players also have the option of utilizing their own balls and putter provided they are the type approved for play under PGA rules and guidelines and both are inspected and approved in advance of play by the Tournament Director.
Players must use USGA golf balls and must start and finish the hole with the same golf ball.
Players must wear appropriate attire: sports shoes or orthopedic shoes; and clothing with no obscene or inappropriate words or phrases. Entrants whose behavior or language is disruptive, damaging, or unsafe will have playing privileges revoked with no refund. No alcohol, drugs, or intoxicants are allowed.
Only the putter head of the putter may strike a ball. Players must line up and take their first shot from behind the rock edge at each hole. Players may putt from any point they choose in that area.
**If a ball should leave the playing surface, it must be placed at the closest place to where it left the course and a one-stroke penalty will be incurred.
If it is difficult to stabilize the ball when returning the ball to play because of hills, an option is to use a blade of grass (or something similar) or move to flat surface not any closer to the hole.
Any ball putted in the hole must stay in the hole to be considered holed out. If a ball bounces out of the hole, it is not considered holed out and play must continue.
If a ball is struck twice, or while it is in motion, a one-stroke penalty will be incurred and the ball must be placed at the last spot from where the ball was putted.
A player is entitled to move his or her ball the distance of the longest (open) side of the scorecard from any rock but not create a direct line to the hole when they did not have it with the original shot.
A player is not allowed to move his or her ball from any of the hills, angles, or slopes that are covered by carpet.
If a player's ball rolls all the way back to the starting point but does not leave the playing area, that stroke will count and play will resume from that point. If a ball rolls back to the starting point and off the playing area, he or she may spot the ball at the starting point with no penalty stroke but that first stroke will count.
There shall be a two person Rules Committee appointed by the Tournament Director. At least one Official shall be present on the course at all times during each round. Should any question arise during play, play should be stopped immediately and the question shall be put before the Official/Tournament Director before play resumes. If the question is not directed to the Official/Tournament Director before another stroke is played, the result is loss of ability to question.
If the Official is unsure of the proper response to a question, then that Official shall consult with the Tournament Director and whatever decision is reached shall be final and binding upon the tournament and its players.
All players are required to play their own round throughout the tournament. There shall be no player substitutions or switching involved once the tournament has begun. Any player involved in substitutions or switching shall automatically be disqualified from the tournament. The Tournament Director has the absolute right to eject any player or players from the tournament for tampering with score cards or any other practice against the rules for the purpose of gaining or attempting to gain an unfair advantage in the tournament. Each player should keep score for another player. Should a player be ejected, all entry fees will automatically be forfeited.
The purpose of making player cuts is to speed up the tournament where there is a full player field involved or inclement weather is cutting into time permitted for the tournament. Should there be 72 or fewer starting players in the tournament and no immediate threat of foul weather, the Tournament Director may waive the cuts whereby all players can play the entire tournament.
Players are required to be present at the tournament course before 7:45 am meeting and 8 am start, when starting hole assignments and other player announcements regarding rules or procedures will be made. Shotgun starts shall commence at approximately 8:00 am. Each player shall take their turn and play out on each hole before the next player begins. The course will be open at 7 am for practice, and a continental breakfast will be ready by 7:30 am.
Obeying Tournament Rules
It is the player's duty to familiarize him/her self with the tournament rules and ask
questions about unclear issues during the practice, before the tournament.
Players must obey all tournament rules but in the case of need in clarification player must address the question with the referee or tournament director immediately.
Disobeying the tournament rules will be punished accordingly and can result in a warning penalty points (1-10), disqualification from particular tournament or disqualification for a longer period of time from any USPMGA event.
The severity of punishment will depend on the severity of offense and will be decided by tournament director and/or referee(s). Tournament director and/or referees reserves the rights to lessen punishment for new, inexperienced players or young children.
Final decision about disqualification for a longer period will be made by the USPMGA President.
Obeying tournament officials or course owners requests.
All USPMGA Tour players must obey all reasonable tournament director or course owner requests in respect to rules, practice times, behavior, and conduct on the course, apparel and/or any other issues related to practice, tournament, and this facility. Failure to obey will be treated as unsportsmanlike behavior. Disobedient tour players can be penalized from receiving 1 to 10 penalty points or disqualified from the tournament. The penalty is at the discretion of
tournament director (referee) and depends on the severity of the offense.
Conduct During Practice and the Tournament
Players are obliged to treat each other with respect.
Loud and destructive behavior is not allowed at any time. No foul or offensive language anytime at the park (e.g. swearing). While during the tournament play the "freeze" rule should be obeyed-and if a player in your surrounding is just about to perform a shot: freeze any movements until the shot is performed.
Interfering with other players in the middle of the practice or tournament shot by remarks or physical actions is prohibited.
Tournament play is not allowed if the player is legally under the influence of alcohol. Tournament play or practice is not allowed if the player is under the influence of drugs.
Absolutely no alcohol or drugs are allowed on the course at any time. Practice and tournament play is not allowed if a player takes prescription medication which impedes his/her balance and/or sobriety or alters mood to the extent where it becomes intolerable or dangerous for other tournament participants and guests, or the player is at risk to cause injury to him or herself. Any player violating this rule will be suspended from the tournament at their expense and will face penalties according to doping rules. In the case of unexpected side effects of new prescription, medication which is not on the prohibited substance list, the player is obliged to notify the tournament director or any tournament organizer about the situation and seek immediate medical assistance. In this situation the player is allowed to continue to participate in the tournament only with the written release from a physician. For any holes missed the player will receive the maximum amount of strokes.
Players who take prescription medications must have a list of medications with them with the doses they take and players shall know any possible side effects of their medications (this information comes with the prescription medication) for emergency medical situations.
Players should wear sports shoes and appropriate sports clothing.
When several players are practicing on the same hole, players must take turns to ensure other players get practice time too.
If the course is not closed for paying customers, players should make sure that these customers are not forced to wait excessively for their turn.
