2007 POLICY BOOK* 

ALCOHOL

The consumption of any alcoholic beverage during a stipulated tournament round, practice round or Pro-Am round will result in the disqualification of the player. Any NAPGT member will not allow alcohol out on the course of the host facility during a stipulated tournament round. Upon completion of the player’s stipulated tournament round alcohol consumption cannot be regulated by the Committee.

BUYING TOURNAMENT SPOTS

A non-member of the NAPGT may buy into as many tournaments in a given season. If an event is not yet sold out, a non-member may purchase a spot in the event for $1025 per event. If an event is sold out, a non-member can purchase a spot from a member who is selling his spot for the week. The transaction is strictly between the two players involved and the NAPGT is not responsible for advertising the sale of, collection of purchase price, or involved in price setting of tournament spots.

The NAPGT committee must be made aware of any such transaction and both players involved must complete a Substitute Player Registration Form which can be found on the NAPGT website or by calling the tour office. Both parties involved must sign this form and provide a copy to the NAPGT administrators’ no less than four business days before the event in question.

A half spot member who has finished their five-event package may purchase up to five additional events from the tour for $900. Per event. Half spot members may only purchase additional spots from the tour when available. The non-member player purchasing the available spot must meet the qualification guidelines of the NAPGT (see Qualification in this Policy Book).

CELL PHONES, BEEPERS, AND PAGERS

Cell phones, beepers, and pagers are not permitted to be in use by the players during the scheduled tournament rounds. This applies to tournament officials as well. However, it is necessary for command and control for the tournament staff to be connected via two-way radio. These devices will have an earpiece plugged in at all times.

Cell phones, beepers, and pagers may be carried but must be powered “off.” Save the business aspects of the game until after the designated round. Do yourself and your playing partners a favor and leave these devices in the car until after you have signed your scorecards.

CHECKS FOR MONEY WINNERS

Checks will be mailed out within fourteen days after completion of the event. The NAPGT reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

CODE OF CONDUCT

We are invited guests of the clubs that we play, thus the NAPGT expects all players, professional and amateur, to uphold the highest degree of etiquette and respect for the course by which we have been invited to play.

Any conduct which the Committee deems as damaging to the NAPGT, its sponsors, other players, spectators, members or the game of Golf in general, shall be grounds for loss of playing privileges and forfeiture of entry fee money.

The following actions are examples of such, but not limited to, actions that will not be tolerated, fines are listed below

Abusive Language $100
Club Throwing $100
Conduct Unbecoming $100
Damage to Course Property $150 plus repair costs

The player’s board will help to access and levy fines on players. The NAPGT reserves the right to terminate any player’s privileges and return the unused fees submitted by the player without further obligation at any time.

DECISION OF TIES

In the event two or more players are tied for first place only, the tournament champion will be determined by a playoff. The playoff will be decided by “sudden death” format. The holes will be designated by the NAPGT Committee and posted prior to the start of the final stipulated round. The playoff will begin with the first designated hole then to the next designated hole and repeat if necessary until a champion is determined.

Any other ties occurring throughout the paid spots will share equally in the appropriate purse money. For official money title purposes any results greater because of odd results, which may occur through division shall be given to the player who started the final round earliest.

DID NOT SHOW (DNS)

The NAPGT must commit in advance to the host club the number of players playing in each event; therefore, it is the goal of the NAPGT to eliminate the number of players that do not show (DNS) for any given event. Players that DNS cost the Tour money for services not rendered, and inconvenience other players in the field by forcing them to play in a twosome.

Players who enter a NAPGT event by paying an entry fee and simply do not show up for the event will be assessed a $100 fine and their total entry money will be forfeited. The fine must be paid in full before the player is allowed to play in the next NAPGT event.

DRESS CODE

All players in NAPGT events, including amateurs, must be neat in appearance in respect to clothing and personal hygiene. As invitees of the host clubs we play, the NAPGT expects all players uphold the highest standards of appearance at all times. The Committee is the sole determining factor in deciding whether this standard has been met. The NAPGT reserves the right to withdraw the entry of a competitor that fails to meet this standard. Requirements include but are not limited to the following:

Collared golf shirt or mock shirt
(No tank tops or tee shirts)
Golf pants (no shorts allowed)
Soft Spikes
Well-groomed appearance

Although the policy applies to scheduled tournament rounds and not practice rounds, the NAPGT would expect, in order to present a professional image, compliance would adhere to practice rounds as well. Host club dress codes, if more strict, take precedence.

EIGHTY-SIX RULE
Any player who returns a score 86 or higher in the first round of a tournament will not be allowed to play in the second round. NOTE: The committee reserves the right to waive this rule in extreme weather conditions.

FORFEITED TOURNAMENT SPOTS

Any player that has been put on a NAPGT tournament tee sheet and has paid to play in a NAPGT tournament and does not show up to play for any reason, other than when he has coordinated for a substitute player, the player then forfeits that spot and it then becomes the property of the NAPGT. The NAPGT then has the right to utilize the spot for any other player that meets the qualifications set forth by the NAPGT.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The NAPGT Committee reserves the right to determine the method of handling inclement weather shortened events. The method used will be done with the best interest of the club and the players in mind.

For an event to be official on the NAPGT (entire purse is paid), all players must complete 36 holes.

Every effort will be made to complete the entire 54-hole tournament, however, in some cases that may not be possible or practical. In the event of weather induced shortened events the following policy will be in effect. If all players cannot complete 54 holes, the tournament reverts back to 36 holes.

If play is suspended or postponed, players will mark their position and resume play when the NAPGT officials and course superintendent determine it is safe to do so.

In the unlikely event that the entire event must be cancelled, entry fees will be credited to a future event or refunded.

Based on golf course availability, the NAPGT reserves the right to continue the tournament on an additional day. When that is not possible based on other course events and bookings, the above policies will be in effect.

INJURIES

The tournament series events are still the responsibility of the NAPGT member and a substitute player must be found to assume the tournament spots missed to avoid forfeiture of entry fee money for events missed. The substitute player will be required to compensate the injured player in the form of entry fees.

The NAPGT will assist in any way possible to fill a vacancy created by an injured player; however, will not assume the responsibility of entry fee reimbursement due to injury.

MOTORIZED CARTS

Motorized carts will be limited to two carts per group. Only players and caddies(when space permits) will be permitted to ride in carts. Spectator carts will not be permitted at any time.
NOTE: If two players share a golf cart, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the equipment of the player whose ball is involved; except that, when the cart is being moved by one of the players, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player’s equipment.

NO CARDING (NC)

All players entered into a NAPGT event have the responsibility to turn in a score on a scorecard with two signatures for every stipulated round. A player that ‘no cards’ makes him, the NAPGT, the Tournament and the Host Club look unprofessional. The NAPGT Committee will not tolerate ‘no cards’ to be turned in to the scorecard tent for a stipulated round.

A player opting to no card will be assessed a $200 fine. The fine must be paid in full before the player is allowed to play in the next NAPGT event.

NOTIFICATION OF A PGA, NATIONWIDE, EUROPEAN OR CHALLENGE TOUR QUALIFIER

When qualifying for a PGA, Nationwide, European or Challenge Tour event the member of the NAPGT must notify the NAPGT Office or one of the Co-Directors by midnight eastern standard time the day of the qualifier. Then the player’s entry will be refunded. If the notification does not take place before this time, the player’s entry will not be refunded.

PACE OF PLAY POLICY

Rule 6-7 states in part: “The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the committee,” and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to prevent any such penalty we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines.

ALLOTTED TIME: The NAPGT Rules Committee will set a pace of play guideline for a stipulated round at each course and this will be available to every player at each event.

DEFINITION OF “OUT OF POSITION”:

First Group: At any time during the round, the group exceeds the allotted time to play

Subsequent Groups: At any time during the round they, (A) exceed the alloted time to play and (B) reach the tee of a par three hole that is open and free of play or reach the tee of a par four and have not played a stroke from the teeing ground before the hole is open and free of play or reach the tee of a par five and all players in the preceeding group are on the green.

GROUP OUT OF POSITION: If a group is out of position, the players in that group may be monitored and timed. Anytime a group is to be monitored and timed a NAPGT Rules Official will notify the players of such timing.

TIMING: Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player’s stroke will begin when it is his turn to play and he can play without distraction or interference. Time spent determining yardage will count as time taken for the next stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean, and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. A player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke, and an extra 20 seconds for a total of 60 seconds will be allowed for the first player to play:

A. A stroke on a par 3
B. A second stroke on a par 4 or par 5
C. A third stroke on a par 5
D. Around the putting green
E. On the putting green

NOTE: The Rules Committee reserves the right, at any time, to time a group when the committee deems it necessary in special situations. The committee may assess a “bad time” to a player in a group if the player is making no effort to help his group gets back in position. An example would be a player who delays play between strokes by walking slowly or a player who is wasting time arguing with an official. Any player being timed, who exceeds the applicable time to play a stroke will be informed as soon as practicable.

RULINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTS
If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position in a reasonable amount of time.

PACE OF PLAY PENALTIES: The following are the stroke penalties, in sequence, for any player in a group being timed who takes more than the allotted time to play a stroke after timing of the player’s stroke begins:

First Bad Time: Warning
Second Bad Time: One stroke penalty
Third Bad Time: Two-stroke penalty
Fourth Bad Time: Disqualification

NOTE: Timings exceeding the applicable time to play will be carried over throughout the stipulated round.

FINES FOR BEING TIMED: Each time a player is being timed during the current season it will be recorded. After a player has been timed on five separate occasions the following fines will apply:

First thru fifth time on the clock: NO PENALTY
Sixth Time: $50 fine
Seventh Time: $100 fine
Eighth Time: $200 fine
Ninth Time: $300 fine
Tenth Time: $500 fine and will be required to appear before the players board for possible additional disciplinary action.

APPEALS: Any appeal must be referred to the onsite official in charge immediately upon completion of the player’s round. The decision of the official in charge will be final. If the player does not appeal any penalties or fines shall stand.

PGA Q-SCHOOL BONUS

(The Q-School bonus is eligible to full and half members of the 2007 season only). The full member who holds highest position on points list for the 2007 season on the NAPGT will be awarded a tuition check made payable to the PGA Tour for their enrollment into year end PGA Q-School. This award is not a cash bonus given to the player to spend at his discretion but an award for the player to attend Q-School at no tuition charge. In the event the player chooses not to attend Q-School, doesn’t enroll in time or has other commitments the award will be granted to the number two man on the leading points list for his enrollment into the PGA Q-School.

PLAYERS BOARD

A panel of five NAPGT members will comprise the Players Board. Five members will be appointed by the Committee to the Board. The Board will also be responsible for the enforcement of the Tour’s policies. The Policy Book is a living document and policies may be added and deleted with the approval of the Board and NAPGT Committee. The Players Board will be expected to meet with the Co-Directors 3 times during the NAPGT Schedule to discuss areas of improvement, strengths, and weaknesses of each venue. The Board will act as a liaison between the players and the Committee to raise player concerns and suggestions.

A suggestion box will also be available for players wishing to make suggestions anonymously if they choose. The NAPGT invites and “open door” policy to the on goings of the tour and will be receptive to new ideas and improvements.

THE PROFESSIONAL CUT

The cut is based on the low 40% and ties of the total number of the professional field entered. In the event that 40% of the total professional field equates to a fraction of a player the NAPGT will always round down if .49 or lower and up if .50 or higher. The professional sponser exemption spots will not be included in the total number of the professional field. Amateurs will not affect the professional cut. All professional players making the cut will receive a check.

SCORING AREA

The scoring area may include, but is not limited to trailers, tents or rooms. A player’s scorecard has been returned to the Committee when the player has exited the defined scoring area.

SECOND OPINION RULINGS

Second opinions on rulings are only available if granted by the NAPGT Official making the initial ruling. NAPGT rules officials have authority to make final decisions on the course. If a second opinion is granted, it is considered as a courtesy to the player making the request.

There may be occasions when, because of time constraints and distance to be traveled, the NAPGT official at the scene will instruct the player to play a second ball under Rule 3-3. The NAPGT official will supervise this procedure. The player will be notified of the ruling made by a member of the NAPGT Rules Committee other than the official making the initial ruling who made the original ruling. This will be done as soon as possible but always before the player turns in his card.

If the first official grants a second opinion and a second official is available, the first official will step aside. The second official may converse with the first official on matters of FACT but not of OPINION or INTERPRETATION. The second official will make that ruling and that ruling will be final. The ruling is final only in the sense that the player has no right to appeal to the NAPGT Rules Committee unless the official making the ruling consents.

SELLING TOURNAMENT SPOTS

A NAPGT member may sell any tournament spots, provided he can find a player to purchase the spot(s). The spots may be sold to the same individual (maximum of two) or to different players. The transaction is strictly between the two players involved and the NAPGT is not responsible for advertising the sale of, collection of purchase price, or involved in price setting of available tournament spots.

The NAPGT Committee must be made aware of any such transaction and both players involved must complete a Substitute Player Registration Form signed by both and a copy provided to the NAPGT administration.

The NAPGT member must insure that the player interested in purchasing his spot meets the qualification guidelines of the NAPGT (see Qualification in this Policy Book).

SPONSOR’S EXEMPTION

The NAPGT reserves the right to grant a maximum of six sponsor’s exemptions per event. One exemption is reserved for the host professional or a suitable substitute to be chosen by the host club. By definition, the professional will not be required to pay an entry fee for playing in the scheduled event. The sponsor’s exemption player is subject to the same rules and regulations governing play of the NAPGT.

STARTING TIMES AND GROUPINGS

The NAPGT Committee is responsible for establishing starting times and groupings. After the first event, players will be divided into A and B pools. The A pool will include all players who many the cut in the first event. The B pool will include all the other players. At all subsequent events: the A pool will include all players in the Top 20 on the current money list and all players who made the cut the previous event. The B pool will include all other players.

TOUR QUALIFYING PROVISION

Any North American Pro Golf Tour member earning full-time playing privileges on either the PGA, Nationwide or European tour will have all of his unused entry fee monies refunded.

In addition, any NAPGT member earning a qualifying spot in any individual PGA, Nationwide, or European Tour event that conflicts the same week as a NAPGT event the player will have his entry fee reimbursed for the NAPGT event missed.

The NAPGT staff and committee encourage its members to seek out and participate in higher-level qualifiers, which help to promote their ability and experience base. Mondays have been purposely left available for players to actively engage in qualifiers throughout the region.

In the event that one of the NAPGT members does qualify for such aforementioned event, the purse breakdown will then be based on the original pro limit minus one pro entry fee still yielding a 100% return. Two pros qualifying will reduce the purse breakdown to being based on the original pro limit minus two pro entry fees, again still yielding 100% return. The Tour staff will do everything possible to fill the vacancies but due to last minute notification of Monday qualifiers time may not allow for a replacement to be found.

WITNESS TO A VIOLATION

The failure of any player who witnesses any violation of a Rule of Golf to assess the penalty or summons an official shall be subject to disqualification under Rule 1-3 and 3-4 of the Rules of Golf. The Rules Committee needs to be informed.

*Subject to Change