CGA Announces Tournament Policy Changes

Southern Pines, NC – The Carolinas Golf Association is pleased to announce changes and enhancements to our policies and procedures for our tournament programs beginning in 2024.

Caddie Policy

• Caddies will NOT be permitted in any CGA/TYGA championships, qualifiers, one-day, or any competitions. Model Local Rule H-1.1 will be in effect in all competitions. The caddie restriction does not apply to USGA qualifying or TYGA Tots events (9-hole events ages 6-12).

CGA Qualifiers

• For CGA Championships with qualifiers, the CGA will now build an “alternate list” comprised of players who missed the cut by one stroke at all qualifying sites. Once the final qualifier is complete, any open spots in the championship (if available) will be filled from this “alternate list” by blind draw.  This provision only applies if the championship field size is less than the target field size (found on the Terms of Competition).
  • EXAMPLE: The target field size for ABC Championship is 130 players. The championship has two qualifying sites. In Qualifier 1, the cut is +2. All players that finished at +3 are put on the alternate list.  In Qualifier 2, the cut is +4. All players that finished at +5 are put on the alternate list.  Once qualifying is complete and registration is closed for exempt players, the total field size is 128 players. A blind draw is conducted to fill the remaining 2 spots from the alternate list to reach the target field size. Any subsequent withdraws that cause the field size to dip below 130 are also filled from the alternate list blind draw order.

 

CGA Championships

• CGA Championship Exemptions for select championships have been modified to provide more opportunities for more players to qualify. Please check each championship’s Terms of Competition to verify exemption categories.

 

• In the Carolinas Net Amateur Championship, ALL ties will be broken using a scorecard playoff, including division winners. There will be no one-course playoffs.

 

CGA One-Day Tournaments

• Maximum Score per hole will be implemented in all One-Day Tournaments (including One-Day Individual, One-Day Four-Ball, Senior Four-Ball One-Day, and Ladies’ Play Day Tournaments).  The Maximum Score per hole will be 9.  To help pace of play, players are encouraged to stop playing the hole when they reach a score of 9 and record the maximum score for that hole. In One-Day Individual events, the player will only get the maximum score for a hole even if their score exceeds the maximum. Additionally, a player who does not hole out for any reason will get the maximum score for the hole. In Four-Balls, the team’s maximum gross score per hole will be 9. Players are encouraged to stop playing the hole when they reach a score of 9, but players who do not complete a hole are still required to record their most likely score for score-posting purposes.
• To view all USGA Rules related to Maximum Score, please click here.

 

• The Tournament of Champions events have been discontinued and the One-Day Series Championships and the Senior Four-Ball Series Championships will replace those events.  Entry into the year-end Series championships will be determined using year-long points and rankings based on finish at each One-Day or Senior Four-Ball.

 

CGA Withdrawal Policy

Beginning January 1, 2024, any withdrawal within three (3) days before the first day of the tournament will not receive a refund. All other withdrawals are subject to a $30 admin fee. Refer to the table below for the deadline to withdraw with a refund less the admin fee.

Deadline for Refund (less admin fee) at 11:59 pm	First Day of Tournament
Thursday	Monday
Friday	Tuesday
Saturday	Wednesday
Sunday	Thursday
Monday	Friday
Tuesday	Saturday
Wednesday	Sunday

 

The 2024 CGA Tournament Manual has been posted.  Players are encouraged to review all these items carefully which include the new policies above.