Minnesota State Open Qualifying #8

Minnesota Section PGA of America events are governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, and by the following Local Rules and Conditions of Competition. Any changes to this card will be supplied on a Notice to Competitors and/or supplementary Local Rules sheet.

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is:

Time of Starting—If a player arrives at their starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after their starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole to be played in match play or two strokes in stroke play. Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes is disqualification. Note to Rule 6-3a.

Official Time/Time of Starting—The clock at the tee where the player begins their stipulated round is the official time of starting. Decision 6-3a/2.5.

List of Conforming Driver Heads—Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

List of Conforming Golf Balls—Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

Limitation on Golf Balls (“One-Ball Rule”)—Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect, unless otherwise noted.

Pace of Play—See separate memorandum to players for pace of play guidelines, when applicable.

Out of Bounds—Defined by inside points, at ground level, of stakes, flags, fence posts, masonry walls at ground level. When OB is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. Rule 27-1.

Water and Lateral Water Hazard Stakes and Lines—Rule 26-1.

            Water Hazards are defined by yellow stakes and/or lines.

            Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red stakes and/or lines.

·        When stakes and lines are used to define water and lateral water hazards, stakes identify hazards and lines define margins.

·        When a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.

·        When water hazards and lateral water hazards are bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincided with the out of bound line.

Ground Under Repair—Defined by white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Flower beds on the course are also deemed to be ground under repair. Rule 25-1.

Sod Seams—Except in a hazard, sod seams (not the sod itself) are deemed to be ground under repair, and relief is available under Rule 25-1 if the ball lies in or touches a sod seam or the sod seam interferes with the are of intended swing. All seams within the sodded area are considered the same seam.

White-Lined Areas Tying Into Artificially-Surfaced Roads and Paths—Have the same status as the roads and paths, that of obstructions.

Wood Chips and Mulch—Are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in the Local Rules.

Embedded Ball Through the Green—Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

Distance Measuring Devices—A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect the player’s play (e.g. gradient or wind-speed) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether the additional functions are actually used.

Note: Such devices will not be allowed in the following Minnesota Section PGA of America events: Minnesota PGA Professional Championship, Minnesota PGA Senior Championship, Minnesota PGA Assistant’s Championship, Nationwide (Showdown at Somerby) Open Qualifying, Nationwide (Showdown at Somerby) Section Qualifying, Minnesota Section PGA Pro-Series Event #2, MN PGA-MGA Cup Matches, Minnesota Golf Champions, and Playing Ability Tests.

Overhead Power Lines—If a ball strikes an overhead power line or cable, while in bounds, the player must disregard that stroke, abandon the ball and play another ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5.

Stones in Bunkers—Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1.

Practice—Prior to a round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 7-1b applies to other practice in stroke play, and Rule 7-1b covers practice before the round in match play.

Discontinuance of Play—Optional condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open.

Note: A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged airhorn note. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three consecutive airhorn notes, repeated. Resumption of play will be signaled by two short airhorn notes, repeated.

Close of Competition—The competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner or in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.