Tournament Rules & Regulations
2024 Tournament Withdrawal Policy
Please note our withdrawal policy below for the tournament program. Please refer to the Payment/Withdrawal/Registration Deadlines on the tournament page of the website for each specific event.
- Withdrawal up to 28-days prior to event date, before Payment Deadline = 100% Refund
- Withdrawal after Payment Deadline but 14-days prior to event date (before Withdrawal Deadline) = $50 Administration Charge
- Withdrawal less than 14-days prior to event date (after Withdrawal Deadline) but before Registration Deadline (Wednesday @ 4pm of the week prior to event date) = 50% Refund of entry fee
- Withdrawal after Registration Deadline (Wednesday @ 4pm of the week prior to event date) = No Refund
Please refer to the Payment/Withdrawal/Registration Deadlines on the tournament page of the website for each specific event. A player who fails to withdraw online or notify the office staff of their withdrawal from an event will not receive a refund of their entry fee and will receive an automatic fine. Should a player wish to appeal this fine, it must be appealed to the Disciplinary Committee in writing.
Tournament Play
PGA of Alberta Tournament Rules & Regulations
Play is governed by the current Golf Canada Rules of Golf and its Decisions and where applicable, by the following Local Rules, Conditions and Definitions. Any changes or amendments by the PGA of Alberta Rules Committee will be provided to all players on the first tee. Unless otherwise specified, penalty for a breach of a Local Rule or Condition is: Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play - two (2) strokes.
1. GENERAL
The regulations set out below shall govern the operation of all tournaments run under the auspices of the PGA of Alberta and the conduct and responsibilities of the competitors therein. These regulations may be amended or appealed from time to time by the Tournament Committee, if it is felt to be in the interests of the Sponsors and/or the competitors of the game of golf.
2. TOURNAMENT ADMINISTRATION
The Executive Director shall administer the tournament rules laid down by the Tournament Committee. He shall refer to the Tournament Committee any matter that he feels requires the consideration of the Board of Directors of the PGA of Alberta. On notice of appeal, the Executive Director shall submit a written report to the Board in time for such meeting.
3. ENTRIES & PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEES
- Entries and payments may be made using the online registration system using a valid credit card number. Members electing to pay by cheque may submit their entry by mail, however they will not be registered into an event until their cheque has been received. As an alternative, Members who wish to pay by cheque may register online using a valid credit card number, and once a cheque has been received in the office, the credit card charge will be refunded. Players are responsible for contacting the office and ensuring the Tournament Eligibility Form as well as all event payments have been received and processed. Phone entries will not be accepted.
- Credit Cards will be charged 28-days prior to event date (payment deadline)
- Cheques must be dated the day of registration. Send cheques to PGA of Alberta, 517 - 23 Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta T2M 1S7
- Provision for acceptance of entries, other than those announced, will be at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
- All draws are final and will not be adjusted for any reason.
- No person may participate unless they are a member in good standing of the PGA of Alberta and they meet the tournament eligibility criteria as laid out in the Tournament Eligibility Form.
- Starting times will be available on the tournament page of the PGA of Alberta website. It is the player’s responsibility to visit the tournament website to confirm starting times.
4. PRO-AM AND TEAM EVENTS
If an amateur is not searchable on the Golf Canada database, amateurs must submit a detailed scoring record of their last 20 rounds, which must be approved by a PGA of Alberta Class A Professional. If a scoring record is not provided or they are not searchable on the Golf Canada database, the amateur will play the event as a ‘0’ handicap for the purposes of net prizes.
5. WAITING PERIOD FOR PLAY ABILITY TEST EXEMPTIONS
Any member that receives a Play Ability Test (PAT) Exemption from the PGA of Canada will immediately able to play in PGA of Alberta tournaments if they have paid their dues and are an active member of the association. All players must also submit a tournament eligibility form and meet eligibility requirements.
All LPGA Members that receive a PAT exemption from the PGA of Canada and become a member will follow the same guidelines.
6. DRESS CODE
All professionals are required to present a neat, professional appearance, in both clothing and personal grooming, and are required at all times to maintain an acceptable standard of dress both on the golf course and in the precinct of the clubhouse. For example, professionals are strictly forbidden to wear denim-type jeans or t-shirts on the premises of a golf course hosting a tournament. All professionals must ensure they are dressed professionally at all times and must follow the requirements of each individual host club. This dress code applies to all sanctioned PGA of Alberta events. Violation will result in disqualification.
7. SHORTS POLICY
In the best interests of our members and competitors, the PGA of Alberta looks to protect the safety and well-being of members at all sanctioned events. Members are now permitted to wear shorts at all PGA of Alberta sanctioned tournaments as long as the dress code policy including the host club’s policy is adhered to. The following guidelines apply:
- Shorts with an elasticized waist, shorts supported by a drawstring, shorts extended below the knee and shorts with large "cargo" style pockets are all prohibited.
- Socks must be worn at all times – ankle socks are permitted as long as they can be seen with shoes on.
- Penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification.
8. FOOTWEAR - GOLF SPIKES
It is a condition of the competition that shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes not be worn at any sanctioned PGA of Alberta tournaments. Penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification.
9. TIME OF STARTING
All players in a group must be present and READY TO PLAY at the time laid down by the committee, this includes both players in all team competitions. The order of play is not relevant. READY TO PLAY is defined as being on or near the players’ first tee accompanied with the necessary equipment needed to put a ball in play. Notification by a PGA of Alberta referee or the Tournament Committee of a two-stroke penalty will be given to late starters (within five minutes) on the first tee or as soon as possible. Players failing to be present when the group begins play shall be classified as a "No Show".
10. RULES AND LOCAL RULES
The rules of Golf Canada govern play as modified by these local rules of the PGA of Alberta. Should any supplementary local rules be required, they will be given to each competitor at the registration table. Local rules on the host club scorecards shall not apply.
11. CADDIES/SPECTATORS
Caddies and spectators are permitted at PGA of Alberta sanctioned tournaments in 2024.
12. DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES
A multi-functional device may be used as a distance measuring device, but it must NOT be used to gauge or measure other conditions (such as slope or wind) where doing so would be in breach of Rule 4.3a.
13. CELL PHONES & LISTENING DEVICES
Cell phones are permitted and refer to Rule 4.3 for clarification on what is permitted during play.
14. PACE OF PLAY
A player is subject to penalty if they unduly delay play under the provisions of this pace of play policy under Rule 5.6. All players are required to finish their rounds within the allotted total time par round duration posted on the supplementary local rules sheet with each host club’s pace of play policy taken into consideration. A round is considered complete when the scores have been handed into the Tournament Committee. A group is also deemed to be out of position if at least one member of the group is not on a tee box before the group in front puts the flag in for that same hole. The individual(s) will be assessed a two-stroke penalty based on the warning guidelines below. The PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee Pace of Play guidelines and penalties for slow play are in effect for all sanctioned PGA of Alberta tournaments and enforceable by the Tournament Rules Committee.
PACE OF PLAY WARNING GUIDELINES
1st Warning Referee warns entire group that they are out of position
1st Penalty Referee to assess a penalty of 2-STROKES to player deemed responsible
In administering the Pace of Play Policy, the PGA of Alberta Tournament Rules Committee is acting to improve the general pace of play for all PGA of Alberta tournaments at the direction of the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors. In performance of these duties, a PGA of Alberta Referee shall not be subjected to abuse, oral or otherwise. Such abuse by a player is conduct unbecoming of a professional and is subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Code of Professional Practice.
15. MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION
Automotive transportation is permitted at all PGA of Alberta sanctioned tournaments. A maximum of 2 carts will be permitted for each group at stroke play events. Automotive transportation is permitted by applicants at all Play Ability Tests. If there are not enough carts at the facility for all players, then carts will be prohibited for that tournament unless the player has a medical exemption. Players will be notified in advance if carts are NOT permitted.
When automotive transportation is authorized, it is forbidden to travel beyond the ball in play. Penalty in stroke play for breach: Two (2) strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: four (4) strokes. Use of any unauthorized form of transportation shall be discontinued immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. Otherwise, the player is disqualified.
16. STOPPAGE OF PLAY OR CANCELLATION OF TOURNAMENT
If in the judgement of the PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee, adverse weather conditions or any other occurrence beyond the control of the PGA of Alberta renders the commencement or continuation of the tournament impracticable, play shall be postponed until the PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee considers that play can be continued. In the event of the curtailment or cancellation of a tournament, prize money shall be distributed as agreed between the Sponsor and the PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee. A portion of the players entry fee may be forfeited to cover any costs incurred by the host venue.
Suspension of Play: If during a tournament it becomes necessary to suspend play, PGA of Alberta Referees and Tournament Committee will circulate the course, sounding a suspension of play signal prescribed in the PGA of Alberta Rules of Play. Competitors shall proceed under this Rule.
Resumption of Play: When conditions allow play to be resumed, PGA of Alberta Referee will circulate the course and sound the resume play signal as prescribed in the PGA of Alberta Rules of Play. Competitors shall proceed under this Rule.
Re-scheduled Event: If a tournament has been rescheduled to a different date or location, the original registrations will be automatically transferred. If you are unable to participate, you are required to withdraw from the event.
17. SCORING
Competitors must go directly to the designated scoring area immediately following the completion of their final hole. If a competitor fails to report to the scoring area by the time all competitors in the following group have completed play of their final hole, the competitor shall be disqualified. Competitors in the final group of the draw must report to the Scoring Area without undue delay.
Online scoring will be used this season through our tournament software to avoid exchanging scorecards. Players will be emailed the information in advance and use their phone to score for one of their playing partners. Players will be responsible for keeping track of their own score. Scoring will be final once all players have verified their scores and left the designated scoring area.
18. CLOSE OF THE COMPETITION
When all scores have been approved by the PGA of Alberta, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced and the competition closed.
19. TIES
- Any competitor involved in a playoff, and not immediately available, takes last playoff position. Multiple no-shows for playoffs shall be decided by lot.
- In the event of a tie, Pro-Am events will be decided by retrogression rule. Ties and prize amounts for all Professionals at every Pro-Am team competition will be divided equally amongst all professionals.
- In the event of a tie in an Individual Stroke Play event, prize money and any order of merit points associated with the event will be divided equally among those tied, except that if a competitor wins a playoff for the Tournament, he or she will receive the first-place prize money and points.
20. MEDIA RELATIONS
A competitor posting one of the top three scores in a Championship or an individual championship round MUST report to the Media Area if requested by a PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee.
21. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
All entrants who have been assessed penalties by the Disciplinary Committee must make payment before being permitted to play in any competition or participate in other PGA of Alberta events.
22. PENALTIES
All penalties must be paid or an appeal made before participation will be allowed in any PGA of Alberta sanctioned Events, Tournaments or otherwise.
ACTION MAX. PENALTY
- No Show - Any PGA of Alberta Sanctioned Event $200.00
- Withdrawing without approval of Committee $200.00
- Failing to complete round DQ & $200.00
- Not reporting to designated scoring area after round DQ & $200.00
- Not following Dress Code DQ
- Withdrawing from event caused by lack of preparation $200
(i.e., running out of golf balls)
ACTION MIN. PENALTY
-Throwing/damaging golf club or equipment $200.00
-Conduct/language likely to injure the reputation of the Association, $200.00
Club or Sponsor
All Offences are subject to the above stipulated monetary fine and/or meeting with the PGA of Alberta Disciplinary Committee.
23. HOLE-IN-ONE
For Hole-in-One insurance purposes, two Holes-In-Ones per tournament on par-threes 175 yards or longer are eligible. The PGA of Alberta will notify players on the supplementary local rules sheet which par threes are eligible for Hole-In-One cash prizes.
24. LIST OF CONFORMING GOLF BALLS
Only golf balls named on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls recognized by the USGA may be used. Penalty for use of ball not on List: Disqualification.
25. LIST OF CONFORMING EQUIPMENT
Only equipment listed in the USGA database of clubs with conforming grooves may be used in PGA of Alberta events, with the exception of the Play Ability Test. Penalty for use of non-conforming equipment: Disqualification.
26. LIMITATION ON GOLF BALLS USED DURING ROUND (ONE BALL RULE)
This rule is in effect at all PGA of Alberta sanctioned tournaments except for the Play Ability Tests, Amateurs in Pro-Am events, and the Scotch Ball format of the Pro-Assistant.
27. TIME OF STARTING - NOTE UNDER RULE 5.3
Note under Rule 5.3 as prescribed shall be in effect. All competitors in a group must be present and ready to play at the time set by the Committee. The order of play is not relevant.
28. PRACTICE - NOTE UNDER RULE 5.5 & 13.1
A player may not practice on or near the putting green of the hole last played and may not roll a ball on the putting green of the hole last played.
29. SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION - NOTE UNDER RULE 5.7
In potentially dangerous situations, play shall be discontinued immediately following a suspension of play by the PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he shall be disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving such penalty as provided in Rule 20.
Note: A suspension for a potentially dangerous situation shall be signalled by one prolonged air horn (or siren) note. All other types of suspension shall be signalled by several consecutive, short air horn (or siren) notes. Resumption of play shall be signalled by two consecutive air horn (or siren) notes.
All practice areas shall be closed during suspension for a potentially dangerous situation until the PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee has declared them open. Players who disregard such closed areas shall be subject to disciplinary action.
30. EMBEDDED BALL THROUGH THE GREEN
Course conditions, including mud and extreme wetness, may interfere with proper playing of the game and warrant relief for an embedded ball anywhere in the general area. Rule 16.3a provides relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area of the course (does not include the putting green, teeing area, penalty areas, and no play zones). Exceptions:
- A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if the ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely mown.
(b) A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Local Rule makes the stroke clearly impracticable.
31. MARKING POSITION OF LIFTED BALL
Before a ball on the putting green is lifted, its position shall be marked by placing a small coin or some similar artificial object immediately behind the ball; if the ball marker interferes with another player, it should be moved one or more putter head lengths to one side. If the position of the ball is not so marked, the player shall incur a penalty of one stroke and the ball shall be replaced. If the ball is not replaced, the player shall incur the penalty for breach of Rule 9.7, but no additional penalty under this Local Rule shall be applied.
32. OUT OF BOUNDS - RULE 18.2
Defined by the nearest inside points of white stakes and/or property fence posts at ground level.
33. GROUND UNDER REPAIR - RULE 16.1
All areas enclosed by white lines and/or French drains (exposed trenches filled with rocks or stones) whether they are marked or not.
34. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS - RULE 16.1
White lined areas tying into artificially surfaced roads, paths or obstructions are declared to have the same status, thus are part of the obstructions and are not ground under repair.
35. PENALTY AREAS - RULE 17
Penalty areas are defined as either red or yellow as stated in Rule 17.
36. INTEGRAL OBJECTS
When closely attached to objects, wrappings, wires, cables, etc., are not considered obstructions. No free relief is provided unless otherwise states on the supplementary local rules. They are integral parts of the course and are deemed to be fixed.
37. SEAMS OF CUT TURF
The Local Rule for seams of Cut Turf as prescribed in Appendix 1 is in effect.
38. ALCOHOL & CANNABIS
The consumption of alcoholic beverages and use of Cannabis is not permitted by any Member of the PGA of Alberta prior to, or during the stipulated round at all sanctioned PGA of Alberta tournaments. The stipulated round is deemed to be completed upon the return of the competitor’s score at the designated scoring area.
39. TOURNAMENT SKINS
For PGA of Alberta sanctioned stroke play events with a Skins game attached, the player must have
played a MINIMUM of 14 holes to be eligible to win a Skin. If a player has only played 13 holes or less in an event, they will be INELIGIBLE to win a Skin and will NOT be refunded.
In the event of no winner for Skins at an event, the money will be added to the purse and distributed
accordingly, by percentage of the purse payouts. For two-day stroke play events, if there are
no winners in the first round, the Skins money will be pushed into round two. If are no winners in round
two, all Skins money will be added to the purse as mention before.
40. ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF A BALL ON A PUTTING GREEN – RULE 13.1
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 13.1d.
Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water, or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. However, if the ball was lifted and then replaced and then moved, it must be replaced. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.
41. PGA OF ALBERTA CHAMPIONSHIP ELIGIBILITY RULE
Eligible Members for PGA of Alberta Championships (Club Pro, Assistants’, PGA of Alberta, Seniors’ and Ladies’ Championships) MUST NOT have played in more than two Canadian or foreign tour events in the period of 60 days prior to the start of the Championship. Tours under this clause include all tours used in the Official World Golf Rankings plus the Champions Tour, European Senior Tour and Symetra Tour. The Canadian Open and PGA of Canada Championships is not included in the restrictions as stated above.
Tournament Eligibility
The employment status of a PGA of Alberta Member will be the major determining factor in which events, if any, they can play. The PGA of Alberta has developed a list of Approved Facilities* and certain restrictions will be placed on Member participation in events depending upon their employment status as it relates to these facilities and their hours worked in the golf industry. Members whose employment changes during the season must notify the PGA of Alberta office within 5 business days and will be subject to review and possible Category re-assignment by the Eligibility Committee which is a subcommittee of the Tournament Committee. Click View Now below to read all PGA of Alberta Tournament Eligibility Guidelines.
The 2023 Tournament Eligibility Form is being updated by the Website Developer and a communication will be sent to the Membership with a link for submission once the updates are complete.
Pace of Play Policy
A player is subject to penalty if they unduly delay play under the provisions of this Pace of Play Policy under Rule 5.6. All players are required to finish their rounds within the allotted total time par round duration posted on the first tee. A round is considered complete when the scorecard has been handed into the Tournament Committee. Time par for each competition will be placed on all score cards with each host club’s pace of play policy taken into consideration. A group is also deemed to be out of position if at least one member of the group is not on a tee box before the group in front puts the flag in for that same hole. The individual(s) will be assessed a two-stroke penalty based on the warning guidelines below. The PGA of Alberta Tournament Committee Pace of Play guidelines and penalties for slow play are in effect for all PGA of Alberta tournaments and enforceable by the Tournament Rules Committee.
Pace of Play Warning Guidelines
1st Warning
Rules Official warns entire group that they are out of position.
2nd Warning
Rules Official must warn one or more individuals who are the cause of the group being out of position and commence timing the individual(s).
3rd Warning
Rules Official to assess a two-stroke penalty to each individual in the group who takes more than 40 seconds to make a stroke when it is clearly their turn to play.
4th Warning
Rules Official to assess a penalty of DISQUALIFICATION to one or more individuals who have been assessed a two-stroke penalty and incur a subsequent bad time.
In administering the Pace of Play, the PGA of Alberta Rules Committee is acting to improve the general pace of play for all PGA of Alberta tournaments at the direction of the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors. In performance of these duties, a PGA of Alberta Rules Official shall not be subjected to abuse, oral or otherwise. Such abuse by a player is conduct unbecoming of a professional and is subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Code of Professional Practice.
Groove Rule
Players participating in 2022 PGA of Alberta tournaments will be required to use equipment which conforms with the USGA’s new specifications pertaining to grooves. To check your equipment prior to filling out your Tournament Eligibility Form, please visit: http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/intro.html. Simply enter your club company and the name of your equipment and the database will either give you a Yes or No under the category of "Meets 2010 Groove Rules". As a player, you will be responsible for whether or not your equipment is conforming. Players found to be playing with non-conforming equipment will be immediately disqualified from that event and future events until the situation is rectified.