Eligibility Guidelines
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.
A Member must be working a minimum term of 5 months of the calendar year during the season to be eligible to participate in Category I & II PGA of Alberta tournaments. An exception will be made for Members going through post-secondary education who can only work 4 months or less during the season.
New for 2024 - The PGA of Alberta Championship will be open to all categories.
All Members wishing to participate in tournaments are required to submit the PGA of Alberta Tournament Eligibility Form below prior to having their event registration accepted and confirmed. Upon submitting the form and indicating their place of employment and hours worked, the Member will be placed in one of three categories:
Category I
A Member working full-time (35+ hours/week for period of employment, minimum 5 months) at an Approved Golf Course* or at an Approved Teaching Centre* shall be eligible to register and compete in all tournaments that is permitted to their Membership Category.
Category II
A Member working full-time (35+ hours/week for period of employment, minimum 5 months) in the Golf Industry including:
- Equipment/Accessory/Apparel Representative
- National/Provincial Association Representative
- Other full time occupations as approved by the Eligibility Committee
OR at a Golf Facility that is not on the Approved Facility list shall be eligible to register and compete in the following tournaments: PGA of Alberta Championship, Assistants’ Championship*, Seniors’ Championship, Ladies’ Championship, Team Match Play Championship, Players Tour, Pro-Pro Best Ball, Pro-Pro Scramble, Pro-Junior, Pro-Lady, Pro-Senior, Seniors’ Division, Ladies’ Division
*Category II members must be working full-time in the golf industry (35+ hours/week for period of employment, minimum 5 months) to be eligible to compete in the Assistants’ Championship. Life Members or any other member exempt into Category II but does not work full-time in the golf industry will remain ineligible for the Assistants’ Championship.
Category III
A Member not working full-time in the Golf Industry shall be eligible to register and compete in the following tournaments: PGA of Alberta Championship, Team Match Play Championship, Players Tour, Pro-Pro Best Ball, Pro-Pro Scramble, Pro-Junior, Pro-Lady, Pro-Senior, Seniors’ Division, Seniors’ Championship, Ladies’ Division, Ladies’ Championship.
*An Approved Golf Course and Approved Teaching Centre will be defined as per the following:
Approved Golf Course: All golf courses with a minimum of 9 holes and a minimum of 2,500 yards employing a PGA of Canada Class A Member or Associate Professional and operating in the province of Alberta will be approved. All PGA of Canada Class A Members and Associate Professionals working full time at the facility will be deemed to be working at an Approved PGA of Alberta Golf Course.
Approved Teaching Centre: All Outdoor Driving Ranges with a minimum of 30 yards in width and 200 yards in length featuring a minimum of 10 hitting stalls and operating in the province of Alberta shall be Approved Teaching Centres. All PGA of Canada Class A Members and Associate Professionals working full-time at the facility will be deemed to be working at an Approved PGA of Alberta Teaching Centre.
All Indoor Teaching Centres with a minimum of 10 yards in width featuring a minimum of 3 hitting stalls and operating in the province of Alberta shall be Approved Teaching Centres. All PGA of Canada Class A Members and Associate Professionals working full time at the facility will be deemed to be at an Approved PGA of Alberta Teaching Centre.
Exemptions: The PGA of Alberta Board of Directors has granted exemptions from the working requirements stated in the above Rules and Regulations to Members in the Retired and Life Categories of Membership, allowing them to compete in all events open to Category II members.
The PGA of Alberta Board of Directors may provide exemptions for participation in sanctioned tournaments, to PGA of Canada Class A Members who have been active Class A Members for a minimum of 20 years but are not working at an Approved PGA of Alberta Golf Facility.