General Information

WAGA Traditional Events hosted each year are the Senior Championship, the Jane Fortmiller Memorial Net Championship, the Gross Championship, the Partner Championship, the Mixed Couples Tournament, the President/Delegate Tournament and the Annual Meeting.

Arrangements may be made through the Director of Scheduling in each area for member clubs to host Association Tournaments.

A Team Trophy may be awarded at Association Tournaments, depending upon the format, to the Club who has at least four players. If there are more than six players - the lowest six handicaps are used for those who will represent the team. The four lowest NET SCORES ARE ADDED TOGETHER to determine the winning team.

Membership Requirement: Individual members playing in events must be members of WAGA and listed on the current Index Report.

Non-amateur members and guests who play in association events are ineligible for awards.

Entry forms are included in the Directory for members' use and on the internet at www.womensgolf.org/waga.. Information flyers will be sent to the Club Delegate and President prior to events. Information necessary to complete the entry form is on the flyer. The entry form must be filled out LEGIBLY and returned to the WAGA office with entry fee. Mail individual checks for each entrant unless otherwise instructed. If the field is filled, a waiting list will be set up and entries will be determined by postmark date. If it is necessary to cancel your entry in an event, contact the WAGA office. DO NOT FIND AN ENTRANT TO TAKE YOUR PLACE. (See Policy for over-subscribed events.)

Entries must not be postmarked prior to the event opening postmark date. Entries will not be accepted if instructions for completion are not followed.

Entry fees will not be refunded after the date stipulated.

In partner/team events, partners/teams will be accepted, refused and cancelled as partners/teams unless field is not filled.

Merchandise Certificates may not be used toward any entry fee.

If an event is cancelled by WAGA entrant's check will be destroyed.

There will be no refund of entry fee if the site of an event must be necessarily changed.

Code of Conduct and Attire: Members shall conduct themselves in a manner that conforms to proper etiquette and reflects pride not only in their own club but in WAGA as well. Skirts, culottes, slacks and shorts are recommended (no short shorts, jeans, "cut-offs," halter or tank tops). Length to be not more than 8 inches above the bended knee. This code will be enforced at each event.

If an event is held at a club having a more strict code, that club's code shall take precedence.

Check In: Entrants must report to the check-in table at least 30 minutes prior to tee time.

USGA RULES OF GOLF SHALL GOVERN ALL PLAY, except as modified by local rules which are approved by the Rules Director prior to the first tee time.

Players should ALWAYS carry a current copy of the USGA Rules of Golf. It is a condition of all events that only brands of golf balls and clubs approved by USGA may be used. Use of nonconforming equipment is prohibited. Penalty is disqualification.

Events will be played at the most current Handicap Index available at the time.

For scoring purposes, score cards between players in opposite carts. The score card will be signed by the marker, attested by the player and returned to the scoring table and placed in the designated box, where a WAGA official is present, immediately after completing play to avoid being disqualified. The bottom line or lower portion of the score card may be used by the marker to keep her own score.

Hole-In-One: If any member scores a HOLE-IN-ONE while playing in any SPONSORED event, the Association will reimburse (up to $500) the member for a congratulatory beverage for those members participating in that event. For reimbursement, a receipt must be presented to the WAGA Treasurer.

If a WAGAM scores a HOLE-IN-ONE during the Mixed Couple's Tournament, ONLY, the Association will reimburse (up to $500) for a congratulatory beverage for all participants in that event. For reimbursement, a receipt must be presented to the WAGA Treasurer.

SPECIAL NOTE: Caddies, coaches, galleries or guests are not permitted on the course at any event. Personnel duly authorized by course management or the Western American Golf Association are excepted.

A limited drawing may be held at each Association Tournament luncheon. Any member wearing her WAGA Name Tag when her name is drawn will receive a sleeve of golf balls. WAGA Board members, past presidents and the office personnel are not included in this drawing.

Merchandise Certificates are redeemable for merchandise in any member club Pro Shop, or in any golf clothing, equipment, or supply store where accepted. For Merchant reimbursement mail to the WAGA Treasurer per instructions on the Merchandise Certificate. Merchandise Certificates may not be used toward any entry fee and are valid for one year from date of issue.

In the event of an over-subscribed field, entries will be equalized by clubs, wherever possible, then a random, blind draw will be made with the following exceptions.

1. Priority will be given to members who have entered events during the past 12 months for which they were eligible but not accepted.
2. Gross and net over-the-field winners qualify for automatic entry for that particular event the following year provided they are eligible to enter. To enjoy this privilege, partners and teams must enter with the same individuals with whom they entered the previous year.
3. Equalization of clubs will be based on a percentage of entries. Each club entered will be guaranteed a minimum of two (2) entries.
4. Hostess flight is limited to a maximum of ten percent of the field.

A waiting list will be compiled from those drawn out indicated by the postmark date and drawn position. All other entries will be sorted by postmark date. In the event of cancellations, entries will be filled from this waiting list.

Partner and team information must be sent on same entry in same envelope and drawn as such using the procedures listed above.

Individuals, partners and teams must comply with all procedures listed on entry form and flyer including correct payment in order to be eligible.

A Handicap Chairperson should always have an assistant and/or a Handicap Committee.

Handicap Chairpersons shall appoint and confer with the Handicap Committee to insure the integrity of all posted club handicaps. The Handicap Committee shall verify that all acceptable scores are reported for handicap purposes and that recorded scores are available for peer review.

All Handicap Chairpersons will receive a WAGA Handicap Manual and a USGA Handicap System manual. These manuals are to be handed down to her successor each year.

It is the responsibility of the Handicap Chairperson to send members' scores to IDC on the scheduled transmittal dates, even though she may not be the one actually transmitting.

Juniors playing at a member course will receive a courtesy computerized handicap index if requested.

IDC will send the Annual Renewal list to Club Handicap Chairpersons during the first week in September. Membership and Club dues are payable October 1 and delinquent November 1. Updated membership lists and fees are to be returned to the WAGA office before October 31. After November 1, any member wishing to renew hermembership will incur a $5 lat fee.

The Club Member Checklist will be sent to Club Handicap Chairpersons during the first week in October. Club dues ($30) are payable October 1 and delinquent November 1. Updated membership lists are to be returned to the WAGA Office before October 23. The annual membership invoice will be mailed November 1 and is delinquent December 28. No credit will be given for deleted members after February 14, 2003. A renewal fee will be charged if a member renews after February 14.

Fair handicapping depends upon full, accurate information regarding a player's potential scoring ability as reflected by a complete scoring record. Every golfer shall be responsible for returning all acceptable scores. If 13 or more holes are played, the player shall post an 18-hole score. If 7 to 12 holes are played, the player shall post a 9-hole score.

Adjusted gross scores from all courses with USGA Course and Slope Ratings made during their active seasons, both at home and away, shall be posted by the player along with the appropriate USGA Course Ratings and USGA Slope Ratings.

Scores in both match play and stroke play shall be posted for handicap purposes. This includes scores made in match play, multi-ball or team competitions in which players have not completed one or more holes or in which players are requested to pick up when out of contention on a hole.

When a player picks up, she shall post the score she most likely would have made. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player's best judgement, the number of strokes that she would need to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. This number may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit and should be preceded by an "X" on the score card.

Scores must be made in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf (except for preferred lies). Scores made when a Local Rule permits preferred lies shall be posted for handicap purposes. A mulligan is not played under the principles of the Rules of Golf. Therefore, a player would record a score of par plus any handicap strokes when a player has used a mulligan.

A player who is disqualified from a competition, but has an aceptable score, shall record his adjusted gross score for handicap purposes. For example, a player who is disqualified from a competition for failure to sign his scorecard has an acceptable score for handicap purposes.

A score shall not be posted if the majority of the holes are not played under the principles of the Rules of Golf.

All scores must be posted even when games are played out of the IDC posting area. For posting convenience, WAGA has subscribed to IGN (International Golf Network). As long as the golf association in the area where you are playing has subscribed to the IGN service, scores may be posted and returned through the course computer.

Away scores should be posted at the club played whenever possible. If there is no computer at the course played or when posting out-of-area scores is not possible, the Traveling Away Sheet should be completed and returned as soon as possible to your club or the WAGA Office.

EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL 9-Hole Handicap Index:

Club Handicap Chairperson: All posting questions such as addiing new members, changing an incorrect score, adding or deleting rounds and entering away games.

Handicap Director: Interpretation of issues or questions pertaining to the USGA or WAGA Handicap Manuals; Scheduling of informational seminars in your area

Handicap Chairperson refers to the WAGA Office: Incorrect handicap indexes; Incorrect nine-hole posting; Changing or adding scores submitted after the revision date.

For information and Handicap index verification look for WAGA on the website at: www.womensgolf.org/waga. Insert your member number. Specify whether you want to verify a 9 or an 18-hole index.

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