Players Handbook

Tour Code of Conduct

All Tour members agree to observe the CODE OF CONDUCT as set forth by the GTA AM TOUR. This CODE OF CONDUCT applies to all Tour members throughout the tournament, both on and off the golf course. The GTA AM TOUR Code of Conduct is based on the premise that all Tour members respect the Tour community, Tour staff and the host course staff and its facilities.

RESPECT FELLOW TOUR MEMBERS

All members will foster an atmosphere of collegiality through the practice of recognized golf etiquette. All members will play by the rules of golf as described by Golf Canada and by local rules as established by The Tour. Members are obliged to report any breach of the Rules of Golf to a Tour Rules Official or Tour Committee Member. All members will keep a Current and Accurate Handicap Factor, as completely described in the Tour Players’ Manual. All players will make every effort to play at an appropriate pace by keeping up to the group in front of them.

RESPECT TOUR STAFF

Members will treat Tour Staff and Tour Rules Officials with courtesy. Members will report any problems with the host course, their staff or their facilities to Tour Staff and will not attempt to resolve problems with the host course directly. Members will report any issues you may have with Tour Staff to Mark Young.

RESPECT HOST STAFF AND FACILITIES

Members will treat host course Staff with courtesy. Members will adhere to host course policies, including but not limited to alcohol consumption and dress code. Hats must face forward and shirts tucked in at all times.  Members will treat the host course with respect. The host course must be left in the same, or better condition than it was found, prior to the Tour event.

ARRIVAL AT FIRST TEE

Out of respect for your fellow competitors and event sponsor, all players must be at the tour’s starter’s tent 10 minutes prior to their assigned tee time.

Handicap & Flight Policy

Participation in the GTA AM Tour is for amateur golfers as described below:

AMATEUR GOLFER: An amateur golfer, whether he or she plays competitively or recreationally, is one who plays golf for the challenge it presents, not as a professional and not for financial gain.

AMATEUR STATUS: Amateur Status is a universal condition of eligibility for player golf competitions as an amateur golfer. A person who acts contrary to the Rules may forfeit his or her Amateur Status and as a result will be ineligible to play in amateur competitions.

HANDICAP INDEXES: Players will compete in one of five Flights:

	Flight Name	Index
	Champ. Flight	up to 4.9
	A Flight	5.0 – 8.9
	B Flight	9.0 – 13.5
	C Flight	13.6 – 25.9
	Open Net Stableford Flight	up to 25.9
	R Flight	-

Please note:  Flight assignments are determined at the time when tee times are established for the event.

WOMEN ON TOUR

Women are welcome and encouraged to play on The GTA AM Tour in one of two ways.

1. Women can play in one of the other competitive Flights (CH, A, B, C or Open Net Stableford). In order to compete in one of these Flights, six strokes will be added to a woman's Handicap Index to have them play in the correct Flight and from the correct yardages. 
2. Women can also play for fun in the Recreational Flight. Anyone can join this group of golfers who will be teeing off after the Women's Flight, at each of the Tour events. The R Flight has been created to provide recreational/casual golfers with an opportunity to play some of the best golf courses in Ontario for FUN! Golfers in the R Flight will not be required to have a Handicap Index and can play from any set of tees they wish.

PLAYER HANDICAP MAINTENANCE

All Tour players are required to maintain a CURRENT and ACCURATE Handicap Index. All players playing the Competitive Tour must have an accredited Handicap Index with Golf Canada and/or its provincial affiliates. Players can join the GTA AM Tour handicap club, upon request, at a reduced cost to the GAO’s Public Player Program.

1. CURRENT: Players must post scores from ALL rounds played (nine or eighteen holes), ALL non-Tour competitive events and ALL other rounds other than GTA AM Tour rounds.  Players must post scores using the Hole-by-Hole Method.   Scores MUST be entered as soon as possible after a round is completed. All scores must be accurately entered prior to any GTA AM Tour event.

If a player plays in the stroke play competition of an event and the inaccuracy of their Handicap Index has incorrectly placed them in a given Flight, any points and/or prizes earned in that event shall be forfeited.

THE TOUR WILL ENSURE THAT EACH PLAYER’S TOUR SCORE WILL BE POSTED DIRECTLY TO HIS/HER GOLF CANADA HANDICAP INDEX PROFILE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF EACH TOUR EVENT.

2. ACCURATE: All scores entered must be from the slope and rating for the correct set of tee blocks played.  All Tournament Scores (non GTA AM Tour events) must be entered as Tournament Scores.  All scores must be entered utilizing Equitable Stroke Control or ESC. The Hole by Hole method of posting scores automatically calculates ESC.  For more information on handicapping, including ESC, please visit: https://www.gao.ca/about-handicap/

IF A PLAYER’S HANDICAP INDEX IS NOT CURRENT AND ACCURATE (as defined above) AND THAT PLAYER PLACES IN THE TOP 4 IN ANY EVENT OR QUALIFIES FOR NET PRIZES, THE PLAYER WILL NOT RECEIVE PRIZES OR POINTS AND WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THAT EVENT. ADDITIONALLY, THAT PLAYER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PLAY ANOTHER TOUR EVENT UNTIL THE PLAYER’S HANDICAP INDEX MEETS THE AFOREMENTIONED TOUR CRITERIA.

Prior to each tournament, the Tour's Handicap Committee reviews the Handicap Index profiles of all competitors. After each tournament, the Handicap Index profile of each of the top five finishers in each flight will be reviewed by the Tour's Handicap Committee.

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A CURRENT AND ACCURATE HANDICAP INDEX WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE TOUR.

3. PLAYING IN YOUR FLIGHT

1. Players will compete in the appropriate Flight, based on their Handicap Index.
2. Players may choose to play in a Flight that is one lower than their Handicap Index would otherwise place them.  The Tour’s Handicap Committee reserves the right to authorize the move to a lower Handicap Index Flight.
3. Players are expected to keep their Handicap Index up-to-date prior to all Tour events. To be clear, players must enter non-GTA AM Tour scores, with Equitable Stroke Control applied (applied automatically when the hole-by hole method of entering scores is used), as soon as possible after a round is completed. All scores must be accurately entered prior to any GTA Am Tour event.
4. Any Tour player may be audited during the season and may be required to present scorecards from any non-Tour round of golf.  Players are advised to keep all scorecards for this reason.
5. The Tour’s Handicap Committee reserves the right to assign any given player to any Flight, at any time.
6. Any player not abiding by the aforementioned polices will be subject to suspension and/or disqualification from the Tour.

4. FLIGHT CHANGES AND BATTLEFIELD PROMOTION: This system has gone through significant changes throughout the years and is an important part of the equitable competitive environment that the Tour provides.

1. A player will earn a Battlefield Star if that player (i) wins a Tour event or (ii) plays a Tour event round that generates a Differential below their current Flight range. Events won with scores that generate Differentials below the player's current Flight range will count as two (2) Battlefield Stars.
2. Players earning five (5) Battlefield Stars will be moved to the better Handicap Index Flight for the remainder of the season.
3. Nine-hole events (due to weather or other circumstances where events must be shortened) will not be counted towards Battlefield Promotions.

Scoring & Prizing

ORDER OF MERIT

The Order of Merit race runs throughout the season for each individual Flight.  A player’s Order of Merit total is based on his or her best ten point totals earned plus any points earned at the Tour Championship. Order of Merit points are awarded as follows*:

*The points awarded for the 'Major Events' of the year will be increased by 50%.  The points awarded at The Tour Championship at Grand Niagara will be doubled.  Ties in the Order of Merit race will be decided by the number of points earned by the player at their next best 11th event.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD

Complementing the season-long Order of Merit competition is a season-long Most Improved Player Award. The player with the most improved Handicap Index, as calculated by the formula below, will be invited for an end-of-season round of golf.  The player with the most improved Handicap Index will receive The Most Improved Player Award.  A player’s season will start from their first Tour event and end at their last Tour event. Players must play at least five events to qualify. The formula for calculating the most improved player has been established by Golf Canada as equitable in gauging the improvement of players encompassing the entire spectrum of handicaps and is calculated as follows:

Start of Season Handicap Factor + 12 divided by End of Season Handicap Factor + 12

Communications

Please check that @gtaamtour.com is listed as safe sender/recipient for your email program. This will ensure that you receive all Tour emails and will avoid them being sent to your “Junk” email folder.

Event Registration

1. Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the event). The reason for rejection may include false statement of handicap index, improper attire and/or unbecoming conduct.
2. By participating in GTA AM Tour you grant the GTA AM Tour and those acting with the GTA AM Tour permission authority and the permanent rights to use your name or likeness for publicity and promotional purposes.  Participants understand that all Media, including film, photographic prints, audio or digital files are the exclusive property of the GTA AM Tour.  Participants in GTA AM Tour events waive their rights to inspect or approve all media produced by the GTA AM Tour and those acting on the GTA AM Tour’s behalf.  Participants waive their permanent rights to compensation for use of their name and likeness by the GTA AM Tour.
3. All players shall be entered into the events selected upon initial registration.  In the event that a tournament’s registration is at capacity, players desiring to play may request to be notified as spots become available
4. All players registered for a given event will be sent a “Registration Reminder” email 4 weeks prior to an event for which they have registered.  Players will then have 7 days to visit the Members’ section of the website and remove themselves from the event if they wish to withdraw from the upcoming event. Players withdrawing after the one-week allotted time period will be subject to the Tour’s Cancellation Policy.
5. If players withdraw and spots become available, an automated email will be sent to all players Who have requested to be notified.  Available spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
6. Players registering within 7 days of an event will pay an extra $10 (plus HST).
7. Players will be charged a non-refundable $25 (plus HST) deposit upon registration for each event.

Cancellation/ No Show

1. If a player withdraws more than one week after the registration reminder is sent he or she will be subject to a minimum administrative cancellation fee of $90 plus HST. However, if the host course will not provide a refund, the player will be billed the entire cost of his or her green fee.
2. Any player who does not show for his or her tee time at a scheduled event will be subject to a minimum charge of $100. However, if the host course does not provide a refund, the player will be charged the full price of the green fee. If a player is a “no-show” at two events, without notifying Tour staff, he or she will be suspended from play until further notice.
3. If the Tour is unable to process a players’ credit card the player will be charged a minimum $25 processing fee. Please ensure The Tour has your current credit card information.

Inclement Weather & Dangerous Conditions

In the case of inclement weather, GTA AM Tour will make a decision regarding the event at the course and not beforehand. Please arrive for your scheduled tee time.  Weather conditions can and do vary drastically.

Players should monitor weather conditions during the day and be aware of possible dangers.  A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged air horn note.  Players are responsible for their safety on the course and MUST seek shelter immediately in a safe location when a dangerous situation arises.

If the event is shortened due to inclement weather, and all players in a given Flight have played 9 holes, the event will be deemed to have been completed and tournament results will be based on those completed 9 holes. However, if 9 holes have not been completed by all players in a given Flight, a rain cheque will be issued for use during the current season. If some holes are played but the complete field has not played at least 9 holes, the tournament will be cancelled; however, the rain cheques are issued at the discretion of the host course. Please be assured that Tour staff will do everything possible to satisfy members with a fair decision.

For every event that is cancelled due to inclement weather, GTA AM Tour season will be reduced by one event. The Gross and Net Orders of Merit will still be determined using a player’s best ten event scores.

PERSONAL AUDIO & VIDEO

During a round, a player must not listen to or watch content of any nature on a personal audio or video device.

ELIGIBILITY FOR USE OF RULE 25

Players wishing to use any part of Rule 25 “Modifications for Players with Disabilities” must meet Golf Canada’s eligibility for use of Rule 25 in its competitions. Players with an EDGA Access Pass must arrange an assessment by an EDGA Eligibility Assessor to confirm eligibility and submit a request form at least 60 days prior to the competition.

Tour Championship

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All Tour players are welcome to register for and to play at The Tour Championship.  However, players must play a minimum of five (5) Tour rounds in the current season to be eligible for Order of Merit Points and event prizing at the Tour Championship and spots will be awarded to players, in priority, using the following criteria:

1. Players who are amongst the top seven in their respective flight OOM ranking after the final Nest at Friday Harbour tournament.  Players must be on the Notify Me List to be considered.
2. Players who have played a minimum of five (5) Tour rounds during the season on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Note: Participation in both rounds of a 2-day major counts as two (2) rounds).
3. Any remaining available spots will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Note: There will not be a recreational flight at the Tour Championship.

Fees for ClubLink Members

Tour players, who are also ClubLink members, will receive, courtesy of ClubLink, an event discount at non-Prestige level ClubLink venues.  The Tour will charge you the full amount (as the billing is automated) but will then refund you the difference between the event fee and $80 (Plus HST).  One week prior to the event, ClubLink members must send an email to the Host Club's Director of Golf and cc Mark Young.  The email is to request from the Director of Golf, his/her confirmation that they will not be charging The GTA AM Tour for you, the ClubLink Member, to play in the event.  On the day of the event, ClubLink members are required to check in with the Golf Shop and show their ClubLink identification.

Caddies & Spectators

Caddies and spectators are permitted at GTA AM Tour events and MUST sign a Waiver of Liability at registration and walk the course, unless their player is riding a cart with a seat available and a cart fee has been paid for two people.  Extra carts are not permitted and caddies & spectators may not ride with their player's competitor.  Caddies must not slow down the pace of play and must know and adhere to the etiquette and Rules of Golf.

Spectators MUST adhere to the following guidelines while on the course:

1. Ensure they are in a safe location at all times and be aware of golfers throughout the course.
2. Stay a minimum of 10 yards away from all tee decks and greens and must avoid distraction of any player.
3. Spectators are not permitted in the scoring area and must stay a minimum of 10 yards away when Rulings are being provided.
4. Spectators are not permitted to perform any caddy duties outlined in Rule 10.3, such as giving advice or handling a player’s clubs during play.

Pace of Play Policy

Rule 5.6a requires “A player must not unreasonably delay play”.  Rule 5.6b(3) states in part: “To encourage and enforce prompt play, the Committee should adopt a Local Rules setting Pace of Play Policy. This Policy may set a minimum time to complete a round, a hole or a series of holes and a stroke, and it may set penalties for not following this Policy”. In accordance with Rule 5.6b(3), the GTA AM Tour has adopted the following Pace of Play Policy.

1. SUMMARY: The GTA AM Tour’s Pace of Play Policy is straightforward.  All we ask is for your group to keep up to the group in front of you.  IT DOES NOT matter about the group behind you.  All that matters is for your group to maintain proper positioning directly behind the group in front of you (See: Players Out of Position, below).

2. ALLOTTED TIME: The time par for each course will be posted on your scorecard and all players are advised to note this time par in advance of teeing off the first tee.  When a group falls behind – regardless of the reason – it must regain its position to the group in front as quickly as possible.  Time for ball searches, rulings and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time.

3. PLAYERS OUT OF POSITION: The first group of the day is out of position if, at any time, they fall behind the posted time par. Any following group is out of position if,

1. When starting play of any par three or four hole, the group is behind time par AND the preceding group has completed play of the hole
2. When starting play of any par five hole, the group is behind time par AND the preceding group of players is on the putting green

When a group is out of position, the group will be notified by a GTA AM Tour Official that the group is in breach of the Pace of Play Policy. The penalties for breaching the GTA AM Tour Pace of Play Policy are as follows:

• 1st Breach – Pace of Play Warning
• 2nd Breach – One-Stroke Penalty
• 3rd Breach – General Penalty (Two-Stroke Penalty in Stroke Play)

Any group that is out of position is subject to monitoring by a Referee.  When a group has been notified of its first breach, the group may be put on the clock (see below) and must regain its position within the next 3 holes.  If, however, that group does not regain its position, each player in the group will receive a One-Stroke Penalty.  When the players receive their second breach, they will have 3 holes to regain their position or receive the General Penalty.

If a group regains their position, but subsequently falls out of position later in the round, that group will be subject to the next level of breach.

Any player concerned about a non-responsive fellow competitor in his or her group should request a Referee to monitor the group so that the non-responsive player can be identified by the Referee.  Once on the clock, a player will have 40 seconds to make a stroke once they able to play with the exception that the player who is first to play at the tee, first with an approach or first on the green will have 50 seconds.  Once a group is put on the clock, the Referee will have the option to penalize the individual.

If a group is subject to a penalty, all penalties will be applied to the checkpoint hole where the breach occurred.

Hard Card (Local Rules & Terms of Competition)

The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA, the R&A and Golf Canada govern play.  These Local Rules and Terms of the Competition are in effect at all GTA AM TOUR competitions.  See the applicable Notice to Players for the competition for modifications or additions to these Local Rules and Terms of Competition.