Rules and Awards

RULES

USGA rules govern all play except as modified by the tournament committee. Modifications and local rules will be noted at each event on both the rule sheet and the TMGA scoreboard.

• Players compete in both scratch and handicap divisions in all events except for the Great Lakes Spring Amateur and the Fall Classic when players must declare their respective divisions or pay an additional entry fee to compete in both divisions. Players will not however receive certificate/check/cash awards for top finishes in both divisions. Instead, payments are based on the player's highest finish in one division (with scratch division priority).
• Unless turf conditions warrant otherwise, the TMGA plays the ball "as it lies".
• The maximum allowable handicap for all TMGA events has been raised to 30 strokes. Players with higher handicaps however may compete in TMGA events if they wish, but will only receive the 30-stroke maximum.
• Ties for first place in both divisions will be decided by a sudden-death play-off, starting on a hole determined by the TMGA officers. Players tying for first place in both divisions may play-off separately for the title in each division. If a tying contestant is absent at the time of the play-off, he forfeits the first-place player-of-the-year points. For single-day events, absent players will share equally in first-place prize money.
• Slow play will not be tolerated! Players are required to put their ball in play within 45 seconds (one minute for putts) when it becomes their turn to play. Also, each foursome must complete their round in no longer than four hours and twenty minutes or at least finish within twenty minutes of the preceding group. If a group falls more than one hole behind the preceding group, they must adopt "Ready Play" procedures until their group gets back in position. Penalties for slow play involve the entire foursome (without exception) so players within each foursome are expected to marshal each other. The TMGA officers reserve the right to penalize both individuals and groups for slow play without warning.

AWARDS

Winners of both divisions of the Great Lakes Spring Amateur and the Fall Classic will be awarded trophies at the conclusion of those events while the winners of the TMGA Club Championship in both divisions will receive trophies at the TMGA Finale during the awards banquet. Gift certificates will be awarded to the top finishers in both divisions, the players who post the low daily rounds, and the closest-to-the-pin winners for the Great Lakes Spring Amateur Championship. Checks/cash will be awarded to top finishers in each division as well as to winners of field skins and/or closest-to-the-pin awards for all other TMGA events. (Again, players will not receive check/cash awards for top finishes in both divisions. Instead, payments are based on the player's highest finish in one division.) The number of places and amounts paid for each event are dependent on the size of the field and the amount of available prize funds. GLSA certificates are mailed in June while cash for all other events is ususally distributed at the following TMGA event. Unclaimed funds are paid by check twice a year in July and in October.