2013-14 eGolf Pro Tour Florida Policies

FORMAT

54-Hole Events: 

All 54-hole tournaments will have maximum field sizes of 120-132 players, based on daylight restrictions at the time of the event. For each 54-hole event, the field will be cut to the low 35 percent of the field and ties following the completion of 36 holes. 

TOUR MEMBERSHIP

• $975 
  

This fee is non-refundable after October 25, 2013.

TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEE

• $975 (members)
• $1,175 (non-members)
• $600 (amateurs)

(All payments are subject to a 3% administrative processing fee. Players wishing to pay with a check MUST include the 3% fee. No exceptions.)

PURSES

• All 54-hole events will feature a purse of $115,830 based on a field of 132 professionals.
• 90% payback, regardless of field size.
• Season-long payback percentage, including Million Dollar Championship Series, will be a minimum of 105%.

ELIGIBILITY

Professionals and amateurs with a USGA handicap index of 2.0 or less may play on a space available basis. eGolf Professional Tour members will be allowed to sign up at any point on a first come, first served basis until Monday, the week prior to the event, at 6:00 PM. After this point, all non-members and amateurs will be granted entry on a space available basis, in the order in which their entry was received. Non-members will be given priority over amateurs. Amateurs will not be allowed entry into the field until the Saturday prior to tournament week, provided there is space available. The maximum field size for each event will range from 120 to 156 players, based on daylight available.

ENTRY DEADLINE

The payment deadline for events is Friday at 6:00 PM (EST) the week prior to the event. All contestants who have not paid their entry fee in full by the Friday deadline will be considered not entered and will be added to the waiting list. Members and Non-Members may enter any event as far in advance as they wish. The Non-Member waiting list will be built according to when payment is received. Non-Members will be entered into events after the Wednesday deadline has passed in the order their payment was received. Any non-member who does not gain entry into an event will be given a full refund or at his or her request will be placed on the non-member list for the next event. Any player who qualifies for a PGA TOUR, Web.com Tour, Champions Tour or European Tour event before the first day of play will be refunded his or her entry fee if the events coincide. 

Please note: Once a player hits an official shot in an event, there are no refunds, regardless of whether or not they gain entry into that week's PGA, Web.com, Champions or European Tour event. All players who sign up after the Friday deadline will be charged a $65 late fee. Players can check the field list online to make sure that they are entered into an event. Field lists for each eGolf Pro Tour Florida event will be posted by Saturday at 10:00 AM (EST), the week prior to the event.

It is solely the responsibility of the player to know whether or not he is in the tournament field. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

All players must pay using a credit card or debit card on the official eGolf Pro Tour Florida website. Should you face difficulty with this process, you may send a check to the address located on our contact page. Check must be accompanied with a completed entry form and MUST include the 3% administrative processing fee.

Returned Checks: Any returned check will result in a $50 service fee and loss of check writing privileges.

Direct Deposit Payment: The eGolf Professional Tour will once again offer direct deposit payment to all players of the tour. This means that instead of being paid with a check, players will have their earnings directly deposited into their bank accounts. All direct deposit payments will be made within seven (7) days of the tournament's final round. Players can sign up for this service by printing out the direct deposit form off of the website and faxing it to the eGolf office with a voided check attached on the bottom of the form.

Players only need to fill out the box marked (1) worker required information, (2) the name of their financial institution in the box marked complete for direct deposit, and (3) sign and date the bottom of the page. Once the form is complete, attach a voided check to the bottom box on the form and fax it to (704) 295-3905, attention Stewart Moore.

 

All U.S. residents, or any players who intend to file 2014-2015 tax returns, are required to have a W-9 tax form on file with eGolf:

A sample form is available here. After reading the form carefully, please complete each of the following five steps:

1.    Print full name

2.    Print complete address

3.    Fill in Social Security Number

4.    Sign and Date

5.    Fax to eGolf Professional Tour at (704) 295-3905

All Non-Resident Aliens, as determined by the IRS, must fill out a W-8 BEN form.

NO SHOW/WITHDRAWL

No-shows will not be tolerated. Any player who no-shows for an event will forfeit their entry fee.

• A player may withdraw without penalty up until 6:00 pm (PST) Saturday before the event.
• A player withdrawing after the deadline and before 6:00 pm (PST) Sunday will be charged $200.00.
• Players who withdraw after 6:00 pm (PST) Sunday will be considered a No-Show and will not be refunded for any reason. A life or death circumstance will be the only situation that could alter this policy.
• Withdraws be submitted VIA EMAIL to a member of the eGolf Tour staff. No exceptions.
• Note: For a player’s entry to count towards the purse, that player must hit a minimum of one shot in competition during the selected event.

PRACTICE ROUNDS

Practice rounds are to be paid for by each player individually. eGolf will negotiate a reduced practice round rate for players in advance of each tournament. Players should check the tournament information page on the tour website for rates and instructions regarding tee times.

Practice Round Guidelines and Policies:

• Players are allowed to hit only one tee shot and one approach shot on each hole during a practice round. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in removal from the golf course.
• If a group of less than four players signs up for a tee time, the host course will pair them with the appropriate number of players to create a foursome.
• All practice rounds should be completed in less than 4.5 hours.
• Disclaimer: There will be no sirens or horns utilized by the tour during practice rounds in the case of inclement weather. Players should use their own discretion and are responsible for their own safety during practice rounds.

GROOVE POLICY

All eGolf Pro Tour Florida players must use grooves that conform to the USGA's established standards for all clubs 25 degrees and higher. To see if your clubs conform according to the USGA database, please click here. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in immediate disqualification.

PACE OF PLAY

Rule 6-7 states, in part: "The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee." The following pace of play guidelines and slow play penalties and fines, except during match play competitions, has been adopted.

1. Definition of "Out of Position"

The first group to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group exceeds the time allotted per hole, as detailed on the applicable course's Local Rules Addendum. The second and third groups, and additional groups as determined by the Rules Committee when play is in pairs, to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they (a) exceed the allotted time to play or (b) reach any place where there is an open par-3 and the group in front has left the next teeing ground or (c) reach any place where there is an open par-4 hole or (d) when the preceding group is on the putting green of a par-5 hole when the group in question is on the teeing ground. Any subsequent group will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they reach any place where there is an open par-3 or par-4 hole, or the preceding group is on the putting green of a par-5 hole when the group in question is on the teeing ground.

2. Monitoring Groups

It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of his groups' position on the golf course. Any group that is over "time-par" or out of position will be advised of the situation and the group may immediately be put back "on-the-clock". A group will be subject to being timed until back in position with the group ahead or back on TIME PAR.

3. Timing

The timing of a player's stroke will begin when it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction. Any time spent determining yardages will count as time taken for the next stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on the line of his putt. A player will have 40 seconds to play a stroke when being timed. NOTE: An extra 20 seconds will be allowed for: A. The first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole. B. The first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole (when attempting to reach the putting green). C. The first player to play a third stroke on a par-5 hole. D. The first player to play on or around the putting green.

4. Fines and Penalties - Penalty Phase

Any player in a group out of position will be subject to being timed. Any player who exceeds the allotted time to play a stroke will be notified of such. Any player that has received notification of a bad time is considered to be in the Penalty Phase of the Pace of Play Policy. Players in the Penalty Phase of the Pace of Play Policy exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke will be penalized in the following manner.

5. Summary of Fines and Penalties during a Round

First Offense: One timing exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke -- one stroke penalty. Second Offense: One more timing (a total of two) exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke -- two stroke penalty. Subsequent Offense: One more timing (a total of three) exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke -- disqualification. Note: In the administration of these paces of play guidelines, a member of the rules committee shall not tolerate any form of abuse, by the player. Such abuse constitutes conduct unbecoming a professional. Any player who is put “On the clock” five times over the course of the 2013 season will be fined $200.00. Each subsequent timing will result in an additional $200.00 fine for the offending player.

6. Appeals

The player in question immediately upon completion of his/her round must refer any appeal of a penalty and/or fine to the Tour Director. The Tour Director's decision shall be final.

CONDUCT

Any conduct unbecoming of a professional will not be tolerated on the eGolf Pro Tour Florida . Such behavior includes abusive profanity, club throwing, and any act that results in personal or private property damage. In addition, players failing to properly rake fairway and greenside bunkers will be subject to all fines that fall under the category of conduct unbecoming of a professional. Players are responsible for the conduct of their caddies and will be responsible for any fines incurred. Breach of professional conduct will result in warnings, fines and/or disqualification.

• First Offense - $100
• Second Offense - $200
• Third Offense - $400
• Each Offense Thereafter - $500 (plus possible suspension)

Fines will be deducted from a player's check for that tournament. Should a player not make a check, a bill for the fine will be sent to that player online. All fines must be paid in full before the player is allowed entry into another eGolf event. It is the responsibility of all eGolf Pro Tour West players to report any behavior they witness that is deemed conduct unbecoming of a professional.

SCORING

All players are required to return their scorecards to the scoring area immediately following the tournament round. Players are required to remain in the scoring area until all players in their group have returned their scorecards to the tournament staff. A breach of this rule will be considered conduct unbecoming of a professional and will be subject to discipline under the eGolf Pro Tour West's conduct policy.

The scoring area will be determined by the committee and will be defined by (but not limited to) a tent, rope, or the specific room in which it is located. A scorecard is deemed returned once the player has left this defined area.

ALCOHOL and ILLEGAL DRUGS

Any player who drinks alcohol or uses any illegal drugs during an official tournament round or practice round will be disqualified from the tournament. A second offense will result in loss of playing privileges for the remainder of the 2013 season.

DRESS CODE

No jeans or denim allowed. Shorts may be worn but must be of Bermuda length. Shorts with a camouflage print will not be allowed. Collared shirts are required at all events and should remain tucked in at all times. Players will not be allowed to wear hooded sweatshirts of any nature. Soft spikes are mandatory at all events. All caddies must wear spikeless, soft-soled shoes - open-toed shoes are not permitted. This policy apply to all players AND caddies, and to all practice and tournament rounds.

MOBILE PHONES

Except for emergencies, cell phone use during a stipulated round is prohibited. Exception: Players may call a "Committee Member" for a "ruling".

Penalty for violation of this policy:
First offense: "Warning" and possible penalty for undue delay.
Second offense: Disqualification.

ELECTRONIC MEASURING DEVICES

Electronic distance-measuring devices WILL be allowed on the 2013-2014 eGolf Pro Tour Florida . A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.  

PLAYOFFS & TIES

Ties will be decided by a sudden death playoff immediately following regulation play. Tour officials will decide the starting hole and hole procession.

PRIZE MONEY

Non-Resident Alien players must have an IRS W-8 BEN form on file and according to IRS regulations, the Tour will withhold 30% of all earnings for taxes. Players are responsible for correct Names, Social Security Numbers and Addresses. Players that do not utilize direct deposit will be mailed a bank check no later than 10 days after each event. All prize money issued in the form of a bank check must be cashed within 180 days or the check will be cancelled and the prize money considered forfeited. Players being paid via a hard check will have a $10 processing fee deducted from the check.

SUSPENSION OF PLAY (Due to Dangerous Situation)

Play may be suspended due to dangerous situations. A suspension of play for a dangerous situation shall be signaled by one long air horn blast. After a horn or siren has sounded, players must immediately halt play and may not resume again until the Committee has ordered to do so. Under suspension, the entire golf course, driving range, putting greens and all practice areas are closed until the "Committee" has declared them open again. Suspension of play due to fog, excessive rain, ice, wind or any other reason is not considered dangerous and will be signaled by consecutive air horn blasts. Players in the process of playing the hole may complete the hole. Players in between the play of two holes must stop immediately.

During two-course events, the eGolf Professional Tour reserves the right to suspend play at both courses based upon conditions of playability at either course in the tournament.

GOLF CARTS

The 2013-2014 eGolf Pro Tour Florida season will feature primarily riding events. However, the Tour has the right to designate any event a walking event if deemed necessary. Any changes will be posted on the tour's website.

Only two carts allowed per group for both tournament and practice rounds. No exceptions.

Spectators are not allowed to ride in a player's cart at any time. Spectator carts are not allowed unless approved by the Tournament Director.

REDUCTION OF ROUNDS

54-Hole Events

The eGolf Pro Tour Florida will do everything within reason to complete 54 holes in a 54-hole event. In such a case 54 holes cannot be completed, a 54-hole tournament is final after 36 completed holes. Every effort will be made to complete a round. If less than 36 holes of a 54-hole event are completed, 18-hole results will be final. If 18 holes of a 54-hole event cannot be completed, the tournament will be deemed cancelled and refunds will be given less $40.00 for tournament costs. Partial rounds will not count.

The rainout policy is very specific. If play is suspended at any time during the first round, play will resume later that day or the next day. The same procedure will be followed for each ensuing round, with the following exceptions:

In a 54-hole event, if the final round is cancelled, the tournament will be deemed final after the second round. If the second round must be completed on the final day, it must be finished in time for the final round to start and finish on that day with a maximum of six holes to be completed on each side. This is subject to change based on golf course availability.

DISCLAIMER

The eGolf Pro Tour Florida reserves the right to refuse entry to any player for any reason.

The eGolf Pro Tour Florida is not responsible for any items lost, stolen or damaged at a host or secondary facility.

eGolf Pro Tour Florida participants are responsible for any damage they cause to the golf course and/or property of the golf course.