HKGA

The Helene et Henri Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur and Mid Amateur Open Golf Championships 2008 will be decided by stroke play over three rounds, which will be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal & Ancient Rules Limited and with the Local Rules approved by the Tournament Committee.

Competitors will play one round on Wednesday 24 September 2008 and one on Thursday 25 September 2008. The 40 lowest scores over these 36 holes and any tying for 40th place will qualify for the final 18 holes on 26 September 2008 (at least 20 players from the Mid Amateur Division).

Should any player in Division I fail to score less than 90 in the first round and is more than 10 strokes behind the leader, then the player may be withdrawn from the championship.

Should any player in Division II fail to score less than 100 in the first round and is more than 10 strokes behind the leading player in the Division II, then the player may be withdrawn from the championship.

In the event of a tie for first place in the HK Open Amateur Championship Div I and Mid Amateur Championship, the winner will be decided by a hole by hole play off to take place immediately. The play off holes will be decided by the Tournament Director. All other ties will be decided by a count-back. The winner will be the player having the lowest gross score over the last 18 holes (then the last 9, last 6, last 3, and last hole; then follow by holes 1-9, 4-9, 7-9 and hole 9). If a tie still arises, the scores of the immediate previous round will be applied in the same way. If a winner is still not determined after the score of the first round is applied, the result will be decided by the toss of a coin

The specimen conditions in the Rules of Golf (2008-2011) are in effect as regards Conforming Driver Heads (see pages 141 & 142), Conforming Golf Balls (see page 142) and Time of Starting (see page 143).

Any driver the player carries must have a clubhead, identified by model and loft, that is named on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the R&A.

It is the responsibility of all players to ensure that their driver is listed on the R&A list of Conforming Driver heads.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to inspect any driver at any time during the tournament.
Penalty for making a stroke with club in breach of condition: Disqualification
For details, please visit R&A website at www.randa.org

Players are permitted to ride on golf carts. However players under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive a golf cart.

a) The use of trolleys or motorized golf carts will be permitted but is not mandatory. Competitors who use a golf cart will be charged HK$120 per person. No more than two carts per playing group are allowed.

b) Competitors under the age of 18 may ride on a golf cart but may not drive a golf cart.

c) Caddies must walk at all times.

d) A player may bring her own caddie provided he or she is not a professional golfer and not a parent of the player, unless agreed by the Tournament Committee.

Penalty for Breach of Condition: Disqualification.

Players using motorized carts or trolleys should remember that the cart or trolley and everything in or on it, even when shared, is the equipment of the player whose ball is involved, except that, when the cart is being moved by one of the players sharing it, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the player' s equipment.
Penalty for Breach of Condition: Disqualification.

Players should report to the Starter at least 10 minutes before their allotted starting time. If a player arrives late at her starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after her starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes, to be added to the score on the first hole.
Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes: Disqualification.

During a stipulated round, the use of a mobile phone is regarded as a serious breach of etiquette for which the penalty may be disqualification.

During a stipulated round, the use of a distance measuring device is not allowed.
Penalty for Breach of Condition: Disqualification.

10.

A copy of the full Pace of Play conditions will be posted at the Tournament Office and will be available on request.

11.

The Tournament Committee may require a player to withdraw from the Championship if it is felt the player does not have a basic understanding of the Rules of Golf which includes etiquette, or the requisite golfing standard.

12.

Entrants must conform in all respects to the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by R&A Rules Limited and sign the declaration in the entry form to that effect.

13.

Entries will be accepted from female players whose handicap index does not exceed 15.6 under the USGA handicapping system as of the closing date.

HK LADIES' OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Division I: Handicap 9 or lower (USGA Handicap Index 8.0 or lower)
Division II: Handicap 10 - 18 (USGA Handicap Index 8.1 - 15.6)

HK LADIES' MID AMATEUR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Handicap 18 or lower (USGA Handicap Index 15.6 or lower)
(25 years of age or over - on or before Wednesday 24th September 2008)

14.

The starting field will be 90. In the event of entries exceeding this number, entries will be decided using handicap index. Lower handicaps taking precedence. Unsuccessful entrants will be given the opportunity to compete in the event of any withdrawals. Entry fees will be refunded to unsuccessful entrants who do not compete.

15.

An entry form together with the applicable full entrance fee must be received by the HKGA not later than Monday 25 August 2008.

16.

Entry will not be accepted unless the entry form is fully completed and signed by the entrant. Entry fees will not be refunded for withdrawals after Monday 25 August 2008.

17.

All entries will be subject to the approval of the Tournament Committee which reserves the right to accept or refuse, or having accepted, subsequently reject any entry without giving reason for its decision.

18.

It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of and abide by, the Dress Code for the Host Club. A copy of this will be posted on the Information Board at the Tournament office. Both on and off the Course and in the Clubhouse, players should observe reasonable, inoffensive manner of dress. In general however, the following rules should be observed.

a) Denim wear including jeans, is not permitted
b) Swimwear and athletic attire including tracksuits, shorts, T-shirts and sports shoes are not allowed.
c) Footwear should be worn at all times, not changed in public areas and notice taken of Host Club rules regarding spike shoes.
d) Hats or caps should not be worn in the Clubhouse.

19.

The Tournament Committee shall be appointed by the Hong Kong Golf Association and shall consist of:

(a) Hong Kong Golf Association Chairman, Rules (or an authorized deputy)
(b) Hong Kong Golf Association Chairman, Tournaments (or an authorized deputy)
(c) The Tournament Director (or an authorized deputy)

For the purposes of Rule 33-7 a quorum shall consist of any two of the above persons. Decisions of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding on all concerned.

20.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to disqualify any competitor making a false statement on his/her entry form.

21.

Spectators are not allowed on the course.

22.

The courtesy of the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club will be extended to all entrants on Tuesday 23rd September apart from the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club members who can play at other times. Players must book their starting times by telephoning or faxing the Hong Kong Golf Association at telephone: (852) 2504 8659 or fax: (852) 2845 1553 from 9th September - 12th September before 4:00 p.m. (Hong Kong time). Priority for the practice round on the 23rd September will be given by overseas competitors.

23.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

HK OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - DIV I	:	Winner, Runner-Up, 3rd and 4th Place
HK OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - DIV II	:	Winner, Runner-Up, 3rd and 4th Place
HK MID AMATEUR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP	:	Winner, Runner-Up, 3rd and 4th Place
EACH ROUND IN DIV I and II	:	Best Gross
LEADING HONG KONG PLAYERS	:	Division I and Division II

A player is entitled to win a prize in both Championships.
Minor prizes such as the best score for each day are restricted to players who have not
won a major prize.
Missing the cut does not disqualify a competitor from prizes won in earlier rounds.
A player who withdraws from the Championship is not entitled to win any prizes.
All perpetual trophies will remain in the custody of the HKGA

24.

Cocktails hosted by the HKGA will be held on Tuesday afternoon 23rd September 2008 at the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club which all competitors are invited.

25.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to amend these Championship conditions.