Hong Kong Open Amateur and Mid Amateur Championships 2019
Date: Tuesday, 13 August 2019 to Friday, 16 August 2019
Venue: CWB
Closing Date for Entries : Monday 22 July 2019
Conditions of competition
Online Entry
Entry form (Local)
Entry form (Overseas)
Accommodation form
Additional Informatiom
Anti Doping Policy
Conditions
1. The Hong Kong Open Amateur and Mid Amateur Championships 2019 will be decided by stroke play over four 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.
2. Competitors will play one round on the 13, 14 and 15 August 2019. The 40 lowest scores over these 54 holes and any tying for the 40th place will qualify for the final 18 holes on 16 August 2019.
Please note that a cut will be made after round 1, and any player scoring more than 87 or more than 11 shots over the leading score, whichever is the higher, will be eliminated from the championships.
3. In the event of a tie for first place in both the Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship and the Hong Kong Open 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.
4. 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 by holes 1-9, 4-9, 7-9 and hole 9). If a tie still arises, the scores of the preceding 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.
5. The specimen conditions in the Official Guide to Rules of Golf effective 2019 as regarding Conforming Driver Heads, grove and punch mark specifications (see pages 495) as well as Conforming Golf Balls (see page 496) are in effect.
6. 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
7. Players in the Championship Division may not ride on a motorized cart and MUST WALK at all times except when transportation has been authorized by the Tournament Committee or a designated Rules Official.
Penalty for Breach of Condition: Disqualification.
8. Players entering only the Mid Amateur Divisions are permitted to ride on golf carts. However players who wish to drive a golf cart must show their current valid driving license before being allowed to drive a golf cart.
The use of trolleys or motorized golf carts will be permitted but is not mandatory. Competitors in the Open Mid Amateur Division who use a golf cart will be charged HK$150 per person. No more than two carts per playing group are allowed except when a shuttle is provided by the Committee or otherwise authorized by a Rules Official (see page 497 in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf Effective 2019).
Penalty for Breach of Condition: General Penalty for each breach.
NB: Players may not allow any person to ride on a motorized golf cart with them during a competition round unless that person is a fellow competitor who is sharing the cart. (Penalty for Breach of Condition: Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round; four strokes.)
9 a. Caddies must walk at all times during a stipulated round unless permitted to ride by the Tournament Committee or a referee.
b. Caddies wearing jeans or sandals will not be allowed on the course.
c. Caddies may not wear spiked (whether soft or hard) golf shoes; a caddie in breach of this condition will not be allowed on to the putting greens.
Repeated offence may result in the disqualification of the player
10. A player may bring his own caddie provided he or she is not a professional golfer. Players and caddies may use a pull or battery operated trolley.
Penalty for Breach of Condition: Disqualification.
11. During a stipulated round, the use of a mobile phone may be regarded as a serious breach of etiquette for which a penalty of disqualification may be imposed.
12. During a stipulated round, the use of a distance measuring device is allowed.
A player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation change, wind speed, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3a.
Penalty for Breach of condition: 2 strokes for the first offence, disqualification for more than one breach of the local rule
13. A copy of the full Pace of Play conditions will be posted at the Tournament Office and will be available on request.
14. Return of Score Cards
Competitors must ensure that they return their score cards to the tournament office within 15 minutes of completing their round.(Penalty for breach of condition: Disqualification)
15. The Tournament Committee may require a player to withdraw from the Championship if it is felt that the player does not have a basic understanding of the Rules of Golf which includes etiquette, or the requisite golfing standard.
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 20, a quorum shall consist of any two of the above persons. Decisions of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding on all concerned.
16. Breaches of Discipline
A player commits a breach of discipline if he :
i) Knowingly fails to comply with the Rules of Golf with an intention of gaining an advantage over another player;
ii) Knowingly returns a false score.
iii) Verbally threatens any person during the Championship.
iv) Uses abusive or profane language during the Championship;
v) Behaves in a manner detrimental to the good name and reputation of the HKGA;
vi) Brings the game of golf into disrepute;
vii) Misses a tee time or withdraws from the Championship before its completion without providing good and sufficient reason.
viii) Is under the influence of and/or uses drugs prohibited by the WADA anti-doping policy.
The Tournament Committee may in the case of a breach of discipline either disqualify a player from the competition or impose such other penalty or reprimand as it deems appropriate in the circumstances. Please refer to the HKGA Discipline Procedure and Right of Appeal policy on the official HKGA website.
17. Event Cancellation Policy
If the Tournament has to be cancelled due to inclement weather or if the course is closed for any reason necessitating cancellation, the following policy regarding the refund of entry fees will apply and entries are only accepted on this basis.
If the event is cancelled prior to any play taking place, all entry fees will be refunded.
Once any play has commenced, no refund of entry fees will be made.
18. In case of inclement weather all competitors should check the HKGA website www.hkga.com where up to date information will be posted at regular intervals.
19. Withdrawal Policy
There is no penalty if a player withdraw before the date of the close of entries 22 July 2019. Should a player withdraw after date of the close of entries, the entry fee will be forfeited and should the player fail to give less than 72 hours notice before the date of the tournament, the player will be suspended from playing in the tournament the following year.
20. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to amend these Championship conditions.
Additional notes to players
1. The starting field will be 78. In the event of entries exceeding this number, entries will be decided using handicap index as well as where possible previous tournament results. Lower handicaps taking precedence. Unsuccessful entrants will be given the opportunity to compete in the event of withdrawals. Entry fees will be refunded to unsuccessful entrants who do not compete.
2. Spectators are not allowed on the course.
3. The courtesy of the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club will be extended to all entrants on Monday 12 August 2019. Players must book their starting times by telephoning the Hong Kong Golf Association at telephone: (852) 2504 8654 on 31 July and 1 August between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Hong Kong Time). Priority for the practice round will be allocated for overseas competitors.
4. 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 a reason for its decision.
5. 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.
6. All players must have insurance to cover any incident that might occur on or around the golf course. The HKGA accepts no reasonability for any injury to any person or damage to equipment.
7. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
HK OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP :Winner, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Place
HK OPEN MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP :Winner, Second and Third Place
EACH ROUND :Best Gross
A player who has entered both Championships 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.
Anti Doping Policy
The Anti-Doping policy as confirmed by the International Golf Federation, Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will be in force.