About America’s Golf Tour

America’s Golf Tour (AGT) was organized to promote the thrill and excitement of competitive golf throughout the United States in accordance with the USGA rules of golf.

Single day 18 hole, two day 36 hole and three day 36 hole Tour Championship tournaments, on top courses, are open to both men and women golfers in the 0 to 30 handicap range. Golf in this format, with a strictly controlled handicap system producing fair competition, will give every golfer the unique experience of “playing on tour”.

AGT is a member tour, where members can play as a non-amateur for cash awards or as a amateur for prizes and gift certificates thus maintaining their amateur status. AGT is run by a group of enthusiastic golfers dedicated to the concept of providing fair, competitive golf tournaments for the average golfer.

AGT will have a handicap division with 3 flights for golfers to participate in. Golfers will be divided equally between the 3 flights based on the numbers of golfers. We believe that the flight handicaps will be around these parameters.

• The Americas Flight range is 0 to less than 10
• The National Flight range is 10 to less than 16
• The United Flight range is 16+

Golfers will compete from the designated # 2 tee box (Standard). Golfers who are age 55+ will have the option to compete from one tee box forward, # 3 tee box, of the standard tee. All women will compete from the courses designated women’s tee box. All players regardless of age or sex will compete for the same prize money in their flight.

Membership

Membership is required on AGT for all players. We have several options available to all golfers because we know that each golfer has a different situation. Here is a list of the memberships available;

• Bronze Membership - $15
• Silver Membership - $30
• Gold Membership - $99
• Platinum Membership - $297

Tournament Eligibility & Formats

Tournament Eligibility

• Single Round Tournaments are open to all male and female golfers playing as a Non-amateur or amateur. Non-members must purchase a 1 day membership for $15 to compete in these tournaments.
• Two day, multiple rounds, tournaments are open to all male and female golfers playing as a Non-amateur or amateur. Non-members must purchase a 3 month membership for $30 to compete in these tournaments.
• Tour Championship is open to all male and female golfers playing as a Non-amateur or amateur. Non-members are welcome to participate in 2009 but will be charged $30 extra to compete in this tournament.

Tournament Formats

All tournaments will be scheduled for a minimum of 18 holes with the exception of inclement weather. Tournaments will be governed by both USGA and existing local rules. Other formats may be utilized from time to time at the discretion of AGT. Typical formats and optional games include but are not limited to the following:

• Individual stroke play, either net or gross
• Net stroke play will have 3 flights separated into equal size based on the number of golfers competing.
• Gross Skin Pot – Low score on any given hole wins the hole within their flight. (No carryovers)
• Net Skin Pot – Low net score on any given hole wins the hole within their flight. Players will be allowed to use 100% of their handicap in Net Skins game up to a maximum of 18 strokes. (No carryovers)
• Net Nassau Pot – Low net score for each nine holes within their flight.
• Deuces Pot – Any net 2 on any hole wins equal share of the cash within their flight.
• Senior Net Pot - for all players age 47+ competing in tournament
• Senior Scratch Pot - for all players age 47+ competing in tournament
• Scratch Pot – Available to all players competing in tournament.

Tee Setup & Yardages

The following yardages are general guidelines for tournament rounds. Actual yardages may vary depending on the specific golf course design and type of tournament being played.

• Standard tee box for handicap players will be the # 2 tee box with a yardage target of 6500 – 6900 yards for single and multiple round tournaments 

• Super Seniors will tee up from # 3 tee box forward with a yardage target of 6100 – 6500 yards for single and multiple round tournaments 

• Women will tee up from the normal women’s tee box with a yardage target of 5100 – 5800 yards for single and multiple round tournaments

• Scratch Only tournaments will be played from the # 1 tee box with a yardage target of 6800 or more yards for single and multiple round tournaments.

Registration & Payment Policy

Payment must be made in full prior to the start of each tournament. AGT Currently accepts the following forms of payment;

• Cash or Money Order
• Credit Card – Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express
• Checks – Valid driver’s license and a major credit card must accompany all personal and business checks.

A fee current to bank fee will be assessed against a player who submits a check that is not honored by their bank and will have their check writing privileges will be revoked. Player will also forfeit any winnings associated with the tournament entered.

Non-members will not be allowed to use this method of payment.

Late Fees

Tournament entries will close a minimum of 7 days prior to tournament. Any registration after the closing date will be subject to a $15 late fee. Entry into tournament will be on a first come first serve basis. Entry may be denied based on no availability of tee times.

Tournament Check-In

All players must check-in at tournament site. Check-in will start 1 hour before the first scheduled tee time. All players must check in at least 30 prior to their assigned tee time. It is the players’ responsibility to be at the teeing ground 5 minutes prior to their designated tee time. Players reporting to the teeing ground, of their first hole, up to 5 minutes past their designated start time will be assessed a penalty of 2 strokes. After 5 minutes players will be disqualified.

Membership Dues & Benefits

AGT membership is a privilege granted by and subject to approval of tour officials. AGT reserves the right to modify membership benefits at its discretion. As of the date of this publication, membership dues and benefits are as follows.

18 hole Membership - $15

• Good for only that day of the tournament
• Players will receive full membership privileges for that tournament only.
• Player not eligible for member referral or place money bonuses.
• Player not eligible to compete in multi – round tournaments
• Player not eligible for same day payout of prize money.

3 Month Membership - $30

• Membership is good for 3 months from date of purchase.
• 3 month membership will not count towards the purchase of a longer membership when it comes up for renewal.
• Membership only valid in District that it was purchased in.
• Player not eligible for member referral or place money bonuses.
• Player is eligible for two day tournaments
• Player is not eligible for District or Tour Championships

Standard Membership - $99

• Renewable after 12 consecutive months.
• Eligible for all annual tournaments including District and Tour Championships.
• Same day payout of prize money.
• Bonus Referral Program
  
  • $50 cash award for each new Standard or Platinum membership referred.
  • Cash Bonus payment equal to 10% of referred members place money winnings when you are competing on the same day in 1 day, 18 hole tournaments.
  • Cash Bonus payment equal to 5% of referred members place money winnings when you are not competing on the same day in 1 day, 18 hole tournaments.

Platinum Membership - $297

• Four year membership (48 months) in duration from date of purchase.
• Eligible for all annual tournaments including District and Tour Championships.
• Same day payout of prize money.
• Preferred tee times whenever practical.
• Bonus Referral Program
• $50 cash award for each new Standard membership referred.

• $100 cash award for each new Platinum membership referred.
• Cash Bonus payment equal to 10% of referred members place money winnings whether you are competing on the same day or not in 1 day, 18 hole tournaments. Will receive 10% cash bonus on all memberships referred by Platinum Member.
• Cash Bonus payment equal to 5% of referred members place money winnings when you are competing on the same day in 2 day, 36 hole tournaments. Will receive cash bonus on all 3 month memberships or higher memberships that are referred by Platinum Member.
• Tour Championship Qualifying Exemption for all 4 years into the Tour Championship (Platinum members are exempt from qualifying for the Toru Championship but the qualifying fee and Tour Championship entry fee must still be paid to compete in the Tour Championship.

Prize Money Distribution

For all members who pre-pay by registration deadline or by cash the day of the tournament, checks will be issued the same day of the tournament for the prize money won, to any player who stays until all scores are tallied. Optional game money will be issued by check on the third business day after the tournament.

For all members who are eligible to pay the day of the tournament with a check or credit card, your checks will be mailed 6 business days after the tournament to unsure payment is received from your financial institution.

Tee Times & Pairings

Tee Times will be available the day before the tournament on the tour website. The tour is not responsible for inaccurate information given by pro shop staff. Groups will be randomly paired generally as foursomes within your flight. In the case of multiple day tournaments, prior round scores will determine the next days pairings with the leader teeing off last each day.

Playoff & Ties

In the event of a ties in 1 day 18 hole tournaments all prize money will be split evenly among the total number of players; i.e. four players tied will equally split 1^st – 4^th place money. Awarding the trophy and declaring the overall champion will be determined via the USGA scorecard tiebreaker.

Ties in multiple round tournaments will be decided by a sudden death playoff providing the host facility can accommodate the playoff. Prize money will be paid based on who becomes the champion after the playoff. For example, if three players tie the winner after the sudden death playoff will receive 1^st place money and the other two will split 2^nd and 3^rd place money equally.   

Suspension of Play

A round shall be deemed completed only when the entire flight has completed a minimum of 9 holes.

Event Withdrawals

The player’s commitment to the tour is essential. Players withdrawing from tournaments for other than injury or hardship reasons may be suspended from future tournaments. The rules committee defines hardship as a bona fide family ordeal that requires the player to abandon the tour to tend to those family needs. The tournament rules committee will review withdrawals on a case – by – case basis.

Withdrawals based on reasons other than those stated above are not excusable. Players withdrawing after the entry deadline has passed will be assessed a $75 fee. No-shows and players withdrawing within 48 hours of the tournaments first tee time will forfeit their tournament entry. Withdrawal and no-show fees must be paid prior to other tournament entries being accepted.

Optional game fees will be returned provided the player didn’t start the round. Paid optional game money may be used to pay fees incurred for withdrawal.

Vision Cup

The Vision Cup is a year long process to determine the Player of the Year. Throughout the year players earn points based on how they finish in the tournament. The players finishing in the top three spots will earn a 2010 America’s Golf Tour Membership. The player earning the most points will also be exempt into the 2010 Tour Championship.

During two day championships players will earn double points. We will also have double points awarded for players who participate in special tournaments like our Where to Play Golf Open.

Below is the table showing how the points will be distributed at each tournament.

Rules of Play and Conduct

USGA rules govern all play unless a local rule is being used during competition. If in the instance of a dispute or question on a rule, an alternate ball may be played until the situation can be resolved by a tour official. The players must remember that their actions reflect on the tour and must act accordingly to the USGA rules on etiquette.

At the discretion of the Rules Committee, the following actions are grounds for disqualification from a tournament and / or suspension from the tour.

• Alcohol Abuse
• Club Throwing and / or breaking
• Excessive profanity
• Littering and / or damage to the host course’s equipment and property
• Abuse of tour hospitality locations
• Non-adherence to dress code policy
• Violation of host course and cart rules
• Public attacks against America’s Golf Tour officials, host facility, fellow players, sponsors and hospitality locations.
• Other conduct deemed by the Rules Committee to be unbecoming of a golf professional.

Dress Code

America’s Golf Tour is a professional organization and desires to continually display that image to the public. Proper attire in accordance with the host facilities policy must be adhered to at all times. AGT players may were Bermuda style short, if desired, for all practice and tournament rounds however there may be times where long pants will be required to be worn. Jeans or other denim, flip flops and shirts without collars are not permitted. It is to be further noted that AGT is designated a spike-less tour. You must wear soft spikes during all practice and tournament rounds.

Schedule, Times and Inclement Weather

Upon announcement of the tour schedule listing the host facilities and dates, the players are responsible for arriving at their appointed playing times or face disqualification from that weeks tournament. In the case of inclement weather, the Tournament Director in conjunction with the Host PGA Professional will determine if the tournament can be played. In the event of the tournament being canceled AGT will issue a refund if the player requests one or will credit the players account for a future tournament.

Equipment, Balls and Footwear

Only equipment and brands of golf balls on the most current USGA conforming list may be used. The one ball rule is in effect in all tournament rounds. The America’s Golf Tour is a soft spike tour.

Caddies, Spectator Guests and Transportation

Caddies and spectators are permitted if the host course for that tournament allows them. Players are responsible for any infractions committed by the caddie just as the player. Spectator guests in separate carts must remain on the cart path at all times. Any additional fees or cart rentals needed for spectators and / or caddies will be the sole responsibility of the player with the host facility.

Publicity and Promotions

America’s Golf Tour has the right to any personal, historical information herein for all media and public use. The player consents to the use of their name, likeness, voice and references to them, photographs and other images of them and their play connected with their appearance on the tour. The cooperation of the players with authorized representatives of the media is required, provided that no pre-tournament activities outside of those activities, which are part of the tour, shall be required and provided that the player’s tournament pl