2020

ISPS HANDA

VIC OPEN

th 13 Beach Links | 6-9 February

Entry Fee: Amateurs – AUD $200 (inc. GST) Note: all registrations online at www.vicopengolf.com/entries. Exempt Amateur players are required to pay full entry fee;

Non-exempt amateur players are required to submit initial fee of $100 plus an

additional $100 if successful at Qualifying (both AUD inc. GST)

Professionals – via respective tours

Format: 72-Hole Stroke ▪ Rounds 1 & 2 – Beach & Creek Courses (one round on each) ▪ Rounds 3 & 4 – Beach Course Eligibility: Male & Female Professionals & Amateur Golfers (GA Handicap or overseas equivalent does not exceed 2.4 (Men) & 4.4 (Women) as at the time of entry).

Prize Money: A minimum of AUD $1,500,000 each shall be allocated to male and female professional golfers in accordance with the European Tour (men) and LPGA (women) distribution formulas. Entries Close: Amateurs – 5pm AEDT on Friday 17 January 2020. H’cap ballot to apply. Professionals – refer to respective tours.

2020 ISPS HANDA VIC OPEN – TERMS OF COMPETITION

A. GENERAL: 7. RULES: The ISPS Handa Vic Open (Men) will be played under the 1. THE CHAMPIONSHIPS: auspices of the PGA of , in accordance with the current The respective Men’s & Women’s Vic Open Championships will PGA of Australia Member Regulations Handbook. The ISPS each be played over 72 holes stroke play at the 13th Beach Golf Handa Vic Open (Women) will be played under the auspices of Links (Beach & Creek Courses), 18 holes each day on Thursday Australian Ladies Professional Golf Inc and in accordance with 6, Friday 7, Saturday 8, and Sunday 9 February 2020. ALPG tournament regulations. This will include The Rules of Golf, as adopted by R&A Rules Limited, Local Rules and ▪ First & Second Rounds – Creek & Beach Courses Conditions of Competition (PGA Tour/ALPG Tour Hard Cards) ▪ Third and Fourth Rounds – Beach Course as published by PGA Tour/ALPG, and such additional Local Rules as approved by the Championship Committee. The Golf The Championship Committee reserves the right to fix and/or Australia Code of Conduct applies to all amateur competitors alter starting times. In the event of bad weather, or for any other and their caddies. A copy of the code can be viewed at reason, the Championship Committee may either shorten the www.golf.org.au/championshipconditionsandpolicies/ tournament or appoint another day or days for completion of the Championships. 8. DRUG TESTING: All competitors are subject to drug testing by the Australian 2. COMPETITORS: Sports Anti-Doping Agency for banned substances as laid down in Golf Australia’s Anti-Doping Policy. Any competitor ISPS Handa Vic Open (Men) – A maximum of 144 competitors infringing this policy, or refusing to take a test, shall be shall be eligible to compete comprising exemptions from disqualified and subject to any sanction(s) brought down by Qualifying and successful competitors from Qualifying. The ASADA. A list of prohibited substances will be available at leading 60 professional scores after 36 holes and any tied for registration. Clarification of any medication can be obtained via 60th place, plus any amateur player on an equivalent or better the ASADA hotline – 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232), or from 36-hole total to the 60th placed professional, shall qualify for the www.asada.gov.au third round; the remainder shall be eliminated. At the completion

of the third round (54 holes), the leading 35 players and any tied 9. COURSE MARKERS: for 35th place (professionals and amateurs) will qualify for the During practice or during the Championships a player shall not fourth round; the remainder will be eliminated. place on the course, or cause to be placed on the course, any ISPS Handa Vic Open (Women) – A maximum of 144 artificial marker or other device designed to indicate course competitors shall be eligible to compete comprising exemptions measurements. A player in breach of this condition may be from Qualifying and successful competitors from Qualifying. The disqualified. leading 60 professional scores after 36 holes and any tied for 60th place, plus any amateur player on an equivalent or better 10. CADDIES: 36-hole total to the 60th placed professional, shall qualify for the Caddies will be mandatory for all rounds of the Championship third round; the remainder shall be eliminated. At the completion proper. Pull buggies will be allowed for rounds 1 and 2 only. of the third round (54 holes), the leading 35 players and any tied Caddies are not required for practice rounds or pro-am. for 35th place (professionals and amateurs) will qualify for the fourth round; the remainder will be eliminated. Caddies must wear the caddie bib provided during the Championship proper. Players will at all times be liable for the 3. TIES: actions of their caddies. A player whose caddie is in breach of In the event of a tie or ties for the Men’s and/or Women’s this condition may be disqualified. Championships after 72 holes, a play-off to produce a single winner in each championship must be conducted. Players in 11. AMATEURS: such a tie will continue over such holes as the Championship All amateur competitors must comply with the Rules of Amateur Committee shall decide in a sudden-death, hole-by-hole play- Status as applicable by the R&A Rules Ltd. off until the winner is determined. All amateur competitors agree to conform to the 2020 PGA of In the event of a tie or ties for the leading Amateur positions, Australia and ALPG Members Regulations. (unless the players tie for the Championship) joint winners will be declared. 12. PUBLICITY: Golf Australia, PGA of Australia, ALPG, ET, LPGA and 5. TROPHIES: Sponsors arrange publicity before and during the The winners will receive the Cup (Men) and Championships in the Media, by live and recorded radio and Victorian Open Salver (Women). television broadcasting, by filming, and in electronic form. The players assent to references to them and pictures of them in The leading Amateur in each event will each receive a trophy. practice and play appearing and being used for commercial purposes by Golf Australia, PGA of Australia, ALPG, LPGA and 6. CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE: Sponsors. All rights for televising live, television recordings or The Championships will be under the management and control for any visual or electronic reproduction of the Championship of the Championship Committee, consisting of representatives are reserved only to Golf Australia, PGA of Australia, ALPG, of Golf Australia; the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, ET and LPGA and may only be made under licence. Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour, European Tour and

Ladies Professional Golf Association. In the absence of the full Championship Committee, such members thereof as may be B. ENTRIES: present at any time may give a decision and any decision shall be deemed the decision of the full Championship Committee. 1. MEN: Any decision of the Championship Committee will be final in all The ISPS Handa Vic Open is open to male golfers, either matters relating to the Championship. The Championship amateur or professional. Committee reserves the right to vary any condition of this event. Professionals are to refer to their respective tour entry conditions for eligibility criteria.

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2020 ISPS HANDA VIC OPEN – TERMS OF COMPETITION

Amateur male players, other than exempt players must have an 7. WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS: Australian GA Handicap (or overseas equivalent) of 2.4 or less Amateurs wishing to withdraw must contact GA prior to 5pm on at the time of entry. In the case of overseas amateurs, Thursday 30 January 2020 to ensure a full refund. Refunds for handicaps must be certified by their Home Club or National withdrawals after this date will be subject to medical/personal Association. reasons only and are subject to approval by GA.

2. WOMEN: Male professionals entered into qualifying and wishing to The ISPS Handa Vic Open is open to female golfers, either withdraw may do so in writing to [email protected] up until 5pm amateur or professional. on Friday 31 January 2020 to ensure a full refund. Professionals are to refer to their respective tour entry conditions for eligibility criteria. Female professionals entered into qualifying and wishing to withdraw may do so in writing to the ALPG up until 7pm on Amateur female players, other than exempt players must have Friday 31 January 2020 to ensure a full refund. an Australian GA Handicap (or other national union) of 4.4 or less at the time of entry. In the case of overseas amateurs, C. FINAL QUALIFYING: handicaps must be certified by their Home Club or National Association. For those competitors NOT exempt directly into the Championship Proper (Men’s Section D / Women’s – Section E), the qualifying 3. GENDER POLICY: procedure will be as follows: Golf Australia’s Gender Policy applies to all amateur golfers. 1. MEN: 4. CLOSING DATES: Four (4) spots will be available in the Men’s Vic Open Professional entries for the Championships (including championship proper for non-exempt players. The 4 spots Qualifying) close at 5pm AEDT on Monday 6 January 2020 available to make up the field will be pro-rataed between the two (Women) and 5pm AEDT on Friday 17 January 2020 (PGATA qualifying courses. Men). 2. WOMEN: Amateur entries for the Championships (including Qualifying) Two (2) spots will be available in the Women’s Vic Open close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 17 January 2020. championship proper for non-exempt players.

The Championship Committee reserves the right to accept late 3. QUALIFYING VENUES: entries after that time under special circumstances. Three separate stroke play competitions of 18 holes each will be played on Monday 3 February 2020 at Curlewis Golf Club, It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to ensure their entry is Ranfurlie Golf Club and Sanctuary Lakes Club. received prior to the closing time for entries that is applicable to them. An amateur player’s entry has not been officially received The men’s field shall be divided as evenly as possible between until their name has been posted at Curlewis & Ranfurlie Golf Clubs. The women’s field will be www.vicopengolf.com/entries. allocated to the Sanctuary Lakes Club.

5. ENTRY PROCESS: 4. ENTRY BALLOT: Amateur: Should the number of entries exceed the course capacity priority Amateur entries will only be accepted via the Golf Australia will be given to (in order): online entry system at www.vicopengolf.com/entries.

Male Professionals: a) PGATA/ET/ALPG/LPGA Full Tournament Members PGA of Australia members MUST enter online via myPGA. All b) Full Members of the Australian PGA (based on most recent other professionals must enter online via the Non-Member Final National Rankings, then order of entry) entry page available online via the PGA website c) PGATA Affiliate Members www.pga.org.au. European Tour Member entries will be d) PLGA of Australia Senior Tournament Members managed via the European Tour. e) Members of other recognised Tours (in order of date of entry) Female Professionals: f) Members of other recognised PGAs (in order of date of LPGA Member entries will be managed through the online entry) LPGA Player Portal. g) Non-aligned professionals (in order of date of entry) h) Amateurs in exact handicap order (handicap as at close of ALPG and other professionals must enter via the ALPG. entry).

Note: 5. TIES: All entries shall be subject to the approval of the Championship Ties for the last places in each competition will be decided by Committee who reserve the right to accept or refuse any entry sudden-death, hole-by-hole play-off as soon as practicable after without giving any reason for the decision which shall be final. all players have finished play. Reserve places (alternates) in case of subsequent withdrawals of Qualifiers from the 6. ENTRY FEES: Championship proper shall be decided by hole by hole play-off. The amateur entry fee for Qualifying is AUD $100 (inc. GST) and AUD $200 (inc. GST) for the Championship Proper. 6. ALTERNATES: Men: Non-exempt amateurs will be required to submit a further $100 Alternates generated from the pre-qualifying tournament will (inc. GST) if successful at Final Qualifying prior to the remain as Alternates only for those players who become eligible commencement of the Championship. for the tournament field through the pre-qualifying tournament.

All professionals are to refer to their respective tour entry Any position in the tournament field that becomes available conditions for fees. through a withdrawal of an exempt player after registration closes at 2.00pm AEDT on Wednesday 5 February, will be filled from the ranked Category Members of their respective Tour. If the European Tour has no further players available to fill a

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2020 ISPS HANDA VIC OPEN – TERMS OF COMPETITION

position, that position will revert to the PGA Tour of Australasia Female Amateur Exemptions: as it does normally. Five (5) Amateurs as selected by Golf Australia. Exemptions will be allocated in the following order: For sake of clarity, during Round 1, if a player fails to arrive at the tee within 5 minutes after their tee time, their position will be a) 2020 Australian Women’s Amateur Champion filled by the first alternate from their Tour if available. If no eligible b) 2019 Victorian Women’s Amateur Champion tour Member is available then the next available alternate from pre-qualifying can take that place. c) GA Exemption

d) GA Exemption Women: In the event of an exempt player withdrawing from the e) GA Exemption Championship or further places becoming available in the Notes: starting field up until the commencement of Qualifying (i.e. 8.00 am AEDT on Monday 3 February), these places will be taken (i) Any unutilised positions from categories a & b above will from the relevant LPGA and ALPG eligibility categories. In the revert to Golf Australia amateur exemptions. event players are not available from the relevant eligibility categories, remaining places will be filled by the alternates from (ii) A player must be an amateur golfer as of Thursday 6 the qualifying. Places in the field as a result of withdrawals after February 2020 to receive an amateur exemption. 8.00 am on Monday 3 February will be allocated to the alternates from Qualifying. F. REGISTRATION:

D. ISPS HANDA VIC OPEN (MEN) – FIELD COMPOSITION: All competitors must register at the 13th Beach Golf Links between the hours of 9:00am–5:00pm (Monday), 7:00am–5:00pm (Tuesday) The field of 144 male players will be determined as follows: and 7:00am–2:00pm (Wednesday) with tour officials in the Player Admin Office. The Championship Committee reserves the right to Wording TBC by tours. waive this condition in special individual circumstances.

Male Amateur Exemptions: G. PRIZEMONEY: Five (5) Amateur exemptions as selected by Golf Australia will be allocated in the following order: Men: Prize money of minimum AUD $1,500,000 will be distributed according to the European Tour distribution formula. a) 2020 Australian Men’s Amateur Champion b) 2019 Victorian Men’s Amateur Champion Women: Prize money of minimum AUD $1,500,000 will be distributed according to the LPGA distribution formula. c) Golf Australia Exemption

d) Golf Australia Exemption H. MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES PRACTICE: e) Golf Australia Exemption All male and female competitors will be made Honorary Members of Notes: 13th Beach Golf Links on and from 2 February 2020 until the (i) Any unutilised positions from categories a & b above will conclusion of the Championship. revert to Golf Australia amateur exemptions.

(ii) A player must be an amateur golfer as of Thursday 6 I. PRO-AMS & PRACTICE: February 2020 to receive an amateur exemption. The Pro-Am will be held at 13th Beach Golf Links on Wednesday 5 E. ISPS HANDA VIC OPEN (WOMEN) – FIELD COMPOSITION: February 2020 beginning at 7.45am on both the Beach and Creek courses. The field of 144 female players will be determined as follows: By entering the Vic Open, all players automatically commit a) Two (2) players from qualifying themselves to play in the Pro-Am as required by Golf Australia. b) Ninety-eight (98) LPGA Members, ranked in the order of their position on the current year LPGA Priority List as of the Practice times at 13th Beach Golf Links will be available on Sunday commitment deadline. 2, Monday 3, Tuesday 4, and Wednesday 5 (PM Only) February c) The winner, if an LPGA Member, of the 2020 Diamond Resorts 2020. Tournament of Champions, if not already qualified. Practice facilities and specific operating times will be included in the d) The winner, if an LPGA Member, of the 2020 Gainbridge LPGA Player Fact Sheet available via GA and the tours one month prior at Boca Rio, if not already qualified. e) Alternates for b, c and d above will be filled by the next available LPGA Member from the LPGA Alternate list. f) Twenty-eight (28) Players from the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (as determined by the ALPG) ▪ Alternates will be determined by the ALPG g) Nine (9) sponsor invitations as selected by Golf Australia ▪ Alternates will be determined by GA h) Five (5) amateur exemptions as determined by Golf Australia ▪ Alternates will be determined by GA

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