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FAQS
- When and where does the event take place?
- The 2013 National Championships will be contested from September 22-25, 2013, while the Senior National Championships will be contested from September 28 – October 1, 2013.
Both championships will be held in beautiful La Quinta, CA located just outside Palm Springs. The host courses are TPC Stadium, Nicklaus Tournament, Greg Norman and the Arnold Palmer Private Course. Contestants will have a scheduled round at all four courses.
- The 2013 National Championships will be contested from September 22-25, 2013, while the Senior National Championships will be contested from September 28 – October 1, 2013.
- When is the entry deadline?
- The deadline for entry into the National Championships and Senior National Championships is Sunday, September 2nd at 8:59 PM PST. Absolutely no late entries will be allowed.
- Travel – If flying to the National Championships, where should I fly in to?
- All National Championship courses are located in La Quinta, CA located about 25 minutes from the Palm Springs Airport. Players flying in are advised of the following airports and (approximate) miles from PGA West and La Quinta Resort & Club:
Palm Springs (airport code is PSP) – Approximately 20 miles from PGA West
Ontario (airport code is ONT) – Approximately 85 miles from PGA West
Orange County (airport code is SNA) – Approximately 115 miles from PGA West
Los Angeles (airport code is LAX) – Approximately 118 miles from PGA West
San Diego (airport code is SAN) – Approximately 130 miles from PGA West
- All National Championship courses are located in La Quinta, CA located about 25 minutes from the Palm Springs Airport. Players flying in are advised of the following airports and (approximate) miles from PGA West and La Quinta Resort & Club:
- Travel – What day should I arrive in La Quinta?
- National Championships
This will vary on personal preference. Players may arrive as early as they wish, although the majority of players will arrive 1-3 days in advance for practice rounds, etc. All contestants are required to check-in with the tournament committee by 10PM on Saturday, September 21, 2013.
Senior National Championships
This will vary on personal preference. Players may arrive as early as they wish, although the majority of players will arrive 1-3 days in advance for practice rounds, etc. All contestants are required to check-in with the tournament committee by 10PM on Friday, September 27, 2013.
- National Championships
- Travel – What day should I depart?
- National Championships
The National Championships is scheduled to finish on September 25, 2013 at 6PM. Please be advised that inclement weather can delay finishing times. Please make travel plans accordingly.
Senior National Championships
The National Championships is scheduled to finish on October 1, 2013 at 6PM. Please be advised that inclement weather can delay finishing times. Please make travel plans accordingly.
- National Championships
- Is there a host hotel?
- Yes. La Quinta Resort & Club (www.laquintaresort.com) is the official host hotel of the 2013 National Championships and will be the venue for the Players Dinner and Nightly Scoring/Social Functions. All four host courses are located within 10 minutes of the resort.
To reserve a room please call 1-800-598-3828. Players must inform the reservation agent that they are a Golf Channel Am Tour Player and National Championships Participant to receive the “Players Only” rate of $144/night. Please note that rooms are subject to availability and should be booked as soon as possible.
The exclusive National Championships Player rate of $144 per night includes:
• All taxes
• Daily resort fee
• Unlimited use of the fitness center
• Local and 800 phone calls
• In-room coffee services
• High speed internet access
• Daily newspaper
• Complimentary self and valet parking
• This rate is also good three days before and three days after the National Championships & Senior National Championships
- Yes. La Quinta Resort & Club (www.laquintaresort.com) is the official host hotel of the 2013 National Championships and will be the venue for the Players Dinner and Nightly Scoring/Social Functions. All four host courses are located within 10 minutes of the resort.
- What is the format of the National Championship?
- The National Championships and National Championships are 72-hole individual stroke play competitions with no cut. Every contestant will have a scheduled round at each of the four courses. All play will be primarily in threesomes for pace of play. USGA rules are in effect at all times during play.
- What courses will be used? Which course do I play each day?
- PGA WEST – TPC Stadium Course
PGA WEST – Nicklaus Tournament Course
PGA WEST – Greg Norman Course
PGA WEST – Palmer Private
The course rotation, along with tee times and pairings for rounds 1 and 2 will be determined and published no later than 5PM PST on Tuesday, September 17. Every contestant will have a scheduled round at each course.
- PGA WEST – TPC Stadium Course
- What happens in the event of inclement weather/rain?
- Every effort will be made to complete 72 holes should there be delays due to inclement weather. Should a course be deemed unplayable or dangerous because lightning is eminent, the National and Senior National Championships may be reduced to a shortened number of holes. Players are advised to be prepared in the case of inclement weather/rain.
- How do I qualify for the National and Senior National Championships?
- In order to compete in the National Championships a Tour Player must be both Eligible and Qualified:
ELIGIBILITY
A Tour Player becomes eligible for the National Championships by completing five (5) tournament rounds on Tour with the following restriction:
A) One (1) of the rounds must come on/after June 1, 2013
Note: A tournament round is considered a posted 18-hole tournament score
QUALIFICATION
The following is how players can qualify for the 2013 National Championships in order of priority:
1) Past National Champions
2) Top 5 and ties from 2012 National Championships
3) Top 3 and ties from a 2013 Major Championship
4) Any 3-time Tour winner from the 2013 season (non-major)
5) Any player who earns a flight promotion during the 2013 season
6) Top three, not exempt in another category, from the 2013 Order of Merit
7) Top finisher, not exempt in another category, from the “Summer Series”
8) Top finisher, not exempt in another category, from the local (home) Tour Championship
9) Top 25% of each flight per Tour
Qualifiers for the Senior and National Championship must be a member in good standing with Golf Channel Am Tour. A position in the field is not guaranteed and is limited to the first 600 per Championship.
- In order to compete in the National Championships a Tour Player must be both Eligible and Qualified:
- What are the payouts for top finishers in each flight?
- All payouts from the National Championships will conform to and not exceed the maximum allowable amounts under USGA rules regarding Amateur Status. Payouts will consist of trophies, gift certificates and/or equipment/products. Prize and flight breakdowns will be available at the tournament
- Will there be an optional skins game? What is the cost and how will it be posted and paid out?
- Yes, an optional skins game will be made available to all interested players. All skins game entries must be paid in cash on-site at tournament check-in. No late skins entries or entries taken at the course will be accepted.
The skins game will apply for all four rounds of the tournament. The cost is $25/day for a total buy-in of $100. No partial entries will be allowed. A skin is won by having the lowest score with no ties on a particular hole against players from your own flight only. Skins game results will be posted and paid out at the nightly scoring functions at the La Quinta Resort & Club each evening. Any winnings that are not picked up and signed for by a player will be mailed out the week of October 7.
- Yes, an optional skins game will be made available to all interested players. All skins game entries must be paid in cash on-site at tournament check-in. No late skins entries or entries taken at the course will be accepted.
- What happens if no one wins a skin for a day?
- If no one skin is won for a single day those monies will be carried over to the following day’s skins game and added to the pot. If no skins are won on the last day, all players involved in that skins game will be placed into a drawing and four player names will be drawn. Each player that is selected in the random drawing will be awarded with ¼ of the total pot.
- What happens in the event of a tie for 1st place in the National Championships or Senior National Championships?
- Any tie for 1st place after four rounds of play will result in an on-course playoff immediately following play, weather permitting.
- What tees will my flight play from?
- Yardages and flight tee assignments for each course will be posted soon.
- Are caddies allowed?
- Yes. Caddies are the responsibility of the associated player and are requested to practice proper golf etiquette. If there is an issue with the behavior of a spectator(s), or caddie(s), the individual(s) will be asked to leave the premises. Per USGA Rule 6.1, the player incurs the applicable penalty for any breach of a rule by his/her caddie, including unsportsmanlike conduct.
Spectators and/or caddies are not permitted in a player golf cart at anytime. Carts are for the sole use of the players. Any spectator or caddie found riding in a golf cart may result in the immediate disqualification of the player(s) who are associated with the violating spectator(s) and/or caddie(s) at the National Championships.
- Yes. Caddies are the responsibility of the associated player and are requested to practice proper golf etiquette. If there is an issue with the behavior of a spectator(s), or caddie(s), the individual(s) will be asked to leave the premises. Per USGA Rule 6.1, the player incurs the applicable penalty for any breach of a rule by his/her caddie, including unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Are spectators allowed? What is the rule regarding spectators riding in golf carts?
- Spectators are welcome at the National and Senior National Championships provided they do not interfere with pace of play. Spectators are the responsibility of the player they are watching and must remain out of play and practice proper golf etiquette at all times.
Spectators and/or caddies are not permitted in a player golf cart at anytime. Carts are for the sole use of the players only. Any spectator or caddie found riding in a golf cart may result in the immediate disqualification of the player(s) who are associated with the violating spectator(s) and/or caddie(s) at the 2013 National Championships.
- Spectators are welcome at the National and Senior National Championships provided they do not interfere with pace of play. Spectators are the responsibility of the player they are watching and must remain out of play and practice proper golf etiquette at all times.
- Where can I find tee times and pairings?
- Tee times and pairings for the first two rounds, along with the course rotation for each flight will be posted online and emailed to players by by 5PM on September 17. Players will be re-paired according to score for the 3rd round and the final round. Tee times and pairings will be available at each nightly scoring function at the host hotel.
- Am I guaranteed 72-holes?
- All players will have a scheduled round on each of the four host courses and there will be no cut. Although unlikely, the possibility exists that a round may be cancelled or shortened due to inclement weather.
- How do I book a practice round?
- • Tour Players competing in the National Championship or Senior National Championship may book practice rounds as follows:
• PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament Course, PGA West – Norman Course, PGA West – TPC Stadium Course ($65)
• Tee time reservations may be made in advance starting on Monday, August 12, 2013 by dialing 800-PGA-WEST for practice rounds between September 13, 2013 and October 1, 2013.The practice round rate is $65.
• PGA West – Palmer Private Course ($75)
• Tee time reservations may be made in advance starting on Monday, September 10, 2013 by dialing 760-564-3914. Practice rounds are limited to the following dates only: September 20, September 21, September 26, September 27. The practice round rate is $75
- • Tour Players competing in the National Championship or Senior National Championship may book practice rounds as follows:
- When and where is the Players Dinner taking place?
- National Championships
The National Championships Players Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 21 at 7PM at La Quinta Resort & Club. Golf Channel on-air talent will be on site at the host hotel to discuss current headlines and provide tournament insight.
Senior National Championships
The Senior National Championships Players Dinner will be held on Friday, September 27 at 7PM at La Quinta Resort & Club. Golf Channel on-air talent will be on site at the host hotel to discuss current headlines and provide tournament insight.
- National Championships
- When and where is the awards presentation?
- The awards ceremony will take place for each flight immediately following that flight’s play on the final round at the corresponding golf course. As there is no cut again in 2013, final rounds may be played at any of the four host courses for this year’s championships. The site of the respective awards presentation will be the PGA West Stadium Clubhouse, Greg Norman Clubhouse, Nicklaus Clubhouse or Arnold Palmer Private Clubhouse, depending on what flight is playing there.
- How does the Tour ensure proper flighting?
- The tournament committee will look and monitor each contestant’s Tour Index using scores shot in Tour events and will ensure that each player is flighted properly according to the rules and regulations in the Player Handbook – http://www.gcamtour.com/rules-and-regulations/player-handbook
- What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
-
• $75 cancellation fee for any withdrawal up until September 2, 2013 at 8:59 PM PST.
• No refunds after September 2, 2013 at 8:59 PM PST.
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• $75 cancellation fee for any withdrawal up until September 2, 2013 at 8:59 PM PST.
- What is the address and phone numbers for the Host Hotel and Tournament Courses?
- La Quinta Resort & Club
49-499 Eisenhower Drive
La Quinta, CA 92253
800-598-3838
760-564-7111
TPC Stadium & Nicklaus Tournament Courses
56-150 PGA Blvd
La Quinta, CA 92253
800-PGA WEST
760-564-7125
PGA WEST Greg Norman Course
81-405 Kingston Heath
La Quinta, CA 92253
800-PGA WEST
760-564-3919
PGA WEST – Palmer Private Course
55-955 PGA Boulevard
La Quinta, CA 92253
Golf Shop 760-564-3914
- La Quinta Resort & Club
- How do I register for the National or Senior National Championships?
- Eligible and qualified players can register on the official Tour home pages by clicking the following:
National Championships
Senior National Championships
- Eligible and qualified players can register on the official Tour home pages by clicking the following:
- Can I pay with cash or by check?
- No. We currently only accept credit cards and/or debit cards for online registration. If a player does not have a credit card or debit card, he/she can mail a cashier’s check or money order made out to Golf Channel Am Tour and mailed to:
Golf Channel Am Tour
Attn: National Championships
7580 Golf Channel Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Please note that your entry must be received by September 2, 2013 at 8:59 PM PST.
- No. We currently only accept credit cards and/or debit cards for online registration. If a player does not have a credit card or debit card, he/she can mail a cashier’s check or money order made out to Golf Channel Am Tour and mailed to:
