SAGC Policies

Policy Number 4: Tournaments

Tournament Format and Rules of Play:

Tournaments held at Spreading Antlers Golf Club (SAGC), including both club-sponsored events and tournaments hosted by third-party organizations or charitable groups, may utilize any golf competition format recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Examples include, but are not limited to: Stroke Play, Match Play, Stableford, Four-Ball, and Scramble Formats.

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All tournaments conducted at SAGC shall be played in accordance with the current Rules of Golf as established by the USGA, except where modified by official Local Rules adopted by SAGC for course conditions or event administration.

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Alternative or non-traditional tournament formats may be approved at the discretion of the SAGC Tournament Committee with final approval by the SAGC Board of Directors. Regardless of format, all play must remain consistent with the applicable Rules of Golf and any approved Local Rules in effect at the time of the event.

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Tournament Flights:

Tournaments hosted by Spreading Antlers Golf Club (SAGC) may be divided into flights based on factors including, but not limited to: Size of the tournament field, tournament format, and handicap distribution among participants. The decision to utilize flights, as well as the number and structure of those flights, shall be determined at the discretion of the Tournament Committee and may be subject to final approval by the SAGC Board of Directors

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Handicaps & Flight Assignment:

Players participating in handicapped SAGC tournaments may be flighted either prior to the start of the event or after a predetermined number of holes or rounds, based on each player’s most current USGA Handicap Index at the time of the event. When necessary to ensure fair competition, the Handicap Committee, Tournament Committee, or SAGC Board of Directors may assign or adjust a participant’s tournament handicap. 

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Players who do not maintain an established USGA Handicap Index may still participate in handicapped tournaments or leagues; however, they shall be assigned a handicap of zero (0) unless otherwise determined by the Handicap Committee.

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In accordance with Rule 10.3e of the USGA Handicap System Manual, the Handicap Committee may reduce a player’s handicap for any club tournament when the committee determines that the player’s demonstrated performance exceeds their potential ability as reflected by their Handicap Index. Several approved methods may be used to make such adjustments, and the player will be notified of any adjustment made by the SAGC Board or Handicap Committee.

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Tie-Breaking Procedures for Flighting:

When ties occur for the purpose of determining flight placement, ties shall be resolved using the following method:

1. Scorecard playoff based on handicapped holes indicated on SAGC official scorecard, beginning with the #1 handicap hole.

2. If still tied, the comparison will continue sequentially through the remaining handicap holes (#2 through #18) until the tie is broken.

3. If the tie remains after all handicap holes have been evaluated, the final tie shall be determined by coin toss.

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Responsibilities:

Tournament Committee & SAGC Staff:

The Tournament Committee, in coordination with Spreading Antlers Golf Club (SAGC) staff, shall be responsible for organizing and administering SAGC-sponsored tournaments. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Tournament scheduling and planning; course and clubhouse setup on the day of the event; player or team registration and check-in; collection of tournament entry fees; collection of optional game fees, including but not limited to mulligans, skins games, and other tournament mini-games; mid-tournament operational support including scoring assistance, flighting, and pace-of-play monitoring (marshalling); post-event administration including scoring verification, tie-breaker resolution, and prize distribution (cash, merchandise, or pro shop credit); tournament breakdown and event cleanup

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Third-Party Hosted Tournaments:

The Tournament Committee and SAGC staff may assist with tournaments hosted by third-party organizations or charitable groups when appropriate and necessary.

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The level of SAGC support for third-party tournaments, including staffing, operational assistance, and tournament administration, shall be determined on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Club Manager, subject to final approval by the SAGC Board of Directors.

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Board of Directors:

The SAGC Board of Directors shall be responsible for:

• Approving the annual tournament calendar, including final event dates and formats prior to the start of the golf season; providing support for club-sponsored tournaments when available and appropriate; reviewing and approving recommendations from the Club Manager regarding SAGC involvement and support for tournaments hosted by third-party organizations or charitable groups

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Tie-Breaking Procedures for Tournament Winners and Placers:

When ties occur for first place in tournaments held at SAGC, the tie shall be resolved using the following method:

• In accordance with the USGA Card Match Method, Scorecard playoff based on handicapped holes will be used, beginning with the #1 handicap hole.

• If the tie remains, the comparison will continue sequentially through the remaining handicap holes (#2 through #18) until the tie is broken.

• If the tie remains after all handicap holes have been evaluated, the final tie shall be determined by coin toss.

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Ties occurring for all other prize-placing positions (e.g., second place, third place, etc.) shall stand as recorded. In such cases, the prize money allocated for the tied positions shall be combined and divided equally among the tied participants or teams. These procedures apply to both SAGC sponsored tournaments and third-party hosted tournaments, unless a different tie-breaking method is clearly communicated to participants prior to the start of play. 

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Tournament Prize Money & Payouts:

Prize Money:

Prize money and awards for tournaments conducted at SAGC shall be determined by the tournament format, number of participants, and total entry fees collected. 

• SAGC Sponsored Tournaments: Prize payouts may consist of cash, merchandise, pro shop credit, club house gift certificates, or a combination of those as determined by the Tournament Committee, Club House Manager, and SAGC Board of Directors; The number of payout places within each flight or division shall be determined based on the number of teams or participants in the field; This determination may be made prior to the start of the tournament or during the event following mid-round flighting; Prize distribution structures will be communicated to participants prior to the start of the tournament whenever possible; SAGC reserves the right to adjust prize structures as necessary to maintain fairness and financial responsibility.

• Third-Party Hosted Tournaments: Prize structures, payouts, and awards shall be determined and funded by the tournament organizer, unless otherwise agreed upon with SAGC in advance; SAGC may assist with the administration and distribution of prizes when requested, but assumes no financial responsibility for prize funding unless otherwise approved by the SAGC Board of Directors.

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Optional Games & Side Pots:

Optional tournament games including but not limited to skins games, holes games, or other mini games may be offered at the discretion of the tournament organizer or SAGC. Funds collected for these optional games shall be accounted for separately from tournament entry fees and distributed according to the rules established for those games.

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Amateur Status Prize Limit:

In order to comply with the Rules of Amateur Status established by the USGA, no single prize awarded in a tournament conducted at SAGC shall exceed $1,000 in value. Prize awards may be distributed in the form of cash, merchandise, pro shop credit, or gift certificates as determined by tournament administration.

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Tournament Registration & Event Deadlines:

Tournaments at SAGC may have a maximum number of entries. Participation will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the event field is full. Players are encouraged not to wait until the entry deadline to register, as events may reach capacity prior to the deadline. Unless otherwise specified, the registration deadline is typically 5PM on the Wednesday of tournament week. Late entries will not be accepted after the registration deadline unless approved by the Tournament Committee when necessary to fill the remaining positions in the tournament field.

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Tournament registration may be completed in person at the SAGC Clubhouse, by clubhouse telephone, or by email when permitted. Accepted registration methods shall be determined by the Tournament Committee, Clubhouse Manager, and/or the SAGC Board of Directors on a tournament-to-tournament basis.

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Payment Policy:

SAGC Sponsored tournament entry fees must be paid prior to or at the time of event check-in the day of the tournament. Payments may be made by cash or check payable to Spreading Antlers Golf Course. Tournament registrations may be held using a credit card by registering in person at the SAGC Clubhouse or by calling the clubhouse and providing credit card information. 

 

Optional games and side pots, including but not limited to skins games and other mini-games, must be paid in cash on the day of the event. Payment for these games may be collected during tournament check-in or at the designated location of the contest, such as putting contests or long-drive competitions.

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Player Minimums and Tournament Fees:​

Player Minimums:

To ensure tournaments are financially viable and operationally efficient, the following minimum player participation requirements apply:

• SAGC Sponsored Tournaments: Club-sponsored tournaments must have a minimum of forty-eight (48) players registered in order for the event to proceed; teams may consist of two (2) to four (4) players, depending on the tournament format.

• Third-Party Hosted Tournaments: Tournaments hosted by third-party organizations or charitable groups must have a minimum of fifty-six (56) players registered in order for the event to proceed; teams may consist of three (3) or four (4) players, depending on the tournament format.

If the minimum player requirement is not met, the Club Manager, in consultation with the SAGC Board of Directors, may determine whether the event will move forward, be modified, rescheduled, or canceled.

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​Tournament Fees:

SAGC collects tournament-related fees for both club-sponsored tournaments and third-party hosted tournaments. SAGC may also collect applicable daily fees along with tournament registration fees as determined by the SAGC Tournament Committee and upon final approval of the SAGC Board of Directors

• SAGC Sponsored Tournaments: Forty percent (40%) of tournament entry fees collected for SAGC-sponsored events shall be allocated to the SAGC General Fund; the remaining portion of entry fees shall be used for prizes, tournament administration, and other event-related expenses, as determined by SAGC Club Manager, Tournament Committee, and Board of Directors

• Third-Party Hosted Tournaments: Third-party tournaments shall be charged a facility and course usage fee of $40 per registered player; payment shall be made by check payable to SAGC General Fund, unless otherwise approved; exceptions or fee adjustments must be approved in advance by the SAGC Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.casa

 

Cancellation Policy:

Players/Teams:

If a player registers for a SAGC sponsored tournament and subsequently withdraws at any time prior to the completion of the event, the player agrees to the forfeiture of all daily fees, tournament entry fees, and optional game fees associated with that event. If a player withdraws after the tournament registration deadline, no credit or refund will be issued for a future event within the same season. If a player provides notice of withdrawal prior to the tournament registration deadline, a credit may be issued for participation in a future SAGC tournament within the same season. Exceptions to this policy may be granted on a case-by-case basis in situations involving unusual circumstances or medical emergencies, subject to approval by the SAGC Board of Directors.

 

Inclement Weather:

There are no refunds or credits for tournament entry fees, greens fees, or associated costs for SAGC-sponsored or third-party hosted tournaments that are delayed, suspended, or canceled due to inclement weather or adverse course conditions following mid-tournament inclement  weather.

• SAGC Sponsored Tournaments: SAGC will make every reasonable effort to complete tournament play or, when feasible, provide appropriate accommodations for SAGC-sponsored tournaments, including potential rescheduling.

• Third-Party Hosted Tournaments: SAGC will make reasonable efforts to assist with accommodations; however, no guarantees are made, and final decisions regarding rescheduling or adjustments remain at the discretion of the tournament organizer.

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SAGC does not control weather conditions and shall not be held responsible for interruptions or cancellations resulting from weather-related circumstances. Players participating in tournaments are expected to remain on-site and be prepared to resume play if and when conditions permit.

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Policy Number 4 Approved by SAGC Board