PRIZE FUND & RULES | verdalagolf

Policy and Rules

The purpose of The Verdala Pro Golf Tour is to provide professional golf tournaments for the

enjoyment of players and spectators

The Tour Policy and Rules are for the benefit of players and spectators and to enable The Verdala

Pro Golf Tour to continue to present professional golf tournaments

By entering for a tournament all players confirm that they have read the Tour Policy and Rules

and agree to them

All tournaments are to be played applying The Rules of Golf published by the R & A and the

Local Rules of the host club for each tournament

It is the responsibility of all players to know and comply with The Rules of Golf published by

the R & A and the Verdala Pro Golf Tour Policy and Rules and the Local Rules of the host club

for each tournament

Membership

Application for Membership is to be made online

Membership is for one year from 1 January to 31 December

Membership of the Tour is not open to amateurs but they may take part in tournaments

The Verdala Pro Golf Tour reserves the right to refuse any application for membership

A Member who resigns or who has been banned will not be given a refund

Conduct

All players must behave in a manner to be expected from a professional

All players must respect the etiquette of the club where the tournament is played

No iPods or other mobile devices are permitted in the bar or lounge environment of the

clubhouse of the hosting club

Players are responsible for the full cost of any damage they cause or which is caused by their

caddies whether or not accidental. Players should arrange a specialist insurance policy

Wilful damage caused is subject to a fine of £100 and the replacement or restoration value of the

property damaged

A player or caddy wilfully causing any damage or otherwise behaving in an unacceptable manner

may be suspended from the Tour

Players, caddies and their supporters are required to behave in a manner to be expected and the

use of abusive or bad language, or breaking or throwing clubs, is strictly prohibited

Players who throw their clubs or cause wilful damage to any part of the course or any other

property or to their own equipment will be subject to a fine of £100

Any player criticising the venue or Officials will be subject to disciplinary action. Any concerns

must be discussed with the Tour Director in private

Players who are disrespectful towards any tournament Official or any other player or anyone else

at the venue or behave in any aggressive and/or abusive manner will be subject to a fine of £100

Players and their caddies and supporters shall not drink alcohol during the tournament rounds and

they shall not be under the influence of alcohol while at a tournament or otherwise present at a

hosting club. The penalty for breach is £100 and may also result in suspension and/or

disqualification

Any player cheating incurs immediate termination of membership and forfeiture of any amount

held and prohibition from taking part in any future tournaments

Players are required to adhere to the standards of honesty of the great Bobby Jones who called

a one stroke penalty on himself on inadvertently moving a ball that no-one else had noticed

thereby losing a US Open Championship

Dress Code

All players must dress appropriately and maintain a clean and well-groomed appearance at all

tournaments and associated functions

All players must respect the dress code of the club where the tournament is played at all times

Soft spikes are required unless otherwise stated

Collared shirts must be worn inside the trousers. Skin tight shirts are not permitted

No denim, shorts, sandals, trainers, or non-collared shirts are permitted

Golf caps are to be worn correctly with the peak to the front

Caddies may wear non-spiked shoes and tailored shorts but spikes, jeans and collarless vests are

not allowed

Hats, waterproofs or golf shoes are not permitted in any clubhouse

Players are responsible for their caddy complying with the dress code

The Tour reserves the right to ask any player or caddy to remove or cover any logo that the Tour

considers inappropriate

Any caddy walking on the greens during a practice round or a tournament is not permitted to

wear spiked (including pimple/traction bar style) golf shoes or any footwear that may disturb the

surface of the greens

Caddies may be required to wear name bibs provided by the Tour and/or a sponsor

The dress code and required behaviour also apply to practice days

Tournament Entries

Entries are accepted in order of application except that where the maximum number of

participants is exceeded professionals have priority over amateurs and members have priority

over non-members

Entries must be registered online and paid before the closing date for entries for the tournament

Payment by a credit card or a debit card incurs a 3% surcharge

It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that his entry fee has been received by the closing date

and to verify his current status for each tournament

An entry will not be accepted while a fine has not been paid

The Verdala Pro Golf Tour reserves the right to refuse any entry

The size of the field will be limited to 156 players unless otherwise stated

The field number will be decided by the Tour Director after taking into account the course to be

played and the hours of daylight that will be available

Late Entries

Late entries may be accepted subject to availability

An administration fee of £15 is payable for entries received after the closing date

Withdrawals

Withdrawal from a tournament must be by email to the Tour

Notice of withdrawal must be given before the closing date for entries for the tournament and

breach of this requirement will incur a fine of £100

Any player who gives the required notice of withdrawal will receive a full refund of entry fees

Where there is a withdrawal after the closing date for entries for the tournament the entry fee will

be refunded if a medical note confirming inability to play is produced or there is some other valid

reason for the withdrawal

No refunds will be made without proof of payment and all refund requests must be made to the

Tour by email

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds must be arranged through the hosting club’s Professional Shop or its Secretary

and all arrangements are subject to their decisions

The Tour endeavour to obtain discounted rates for practice rounds but responsibility for all

arrangements as to practice rounds is solely for each player

Clubs will book practice rounds in order of application and therefore players should book their

practice round as soon as possible

The Tour is unable to accept any responsibility as to practice rounds

Players are requested not to use mobile phones during practice rounds or on the driving range or

other practice areas

Only in a practice round is a caddy permitted to test the surfaces of the greens on the course

If Tour Tee Markers or painted white dots are in place during the practice day, players must play

within a metre/yard of the Tour Tee Markers or painted white dots. Players who tee off on the

line of the Tour Tee Markers or painted white dots during practice rounds incur a fine of £50

In a practice round only one ball shall be in play except:

If a player’s shot to the green does not land on the green, one additional shot may be played

A maximum of three chip shots may be played from beside the green provided this does not

cause damage to the course

A maximum of three practice putts are allowed

Not more than one bunker shot may be played towards the green from a green side bunker. All

other shots from a green side bunker must be played away from the green

No additional practice strokes maybe played if a group behind is waiting to play

The penalty for any breach of the provisions in the above two paragraphs is £50 and this will be

doubled for subsequent offences

Tournament Play

Tournaments consist of 18/36/54 holes of stroke play unless stated otherwise played in 2 or 3

balls

The Field size is limited and the entry details will state the maximum number of players for each

tournament

A player having competed in a tournament may not caddy for another player in the same

tournament

A caddy is not permitted to mark any player’s scorecard

The Tournament Officials in attendance will be the Tour Director, the Tour Administrator and

the Tournament Starters and the Rules officials

Tee Times

Requests for tee times for the first round will be honoured where possible but requests need to

be made at least 48 hours before the tournament

Tee times for subsequent days will be decided by the position of players on the leaderboard so

that the players in the leading places will play last

Players will be notified of tee times by email by 4.00 pm on the day before play. Tee times will

also be published on the Tour website

It is the responsibility of each player to notify the Tour of any change of email address or other

contact details

Players are required to report to the Tournament registration desk at least 15 minutes before their

tee time

Any player who does not register as required on any day except in the case of personal injury,

illness or other good reason shall be subject to a fine of £100 and may be withdrawn from the

tournament and forfeit his entry fee. Delay as a result of traffic conditions is not accepted as a

valid reason

Following registration at the Tournament registration desk players must then report to the

Tournament Starter and this must be done at least 10 minutes before their tee times

Where a player arrives at his first tee ready to play but within five minutes after his starting time

the breach incurs a penalty of two strokes at the first hole. If the player arrives after five minutes

then the penalty for breach is disqualification. The clocks on the starting tee are considered to be

the official time

Repetition of disrespect to fellow players and spectators by failing to register as required or

failing to arrive at his first tee as required may lead to suspension from the Tour for a period to

be decided by the Tour Director

On-course clocks are considered to be the official time

All clubs used by players must conform to the requirements of the R & A

The penalty for using a club contrary to the requirements of the R & A is disqualification

Laser and GPS distance measuring devices are permitted except those indicating slope, wind

speed and direction or temperature. Any player taking such a prohibited device onto the course

while playing in a tournament will be disqualified whether or not the device has been used

Mobile Phones are not permitted to be used on the course during a tournament or on other parts

of the venue unless to telephone a Rules Official for a ruling or in the case of genuine emergency

or otherwise allowed by Local Rules. Any player who does not respect this requirement will be

subject to a fine of £100 and may be disqualified

A one ball rule applies for all competitors both professional and amateur and balls must conform

to the requirements of the R & A

All players must mark the ball they are using to identify it as belonging to them and show it to

those they are playing with before the first hole is played. If a ball is lost the replacement ball

must be identical to the lost ball in every respect

No practising is permitted during play and any breach will incur a penalty of two strokes

Buggies are not generally permitted but players may use powered or pull trolleys. If a buggy is

required for medical reasons application must be made to the Tour Director

Any player who does not replace their divots or repair pitch marks or rake the bunker after use

will be subject to a fine of £100

Except in the case of personal injury, illness or other good reason all players must complete the

tournament

Any player who without the required notice or permission or other good reason does not take part

in a tournament for which he has entered, or leaves the course before completing his round, or

does not complete a tournament shall be subject to a fine of £100

Repetition of such disrespect to fellow players and spectators may lead to suspension from the

Tour for a period to be decided by the Tour Director

The Tour Director must be informed of all absence from play and the permission of the Tour

Director obtained for such absence unless not reasonably possible in the circumstances

For tournaments of more than 36 holes the top 40 players and any relevant tied places will qualify

for the final round

If a player or players become disqualified after completion of the second round and the tee times

for the third round have been published and there would then be less than 40 players in the third

round then only those still on the list may play in the third round and receive prize money

Pace of play

Players are required to maintain the pace of the preceding group

In the event of a lost ball or where a ruling is required the group behind should be waved through

if practical

Slow play will not be permitted and is subject to penalty

Unless there is good reason for delay Timing will begin when a group is more than one hole

behind the group ahead or exceeds the following times for each hole :

Par 3 - 12 minutes

Par 4 - 14 minutes

Par 5 - 17 minutes

On each hole the first player must play the ball within 50 seconds and subsequent players must

play within 40 seconds

Timing commences when the Official present considers that a player is able to play

Breaches of the required times have the following consequences :

A first breach will incur a warning from an Official

A second breach incurs a penalty of one stroke

A third breach incurs a penalty of two strokes

A fourth breach incurs disqualification

The timing of all strokes and putts starts from the moment it is a player’s turn and includes

preparation eg putting on gloves, measuring distance, choice of club, assessment of the wind, etc.

This also applies when tournaments are played with preferred lies

Time is suspended only when a player requires a ruling and is waiting for an official to decide

a rule or is waiting for another player or players to take their shots

For tee shots the time for the first to play begins immediately the player arrives on the tee box.

For the second or third to play time begins as soon as the previous player’s ball has come to rest

For approach shots the time for the first to play begins immediately the player reaches his ball.

For the second or third to play time begins as soon as the previous player’s ball has come to rest

For putting the time for the first to play begins immediately the player reaches his ball.

For the second or third to play time begins as soon as the previous player’s ball has come to rest

Time spent marking and replacing a ball is included in the time allowed

Players will not necessarily be told that they are being timed

Players should play a provisional ball if there is uncertainty as to where their ball has landed.

Players should make preparation before it is their turn to play. Players should look at their line

of putt while fellow players look at theirs. If it is their turn to play players should hit their shot

before helping a fellow player to search for his lost ball. Players should search for their ball

without waiting for help from fellow players. 5 minutes is the maximum time allowed to search

for a ball

Suspension of Play

Suspension of play is notified by one long note on a klaxon horn

On suspension of play players must immediately mark their ball and obtain the nearest shelter

No practising is permitted during a suspension

Play will be resumed only after an official has deemed that it is safe to do so

Resumption of play is indicated by two short notes on a klaxon horn

Adverse Weather

Any one day tournament that is cancelled or discontinued as a result of adverse weather or course

conditions or bad light will be played again at a future date and all entry fees applied to the

postponed event

For tournaments of more than one day where all players have completed at least 18 holes, if

because of adverse weather conditions or the state of the course or lack of light it is not possible

to play all the holes intended then the tournament will be considered as having taken place and

the scores from the time of discontinuance will be final

For tournaments of more than one day cancelled or discontinued as a result of adverse weather

or course conditions or insufficient light where not all players have completed 18 holes, the

tournament will be played again and all entry fees applied to the postponed event

Any player who for good reason is unable to play in a postponed tournament will be entitled to

a full refund provided notification is given before the closing date for entries for the postponed

tournament and proof of payment is produced

If a postponed tournament cannot be played all entry fees less administrative costs will be

refunded

Prize-Money

The Prize Fund for tournaments will be calculated according to the field size and sponsorship

All prize money less any compulsory deductions will be paid by bank transfer within 7 working

days following the final day of each tournament

It is the responsibility of each player to notify the Tour of their current address and their full

banking details including IBAN and BIC/SWIFT and any changes. If this is not done the Tour

is not required to make payments to the player in default

A player who is disqualified will not receive prize money

All prize money is subject to the deduction of local withholding taxes and without local VAT.

Taxation of services by the Tour depends on the player’s individual tax status. In order to ensure

correct taxation of payments by and to the Tour all players must fully inform the Tour of their tax

status and any changes to it

For payments to overseas players basic UK income tax will be deducted at source so that The

Verdala Pro Golf Tour may comply with its duty to forward all such monies to HMRC

All bank charges and costs are at the expense of the player. This also applies to refunds

Amateurs are not permitted to receive any prize money. Vouchers will be presented to amateurs

according to the number of amateurs playing in the tournament

An amateur in a tied place will be ranked as the last player of the group. The prize money the

amateur would have received if a professional will not be included in the total prize money of the

players who have tied. The prize money for players or groups of players in a position below the

amateur in the tied position will commence as if the amateur player had not played

Ties

If there is a tie for first place in 18 hole events the place prize money will be shared equally

between those tying for first place

If there is a tie for first place in 36/54 hole events the winner will be decided by a play off on the

18 hole on the course th and will be repeated if necessary. Where a playoff is not possible the place

prize money will be shared equally between those tying for first place

If more than two players qualify for a playoff then the players other than the winner will be

considered to have tied for second place whatever their scores in the play-off

If there is a tie for places other than first place there will be no playoff and the place prize money

will be equally divided among those tying

Orders of Merit

The Order of Merit will be decided by the total amount of prize money players win competing

in the tournaments

Amateur Orders of Merit are decided by points awarded as follows :

1st. 60 2nd. 40 3rd. 30 4th. 25 5th. 20 6th. 15 7th. 10 8th. 8 9th. 6 10th. 4

Where places are tied, points will be awarded according to the place achieved

Appeals

All appeals as to penalties must be made to the Tour Director immediately after the completion

of the round and prior to the card being signed

Appeals as to subsequent penalties must be made to the Tour Director before the next tournament

in which the player wishes to take part

Scorecard

Players are required to give their checked and signed scorecard to the Tour Office immediately

after they have completed their round on each day. Any player who does not do this will be

disqualified from the tournament

The tournament will be considered closed 30 minutes after the last group have left the registration

area

Prize Presentation

Unless otherwise announced the three leading players and ties must be present at the prize

presentation. The fine for non-attendance is £100

Public Communications

Players must respect the Tour and its sponsors and venues when communicating with the media

and when using social media

All players are required to be available for any communications with the media requested of them

by the Tour including interviews, sponsorship presentations, press photographs and all television

requirements

Any concerns by a player of any nature must be discussed with the Tour Director in private

Any disrespect may result in suspension or cancellation of membership without any refund

Decisions by Tour Director

All enquiries about any matter are to be made to the Tour Director

Where any issue arises that is not directly covered by the Tour Policy and Rules it will be decided

by the Tour Director

In all matters the decision of the Tour Director is final

Liability Disclaimer

Players agree that participation in events on The Verdala Pro Golf Tour is entirely at their own

risk and they release and discharge The Verdala Pro Golf Tour and its officers, directors,

employees, volunteers and representatives from all manner of actions, causes of action, suits,

liabilities, damages, costs, claims and demands whatsoever which may arise out of the

involvement and participation in The Verdala Pro Golf Tour tournaments including bodily injury,

death, property damage and/or other whether caused by negligence of other members of The

Verdala Pro Golf Tour or of any of The Verdala Pro Golf Tour officers, directors, employees,

volunteers and representatives

Rights and Waiver

By registering for a Verdala Pro Golf Tour tournament, each player gives The Verdala Pro Golf

Tour the absolute right and permission to use their name, image, interview performance and other

auditory or visual image as a player on The Verdala Pro Golf Tour and copyright and/or publish,

or use pictures or videotapes of the player of which the inclusion is in whole or in part, made

through any media or internet website at its tournament venues or elsewhere, for advertising,

trade or any lawful purpose whatsoever whether taken at a tournament venue, prior to, or after

a tournament event. The player hereby waives any right that they may have to inspect

and/approve the finished product that may be used in connection therewith, or the use to which

it may be applied

Photographic, Radio, Motion Picture, Television, and Similar Rights

Each player agrees that all television, radio, print, motion picture, electronic media rights,

statistical data and all similar rights in all events forming part of The Verdala Pro Golf Tour or

any other event run in conjunction with, or under the auspices of The Verdala Pro Golf Tour, are

assigned to The Verdala Pro Golf Tour and agree to assign any such rights to The Verdala Pro

Golf Tour to the extent that any such rights may vest in themselves personally. Players agree not

to take any action which will interfere with The Verdala Pro Golf Tour’s ownership rights herein.

The Verdala Pro Golf Tour is hereby authorised to broadcast, display, publish or otherwise

exhibit all or any proceedings at any tournament including any happenings or events relating

thereto

Having registered for a tournament, each player is deemed to have read these policy statements

and understands the above Disclaimer Waiver and Assignment

Prize Fund

Verdala Pro Golf Tour wish to provide players with very enjoyable tournaments, and as far as we can with 5 Star customer care, and prize funds that are worth playing for

The amount we can pay in prize money depends on the cost of hiring each individual venue, and also on the number of entries because we have to have the income to pay the prize money

The first prize we wish to offer is :

£4,000 on a minimum field of 60

£3,000 if 50

£2,000 if 40

£1,000 if 30

In addition to the first prize, on entries over 30 we are allocating another two thousand pounds in total for the places 2 - 10.

The prize money for places 2 - 10 is to be calculated on the same percentages as prize money paid by a third tier satellite tour pro rata, and the actual amounts for these place should be a little more than similar ‘fourth tier’ one day tournaments in the UK

The first prize is considerably more than similar tours offer for one day events, and more than 2 day events offer too