Women’s International Four-Ball Championship

The Wanderers ClubWellington, Florida

February 16-17, 2015

As the fourth championship in the Orange Blossom Tour that includes the Harder Hall Women's Invitational, the South Atlantic Amateur (SALLY), and the Ione D. Jones/Doherty Championship, the Women’s International Four-Ball carries a tremendous amount of history and prestige.  The FSGA was asked to run the championship in early 2012 with the hopes of reviving the historical event.  First conducted in 1945 by the Jaycees of Hollywood, Florida, the early championships included the names of Babe Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Peggy Kirk-Bell, and other notables.

Dear FSGA Women’s International Four-Ball Participant,  Welcome to the Wanderers Club! Named for the winning team of the first United States Open Polo Championship, we are a classic pairing of golf and polo and your home away from home for the 2015 FSGA Women’s International Four-Ball Championship. It is an honor to host FSGA and its elite group of Women golfers. The Wanderers Club invites you to use the all of its amenities including the golf course and practice facilities, locker rooms, swimming pool, fitness center and Dukes Bar.

The staff is ready to serve and accommodate any request. When not using the club, please allow us to advise you of local restaurant and area attractions. We hope that you will enjoy your time in Wellington, Palm Beach County’s premier Equestrian Community, as well as competing on our challenging and unique Jacobsen Hardy designed golf course.  For additional information and news about the Wanderers Club visit our website at www.wanderersclubwellington.com or download our free iPhone app featuring hole by hole information and range finder, or follow us on Facebook and twitter.  Good luck and play well.  Sincerely,  Justin T. Thompson, PGA The Wanderers Club 561.795.3510 shop 561.414.8230 cell www.wanderersclubwellington.com

Women’s International Four-Ball ChampionshipThe Wanderers ClubWellington, Florida

February 16-17, 2015

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Sunday, February 15th  

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Tournament Registration (near pro shop) 6:00-8:00 PM – Players’ Cocktail Reception* (cash bar)

 Monday, February 16th  

7:15-9:30 AM – Tournament Registration (near pro shop) 8:00-9:50 AM – Round One tee times off #1 and #10

12:00-2:00 PM (approx.) – First Round luncheon (located in upstairs dining room) Tuesday, February 17th  

8:00-9:50 AM – Final Round tee times off #1 and #10  12:00-2:00 PM (approx.) – Final Round luncheon and awards presentation (located in

upstairs dining room) 

  *Guests may attend the cocktail reception for a fee of $20.00 payable at the door by cash or check if you did not pay at the time of entry.

Welcome Contestants! On behalf of the Florida State Golf Association, we welcome you to the historic Women’s International Four-Ball Championship! We hope that you enjoy your experience competing at such a prestigious Championship and take many memories from your time at The Wanderers Club. Please take time to carefully read through this packet of information. There are several important items contained here, including the schedule of events, tee times, and the FSGA Pace of Play Policy. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the FSGA Championships Department at (813) 868-5850 or championships@fsga.org.  Tee Times, Groupings & MatchesTee times and pairings for Round One on Monday, February 16th will be posted on the FSGA website at FSGA.org. All competitors with a valid email address on file with the FSGA or who have provided a cell phone number for texting will receive a link to the pairings or a text message with the pairings.  Championship FormatThirty-six holes of individual four-ball stroke play.  Championship Division - Approx. 6,000 yards (Gross Only)Middle Division - Approx. 5,500 yards (Gross & Net)Forward Division - Approx. 5,000 yards (Gross & Net) The overall Women’s International Four-Ball champion will be the team from the Championship Division with the lowest 36-hole total score. The Championship Division will compete for gross prizes only, and the Middle and Forward Divisions will compete for both gross and net prizes.  The Championship Division may be flighted after the first round.  Generally, divisions of more than 10 teams will be flighted, however the Committee reserves the right to flight based on the number of competitors and/or the range of scores.  The Middle and Forward Divisions will not be pre-flighted due to the number of teams in each division.  In the event of a tie for first place in the Championship Division, there will be a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff on a hole designated by the Committee to determine the championship team. Ties for first place gross and first place net in the Middle and Forward Divisions will be broken by the modified USGA tie break method. The final day 18 hole respective score, whether gross or net, will be used to determine the first place gross or net team. If there is still a tie, the final 9 holes of the last day (holes #10-18) will be used to determine the winner. If there is still a tie, the final 6 holes will be used, and then the final 3 if there is still a tie. If still tied, the respective gross or net flight champion will be determined by lot (i.e. coin toss). Player Cocktail ReceptionOn the evening of Sunday, February 15th there will be a cocktail reception for all players from 6:00-8:00 PM located on the upstairs verandah adjacent to the grill room. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served with a cash bar. Appropriate attire is country club casual. Guests may attend the cocktail reception for a fee of $20.00 payable at the door by cash or check. Please email jenna@fsga.org by Friday, February 6th to RSVP and if you will be bringing a guest(s) if you did not do so at the time of entry.

Practice RoundsPractice rounds are available on the Sunday prior to the Championship.  Practice rounds may be available during the week prior to the Championship on a case-by-case basis, but there is no guarantee.  The price for a practice round is $35.00 + tax.  Please call (561) 795-3510 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable. Club Facilities and RestaurantAll competitors are welcome to use the pool area and may use a locker in the Ladies’ Locker Room for the duration of the tournament. Players and guests are also welcome to dine at the club on the evening of Saturday, February 14th and may make a reservation by calling the club at (561) 795-3510.  Caddies & SpectatorsCaddies and spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Only players are allowed to ride in carts unless otherwise determined. If a player employs a caddie, the caddie MUST walk, and the player’s clubs must remain on the golf cart. The Wanderers Club has caddies available for competitors to use during the championship and may be scheduled by calling (561)795-3510. Rates and tips will be directly determined with the club. Due to the limited amount of available carts, there will be no spectator cart rentals.  Stroke Play Check Point Pace of Play Policy – Checkpoint SystemIn order to accommodate all players, it is essential that the game be played at a brisk pace and the stated pace of play will be posted on the notice to players. Please refer to the end of the Information Packet for the complete Stroke-Play Pace of Play Policy.  The FSGA uses a checkpoint pace of play system at all competitions that it conducts in the state of Florida. There are NO warnings to the players and players are not timed. To avoid being in breach, each group must complete each nine within the stated time or within 15 minutes of the group ahead or each player in the group will be subject to a one stroke penalty (two strokes for a second breach). This pace of play policy places the full responsibility for pace of play on the players. The FSGA pace of play policy utilizes a two checkpoint system.

• Players will not receive warnings. • Players are not timed • Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace. • To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole:

1. Within 15 minutes of the group ahead, or 2. Under the allotted time.

• Checkpoints at each course will be on holes #9 and #18. • All players in a group in breach are subject to penalty.

 Position with Group Ahead – To stay within 15 minutes of the group ahead, players should never have an open hole and they should be in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s when the group ahead leaves the green.

GPS and Range Finders In this competition, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance ONLY. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect her play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used. CartsAll players must ride during practice rounds and Championship rounds.  On-Site RegistrationThere will be a registration table set-up next to the golf shop to pick up your tee gift and player information on Sunday, February 15th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and on Monday, February 16th from 7:15 – 9:30 AM. This is NOT a mandatory registration.  ChargesThe Wanderers Club accepts Cash, Visa/MasterCard and American Express for payment. Spike PolicyIt is a condition of the Florida State Golf Association that shoes with traditionally designed spikes, regardless of composition (e.g. ceramic, plastic, etc.) or design, made of either or partially made of metal ( when metal comes in contact with the surface of the putting green) are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.

Approximate YardagesNOTE: These are just “approximate” yardages for the Championship to give estimates for practice round purposes, and are subject to change. More approximate yardages will be posted online and in the proshop a day or two prior to the event.

STROKE PLAY PACE OF PLAY POLICY The FSGA Championship Pace of Play Policy utilizes a two checkpoint system. Players will not receive warnings.Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace.To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole:

Under the allotted time, orWithin 15 minutes of the group ahead.

Checkpoints will be on holes #9 and #18, unless otherwise indicated.All players in a group in breach of the pace of play policy at any checkpoint are subject to penalty. PENALTIESFirst Breach of Round = 1 stroke penalty to each player in the group.Second Breach of Round = additional 2 stroke penalty to each player in the group. NOTIFICATIONAny group that completes a checkpoint hole in breach of the pace of play policy will be notified by an Official either verbally or signaled by a Red Card. Officials at checkpoints should never be confronted. It is the player’s responsibility to recognize when a breach has occurred at each checkpoint and penalties must be recorded on their scorecards. Penalties are to be added to the checkpoint hole where the breach occurred (usually holes #9 or #18). POSITIONFirst Group(s) off Either Tee – The first group(s) will be in breach of the pace of play policy if they take more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint hole until they reach (within 15 minutes) any group ahead. After they reach a group ahead, both conditions must be met to be in breach of the pace of play policy. Position with Group Ahead – To stay within 15 minutes of the group ahead, players should never have an open hole and they should be in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s when the group ahead leaves the green. CONCERNED PLAYERS AND APPEALSA player concerned about slow players in a group should first remind that player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently. The concerned player may, before or after penalties are assessed, request an Official to monitor the group.  Appeals for exceptional situations will be considered only in the scoring area after the completion of the round and prior to the return of a player’s scorecard.  DEFINITIONSTiming – A group’s completion time at each checkpoint is measured when the flagstick is replaced in the hole once all players in the group have holed out.

Allotted Time – The “allotted time” is the maximum time allowed to complete play of the course or the holes between checkpoints. The allotted time is predetermined by the Tournament Committee and may be adjusted between rounds. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking or travel time between holes is included in the allotted time. The allotted time for each course will be posted in a prominent location at the tournament site. Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states: “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.”

Women’s International Four-Ball Championship

Women’s International Four-Ball Championship

Handicap RequirementsThe valid USGA Handicap Indexes used will be from the February 1, 2015 revision. The course handicap differential between partners may be no more than eight (8) strokes. If the differential is more than eight (8) strokes, the higher course handicap will be reduced to allow for the difference. 100% of each player's handicap will be used. Course handicaps are subject to change once staff has arrived on site.

Handicap RequirementsThe valid USGA Handicap Indexes used will be from the February 1, 2015 revision. The course handicap differential between partners may be no more than eight (8) strokes. If the differential is more than eight (8) strokes, the higher course handicap will be reduced to allow for the difference. 100% of each player's handicap will be used. Course handicaps are subject to change once staff has arrived on site.

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