U.S. Open Championship

113th US Open Sectional Qualifying
The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, Bradenton, Florida
Monday June 3, 2013

Player Information

GROOVE CONDITION: In Sectional Qualifying and in the Championship proper, the player’s clubs must conform to the groove specifications in the Rules of Golf that are effective from January 1, 2010. Note: Ping EYE2 clubs manufactured prior to March 31, 1990, may NOT be used during the Sectional Qualifying or the Championship proper. The condition of competition is available for review on the entry application.

The USGA and the R&A have created a reference resource called the Informational Club Database to assist golfers in determining whether their irons, hybrids and fairway woods comply with the New Groove Rules. For information about and to access the database, please use the following link: http://www.usga.org/infoclubsdb/intro.html.

The USGA strongly suggests that all players verify the conformance of their clubs well in advance of their scheduled qualifying competition. It is the player’s responsibility, not the USGA’s responsibility to ensure that his clubs conform. Waiting until the day of the competition is the fault of the player. The Committee is under no obligation to test the club. The competitor may play. However, if it is later determined that the club is non-conforming, including after the competition has closed, the player will be disqualified.

PACE OF PLAY: 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.  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 (additional two strokes for a second breach).  This pace of play policy places the full responsibility for pace of play on the players. Read the entire Check Point Pace of Play Policy.

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.

PRACTICE ROUNDS:  Practice rounds are available one week prior to the qualifier; tee times are available on a space available basis. Call (941) 309-2900 to arrange your practice round.  All competitors are allowed one practice round at no charge.  During the practice round only, players may rent a cart for $25 plus tax.

Additional practice rounds are $100 plus tax (cart Included), at the competitor’s expense on a space available basis.  All competitors playing a practice round must reserve a tee time.  Those practicing on Sunday, June 2 should anticipate significant maintenance activity on the course.

Practice round privileges are not extended to alternates.

QUALIFYING SPOTS:  The number of qualifying spots has not yet been allocated by the USGA.

PRACTICE RANGE: On Sunday, June 2, the practice range will close at 6:30 PM. On Monday, June 3, the range will open at 6:00 AM.

CADDIES:  Players must make arrangements for their own caddies. Caddies are expected to be neat in appearance and wear proper golf attire.  No jeans, t-shirts or collarless shirts are allowed. 

Limited number of Ritz-Carlton caddies is available; please contact Jeff Holtz, Ritz-Carlton Golf Operation Manager at 941-706-5462 to make a reservation for a caddie.

METHOD OF PAYMENT:  The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club will accept cash and major credit cards for method of payment.  Food and beverage service will be available on practice days and the day of qualifying.  No personal coolers are allowed on the golf course.

TRANSPORTATION: All players and caddies MUST WALK during the qualifying round.

CELL PHONES: The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club prohibits the use of cell phones in the clubhouse.

PULL CARTS: The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club allows the use of pull carts on the golf course.

LOCKER ROOMS: Players will have access to the locker room before, between and after qualifying rounds. Players are encouraged to use locker rooms to change shoes.

SPECTATOR CARTS: USGA policy prohibits the use of spectator carts. There are no exceptions to this policy. Spectators are welcome to watch the golf and walk the grounds free of charge.

FOOTWEAR:  The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club prohibits the use of traditional metal spikes. Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE:  Remember that you are a guest at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club and gentlemanly behavior and proper dress is expected at all times.  The wearing of short pants is permissible in Sectional Qualifying but will not be permitted at the Championship proper at Merion Golf Club.   All shirts must be tucked in at all times.  No Denim is allowed on property. 

ACCOMODATIONS: Arrangements have been made at the Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch at a rate of $94 plus a 11.5% tax. Please call (941) 782-4404 to make your reservations and identify yourself as a US Open Sectional participant.

Directions to The Ritz-Carlton Members Club
5150 70th Terrace East
Bradenton, Florida 34202
(941) 309-2900

From North/Airport – I-275 WEST/SOUTH to I-75 SOUTH. I-75 SOUTH to State Rd 70. EAST on State Rd 70 to Lorraine Rd. SOUTH on Lorraine 1 mile to entrance.

From South/Naples – I-75 NORTH to University Pkwy. EAST on University Pkwy to Lorraine Rd. NORTH on Lorraine 2 miles to entrance.

Complete results will be posted at the Florida State Golf Association website at www.fsga.org.

Good luck!