U.S. Women's Open Championship

Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club

Qualifying Round Information

1.    PAIRINGS AND TEE TIMES: The pairings and tee times for the qualifying round at Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Bradenton, FL on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 will be posted at www.fsga.org on or around Friday, May 2, 2014.

2.    PRACTICE ROUND INFORMATION: To arrange your practice round, call (941) 309-2900. One complimentary practice round per player is allowed. Additional practice rounds are available at a cost of $100 per player.  Practice rounds are available beginning  May 1st; restricted until after 9:30 AM on May 27th.  All contestants playing a practice round must reserve a tee time.

3.    HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Arrangements have been made with the Holiday Inn Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota at the rate of $94 per night plus tax. Please click here to reserve a room.

4.    GPS AND RANGE FINDERS:  Not Permitted.

5.    NEW GROOVE REGULATIONS: 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 qualifying or the Championship proper unless they have been tested and found to conform with the current groove specifications. The condition of competition is available for review on the entry application.

The USGA and 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.

6.    TRANSPORTATION: All players MUST WALK during the qualifying round. However, a cart may be rented for your caddie to transport your clubs at a cost of $50.00.

7.    CADDIES AND SPECTATORS:  Spectators are welcome, but they MUST WALK at all times. Only caddies are authorized to ride. You must make your own arrangements if you want a caddie.

8.    PULL CARTS: Permitted.

9.    METHOD OF PAYMENT:  Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club will accept Cash, Visa or MasterCard for method of payment.  

10.    CONDUCT AND DRESS CODE:  Remember you are a guest at Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club and proper behavior and dress is expected at all times.  The proper place to practice your swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

11.    PERFORMANCE IN SECTIONAL QUALIFYING: Players are reminded that if they fail to return a score within 12 strokes of the USGA Course Rating of Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, future entries in USGA competitions may be declined.

12.    QUALIFYING SPOTS: At this time, the number of qualifying spots has not been determined by the USGA. This information will be posted at the qualifier.

13.    FOOTWEAR:  Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club prohibits the use of traditional metal spikes.

Good luck!