2020 National Tour Championship

Frequently asked Questions

HOW TO ENTER

• Who can participate? Players finishing the season in the top ten (and ties) in the Champ, A, B Flights of a Local Tour’s points standings, qualify for the National Tour Championship. Players finishing the season in the top 15 for C Flight qualify for the National Tour Championship. The D Flight will allow only the top five players in each tour to qualify for the National Tour Championship. To be eligible for the Tour National Championship, players must have competed and returned valid scores for at least 4 tournament rounds. If a player chooses to move down a flight during the season, that player must play 3 rounds in the lower flight (after movement) to qualify to play in the lower flight at Nationals. Requests to move down a flight must be made before the local tour’s last three season rounds or by August 31, 2020 (whichever comes first). Qualification does not guarantee a spot in the Tour Championship field. Each flight has a maximum field size and players will be entered on a first come basis. When the field is full, the flight will be shut down to additional players regardless of local points standings.

• When does registration open and close? Registration opens on September 2, 2020. Each flight has a maximum field size and players will be entered on a first come basis. Champ and D flights will have a maximum of 112 players and A, B, and C will have a maximum of 224. Registration and payment must be complete to be added to the roster. When the field is full, the flight will be shut down to additional players regardless of local point’s standings. Registration will close October 5.

• What is the cost of the tournament and what is included in the fee? The cost of the 54 hole tournament is $425 and is due upon registration. Your registration is not complete until you have paid your tournament fee. The cost covers your three rounds of golf and includes the cart, range balls and prize pool. You will also receive a welcome packet with additional items, including a Palmetto Dunes $50 gift card to be used at any restaurant or pro shop in the resort. There is also an optional skins game by flight during the tournament. Cost is $63 for all three days and MUST be paid by October 5.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

• What golf courses will I be playing, and which tees/yardages will be used? Your flight determines which courses you will be playing. Courses, yardages and tee box information are all listed on Courses link (Courses for Tournament). Please keep in mind that all course information is subject to change due to COVID-19.

• How can I book practice rounds? Practice rounds are available for Monday, October 19th – Thursday, October 22nd. To book, call the course using the numbers listed here and ask for the Golfweek AGT practice round rate. Morning rates may be higher than afternoon rates and may not be available on all courses. All practice round rates must be booked before October 6th to receive the discounted rate. Walk up rates are usually not discounted so please book in advance.

• Where do we register when we get to Hilton Head? To minimize large gatherings, the Registration and Welcome Party will NOT be held this year. Tournament Registration will be held at your assigned course on Friday morning. We will be doing temperature checks during registration as well as handing out your welcome packet. Masks will be required at check in. You may NOT have anyone else pick up your gift bag. Players that fail to check in and have the temperature check will not be allowed to play.

• What time do we start on each day? All courses will be 8 am – 10 am double tee starts except Robert Trent Jones which will be a modified shotgun (Click here for more information). We request that you arrive ONLY 30 minutes before your tee time to limit social gathering. We will be doing temperature checks during check in and masks will be required. Players that fail to check in and have the temperature check will not be allowed to play.


• Who will I be paired with and where do I find my tee time? For Round One and Two, players will assigned a cart with one person from their home tour where possible. Masks are recommended. Pairings will remain the same for both Round One and Round Two. Round Three pairings will be based on each player’s two-day totals. Pairings will be posted on the website by October 18th.

• What are the cart guidelines? The courses will be set up for two people per cart for all rounds. For Round One and Two, players will be assigned a cart with one person from their home tour where possible. Walking and the use of pull carts will be permitted as an option. Single carts will be available as an option to purchase at some courses but on a very limited basis. Call the course for details.


• Where is the main scoreboard? Due to Covid-19, we will not have buffet lunches, team photos or scoreboard gatherings. All scores will be available to view on the Tour's website, www.amateurgolftour.net.

• Where will the optional Skins Tournament take place before the National Championship? The TaylorMade Skins Game will be held on Thursday, October 22nd at Dolphin Head in Hilton Head Plantation and all of the details may be found here.

RULES AND POLICIES

• Are Caddies or spectators allowed? Caddies are not permitted. Due to COVID-19, NO SPECTATORS will be allowed on any of the courses at any time during the 2020 National Championships.


• Are Range Finders and yardage devices permitted? Yes


• What is the "One Ball Rule"? The One Ball Rule is in effect throughout all three rounds of competitive play. The "One Ball Rule" is a Condition of Competition. Per the USGA, "When this condition is adopted, players are required to use the same brand and type of golf ball throughout the stipulated round."


• How do you determine tiebreakers? All first place ties will be decided by sudden-death playoff on the course. For all other places the ties are broken as follows: Day 3 total, Day 2 total, Day 1 total, Day 3 back nine, Day 3 front nine, Day 2 back nine, Day 2 front nine, Day 1 back nine, Day 1 front nine.
  

PRIZES, AWARDS AND SIDE COMPETITIONS

• What prizes are we competing for? Prize money is a total of $28,550 .
  • Top 20 places paid as follows: 1st $750; 2nd $550; 3rd $400; 4th $350; 5th $300; 6th $250; 7th $200; 8th $180; 9th $170; 10th $160: 11th $150; 12th $150; 13th $150; 14th $150; 15th $150; 16th $150; 17th $150; 18th $150; 19th $150; 20th $150;
  • Since "A, B and C” Flight are the largest flights, we will add additional gift cards for places 20- 30th for $150 each.
  • Crystal trophies will be presented to all flight winners.

• Is there a skins game by flight and how much is it? The Skins game on Friday/Saturday/Sunday is by flight and course. Cost is $63 ($20 per day plus processing fees) and MUST be paid by October 5 on the website here. NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED. Skins will be paid separately from your tournament fee through PayPal so that we can distribute skins through PayPal each evening after the round.

• What is the 2-Man Challenge and how do I participate? The 2-Man Challenge is a tournament within a tournament. Choose a partner and your combined actual scores for each round of the Tour Championship will be entered as your team score. At the end of the Tour Championship, the top 3-5 teams in each flight (depending on participation) will be awarded prizes during the National Tour Championship Awards Ceremony.

• What is the Team Cup and how is it calculated? In addition to the individual competition at the National Championship, Local Tours compete in the Team Cup. You can help your local tour win this prestigious honor. No need to sign up. After each round, the best 2 scores from your local tour for the day in each flight are automatically combined into a Team Cup score. All three rounds are then combined for the final Team Cup score. The lowest combined Team Cup score wins the title. The winning team’s picture appears on the website and has bragging rights for the next season. Defending the 2019 Team Cup is the Hilton Head Tour.

COVID-19 MODIFICATIONS

• What pre-tournament procedures are being implemented due to COVID-19? Please read our COVID-19 Update and continue to check the website for additional developments. Participants will be required to confirm their health status and acknowledge our policies prior to arrival. Please be aware that masks must be worn inside of all businesses on Hilton Head Island and will be required at check in.

• What recommendations and adjustments are being made regarding COVID-19 at the event?
  • Players are encouraged to bring their own PPE products (hand sanitizers will be provided at registration) and familiarize themselves with all South Carolina policies.
  • Players will be required to wear a mask and complete a temperature screening each day while checking in at the course.  Players that fail to check in and have the temperature check will not be allowed to play.
  • To minimize large gatherings, our traditional demos, fittings and main scoreboard area will not be in place this year. We will not be hosting a welcome party during registration on Thursday nor will we be doing team photos on Friday.
  • In lieu of complementary lunches after each round, Palmetto Dunes is providing every participant with a $50 gift card which may be used at any restaurant or pro shop in the resort.
  • In addition, our awards ceremony will be conducted with social distancing in place only for the top ten winners from each flight. All other winners will receive their gift cards in the mail. Furthermore, opportunities for pictures will be reduced and only the winners of each flight and the Edwin Watts 2-Man team photos will be taken on Sunday.

 

• What is the status of restaurants and bars in Hilton Head? Most restaurants and bars are open for business and also encourage carry-out. Please be aware that masks are required inside of all businesses on Hilton Head Island. Also note that due to government mandate, alcohol sales are prohibited after 11pm. We ask that you responsibly enjoy all other aspects of Hilton Head while practicing safe social distancing during your time off of the course.