By The Players, For the Players™
Member Manual
OVERVIEW
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide our members with an unparalleled, professionally run, tour-like tournament experience. We strive to provide opportunities for our members to have fun and fair competition, experience top-notch golf facilities, and build lasting relationships with other members.
CHARITY MISSION
The Amateur Players Tour is proud to partner with Folds of Honor, to raise awareness for their noble cause and help to fund scholarships for the families of our fallen and wounded military heroes and first responders. APT members raised over $100,000 for Folds of Honor during the 2023 season.
MEMBERSHIP
The Amateur Players Tour (APT) is open to all amateur golfers. The player membership fee is $125 and is good for an entire season. Membership includes a welcome kit with APT swag, discounts from our national partners, and the ability to register for any tournament in our expansive network. Players can also choose to become a Folds of Honor Partner for $200, which includes a $75 donation to Folds of Honor. NOTE: Membership swag items will be available in the early spring of 2024 and will be available to be picked up at any APT event.
FLIGHTED COMPETITION
The Amateur Players Tour offers 5 different divisions for players to compete in:
| Division | Handicap Range |
|---|---|
| Division 1 | 3.4 & Below |
| Division 2 | 3.5 – 8.4 |
| Division 3 | 8.5 – 13.4 |
| Division 4 | 13.5 – 18.4 |
| Division 5 | 18.5 & Above |
New Players will be placed based on correspondence with their local chapter owner, who will work with the APT Handicap Committee to place the player in the proper division. The Committee and chapter owner will use all applicable data which is available to them which may include using a player’s 12-month low USGA handicap. Strict measures will be in place to protect the integrity of the Tour.
TOUR AND TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The Amateur Players Tour provides tournaments at the local level, with a Player of the Year Race in each division occurring in each chapter. APT members also can compete in national majors at some of the top golf resorts in the country for a separate award. The season culminates at the 2024 North American Championship, to be hosted in Myrtle Beach, SC from September 20th-22nd, 2024.
A vast majority of tournaments ran by the APT are individual flighted, stroke-play events utilizing gross scoring. Other types of tournaments available to APT members are team events, stableford, match play, etc.
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION
APT Members can register online via our website at amateurplayerstour.com or through the Amateur Players Tour App. Any questions regarding a local tournament should be posed to the Tournament Director found on the Tournament Information Page for each tournament. If you need additional help or help finding your tournament director, please email us at support@aptgolf.org
Each tournament will be limited in the number of entries that can be accepted, therefore entries will be granted on a first-come, first served basis. Some tournaments will sell out well in advance of the registration deadline, so please plan accordingly. It is the player’s responsibility to pay all entry fees before the required registration deadline. Tournament Entries include greens fees, cart fees, range balls, scoring, trophies, and prize pool. 2024 Tournament Schedule
TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION/NO SHOWS
Withdrawal from any tournament must be done in accordance with the posted cancellation policy for each event. Registered players who withdraw prior to the cancellation deadline will be subject to a cancellation fee.
Players can initiate a cancellation by logging into their BlueGolf profile and requesting cancellation. Video tutorial.
Players who no-show for a tournament will forfeit their entry fee and repeated actions may lead to suspension from registration of future events.
TOURNAMENT PRIZING
The winner of each open division will receive a trophy, plaque, etc to commemorate the victory. A portion of each entry fee is also used to generate the prize pool. The prize pool is based on participation in each division and is subject to change based on late additions and withdrawals in each division. The following is the minimum prize payouts for each type of Tour Event:
- Local Event – $20/per player
- Elevated Events – $40/per player
- National Majors and North American Championship – $60/per player
All prizes will be paid out in accordance with the USGA® Rules of Amateur Status.
https://search.google.com/search-console/aboutAll payouts, unless otherwise posted, will be in Tour-Approved VISA Gift Cards. Players will have the option to select a digital VISA Gift Card, physical VISA Gift Card (when available), Tournament Credit, or a Digital Gift Card to select merchants offered through the APT’s Prize system.
NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
NAC OVERVIEW
APT members from every chapter across the country will come together with the goal to earn the title of North American Champion in their respective division. The North American Championship is the premier 54-hole event on the Amateur Players Tour schedule. The 2024 North American Championship will be contested from September 20th-22nd in Myrtle Beach, SC.
How to Qualify: Eligibility and Priority Exemption Qualification
ELIGIBLILTY
The 2024 Season will run from September 30th, 2023 thru September 22nd, 2024. A tournament round is defined as a posted 18-hole tournament score on Tour during the 2024 season. Division 1 Players: Three (3) total rounds must be completed during the 2024 season. All other Divisions: Five (5) total rounds must be completed during the 2024 season. If a player has not played at least 2 rounds after July 1st, then the Handicap Committee may look at that players potential and may adjust flighting accordingly.
PRIORITY EXCEMPTION QUALIFICATION
Players will be given priority exemption based on their accomplishments in the 2024 season or preceding seasons. Priority Exempt Players can register early beginning July 10th, and priority will be given in the following order:
- A-1. Past Champions of North American Championship
- A-2. Past Winners of National Player of the Year/Senior National Player of the Year
- A-3. Winners of 2022 Senior North American Championship
- A-4. Top five (5) and ties in every division from the 2023 North American Championship
- A-5. Winner of Previous Year Local Player of the Year
- A-6. Winner of National Major (last 2 years)
- A-7 Top three (3) and ties in every division in 2024 Signature Majors
- A-8. 2024 Season Top 30 in National Player of the Year Races as of July 9th, 2024
- A-9. Local Player of the Year Standings as of July 9th, 2024.
- Tier 1 Chapters – Top 4 Finishers in Each Division, Top 2 Seniors, Senior Net Top 8 Finishers
- Tier 2 Chapters – Top 6 Finishers in Each Division, Top 3 Seniors, Senior Net Top 10 Finishers
- Tier 3 Chapters – Top 8 Finishers, Top 4 Seniors, Senior Net Top 12 Finishers
- A-10. Any validated player who earns a promotion during the 2024 season in their promoted division. Players with previous relegation do not qualify for this exemption.
- A-11. Special invitations determined by Tour.
*Priority Exempt Players must also be eligible prior to their registration being accepted for the 2024 North American Championship.
OPEN REGISTRATION PROCESS
For players not otherwise earning a priority exemption, open registration will begin on August 1st, 2024. On August 1st, all APT members who are eligible, meaning they have completed the round requirement outlined above, will be able to register for the North American Championship on a first come, first-served basis. Players are encouraged to apply early, and members must be in good-standing.
SENIOR NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
TBA – Details being released soon!
TOURNAMENT POLICIES
CHECK-IN & STARTING
Players should always check-in with the Tournament Committee at least forty-five (45) minutes prior to their official starting time. It is the sole responsibility of the player to be at their assigned starting hole no later than ten (10) minutes prior to their starting time.
A player arriving to their starting hole at their starting time or up to five minutes late will incur the general penalty (2 strokes). Any player arriving five (5) or more minutes after their starting time will be disqualified.
PAIRINGS
The tournament committee will notify all competitors of their assigned starting time at least thirty-six (36) hours prior to the start of the event. Pairings will be posted on the Amateur Players Tour App, Tournament Information Page, and be emailed/texted to the field. Please do not contact the Host Facility to inquire about tee times or pairings. All communication regarding the event should be directed to the Tournament Committee.
TEE ASSIGNMENTS
Here are the approximate distances that each division will play. Please keep in mind that these will change based on course conditions, design of course, par, etc. Projected Tee Assignments will be posted at least a week prior in the Tournament Information Page and are subject to change. The following example is for a par-72 golf course:
| Division | Open Yardage | 60+Yardage | Ladies Yardage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 – 3.4 & Below | 6,600 – 7,000 | 6,300 – 6,600 | 5,500+ |
| Division 2 – 3.5 – 8.4 | 6,300 – 6,600 | 6,000 – 6,300 | 5,200 – 5,500 |
| Division 3 – 8.5 – 13.4 | 6,300 – 6,600 | 6,000 – 6,300 | 5,200 – 5,500 |
| Division 4 – 13.5 – 18.4 | 6,000 – 6,300 | 5,700 – 6,000 | 4,900 – 5,200 |
| Division 5 – 18.5 & Above | 6,000 – 6,300 | 5,700 – 6,000 | 4,900 – 5,200 |
SENIOR TEES – MEN 60+
Senior men aged 60 and over are eligible to play from the 60+ yardage, however for APT Tournament Index purposes, their scores will be posted from the corresponding slope and rating from the open tee in their division. Ladies will play from a similar slope and rating of the men’s open tee in their division.
Senior men aged 60 and over have the option to decline to play the senior tees but cannot decline at a local event and then play the senior tee at any elevated, major, or championship event.
NOTE – Senior men aged 60+ are eligible to play the 60+ tees on their 60th birthday if their birthday is on or before July 9th, 2024. If a senior turns 60 after July 9th, 2024, they will not be eligibile to play the senior tees until the 2025 season begins on September 30th, 2024.
SCORING
While live scoring is utilized using the official Amateur Players Tour App, paper scorecards will be official and used at every event. Players are solely responsible for ensuring that each hole has the correct score on it. At the conclusion of each round, players will review their hole-by-hole scores and each scorecard must have the competitor’s signature and the marker’s signature. Once a player leaves the scoring area, scores are final.
TIEBREAKERS
Weather, course availability and daylight permitting, all ties for 1st place in each Division will be broken by sudden-death playoff on the course. The Host Facility will determine which hole the sudden-death playoff is to begin with. If an on-course playoff for 1st is not available, a scorecard playoff according to USGAâ rules will be used to determine who wins the trophy, but points and purses will be split equally among the competitors. Ties beyond first place and points and purse will be split equally among the players tied.
TRIPLE BOGEY MAX
Divisions 3, 4 & 5 will observe a triple bogey maximum on any hole. Once a competitor reaches triple bogey for the hole, including penalty strokes, they MUST pick up their ball and discontinue play on that hole.
EQUIPMENT
Per the USGA Rules of Golf, tournament competitors may not have more than fourteen (14) golf clubs in their bag during a tournament round. If a competitor has arrived at the first tee with more than fourteen (14) clubs and declares one to be out of play and removes it from his bag prior to hitting their first shot, there will be no penalty assessed so long as the competitor does not attempt any stroke with the removed club during the round. All clubs used in competition must comply with all current USGA Equipment Rules. Violation of these rules may result in penalty or disqualification.
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS/LOCAL RULES
Local Rules for the Day will be printed on the Notice to Competitors and included in the Rules Sheet given to players when they receive their official scorecards. Do not assume that a local rule used by the golf course will be in effect for tournament play. This includes drop zones, etc. If you have any question on the rules, play two balls and bring the question to the committee.
The Amateur Players Tour Hard Card has all the Local Rules that are always in effect at Amateur Players Tour sanctioned events.
A link to the 2024 APT Conditions of Competition is available on every TIP page.
SPECTATORS
Spectators are welcome at each tournament, noting that each course may have different policies that we abide by as guests of the host facility. Spectators are the responsibility of the associated player who is solely responsible for their proper golf etiquette and general decorum. If any issue(s) arise with their behavior or lack of proper golf etiquette, they will be asked to leave the premises. Golf carts are limited at each event to two carts per group and players always have priority use of a golf cart. Spectators should anticipate and expect to walk the course. Spectators are under no circumstances allowed to give advice to the player. In the case where this happens, the player will be disqualified.
CADDIES
No personal caddies are allowed at APT Events. Caddies will only be allowed at specific golf courses where caddies are available to the entire field. Caddie availability will be provided (cost, etc.) prior to the competition.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
All questions as to whether a Tour Event will be played, delayed or cancelled, should be directed to the Tournament Committee. Do not rely upon communication from the Host Facility staff regarding weather-related decisions. The Tournament Committee and the Host Facility staff will confer to reach a decision regarding beginning, delaying, or stopping play. That decision will be relayed to competitors via the Tour’s mobile application, email and/or text. Members should not assume that because it is raining or storming at their home that it is doing so at the Host Facility. If the Host Facility permits play, and the Tournament Committee determines that it is safe, play will go on.
Weather-related conditions may delay or suspend play such as:
- Lightning
- Weather Warnings
- Course being deemed unplayable as determined by host facility
All practice facilities are closed during a suspension of play. Violation of this will result in immediate disqualification and potential additional disciplinary action from the Tour.
If there is a weather delay or suspension of play, every effort will be made by the Tournament Committee to complete the entire event. If weather causes a delay, all players should remain on property and await official announcements from the Tournament Committee. The Tour will communicate by either live announcement, text, or email whether and when play will resume.
As a last option, if a weather delay prevents a tournament from finishing, the following may result in an official tournament:
- 18-hole events may be shortened to 9-holes or 9-holes plus the greatest number of common holes completed. If this isn’t possible, it may be rescheduled.
- 18-hole events may be shortened to 9-holes or 9-holes plus the greatest number of common holes completed. If this isn’t possible, it may be rescheduled.
While the Tour will do everything possible to complete an official and full event, there will be no refunds should inclement weather cause an event to be shortened unless the Host Facility provides a refund to the Tournament Committee. In the event where a tournament must be washed out and cannot be completed, all available refunds and optional cash games will be returned in the form of Tournament Credit.
GUESTS & PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
Members are encouraged to invite and host Guests at Tour Events. Unaccompanied Guests may be permitted to play in Tour Events at the discretion of the Tournament Committee, subject to availability.
Guests and Prospective Members may play in up to two events per year. After the 2nd event the guest must apply for membership to the Tour before he or she will be permitted to register for any additional Tour Events. Members will have priority over Guests or Prospective Members for any event.
Guests who have a verifiable USGA handicap will be placed in a division corresponding with their 12-month low and will be eligible to win prizes at APT events, but all prizes will be paid out in Tournament Credit, with the first portion going towards the purchase of an APT membership.
HANDICAP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
APT TOURNAMENT INDEX
The APT Tournament Index is a tournament handicap used for flight placement based only on a members Tournament Scores. It is not equivalent to a USGA Handicap and should not be viewed as such. The Index’s sole purpose is to divide members into divisions where players can compete against players of their own skill level and to promote fair play on Tour.
The Tournament Index will be calculated based on the Adjusted Gross Score of the most 14 recent Tour Event rounds, with each score being adjusted for the Course Index differential based on the USGA formula. The index will be calculated using the appropriate average of the lowest differentials multiplied by .96. The following table will be used to determine the players Tournament Index:
| # OF TOUR EVENT SCORES | # OF DIFFERENTIALS USED |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 2 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 4 |
| 9 | 5 |
| 10 | 5 |
| 11 | 6 |
| 12 | 6 |
| 13 | 7 |
| 14 | 7 |
VALIDATING YOUR TOURNAMENT INDEX
A members tournament index will become validated after they post their 7th score to their tournament index. If a member’s tournament index is validated, their APT Tournament Index will be the primary factor used in Division Placement.
Validated players are exempt from Disqualification based on out of division scores.
NOTE – The Handicap Committee has the right to move any player for any reason at any time in the interest of protecting the integrity of the competition.
UNVALIDATED TOURNAMENT INDEXES
Before a tour member’s index is validated, the Handicap Committee will use any relevant data available to ensure that a member is in the correct division. This includes USGA indexes, other tournament data, as well as all other relevant data. The Handicap Committee will have sole discretion to move a member up or down before a member’s Tournament Index is validated.
EXCEPTIONAL ROUND PROMOTION
If a member shoots a round that is 6 or more strokes below their division range, the Handicap Committee reserves the right to re-classify the member into the next division.
TOURNAMENT INDEX REVIEW
If a member fails to post a score within the last 90 days, the Handicap Committee reserves the right to review that members APT Tournament Index, using more recent handicap data (USGA Handicap, Other Tournament Index or History, etc.) to place the member in the proper division based on their recent playing history (up or down).
HANDICAP COMMITTEE
If a member fails to post a score within the last 90 days, the Handicap Committee reserves the right to review that members APT Tournament Index, using more recent handicap data (USGA Handicap, Other Tournament Index or History, etc.) to place the member in the proper division based on their recent playing history (up or down).
If a member fails to post a score within the last 90 days, the Handicap Committee reserves the right to review that members APT Tournament Index, using more recent handicap data (USGA Handicap, Other Tournament Index or History, etc.) to place the member in the proper division based on their recent playing history (up or down).
The chairman of the Handicap Committee is Matt Fegley (Northern California). If a player has a question for the handicap committee, please e-mail handicaps@aptgolf.org.
DIVISION MOVEMENT – PROMOTIONS
When a Member’s Tournament Index qualifies for promotion, the Member will automatically be promoted to the higher division. Upon promotion, the Member will earn exemptions into this season’s North American Championship and next year’s Signature Majors in their new division. The member also will retain 100% of their points when they move to their new division.
2% FLIGHT LOCK – VALIDATED PLAYERS – July 9th, 2024
Beginning on July 9th, 2024, all validated players will be subject to a 2% Flight Lock in all divisions. The goal is to allow players to continue to play in the division they started the season in, provided they stay within the 2% variance for their respective division. This will help to avoid the automatic promotion for players who have just barely dipped below the line of their respective division, while still allowing for promotion for players who show that their play requires they move divisions.
2% Flight Lock Restrictions:
When a players tournament index goes below the division range but within the flight lock range, the player is eligible to remain in that division unless ANY of the following are true:
- The players USGAâ Handicap is more than 2 strokes below the Division line (Division 2 – 3.5, Division 3 – 8.5, Division 4 – 13.5, Division 5 – 18.5)
- The player must not be competing on another amateur tour in a more difficult division than their APT division.
- The player must not have been relegated within the last 12 months.
The flight lock will be as follows for the 2024 season (2% variance):
- Division 2 – 3.4
- Division 3 – 8.3
- Division 4 – 13.2
- Division 5 – 18.1
DIVISION MOVEMENT – RELEGATIONS
Relegation (formerly known as Demotion) Requests will be considered until July 31st at 5:00pm EST. All requests must be in writing and sent to handicaps@aptgolf.org. No other form of request will be accepted. The Handicap Committee will communicate their decision and the why after their next weekly meeting that currently occurs weekly on Wednesdays.
Member’s will be split into 3 tiers based on their handicap data and performance in tournaments. This will establish a performance-based approach to accepting and denying relegation requests. Data used will be but not limited to low rounds, USGA handicap, APT Tournament Index, 12-month lows, % of top finishes, division placement on other tours, APT Points Race impact, and wins in new division. Different requirements will be lined out based on what tier Member falls into. The purpose of this is to ensure slumping players who can compete in the more competitive division continue to compete in the more competitive division.
A player may only request to be relegated once per season. Upon relegation approval, a Member receives 100% of his/her points in their new division.
UNVALIDATED PLAYERS – OUT OF DIVISION SCORES
In the interest of protecting the integrity of any Tour Event, the Tournament Committee shall have the discretion to act during a Tour Event to disqualify an unvalidated player if he/she posts a single round score that is:
- More than four (4) strokes (Divisions 2/3) or five (5) strokes (Divisions 4/5) below their division cut off (based on course index adjustment for course slope and rating); OR
- More than three (3) strokes below their closest competitor within the division.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACES
In each chapter, members will be competing for a Local Player of the Year prize in each division. The player of the year race awards points based on a members finish in each event. Each chapter provides an award for winning your local “Player of the Year”, plus players also earn a ranking that gives them exemptions to register for signature events and to earn a spot in the North American Championship.
Player of the Year points are awarded based on the number of contestants in each division. For example, you can earn more points by beating 20 people in your division than you can if there are only 8 people in your division.
Points will be given the following multiplier based on the type of event:
- Local Event – 1x
- Elevated Event/Majors – 2x
- Local Finals/North American Championship – 2.5x
Here is an example of the points matrix for a Local Event:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | |||||||||||||
| 2 | 25 | 5 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | 30 | 10 | 5 | |||||||||||
| 4 | 35 | 15 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 5 | 37.5 | 17.5 | 10 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
| 6 | 40 | 20 | 12.5 | 7.5 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 7 | 42.5 | 22.5 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||
| 8 | 45 | 25 | 17.5 | 12.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| 9 | 46 | 26 | 18 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||
| 10 | 47 | 27 | 19 | 15 | 12.5 | 9.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||||
| 11 | 47.5 | 27.5 | 19.5 | 15.5 | 13 | 10.5 | 9 | 7.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||
| 12 | 48 | 28 | 20 | 16.5 | 14 | 12 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 13 | 48.5 | 28.5 | 20.5 | 17.5 | 15 | 13 | 11.5 | 10 | 8.5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| 14 | 49 | 29 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Local Player of the Year Races will be determined as follows:
- Local Events – Best 8 finishes
- Elevated Events/Majors – Best 2 finishes
- Local Finals
*NOTE – A player who does not play at least 5 local events in their local chapter may not be eligible to win their local chapter’s Player of the Year race.
*NOTE – Local Finals may be restricted to only members of the local chapter(s) that are hosting the local finals.
DIFFICULTY MULTIPLIER
Recognizing the variance in difficulty between divisional competition based on yardage and level of competition, the Tour will add a difficulty multiplier to each division contest. Because of this, players moving up or down a division will keep 100% of their points. The Tour has developed a proprietary algorithm to simulate where a player would finish if they were playing in the new division, using a datadriven approach to consider the tee box changes and competitive playing level of moving to a different division. The division multiplier added to the points matrix will be as follows:
- Division 1 – 10x
- Division 2 – 5.75x
- Division 3 – 3.6x
- Division 4 – 1.75x
- Division 5 – 1x
POINTS MOVEMENT
When a player moves divisions (up or down), the player keeps 100% of their points. It may benefit players to play in a more competitive division to earn more points if their play and potential outside of the Amateur Players Tour signals a promotion is coming soon in tour play.
EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE IN A LOWER DIVISION
In the rare event that a player has built a significant lead when they are promoted, the Tour may put a “marker” with that player’s points in the division that were earned in that division. If a player’s points earned exclusively in that division are enough to win him/her their LOCAL player of the year, then that player may be awarded the Local Player of the Year in that division.
GLOBAL GOLF NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The National Player of the Year race is a season-long points race, with more weight being applied to national-level events to measure how players fare against members from other chapters. The top-5 in each open division will earn awards at the conclusion of the North American Championship. The Global Golf National Player of the Year Race will be calculated by calculating the best of:
- Two (2) Local Events
- One (1) Elevated Event
- Three (3) National Majors
- One (1) Local Finals
- North American Championship
GLOBAL GOLF SENIOR NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The Senior National Player of the Year race is a season-long points race, with more weight being applied to national-level events to measure how players fare against members from other chapters. The top-3 in each senior division will earn awards at the conclusion of the Senior North American Championship. Local Chapters will run either Senior Divisions or Senior Net, and we will crown Senior National Players of the Year in 5 senior divisions and a Senior Net.
The Global Golf Senior National Player of the Year Race will be calculated by calculating the best of:
- Two (2) Local Events
- One (1) Elevated Event
- Three (3) National Majors
- One (1) Local Finals
- North American Championship
*NOTE – Global Golf National Players of the Year will not be able to win the Global Golf Senior National Player of the Year awards.
CODE OF CONDUCT
DRESS CODE
Members and Guests are expected to dress in a manner to present a positive public image of the Tour with a constant effort to positively reflect the Tour in all respects both on and off the golf course at any Tour Event. Members are expected to dress appropriately for golf while on the golf course. Collared shirts, including blade or mock collars, are required. No jeans, denim or cutoff shorts of any kind will be permitted. Any printed language, slogans, or logos should reflect positively on the Tour and its Members.
PLAYER CONDUCT
Members and/or their guests shall always conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner consistent with the spirit of the game of golf. The Amateur Players Tour reserves the right to disqualify any player for unbecoming conduct which includes incidents and/or actions that are detrimental to the Tour, host facility, staff members, sponsors, or fellow players, all of which may be grounds for suspension or even expulsion, without a refund, from the Tour. These include, but are not limited to:
- Excessive Displays of Anger
- Willful Damage to the Golf Course or Golf Course Property
- Potential Endangerment of Others
- Offensive or Unbecoming Language
- Fighting • Illegal Drug Use
- Alcohol Abuse
- Verbal Abuse of Staff, APT or Host Facility
- Public Criticism of Host Course
- Disrespect to Fellow Players or Staff
- Manipulation of scores posted for Handicap purposes
PLAYER DISCIPLINE
If a serious breach of the Code of Conduct policy occurs, sanctions against the member are the next step. The Tour reserves the right to issue suspensions and/or expulsions depending on the severity and frequency of the offence. If the Tour has to hand out disciplinary action for a violation of the Code of Conduct, no refunds will be issued to the player.
FINANCIAL POLICIES
MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION POLICY
Membership is non-refundable after 30 days from the date of registration or after a player has registered for a Tour Event, whichever occurs first. Membership dues are paid on a season-by-season basis, meaning a Player’s Membership shall conclude after the North American Championship of the season in which the membership was purchased regardless of what point in the season the membership is purchased. The 2024 season will run from September 30th, 2023 thru September 22nd, 2024.
TOURNAMENT CREDIT
APT Members may elect to take tournament credit as part of their prize winnings or earn tour credit for promotions, etc. throughout the course of the season. Tournament Credit goes into a players account and can be used for future tournament entries. Currently, it cannot be redeemed for membership, and it cannot be applied to a registration that has already occurred. Tournament Credit does not expire and carries over in the members account from year to year. Tournament credit cannot be converted to cash, a cash equivalent, or a VISA Gift Card.
LEGAL STUFF
OWNERSHIP
The Amateur Players Tour name and all intellectual property, including but not limited to registered trademarks, patents, and/or trade secrets, are owned by APT Holdings, LLC, a Tennessee Limited Liability Company. The Amateur Players Tour is operated by APT Events, LLC, a Tennessee Limited Liability Company.
INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
Any Member, Guest or other person who, in any manner, makes use of or accepts the use of any web application, software, apparatus, appliance, facility, privilege or service whatsoever owned, leased, licensed to, or operated by the Tour, any Local Chapter Owner, or by any Host Facility, shall do so at his or her own risk. Members and their guests shall hold the Company, the Tour, Local Chapter Owner, any manager or operator of the Host Facility, their affiliates, their successors and assigns and their respective shareholders, partners, directors, officers, members, employees, representatives, and agents (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from any and all loss, cost, claim of injury, damage or liability sustained or incurred by him or her, resulting from the participation in Tour Events or the use of Host Facility’s property, arising out of or incident to membership in the Tour and/or from any act or omission of any of the Indemnified Parties, unless caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any of the Indemnified Parties. Any Member shall have, shall owe and shall observe the same obligation to the Indemnified Parties hereunder in respect to any such loss, cost, claim, injury, damage or liability sustained or incurred by any guest or family member guest.
PHOTO RELEASE FOR ADVERTISING/MARKETING
Membership, or registration as a guest for entry into any Amateur Players Tour Event, includes an express waiver and consent to the use of each Member’s and/or competitor’s name, image and/or likeness by APT Holdings, LLC, it’s subsidiaries and/or assigns, for purposes of promoting, marketing, reporting, or otherwise advertising the Amateur Players Tour, its events, chapters, website, etc. Said name, image, likeness may be used in all forms of media, including but not limited to the tour’s website, social media channels, digital marketing, print marketing materials, etc. By joining the Tour or registering for any Tour Event, each player expressly waives any right to compensation or control of the use of their name, image, or likeness by APT Holdings, its subsidiaries or assigns.
CORE VALUES
The core values the Tour abides by and expects all Members to apply in all decisions, actions and comments related or pertaining to the Tour:
- Fairness
- Respect
- Integrity
- Etiquette
- Inclusivity
- Transparency
- Sportsmanship
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Tour is limited to amateur golfers only. Members must be able to provide proof of amateur status from the USGA, upon request in order to be eligible to compete in Tour Events. Former professional players may be eligible for membership and eligible to compete in Tour Events only upon receipt of official reinstatement of Amateur Status from the USGA or other comparable governing body.
All fields on the membership application must be completely and accurately filled out to be considered for admission. Admission may be denied for any reason and the Tour shall not be required to disclose any reason for denial of admission.
Individual player information will not be sold by the Tour. However, collective demographic data may be used to promote the Tour and/or acquire promotional opportunities with equipment and accessory manufacturers, or other industry providers, for the benefit of the Members and the Tour.
PRIORITY EXEMPTIONS
CHAPTER TIERS
For the purpose of granting priority exemption spots equitably, the Tour has split all Local Chapters into 3 tiers based on the overall tour size. When issuing invites and priority exemptions, the local chapter will fall under the tier size of last year’s membership OR current membership numbers as of the day the invitations are sent, whichever is HIGHER.
Tier 1 – Chapters with 99 members or less
- Top 4 finishers in each open division
- Top 2 seniors in each senior division (if applicable)
- Top 8 finishers in senior net (if applicable)
Tier 2 – Chapters between 100-199 members
- Top 6 finishers in each open division
- Top 3 seniors in each senior division (if applicable)
- Top 10 finishers in senior net (if applicable)
Tier 3 – Chapters 200 members and up
- Top 8 finishers in each open division
- Top 4 seniors in each senior division (if applicable)
- Top 12 finishers in senior net (if applicable)
SIGNATURE MAJOR PRIORITY EXEMPTIONS
The Amateur Players Tour will conduct 4 (four) “Signature Majors” during the 2024 season at some of the top golf resorts in the country. To ensure the best and most competitive fields for these signature events and to reward stellar play, these majors will have priority registration based on accomplishments. Once the priority exemption period has ended, registration will open to all APT members. The 4 (four) signature majors are:
- April 27th-28th – APT Open Championship at Omni Bedford Springs
- May 25th-27th – APT Players at Streamsong Resort
- July 6th-7th – Independence Open at Big Cedar Lodge
- July 28th-29th – Midwest Open at French Lick Resort
Exemptions to pre-register will be given to players based on the following priority:
- A-1. Past Champions of North American Championship
- A-2. Past Winners of National Player of the Year/Senior National Player of the Year
- A-3. Winners of 2022 Senior North American Championship
- A-4. Top five (5) and ties in every division from the 2023 North American Championship
- A-5. Winner of Previous Year Local Player of the Year
- A-6. Winner of National Major (last 4 years)
- A-7. 2023 Local Player of the Year Standings
- Tier 1 Chapters – Top 4 Finishers in Each Division, Top 2 Seniors, Senior Net Top 8 Finishers
- Tier 2 Chapters – Top 6 Finishers in Each Division, Top 3 Seniors, Senior Net Top 10 Finishers
- Tier 3 Chapters – Top 8 Finishers, Top 4 Seniors, Senior Net Top 12 Finishers
- A-8. Any validated player who earned a promotion during the 2023 season in their promoted division. Players with previous relegation do not qualify for this exemption.
- A-9. Special invitations determined by Tour.
Priority Exemption Order
- Week 1 (2 weeks before open registration) – A-1 thru A-6.
- Week 2 (1 week before open registration – A-7 thru A-9.
- Week 3 – Open Registration for all APT members who will have completed at least 3 events prior to the event.
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