FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When/where does the event take place?
What day should I arrive into La Quinta?
Travel-If flying to the National Championship, where should I fly in to?
What day should I fly out?
Is there a host hotel?
In what format will the event be played?
What courses will be used? Which course do I play each day?
How do I qualify for the National Championship?
Where will the event registration/check-in be at the La Quinta Resort?
Will there be a skins game? What is the cost and how will it be posted and paid out?
What happens if no one wins a skin for a day?
What are the payouts for top finishers in each flight?
What happens in the event of a tie for 1st place?
What tees will my flight play from?
Are caddies allowed/Can I have a caddy?
Are spectators allowed? What is the rule regarding spectators riding in golf carts?
Where can I find tee times and pairings?
Am I guaranteed 72-holes? How does the consolation round work?
How do I book a practice round?
When/where is the National Championship Players Dinner taking place?
When and where is the awards presentation?
What happens if the event has rain and/or weather delays?
Does the Tour look at players to ensure proper flighting?
Can I use a SkyCaddie or rangefinder during the event?
What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
What is the address and phone numbers for the Host Hotel and Tournament Courses?
How Do I Register for the National or Senior National Championship?
Can I pay with Cash or by Check?
Will SkyCaddie units be available for purchase at the National Championships?
Will SkyCaddie be on-site for players to demo units?
When/where does the event take place?
National and Senior National Championship
The 2009 National and Senior National Championship will be contested September 21st -25th at PGA West and affiliate courses in La Quinta, CA. La Quinta is located just outside Palm Springs, California.
National Team Championship
The 2009 National Team Championship will be contested September 25th – 27th at PGA West and affiliate courses in La Quinta, CA. La Quinta is located just outside Palm Springs, California.
What day should I arrive into La Quinta?
National and Senior National Championship
This will vary on personal preference. Players may arrive as early as they wish, although the majority of players will arrive in La Quinta 1-3 days in advance for practice rounds etc. All contestants are required to check-in by Monday, September 21st, 2009 from 10:00 AM PST – 6:00PM PST or 9:00 PM PST – 10:00 PM PST at La Quinta Resort and Club.
National Team Championship
Players may arrive as early as they wish, all contestants should check-in with their Team Captain at the Team Championship Dinner on September 25, 2009 at 7:00 PM PST. Your local Tour director will make sure to communicate the information to you prior to arriving at PGA West. Course rotation and team matchups will be posted to the Official Tournament website on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 5:00 PM PST.
Travel – If flying to the National Championship, where should I fly in to?
La Quinta is located just outside Palm Springs, CA., which is approximately 20 minutes from La Quinta, CA.
Palm Springs (airport code is PSP) Approximately 20 miles
Ontario, CA (ONT) Approximately 90 miles
Orange County (SNA) Approximately 115 miles
San Diego (SAN) Approximately 130 miles
Los Angeles (LAX) Approximately 140 miles
What day should I fly out?
National and Senior National Championship
The National and Senior National Championship are scheduled to finish on September 25th, 2009 at 5:00 PM PST. Please be advised that inclement weather can delay finishing times.
National Team Championship
The National Team Championship is scheduled to finish on September 2th, 2009 at 3:00 PM PST. Please be advised that inclement weather can delay finishing times.
Is there a host hotel?
Yes! The host hotel is the La Quinta Resort and Club (www.laquintaresort.com). La Quinta Resort and Club is a short drive to all seven courses and will host the National Championship Players Dinner and nightly scoring/social functions. Discounted rates of $135.00 inclusive per night are available by calling 1-800-598-3828. You must mention that you are with the GOLF CHANNEL to receive the discounted rate. For more info on the Host Hotel please click here. Rate is only valid until September 1st, 2009.
In what format will the event be played?
National and Senior National Championship
The National and Senior National Championship is a 72-hole individual stroke play competition with a cut after 54-holes. Players failing to make the 54 hole cut will compete in an 18 hole consolation round on September 25th, 2009. All play will be primarily in 3-somes for pace of play. USGA rules are in effect at all times during play.
National Team Championship
The 2009 National Team Championship is a 45-hole Ryder Cup-style Team Championship consisting of a three different formats: best ball, modified alternate shot, and individual match play.
What courses will be used? Which course do I play each day?
PGA West – Stadium
PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament
PGA West – Greg Norman
La Quinta – Mountain
SilverRock Golf Club
Golf Club of La Quinta
Mountain View Country Club
The course rotation, along with tee times and pairings for rounds 1 and 2 will be determined and published no later than 5:00 PM, PST, on Wednesday, September 16, 2009.
How do I qualify for the National Championship?
National and Senior National Championship
All local Tours may qualify up to 30% of their membership in each flight for National and Senior National Championship. Tour Players who have qualified through a Regional Major will not count against a Local Tours % allotment. Please contact your local Tour Director with regards to qualifying standards on your local Tour. The following exemption categories shall apply to every Tour in addition to the qualifying categories set by your local Tour Director:
- Past National Championship shall be exempt from qualifying*
- Top 5 finishers (including ties) shall be exempt from qualifying*
- Top 3 and ties from the 2009 Regional Major Championships shall be exempt from qualifying*
* All invitees, qualifiers, and exempt players must be a current Tour Member in good standing with the GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour. In addition all qualifiers and exempt players are required to compete in at least 5 tournament rounds on Tour, of which four must be on the local Tour schedule. Failure to meet the aforementioned criteria will forfeit any exemption or qualification.
Where will the event registration/check-in be at the La Quinta Resort and Club?
National and Senior National Championship
All confirmed participants are required to register/check-in for the National Championship on Sunday, September 20th from 12:00PM PST – 7:00 PM PST or on Monday, September 21st, 2009 from 10:00 AM PST – 6:00PM PST and 9:00 PM PST – 10:00 PM PST. Registration/check-in will be located near the Front Desk of La Quinta Resort and Club. Upon checking in players can review flighting, tee times, pairings etc and will be given their welcome package. This will also be the only time players may buy into the optional skins game.
National Team Championship
There is no formal Check in process for the National Team Championship Players should check-in with their Team Captain at the Team Championship Dinner on September 25, 2009 at 7:00 PM PST.
Will there be a skins game? What is the cost and how will it be posted and paid out?
National and Senior National Championship
Yes, an optional skins game will be made available to all interested players. All skins game entries must be paid in cash at registration on Sunday, September 20 or on Monday, September 21.
The skins games will only apply for the first three rounds of the tournament. The cost is $20/day for flight skins and $10/day for Giant skins. The total entry is $90 (3 days of flight skins and 3 days of Giant skins) and no partial entries will be allowed. Flight skins are skins (lowest score with no ties on a particular hole) against players within your own flight. Giant skins are against everyone playing the course you are on that day. Skins game results will be posted and paid out at the nightly scoring function at La Quinta Resort and Club each evening. Any winnings that are not picked up and signed for by a player will be mailed out the week of September 28.
National Team Championship
There are no skins games for the National Team Championship
What happens if no one wins a skin for a day?
If not one skin is won for a single day those monies will be carried over to the following days skins game and added to the pot. If no skins are won on the last day of skins play, all players involved in that skins game will be placed into a drawing and four (4) player’s names will be drawn. Each player that is selected in the drawing will be awarded with ¼ of the total pot.
What are the payouts for top finishers in each flight?
All payouts from the National Championship will conform to and not exceed the maximum allowable under USGA Amateur Rules/Guidelines. Payouts will consist of trophies, gift certificates and/or equipment/products. Prize and flight breakdowns will be available at the tournament.
What happens in the event of a tie for 1st place?
Any tie for 1st place after four rounds of a play will result in an on-course playoff immediately following play weather permitting.
What tees will my flight play from?
Yardages and flight tee assignments for each course will be posted soon.
Are caddies allowed/Can I have a caddy?
Yes. Caddies are the responsibility of the player and must know proper etiquette and abide by all USGA rules. Caddies are subject to walking as there may be no extra space on a golf cart. Two person maximum per cart.
Are spectators allowed? What is the rule regarding spectators riding in golf carts?
Spectators/guests are encouraged and welcome on the course but must remain out of play, practice proper golf etiquette, and cannot offer advice or suggestions to any player/competitor.
Spectators are NOT permitted to ride in a competitors cart. Two person max per cart. Spectators should arrive at the course assuming they will have to walk.
Where can I find tee times and pairings?
National and Senior National Championship
Tee times and pairings for the first two rounds, along with the course rotation for each flight will be posted online and emailed to players by 5:00 PM PST, September 16th, 2009. Players will be re-paired according to score for the 3rd round and the final round.
Tee times and pairings will be available at every nightly scoring function at the host resort La Quinta Resort and Club.
National Team Championship
Course rotation for each Team will be posted online and emailed to players by 5:00 PM PST, September 16th, 2009
Am I guaranteed 72-holes? How does the consolation round work?
Yes, the field will be cut after 54 holes of competition and ties following the 3rd round of play. All players not making the cut will play in a consolation tournament round.
How do I book a practice round?
PGA West – Stadium
- Please call 1-800-598-3828 and identify yourself as a player of “The Golf Channel Amateur Tour”
- $79 Weekend and Weekday Rate
PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament
- Please call 1-800-598-3828 and identify yourself as a player of “The Golf Channel Amateur Tour”
- $69 Weekend and Weekday Rate
PGA West – Greg Norman
- Please call 1-800-598-3828 and identify yourself as a player of “The Golf Channel Amateur Tour”
- $69 Weekend and Weekday Rate
La Quinta – Mountain
- Please call 1-800-598-3828 and identify yourself as a player of “The Golf Channel Amateur Tour”
- $69 Weekend and Weekday Rate
Mountain View Country Club
- You can book a practice round starting on September 8th and ending on September 21st by calling the Pro Shop at 760-771-4311 for $75.00
SilverRock Golf Club
- Please contact the Pro Shop for tee times and rates at 760-777-8884 X 3
- From July 1st, 2009 to September 21th, 2009
- $55.00 Weekday before 1:00 PM PST (Monday – Thursday) $40.00 after 1:00 PM
- $65.00 Weekend before 1:00 PM PST (Friday – Sunday) $50.00 after 1:00 PM
Golf Club of La Quinta
- Please call 760-771-0707 and identify yourself as a player of “The Golf Channel Amateur Tour”
- $35 Weekday (Monday – Thursday) and $45 Weekend (Friday – Sunday)
When/where is the National Championship Players Dinner taking place?
National and Senior National Championship
The National Championship Players dinner will be held on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 7:00 PM PST at the La Quinta Resort and Club. GOLF CHANNEL Talent will be on site at the host hotel to discuss current headlines and give tournament insight.
National Team Championship
The National Team Championship Players dinner will be held on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 7:00 PM PST at the La Quinta Resort and Club. GOLF CHANNEL Talent will be on site at the host hotel to discuss current headlines and give tournament insight.
When and where is the awards presentation?
National and Senior National Championship
The awards ceremony will take place for each flight immediately following play on Friday, September 25. The awards ceremony will take place in the PGA West Stadium Nicklaus Tournament Clubhouse.
National Team Championship
The awards ceremony will take place at the completion of the play on Sunday, September 27th. The awards ceremony will take place in the PGA West Stadium Nicklaus Tournament Clubhouse.
What happens if the event has rain and/or weather delays?
The tournament committee will do everything possible to get all holes completed for the event, however if the course is unplayable the event may be reduced to a shortened number of holes.
Does the Tour look at players to ensure proper flighting?
Yes. The tournament committee will look and monitor every contestant’s Tour Index using the scores shot in Tour events. We will have all index computations available for peer review at the National Championship scoring area.
Can I use a SkyCaddie or rangefinder during the event?
Yes. The tournament committee encourages the use of SkyCaddie devices to help speed up pace of play. The device must not have any feature that does not deal in factual information (i.e slope/grade).
What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
$50.00 cancellation fee for any withdraw up until September 14th, 2009 9:00 PM PST
$400.00 cancellation fee for any withdraw from September 14th, 2009 9:01 PM PST until September 20th, 2009 at 9:00 PM PST.
No refunds after September 20th, 9:01 PM PST
What is the address and phone numbers for the Host Hotel and Tournament Courses?
La Quinta Resort & Club
49-499 Eisenhower Drive
La Quinta, California 92253
Phone: 1-760-564-4111
PGA West Stadium Golf Course
56-150 PGA Boulevard
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 1-800-PGA-WEST
PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament
56-150 PGA Boulevard
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 1-800-PGA-WEST
PGA West – Greg Norman
81-405 Kingston Heath
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 1-800-PGA-WEST
La Quinta – Mountain
50-200 Avenida Vista
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 1-800-598-3828
SilverRock Golf Club
79179 Ahmanson Ln
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 760-777-8884
Golf Club of La Quinta
60151 Trilogy Pkwy
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 760-771-0707
Mountain View Country Club
50-400 Jefferson Street
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: 1-760-771-4311
How Do I Register for the National or Senior National Championship?
You can register on the Official Tour Home pages by clicking the following
Click Here to register for the: National Championship
Click Here to register for the: Senior National Championship
Can I pay with Cash or by Check?
No. We currently only accept Credit cards and/or Debit Cards for registration online.
If a player does not have or use a Credit Card or Debit Card you can mail a Cashier’s Check or Money order made out to Golf Channel Amateur Tour and mailed to:
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
9102 Southpark Center Loop, Suite 230
Orlando, FL 32819
Will SkyCaddie units be available for purchase at the National Championships?
Yes. SkyCaddie SG5 units (plus accessory pack) will be available at the exclusive Tour Player rate. Units may be purchased at registration/check-in or during any of the nightly scoring functions at La Quinta Resort and Club. Each unit will be pre-loaded with all seven of the Championship Week courses so that they can be used during competition.
Will SkyCaddie be on-site for players to demo units?
Yes. SkyCaddie will be present each day of Championship Week at PGA West Stadium and PGA West Nicklaus Tournament courses. Each golf cart will be equipped with one SkyCaddie SG5 unit for the usage of those Players competing on the PGA West Stadium and PGA West Nicklaus Tournament courses.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
September 21-25
National Championship offers 4 days of exciting competition on some of La Quinta’s most popular and recognizable courses. Qualifiers and exempt players from across the country will compete in this 72-hole stroke play championship for a place in Tour history and the honor and notoriety of becoming the National Champion. To learn more about this exclusive event, click here.
SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
September 21-25
Created exclusively for players age 50+, the Senior National Championship offers 4 days of exciting competition on some of La Quinta’s most popular and recognizable courses. Qualifiers and exempt players from across the country will compete in this 72-hole stroke play championship for a place in Tour History and the honor and notoriety of becoming a National Champion. Click here to learn more.
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
September 25-27
The culmination of Championship Week, the Team Championship is a unique 45-hole event that offers a Ryder-Cup style feel and experience. Feel the camaraderie and pressure as you represent your hometown for bragging rights in this fun and competitive event. Click here for more information on how to participate.
