TOURNAMENT ORGANISATION
TOURNAMENT
ORGANIZATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Competition Formats________________________________________________________________ 3
2. Registration
3. Entry Fee Structure
4. Payment Options
5. Amateur Status_____________________________________________________________________ 4
6. Eligibility
7. Proof of Age
8. Qualifier Events
9. Cancellation Policies
10. Substitutions
11. Events Cancelled or Postponed_______________________________________________________ 5
12. Field Size
13. Policy on Cuts
14. Tie Breakers
15. Tee Times and Pairings______________________________________________________________ 6
a) Match Play After a Stroke Play Elimination Round
b) Pairings After a Reshuffle
16. Check-in Time
17. Pace of Play
18. Bad Weather Guidelines_____________________________________________________________ 7
a) Severe Weather Warnings
19. Equipment
20. Spectators and Coaches_____________________________________________________________ 8
21. Practice
22. Scoring
23. Purse Distribution
24. Dress Code_________________________________________________________________________ 9
a)Footwear
b)Apparel
c)Advertising
MSOP TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION
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INTRODUCTION
All MSOP players are deemed to be familiar with the MSOP Rules of Play and MSOP Policies and Procedures, and agree
to abide by them. These tournament organization policies contain general information regarding the conduct of MSOP
competitions. Failure to comply with the aforementioned policies and regulations may result in warnings, penalties,
suspension, disqualification or expulsion from a MSOP tournament.
MSOP reserves the right to evaluate and modify its tournament policies, player requirements and tournament scheduling
at any time. The best interests of MSOP and players will be considered before any change is made. Players will be notified
of any changes by the Tournament Committee on site.
The Policies set forth by MSOP are subject to revision.
1 . COMPETITION FORMATS
MSOP will host individual and team competitions. These events may be scored using the Stroke Play or Match Play format.
Preliminary rounds may be needed to eliminate (cut) excess players from the main competition. MSOP officials will be on
site at every tournament to handle player registration/check-in, provide assistance, handle scoring, distribute the prize
purse, monitor Pace of Play and make rulings. All MSOP officials may assess penalty strokes for rule infractions or slow
play, subject to review by the Tournament Committee. All decisions made by the Committee are final.
2. REGISTRATION
Some events are open for registration through qualifiers, and others allow for direct registration for any player wishing
to participate. The direct registration service is available online, at www.msop.com. Players must create a profile in our
database before registering. In the event that you have won a spot through a qualifier, the qualifier host will provide
you with the official entry form. Players are responsible for ensuring their contact information is accurate and that they
understand the Rules of Play and all the MSOP Policies.
By submitting their application, players acknowledge that they have a full understanding of the policies under which MSOP
operates. All entries are subject to approval by the MSOP Tournament Committee. Competitors must be eligible at the date
of the event. MSOP reserves the right to refuse entry to any player for any reason.
3. ENTRY FEE STRUCTURE
A player will not be accepted into the tournament if his/her entry fee is not paid on time. The value of entry fees is
determined by MSOP representatives and approved by the Tournament Committee. The appropriate substitution process
and deadlines is indicated in each tournament’s information sheet.
4. PAYMENT OPTIONS
Depending on the event, credit cards via Stripe, certified checks, personal checks and wire transfers are acceptable
methods of payment. Please check the tournament information sheet for the methods of payment accepted for each
event. The player is responsible for paying the required entry fee for each tournament prior to the entry deadline, as
payment secures the player’s position in the tournament.
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5. AMATEUR STATUS
Because competitors are putting—using a shot specific to golf—the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) Rules of
Amateur Status are applicable to all MSOP competitions.
Amateur golfers may not participate in cash prize competitions if they wish to maintain their amateur status. Failure to
abide by these rules may cause players to lose their amateur status.
6. ELIGIBILITY
All cash-prize competitions are open to all professional and non-amateur golfers.
The minimum age to compete in the MSOP Championship is 21 years old at the competition start date. Some events have
other eligibility restrictions, such as professionals only, as specified in the Tournament information sheet. At registration, a
player must send a proof of membership if needed from this particular organisation.
MSOP reserves the right to refuse any entry from anyone, for any reason MSOP wishes to invoke.
7. PROOF OF AGE
All participants are required to provide proof of age at official onsite registration in order to participate in any MSOP event.
Participants who fail to provide a birth certificate, passport, government-issued ID or other appropriate proof of age
for the events shall be deemed ineligible to compete, and no refund will be issued. Any player under the legal age at the
qualifier site must provide parental consent in order to claim his/her prize.
8. QUALIFIER EVENTS
For most events, competitors can either enter directly by registering and paying the entry fee or by winning a qualifier.
Each qualifier site has its own registration rules. A list of the qualifier sites is available on the MSOP website.
9. CANCELLATION POLICIES
Withdrawal from any tournament must be done in accordance with the posted tournament cancellation policy. If a player
withdraws prior to the tournament, he/she must notify MSOP as soon as possible.
Any player registered for an event who does not show up and does not notify the Tournament Committee forfeits his/her
registration fee and may have his/her player privileges revoked for future events.
In the event of a medical emergency, competitors must provide proof to the Tournament Committee.
10. SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions are allowed under certain conditions. Every event has its own Substitution Policy, and players must read and
understand these policies.
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11. EVENTS CANCELLED OR POSTPONED
MSOP may cancel any event where the minimum number of players required has not been reached. If possible, MSOP
will offer registered players the opportunity to transfer their registration to another event of equal registration fee value.
Players may also transfer their registration to another event and pay/get a refund for the entry fee difference.
Players may refuse, in which case they shall make arrangements with MSOP for reimbursement.
12. FIELD SIZE
The maximum number of participants for any event is determined by the Tournament Committee. The decision is based
on the availability of the course and any other consideration set forth by the Committee. The information shall be made
available at registration. In some cases, different formats are used in an event. For instance, a Match Play event may be
filled with Stroke Play qualifier rounds. Some other events may be a combination of Four-Ball and Foursomes formats.
13. POLICY ON CUTS
The Committee shall notify all players of any cuts in any event. This information is available in the Notice to Competitors
and is made known prior to the start of the competition. The information is also available on the Tournament information
sheet.
In some events, the number of players making the cut shall be predetermined. In such cases, the tie breaker method shall
be announced in the Notice to Competitors.
14. TIE BREAKERS
A playoff is used to settle all first place ties and to determine a specific number of competitors after a cut (course/weather
permitting and depending on course availability). The playoff continues until a player records a lower score than
the other(s) (sudden-death). If a playoff is not possible, a scorecard comparison is conducted, using the following
regression method:
1) The best score for the last 9 holes of the last round
2) If there is still a tie, the best score for the last 6 holes
3) If there is still a tie, the last 3 holes
4) And if there is still a tie, the 18th hole.
In the remote possibility that a tie persists, the tie will be broken by lot (coin toss or any other means).
The tie-breaker playoff may be held in another part of the facility—the holes used do not necessarily need to be the same
holes played in the competition.
The Committee may decide to conduct a playoff to determine third and fourth place in a Match Play round.
In all cases, the tie-breaking method shall be determined prior to the start of the tournament.
There can also be multiple winners in certain cases.
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15. TEE TIMES AND PAIRINGS
The Tournament Committee is responsible for establishing the pairings and tee times. Pairings will be available on the
MSOP website and on a board near the starting area prior to the event, and sent by email to all tournament players.
Pairings are subject to change anytime prior to the start of the event. If an individual starting time has been changed, the
Committee will notify the individual of the change.
A) MATCH PLAY AFTER A STROKE PLAY ELIMINATION ROUND
When a Stroke Play competition decides the Match Play field, the following draw system is used. In case of ties, the
Matching Scorecard system is used.
UPPER HALF LOWER HALF
UPPER HALF LOWER HALF
64 QUALIFIERS
1 vs. 64
32 vs. 33
16 vs. 49
17 vs. 48
8 vs. 57
25 vs. 40
9 vs. 56
24 vs. 41
4 vs. 61
29 vs. 36
13 vs. 52
20 vs. 45
5 vs. 60
28 vs. 37
12 vs. 53
21 vs. 44
32 QUALIFIERS
2 vs. 63
31 vs. 34
15 vs. 50
18 vs. 47
7 vs. 58
26 vs. 39
10 vs. 55
23 vs. 42
3 vs. 62
30 vs. 35
14 vs. 51
19 vs. 46
6 vs. 59
27 vs. 38
11 vs. 54
22 vs. 43
1 vs. 32
16 vs. 17
8 vs. 25
9 vs. 24
4 vs. 29
13 vs. 20
5 vs. 28
12 vs. 21
2 vs. 31
15 vs. 18
7 vs. 26
10 vs. 23
3 vs. 30
14 vs. 19
6 vs. 27
11 vs. 22
16 QUALIFIERS
1 vs. 16
8 vs. 9
4 vs. 13
5 vs. 12
16 QUALIFIERS
2 vs. 15
7 vs. 10
3 vs. 14
6 vs. 11
8 QUALIFIERS
1 vs. 8
4 vs. 5
8 QUALIFIERS
2 vs. 7
3 vs. 6
B) PAIRINGS AFTER A RESHUFFLE
Players may be grouped based on their scores after 18, 36 or 54 holes. The Committee determines at registration if there
is a reshuffle, and after how many holes. The competitors with the highest and second highest scores tee off first, and so
on, with the competitors with the lower scores teeing off last.
The positions of competitors with the same score for 18, 36 or 54 holes will be based on the order in which scores are
returned, the first score to be returned (i.e., the competitor with the earliest starting time) receiving the lowest available
number, and so on. The lower the number, the later the starting time will be.
In the event of a tie (i.e., two competitors from the same pairing have the same score), the lower number will be attributed
to the player who started the round the earliest.
16. CHECK-IN TIME
All MSOP players must check-in on site at least 30 minutes prior to their assigned starting times, and at the Starting Zone
at least 5 minutes prior to their assigned starting times. Anyone who fails to be at the Starting Zone less than 5 minutes
before the official tee time shall be subject to a penalty.
17. PACE OF PLAY
Players must play without undue delay and in accordance with any Pace of Play guidelines established by the Tournament
Committee.
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18. BAD WEATHER GUIDELINES
MSOP will have a warning system in place in case of bad weather during the official practice rounds and for the entire
duration of the competitions.
During competitions, severe weather conditions may delay or suspend play. These conditions include:
> Lightning, which may put players’ safety at risk
> When the course is deemed unplayable by the Tournament Committee
The Tournament Director or the Official on site has the authority to interrupt play due to weather conditions or course
conditions due to weather. When play is suspended, players in a match or group must complete their hole if they have
made a stroke. The other players of the group may play that hole before leaving the area.
If such inclement weather is present during the competition and play is suspended, every effort will be made by the
Tournament Committee to complete the full number of holes. If play is delayed, all players should remain on site at the
host facility and wait for an official announcement from the Tournament Committee. If the course remains unplayable
and/or lightning is present, and it is impossible to resume play or no more play is possible for that event, the Tournament
Committee may consider the score for fewer holes than originally scheduled
While the Tournament Committee will do everything possible to complete the full number of holes, there are no refunds for
events shortened due to inclement weather.
The Committee may also reduce the number of holes needed to determine a winner. The Committee may also choose
another tie-breaker method in the event that a playoff is not possible due to inclement weather.
A) SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
The Tournament Committee shall signal any suspensions due to dangerous weather conditions. In such cases, all play
must immediately be suspended.
19. EQUIPMENT
Players must use the equipment approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Players using illegal equipment,
or using equipment in an unusual fashion, shall immediately be disqualified from the round. All balls used must be also
USGA approved. Players may wear a glove, approved by the USGA.
To help ensure that players competing in a MSOP co-sponsored tournament use equipment that is compliant with the
USGA Rules of Golf, players are encouraged to:
a) Confirm with equipment manufacturers that new equipment or samples have been approved by the USGA.
b) Have any altered or unusual clubs checked by a MSOP Rules Official before tournament use.
c) Check that the ball used is on the USGA’s “Conforming Golf Balls” list.
Players who fail to submit their equipment prior to competition understand that they risk facing a ruling that their
equipment is non-compliant with the USGA Rules of Golf. Additionally, players are required to surrender any equipment
MSOP Official deems to need further off-site testing to rule on conformity. Failure to do so shall result in disciplinary
measures. From time to time, MSOP collects golf balls and equipment samples on site at events.
The Tournament Committee does not have all the tools or information necessary on site to make a proper decision on the
conformity of a golf club.
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20. SPECTATORS OR COACHES
Spectators are welcome at all MSOP tournaments, provided they do not enter the course and do not interfere with any
player. Coaches may approach the players before the stipulated round—near the course or at the practice facility—but are
not allowed on the course during the stipulated round.
Players must not ask or seek any advice from spectators, coaches or any other participant during their stipulating round.
They are only allowed to receive advice from a partner.
Caddies are not allowed in any MSOP tournaments.
21. PRACTICE
A practice green is available near the Course and is open to the competitor no more than 30 minutes before their assigned
tee time.
The Committee shall determine the time and date of any practice rounds on the course or practice green. The Committee
may allow a practice round on the course on the day of a competition.
22. SCORING
In all Stroke Play competitions, players must verify, sign and return a Scorecard to the Scoring Area. In all cases, any doubt
concerning the actual result of a hole, match or round may be verified using technology available to MSOP officials.
23. PURSE DISTRIBUTION
The value of the prize pool at each tournament shall be established prior to the start of the tournament. Information about
the prize pool can be found on the tournament information sheet.
Some events with a final cut do not have a guaranteed payout for all players making the final cut. However, some other
events may guarantee a prize for the last position, and if a player is disqualified or withdraws for any reason and he/she
was assured of a purse, he/she shall be paid last place.
The payout method shall be made available prior the start of the competition. As a general rule, MSOP will try to pay 20%
of the original field with a minimum of 1.5 times the value of the entry fee.
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24. DRESS CODE
The dress code applies to all tournament rounds, official practice rounds, and all practice facilities, unless the Tournament
Committee specifies a particular dress code for an event or a series of events.
Participants are expected to wear proper attire while on the MSOP playing surface. Players must wear a shirt or a t-shirt at
all times.
When an event is televised, additional information and restrictions may apply, in which case all participants will be notified
in a timely manner.
DRESSING INAPPROPRIATELY:
> Players will immediately need to change their attire if the Committee deems it necessary.
> Arriving at least 30 minutes before the projected tee times will allow any player in breach of the dress code to
change attire if necessary
A) FOOTWEAR
All the players must have footwear. Bare feet are not accepted on or near the course. No golf shoes with spikes are allowed
on the course and on the practice putting green. High heels are strictly forbidden on the course. Spike-less golf shoes and
sneakers are accepted.
Shoes with heels will not be accepted on the course under any circumstances.
B)APPAREL
Male contestant must wear a shirt with sleeves.
Female contestants may wear tanks, slacks, culottes, walking shorts or golf skirts, which constitute acceptable women’s
clothing on any golf course.
Jeans and Bermuda shorts are accepted for all competitors.
C) ADVERTISING
The MSOP reserves the right to have players either cover up or remove logos, images or text on apparel that is not
acceptable to the MSOP organization, its sponsors or any other third party involved with MSOP.
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