Applying the PGA’s Regulations – advice for WPGA Members

04/08/2022

WPGA Tournaments – Requests for Conflicting Events Release

The provision of playing opportunities for PGA Members, one of the nine principles of the Association, is recognised as the most valuable Member Service, with approximately 45% of the membership participating in at least one tournament per year.

The WPGA is an important part of the Association, and The PGA is committed to developing its WPGA tournament offering, enhancing delivery standards and providing equity of access regardless of Member demographic or location.

In order for The PGA to develop the playing opportunities it relies heavily on the support of its Members. This is recognised in the PGA Regulations, requiring Members to support PGA Tournaments and those Tours recognised by the Association as a priority.

Over the years, a number of third party golf tours have emerged and while these tours may provide alternative playing opportunities that can be attractive to WPGA Members, they are not tours recognised within The PGA’s Regulations and therefore do not have priority over official WPGA tournaments.

Any Member looking to compete in a non-PGA Tournament which conflicts with a scheduled PGA tournament, including WPGA tournaments, is required under the Regulations to seek a release from the scheduled PGA or WPGA tournament. Failure to comply with the Regulations may result in the imposition of a fixed penalty.

In practice, WPGA Members seeking a release from a WPGA tournament should make their request through the PGA’s Head of Tournament Operations, while if the tournament conflicts with a Regional event, the request should be via the appropriate Regional Manager.

It is important for Members to note that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, the PGA’s Regulations do not allow for their release from scheduled PGA tournaments either:-

to enable them to play in conflicting tournaments presented by operators that are not recognised within the Regulations; or
for lower ranking tournaments delivered by The PGA.

It is requested that each individual playing Member supports the schedule and complies with the PGA Regulations covering releases for conflicting tournaments so that we can continue to invest and improve your playing opportunities.