FAQ

1. What is the Nature Valley Amateur?
The Nature Valley Amateur is a grassroots amateur golf event developed to provide participants with an authentic PGA TOUR playing experience in a unique, fun environment.

Nature Valley Granola Bars, the Official Natural Energy Bar of the PGA TOUR, has developed the event to enable amateur golfers to "play like the pros". In addition participants will play where the pros play, as each event will be held at courses within the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Network throughout the country.

The Nature Valley Amateur culminates at TPC Sawgrass via a series of twenty (20) Qualifying Tournaments throughout the U.S. The National Championship field will consist of winners from each Qualifying Tournament.

2. What are the guidelines to play?
All amateur golfers and previous Nature Valley Amateur participants with an established USGA handicap index between 0 – 24 are eligible to participate in the Nature Valley Amateur.

3. Does an amateur need a current USGA handicap to enter?
Yes, for an amateur to participate in the Nature Valley Amateur he or she must have a current USGA approved handicap index.

Amateurs will need to provide their most recent handicap certificate to the tournament staff when checking in on-site. Amateurs will not be able to participate without this certificate.

4. How does an amateur establish a USGA approved handicap index?

1. Visit your nearest public or private golf course with a PGA Professional.
2. Talk with the PGA Professional about establishing a handicap at that facility.
3. Set up your handicap account and pay account fee.
4. Start playing and post your scores.
5. A minimum of five (5) rounds must be posted to establish a handicap index

5. How is the USGA approved handicap index applied?
Amateurs in the Tour Flight (0-5) will receive 0% of their handicap for both Qualifying Tournaments and the Championship tournament. Amateurs in the Eagle (6-14) and Birdie (15-24) flights will receive 80% of their handicap for both Qualifying Tournaments and the Championship tournament.

6. What is the format of the Nature Valley Amateur?
Qualifying Tournaments and Championship:

7. What does the entry fee cover?
The entry fee covers greens fees for one round (18 holes), cart fee, boxed lunch, and beverages. There is no registration fee for the National Championship.

All other taxes and expenses related to prizes and all costs related to travel, lodging and meals to participate in the Nature Valley Amateur are incurred by participant.

8. What happens if the event is cancelled for any reason (such as weather)?
If fewer than 9 holes are completed due to inclement weather, or the course is deemed unplayable by the Organizer, an 18-hole complimentary round certificate will be issued to all outing participants who have not completed their respective 9 holes of golf during the Qualifying Tournament (to be redeemed in the same calendar year). In the event of a cancellation, Qualifying Tournaments will NOT be rescheduled. Qualifiers will be determined through the following:

1. Lowest score of each flight with completed round (18 holes) will qualify for Championship.
2. If no one completes an 18 hole round, the lowest score of each flight of those that complete 9 holes qualify for Championship.
3. If no one completes 9 holes, winners will be determined through a random drawing conducted by the on-site Rules Committee at each course. All participants present will submit their name into the drawing. Separate drawings will be conducted for each flight.

9. Is an amateur allowed to participate in multiple Qualifying Tournaments?
Yes, participants may enter more than one (1) Qualifying Tournament. If a participant wins a Qualifying Tournament they are ineligible to win another Qualifying Tournament.

10. What if an amateur has handicaps at different clubs?
If a player has different handicaps at different clubs, the lowest USGA Handicap Index must be used.

11. What will the winners receive?
Sixty (60) Qualifying Tournament Prizes -One (1) winner from each flight is eligible to win the following prize: One (1) Qualifying Championship Trophy, qualify to compete in the National Championship, two (2) complimentary rounds of golf at TPC Sawgrass (Practice Round – October 24, 2008 and Championship Round – October 25, 2008), two (2) invitations to the pairings dinner on October 24, 2008. The estimated retail value of each Qualifying Tournament prize is $1,050.

Three (3) Championship Prizes - -One (1) winner from each flight is eligible to win the following prize: One (1) Championship Trophy and one (1) automatic entry into the Qualifying Tournament of his/her choice for the 2009 Nature Valley Amateur Tournament Series exempt from registration fee. The player will be responsible for travel, lodging and other costs associated with participation.. The estimated retail value of each Championship Tournament prize is $162 (based on average of 2008 Qualifying Tournament fees).

12. What are the rules and regulations of the Championship?
The USGA Rules of Golf will govern play. Local rules at each course will apply.

13. Are caddies allowed?
For the Qualifying Tournaments no caddies are allowed. Carts will be provided. For the Championship at TPC Sawgrass, each player will be provided a caddie and walk the course.

14. Are there practice rounds?
For the Qualifying Tournaments no practice rounds are included. For the Championship at TPC Sawgrass one (1) practice round is included.

15. Are Sky Caddies or other distance measuring devices allowed?
Distance measuring devices are allowed at Qualifying Tournaments. Measuring devices will NOT be permitted during the Championship Tournament.

16. Are shorts allowed?
Yes, but no denim

17. Which course at TPC Scottsdale will be played?
The Stadium Course

18. What is the cancellation policy ?
An entry fee will be refunded at 50% of total value if the cancellation is requested, regardless of reason, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Qualifying Tournament date. No refunds will be granted, for any reason, on cancellations received within fourteen (14) days of the Qualifying Tournament date for which the player is registered.

19. How does the waiting list work?
A waiting list will be generated for each Qualifying Tournament if the field is full on a first come first served basis. If a member of the confirmed field withdraws, a member on the waiting list will be notified and given 24 hours to register. If the member fails to register in time, the next member on the waiting list will be invited to join and the previously invited member will move to the end of the waiting list.

20. Can I register for more than one waiting list?
Yes

21. What is pre-registration? Does that guarantee a spot for a Qualifying Tournament?
Pre-registration does not guarantee registration, rather immediate notification when registration opens. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.