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 Granola Bar of the PGA TOUR, has developed the event to enable amateur golfers to "play like a pro." In addition, participants will play where the pros play, as each event will be held at courses within the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Network and other renowned courses throughout the country.

The Nature Valley Amateur culminates at TPC Sawgrass via a series of eighteen (18) 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 are asked to submit and update their USGA handicap index and membership # during online registration and one week prior to the event. Amateurs will also 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 (0-5.9) will receive 0% of their handicap index for both Qualifying Tournaments and the Championship tournament. Amateurs in the Eagle (6-11.9), Birdie (12-17.9), and Par (18-24) flights will receive 100% of their handicap index for both Qualifying Tournaments and the Championship tournament.

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

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 by flight due to inclement weather, or the course is deemed unplayable by the Organizer, an 18-hole complimentary round certificate will be issued to respective flight 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 in your flight, the lowest score of 9 holes qualify for Championship, contingent on all players in your flight having completed a minimum of 9 holes.
3. If everyone in your flight does not complete 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 as many Qualifying Tournaments and he/she desires. If a participant wins a Qualifying Tournament he/she is 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?
Seventy-Two (72) 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) Championship complimentary rounds of golf at TPC Sawgrass (November 5, 2010 and November 6, 2010), and two (2) invitations to the pairings dinner on November 4, 2010. The estimated retail value of each Qualifying Tournament prize is $750.

Four (4) 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 2010 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 $190 (based on average of 2010 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:
Championship Rounds two (2) - each player will be assigned an individual caddie and walk the course.

14. 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 rounds at TPC Sawgrass.

15. Are there practice rounds?
No practice rounds are included during the Qualifying Tournaments. A player may call the qualifying course in advance to schedule a practice round based on course availability and subject to player expense. The Event does not manage or provide practice rounds.

The Championship at TPC Sawgrass includes two (2) championship rounds; thus, no practice rounds are included. If a player arrives to TPC Sawgrass in advance of the tournament and stays at the Sawgrass Marriott, he or she may then call the course beforehand to schedule a practice round based on course availability and subject to player expense.

16. Are shorts allowed?
Yes, but no denim

17. Is the One-Ball Rule enforced?
Yes, all players will have to verify the ball that they will use with the course official before teeing off at the first tee

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

19. Which course at Cog Hill will be played?
#4 Dubsdread

20. Which course at Torrey Pines will be played?
The South Course

21. Which course at TPC San Antonio will be played?
AT&T Oaks Course

22. Which course at Doral will be played?
TPC Blue Monster

23. Which course at TPC Sawgrass will be played?
THE PLAYERS Stadium Course

24. 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.

25. 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.

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

27. What is pre-registration? Does that guarantee a spot for a Qualifying Tournament?
Pre-registration does not guarantee registration. All players who pre-register will receive immediate notification when registration opens. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

28. Are spectators allowed?
Yes, spectators are allowed; however, they must adhere to the proper dress code. Jeans, bathing attire, T-shirts, gym shorts, coaching shorts, cutoffs, jean shorts, short shorts, halter tops and tank tops are considered inappropriate and will not be permitted while using any of the facilities or as a spectator. Required short length is Bermuda length: no shorter than 3 inches above the knee. Gentlemen are asked to always wear collared golf shirts.

If carts are available, they may rent one at their own expense. If carts are not available, they are welcome to walk the course.