FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I get an invitation to the event?

Club Champions are submitted to pgaclubchamp.org. An email invitation with sign-up information is sent to all 2024 club champions. If you have questions during the sign-up process, please contact Matthew Thompson mthompson@pgahq.com.

Are there any age restrictions to play and how do you define who plays in the senior division?

Club Champions who win their club championship may choose any of the 3 divisions held at the PGA National Club Championship and must indicate their division during sign-up.  The age that we use is as of the date of Round 1 of the National Championship competition. Switches between divisions can only be done if space permits and must be approved by Matthew Thompson mthompson@pgahq.com.

Can I play if I am a professional?

No. Amateur status has to be maintained or reinstated by the USGA to be eligible to play in the National Club Championship event. The PGA Professional from the participant’s facility is encouraged to attend to caddie or cheer on their club champion. As a token of our appreciation, that PGA Professional is able to sign-up for the same practice rounds as their club champion at no cost (subject to availability).

Can I attend the championship if I am a club champion at a golf course without a PGA Professional?

Facilities with a PGA Professional will receive an automatic invitation to the event. If your facility does not have a PGA Member of any kind, you must submit an application to compete in the National Club Championship. Our executive committee will review every application and will be in touch if there is an opportunity to be added to the field. 

Am I eligible for the National Championship if I am a 9 hole club champion?

No. Only gross 18 hole club champions are accepted. If you are a 9 hole club champion you can submit an application to compete in the National Club Championship. Our executive committee will review every application and will be in touch if there is an opportunity to be added to the field. 

Can my “Net” club champion receive an invitation to the event?

No. Only Gross Champions from a golf club are eligible. There are no handicaps or net champions at the PGA Club Championship.

Can Junior Club Champions play in the National Club Championship?

Junior Club Champions may request to play in the Men’s/Women’s divisions based on availability, please reach out to Matthew Thompson at mthompson@pgahq.com.

Is there a suggested handicap to play in this event?

Although this is a gross event, suggested handicap for all Men divisions is +0.0-2.5 and all Women divisions is +0.0-7.5. For those that do not meet this handicap requirement, there is an application for entry which gets reviewed by our executive committee to get players into the field.

What yardage does each division compete from? 

All yardages are approximate: 

Men - 6700-7000

Senior Men's - 6300-6700

Legends Men's - 6000-6300

Women - 5700-6100

Senior Women's - 5400-5700

Legends Women's - 5100-5400

Can I buy yardage/greens books for the tournament

Yes, please take advantage of discounted Custom Greens Guides and Yardages Books courtesy of our friends at Strackaline. 

What is the cost to play in the championship?

The cost is $955 for the entry fee which includes 3 rounds of championship golf (cart is included or players may walk or bring their own caddies).  The entry fee also includes premium player welcome gifts, as well as a daily food at restaurants on-site at the courses or resort during each competition round. 

Is this event recognized by WAGR (World Amateur Golf Rankings)?

Yes it is for both genders, the Open Division and Senior Division will receive WAGR points. The Legend Division will not receive WAGR Points.

What can I win?

Players will be awarded championship trophies and sponsored product (below the threshold for USGA amateur status).  The Top 5 finishers in all divisions will receive an invitation to future PGA National Club Championship. Champions will receive a lifetime exemption into the event.

Do all the club champions at my course need to attend?

No, club champions are attending individually. Multiple champions from the same course may attend however.

Can players have caddies for the event?

Competitors are permitted to bring their own caddies but they must be 18 years or older at the start of competition. 

Can we buy caddie bibs for the event?

Yes, please take advantage of discounted Custom Caddie Bibs courtesy of our friends at HFGolf&Promo. 

Are spectators allowed to attend?

Yes, spectators are most welcome. We only ask that spectators of players stay walking on cart paths as much as possible for the duration of the round to allow for better pace of play. If there is any misconduct from a spectator, they are subject to removal from the golf course.

Will there be spectator or ADA carts available during Championship Rounds?

Accessibility services for the Championship are still being finalized. A limited number of spectator golf cars and/or an accessibility shuttle service may be provided to assist spectators with disabilities. Details will be posted on the website closer to the Championship. Please contact the Championship team via team@pgaclubchamp.org if you have any questions about accessibility services at the Championship.

Do PGA professionals compete in the event?

No, this event features the amateur club champions at golf courses with a PGA Professional on staff.  PGA Professionals are encouraged to promote the PGA Club Championship invitation to their members to help increase participation in their course’s club championship divisions.

Are PGA Members permitted to play practice rounds with their club champions?

The PGA Professional from the participant’s facility is encouraged to attend to caddie or cheer on their club champion. As a token of our appreciation, Class A PGA Members are able to sign-up for the same practice rounds as their club champion at no cost (subject to availability). Contact Matthew Thompson at mthompson@pgahq.com for more information or to sign-up.

Are there shuttles available?

From the Airport to the Championship Venue there are no shuttles available however:

National Car Rental is the preferred rental company of the PGA of America

Urbana Transportation is Georgia's premiere chauffeured service and provides transportation to Reynolds, Lake Oconee

Once On-Site at the Ritz-Carlton there is transportation from the Hotel:

The Ritz-Carlton provides shuttle transportation to and from the hotel to Great Waters, The Oconee, The National, The Landing, and The Preserve Golf Courses as well as other Reynolds, Lake Oconee amenities as part of the Resort Fee. The Ritz-Carlton shuttles depart at the top of the hour, every hour. The shuttles are first-come, first-served

What is the refund policy?

Full refunds are available as long as the request is made more than 60 days before the competition. Between 60 and 30 days out there is a refund fee of 50% of your total invoice. Within 30 days there is no refund available. The PGA Club Champ charges a non-refundable convenience fee of 2.9% and 30 cents for each transaction processed on pgaclubchamp.org. To avoid the non-refundable convenience fee, PGA Club Champ accepts checks as a preferred alternative payment method. Checks can be made payable to Victoria Aranas Accounts Payable PGA of America 1916 PGA Parkway Frisco, TX 75033. Please note, convenience fees will not be refunded even if the payment to which it relates is canceled, refunded, credited or charged back. Any questions, please contact billing@pgaclubchamp.org.

Will I receive a refund if the tournament or practice round is rained out?

In the event of inclement weather, if the course staff deems the golf course unplayable, the PGA staff will work with the host course to provide rain checks, partial refunds, or full refunds depending on the nature of the situation and the course’s policies. If nine holes of golf are completed, no refunds (both partial and full) or rain checks will be provided.

STILL NEED HELP? LET US KNOW!

Matthew Thompson

Tournament Director

General Inquiries

Trenton Blundell

Competitions Director

Rules Inquiries

CHAMPIONSHIP PARTNERS