AST Q School - FAQs 2016 / 2017
Q. How can I become a member of the European Senior Tour?
A: For those that have not previously competed on the European Tour, the main way to become a member of the European Senior Tour is to go to Qualifying School which takes place in January/February. A Player can also request an invite to any event during the year by writing to the European Senior Tour. A player must be 50 years of age on or before the first day of the tournament.
NB. There is a maximum of 3 invites granted per tournament.
Q. How do I enter the European Senior Tour Qualifying School?
A: You will need to complete and return the Qualifying School Application Form to the European Senior Tour by Monday 11th January for 2016. The form can be downloaded from the website.
Q: Who can enter the European Senior Tour Qualifying School?
A: All male professional golfers who are 50 years of age on or before 31st July 2016. All male amateur golfers who are 50 years of age on or before 31st July 2016, with a handicap of one (1) or lower.
Q: Do I lose my amateur status if I enter the Qualifying School?
A: It is not a breach of the Rules of Amateur status to file an entry for and participate in any Stage of the Qualifying School, providing that you waive your right to prize money prior to each Stage by completing the appropriate forms available at each venue.
Q: How much does it cost to go to Qualifying School?
A: The entry fee for 2016 is £800 (€1,100) for all entrants – regardless of which Stage or Stages are played. The entry fee does not include travel and accommodation which are the responsibility of each participant. Any player that has played an event on the 2015 European Senior Tour schedule and subsequently taken up Affiliated Membership will be exempt from paying any entry fee as their Membership fee covers the cost of the Qualifying School.
Q: Is it easy to withdraw and can the entry fee be reclaimed?
A: All withdrawals must be notified to the European Senior Tour Entries Department. If a player withdraws prior to the closing date his entry fee will be refunded in full. If a player withdraws after the closing date, without competing, he will be refunded £700 (€960) only (NB: No exceptions). If a player is absent on the tee without notification, no refund will be given and he may face disciplinary action, subject to circumstances. Once an entrant has teed off, refund of entry is not possible under any circumstances.
Q: Can I request a Stage 1 venue?
A: A player can request a venue for Stage 1, but there is no guarantee any requests will be honoured.
Q: When will I be notified of my allocated venue for Stage 1?
A: Venue allocation lists will be available the day after the close of entries.
Q: How many entrants get through from stage 1 to Finals?
A: The number of players to advance from Stage 1 to the Finals will be 24 places in total (12 from each Stage 1 competition). The field size in the Finals will be a minimum of 60 players.
Q: How many players get a ‘Tour Card’ through the Qualifying School?
A: Players finishing in positions 1-5 at the European Senior Tour Qualifying School Finals will be eligible for Ranked Membership of the European Senior Tour.
Players 1-5 will be included in Category 7 for the 2016 season. These players will be exempt into all 54 man field events.
In the event of a tie there will be a hole by hole play-off to determine 5th position.
Q: If I earn a ‘Tour Card’, how many tournaments will I be able to play on the European Seniors Tour?
A: This will vary from year to year, however, in 2015 the number of opportunities for European Senior Tour School graduate in position 5 was 9. The total number of tournaments on the 2015 schedule was 12.
Q: Does the European Senior Tour provide accommodation?
A: No. However, the European Senior Tour can recommend official hotels for each tournament.
Q: What are the rules of golf during Qualifying School?
A: Rules governing play will be the following:
• The current R&A Rules of Golf
• The current European Senior Tour Conditions of Competition and Local Rules
• The local rules of the host club as approved by the Tournament Director
In addition, all participants are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the European Senior Tour Code of Behaviour as contained within the Members Regulations Handbook.
Q: Are there exemptions from Stage 1?
A: YES. Details of all exemptions will be on the entry form.
Q: Do you need to have a caddie at the Qualifying School?
A: No, caddies are not mandatory and players are permitted to use trolleys.
Please note that no current European Senior Tour Member may caddie for any competitor at any Stage of the European Senior Tour Qualifying School.
Q. Are Distance Measuring Devices allowed?
A. From the 2015 season onwards, the European Senior Tour Conditions of Competition and Local Rules will include wording that in accordance with the Note under Rule 14-3 of the Rules of Golf, for all play in regular European Senior Tour Approved Tournaments, a player may obtain distance information by using a laser device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used. For purposes of clarity, this applies to laser distance measuring devices only and their use will not be allowed in the US Senior PGA Championship, the US Senior Open and Senior Open Championship, or qualifying rounds thereof.
If answers to your question(s) is not contained in the above or you need more information please email me.
Chuan Campbell
Chairman of the Asian Seniors Tour
Governor of the Asian Seniors PGA Tour
Singapore: (+65) - 9634 6497
www.asianseniormasters.com
Emails:
chuan @ asianseniormasters.com
chuancampbell @ gmail.com
Please also kindly copy
Ms. Evelyn Lee - the GM at the Asian Seniors Tour
evelyn @ asianseniorstour.com
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