Seacoast amateur golf championship

The Seacoast’s Premier Golf Championship Since 1981

Philosophy

The championship is open to players who are active, current year, dues paying members in good standing at one of the following Seacoast area clubs: Abenaqui, Breakfast Hill, Cochecho, Exeter, Farmington, Ledges, Nippo Lake, Oaks, Outlook, Pease, Portsmouth, Rochester, Rockingham, Sunningdale, Wentworth, or York.

Players must have a current USGA handicap index of 5.9 or less as determined by the New Hampshire Golf Association or the Maine Golf Association using the USGA/GHIN service. 

The top fifteen (15) finishers from last year's tournament are exempt into the field each year.  Starting in 1999, past champions receive a five (5) year exemption.  The low three (3) handicap indexes from all eleven (11) Host Clubs achieve entry into the tournament.  The Committee reserves ten (10) spots to be awarded to applicants that will help ensure that the strongest possible field is competing in the Championship.  The remainder of the field is drawn randomly by lottery.  Entry deadline and lottery is determined on a yearly basis.

The Committee will consider entries from non-members of these clubs who can prove they play the majority of their golf at one of the listed clubs and meet the handicap index requirements.  Non-member entrants must submit, with their entry form, a letter from a PGA Professional from one of the eligible clubs stating the applicant maintains a valid and current handicap at the listed club and played a minimum of twenty-five rounds at the club during the previous season.

Tournament Philosophy

The Tournament shall be held at three Host Courses annually in the Greater Seacoast area.  The Committee shall endeavor to recruit as many Host Courses as possible, so no undo burden is placed on any one Club.

 

The Mission of the Championship is to identify the best golfer in the seacoast area over three rounds of medal play.

 

 A team competition and senior competition will be held subsequent to the Championship, but the Mission of the Championship, to identify the best individual golfer in the seacoast, shall be held foremost in the Committee’s actions.

 

Recognizing that the Championship Field will consist of competitors with an average handicap in the 3-5 range the Committee will endeavor to set up the host courses in such a manner that the whole field will have a challenging but enjoyable Championship.  This is not a field of professional golfers, and the Committee, working with the Host Professionals and Superintendents should act accordingly.

 

The USGA has memorandums on how courses should be set up for competitions and the Committee shall endeavor to obtain these, keep current on changes to them and to follow these guidelines for the competition.

 

Regarding Host Course length set up, the Committee would like to see the Championship played from the Championship Tees at each golf course, but care should be taken for the length not to exceed 6800 yards.  As equipment changes the Committee shall be cognizant of changes and recommend changes accordingly.

 

At all times the Committee will seek to conduct a Championship that the Greater Seacoast can be proud of, where good sportsmanship prevails, where the competition is excellent and where an enjoyable time can be had by competitors and spectators alike.