1. GENERAL:
The Championship will be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by the R&A and the local rules of the Royal Golf Club.
The Organizing Committee will be responsible for the running of the Championship and reserves the rights to amend the rules of play where appropriate.
2. ELIGIBILITY:
The King Hamad Trophy Golf Championship is an invitational golf tournament for professional and amateur golfers. The handicap index requirement for amateurs is 4.0 and below based on the World Handicapping System (WHS).
3. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
a) All entries must be submitted on the official entry form signed by the entrant. For amateurs the entry form shall also be endorsed by the home club or the golf association/federation and a handicap certificate shall be attached.
b) Entries must be emailed to the Tournament Director (email: thekht.bh@gmail.com). Entries shall reach the Tournament Director by Friday 4th November, 2022.
c) Entries will be limited to a maximum of 90 participants. All entries shall be subject to the approval of the Organizing Committee which reserves the rights to accept or reject any entrants without giving any reason for its decision.
d) The priority for the championship’s field shall be as per the order below;
1. Defending Champion and Former Winners.
2. Bahrain National Team members.
3. Players qualified through the Bahrain Amateur Open.
4. The BGA's Invitees.
5. Players who made the cut in the previous Championship.
6. Players who didn’t participate in the previous Championship.
7. Players who didn’t make the cut in the previous Championship in order of their final positions.
e) Entrants are requested to register at the club house on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 before 4 pm. All participants will be exempted from the entry fee.
4. FORMAT OF PLAY:
a) The Championship will be played over three days with one round of 18 holes each day in a stroke play format.
b) All players will play the first two rounds and a cut will be made after the second round. The leading 45 players and ties will qualify for the final round.
c) The player with the lowest gross aggregate for the three rounds shall be the winner of the King Hamad Trophy Golf Championship.
d) In the event of a tie in the lowest gross total, the winner shall be decided by a sudden death play-off over the 18th hole. Refer to section 7 for deciding ties for other places.
5. TIMES OF STARTING and GROUPS:
a) Players shall report to the starter on the designated tee 5 minutes before their starting times. If a player arrives at his starting tee, ready to play, within 5 minutes after his starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes to be added to his first hole score. If a player fails to appear at the designated tee within 5 minutes he shall be disqualified.
b) For the first two rounds the players will play in the same groups, however, players starting early in the first round will start late in the second round and vice versa. The draw for the final round will be based on the total scores of the first two rounds with the leading players teeing-off last.
c) The Organizing Committee reserves the rights to alter the starting times and player groups if necessary.
6. PACE OF PLAY:
a) The time allotted for a group to complete the 18 holes round is four and half hours. If a group is observed to be out of position, it is liable to be warned and the players individually timed by an appointed official.
b) The maximum time allowed for a shot is 40 seconds. An extra 10 seconds are allowed for the first player to play a tee shot on a par 3, an approach shot to the green, and a chip or putt. The 40 seconds start when the player has reached the teeing ground or the ball and it is his turn to play. The 40 seconds include all shot preparation, such as determining the yardage, club selection, etc. If the player exceeds the time allowed on a shot, he shall be deemed to have a bad time. The penalty for having a bad time is as follows;
1 Bad time - Warning from The Referee
2 Bad times - One stroke penalty
3 Bad times – Additional Two strokes penalty
4 Bad times – Disqualification
c) The Organizing Committee may apply a penalty for unreasonable delay (Rule 5-6a) without prior warning to a group that is seriously out of position at the end of the round.
7. PRIZES:
a) Prizes for Professionals:
The leading 10 professionals after 54 holes will receive cash prizes as follows;
• 1st US$ 9,500
• 2nd US$ 5,800
• 3rd US$ 3,600
• 4th US$ 2,500
• 5th US$ 2,000
• 6th US$ 1,700
• 7th US$ 1,450
• 8th US$ 1,350
• 9th US$ 1,250
• 10th US$ 1,100
In the event of a tie in any place the prize funds will be distributed among the tying players unless the tie is in the lowest gross total in the Championship which shall be decided by a sudden death play-off to determine the Champion. NOTE: The Sudden Death Play-off for lowest gross total may include amateur players.
b) Prizes for Amateurs:
The leading 10 amateurs after 54 holes will receive in-kind prizes. Also, there will be a special prize for the best Bahraini player.
c) Consolation Prizes:
• Best gross score on the final day.
• 2nd Best gross score on the final day.
A player is entitled to win one prize only.
8. PRACTICE:
The course will be available for practice on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022. Tee times may be booked directly with the Royal Golf Club on Tel: +973-17750777 or through email: reservation@theroyalgolfclub.com.
9. DRIVER HEADS:
Any driver that the player carries shall have a club head that is named on the current list of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the R&A.
10. THE BALL:
Player shall play with a ball that is listed on the current list of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the R&A.
11. DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. A player may not use a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions (e.g. gradient, wind speed, weather, etc.). Penalty: Disqualification
12. CADDIES:
Caddies are unavailable, but players may arrange for their own caddies. Players may use trolleys or carry their own bags. Motorized golf carts are not allowed.
13. MOBILE PHONES:
Mobile phones are not allowed anywhere on the course and any breach of this condition may result in disqualification.