Tour Information

Established in 2007, the SunCoast Ladies Series has provided aspiring competitive golfers a place to hone their skills while chasing the dream of playing at golf's highest level. The Series was originally established to provide those players who failed to qualify for the LPGA Tour, and those who received an "F" status after LPGA Futures Tour qualifying, a place to stay competitive until they could get into the bigger events. However, the Series draws players of all skill levels, those new to the professional ranks as well as those who have solidified themselves in Women's Golf History. Each year on the SunCoast Ladies Series Money List you will find world-class professionals who have won on the LPGA Tour and other Pro Tours abroad, as well LPGA Major Championship Winners.

The Tour dynamic is based on value. Recognizing the financial commitment players must make to chase their dream the tour prides itself in offering competitive and professionally ran golf tournaments while keeping the entry fees much lower than the industry standard. If you are a new player entering into the world of professional golf the SunCoast Ladies Series will prove to be an important stepping stone in acheiving your goals. If you are an established player looking for excellent competition the Series provides you a place to keep your skills sharp and tournament ready.

Message from the Director;
My name is Scott Walker and I am the Owner/Director of the SunCoast Ladies Series.
I have fourteen years experience in Professional Golf Tournament Administration and Management and at the end of the 2013 season I will have administered nearly 525 multi-day professional golf tournaments. To date, I have administered 160 Professional Tournaments under the SunCoast brand name. My resume and experience speaks volumes for my ability to successfully manage and operate a Professional Mini-tour, but what has made the SunCoast Ladies Series the success story that it has become is the continued support of the players who partcipate week after week, year after year, from the LPGA Tour veterans to those new to the professional scene. As a Tour Director I understand that the SunCoast Ladies Series is not a "final destination" for players, but it is merely a "stepping stone" toward acheiving their career goals. Moving forward I will continue to operate with the same philosophy and approach that I did way back in 1998, give the player the best tournament experience possible for the least amount of money. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you playing on the SunCoast Ladies Tour.

_{POLICIES & PROCEDURES}

Withdrawal Policy:

1. A player may withdraw from any event without penalty prior to the pairings being posted to the tour’s web site.

2. Regardless of REASON, ILLNESS, or INJURY: A player that withdraws after the pairings have been posted will forfeit their entry fee to the tournament.

3. LPGA & Symetra Tour: After pairings have been posted, a player may withdraw without penalty if she is taken from the alternate list and gets into an LPGA or Symetra Tour event. The same applies to any player who Monday qualifies for an LPGA Tour event.

Registration & Entry Fees: Player’s are required to submit their entry with payment prior to an events deadline date. Player’s may submit an entry form by mail or register and pay online using VISA, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX. Credit Card payments are subject to a 3.5% transaction fee. This fee is charged by the credit card processing companies. Entry fees will NOT be collected on tournament site. Entry Fee schedule is as follows: M = Member, NM = Nonmember. Membership fee for 2013 is $450. Membership fees are non-refundable after Jan 1st.

                 54-Hole Events - Professional   (M) $385 / $399 (credit card)    (NM) $485 / $499 (credit card)
                                               Amateur         (M) $185 / $193 (credit card)    (NM) $285 / $299 (credit card)
                                               Amateur Competition $385 / $398 (credit card)

72-Hole Events - Professionals $485 / $499 (Credit Card)
Amateur (TNG) $285 / $299 (credit Card) (Competition) $400 / $414 (credit card)

Prize Purse and Distribution:

1. The purse for each event is directly attributable to the number of professionals in the field, and amateurs who opted for the competition entry.

2. Regular 54-Hole events - 30% of the professional field gets paid.

3. 72-Hole events – 35% of the professional field gets paid.

4. Members only events (Winter and Fall Championships) - 40% of the field gets paid.

The SunCoast Ladies Series attempts not to be a top heavy payout tour. With 25 professionals in the field, first place will be $2000. The more professionals that compete, first place will go up gradually, but more money will be distributed throughout the middle of the payout.

Purse checks will be mailed within 24 hours of tournament completion. Players have the option to;

1. Pick up their check at the following event.

2. Apply their earnings to future entry fees.

3. Have their check mailed.

4. Have their check deposited for them. THIS IS NOT DIRECT DEPOSIT. The tour will make deposits for players who bank at the following locations: WELLS FARGO, BANK OF AMERICA, CHASE, REGIONS, PNC, SUNTRUST, BB&T, 5/3, and TD BANK. The player will need to provide the tour with their account number, and a counter deposit will be made the next morning.

Amateur Participation: Amateurs have the option to compete on a training level or a competition level. Amateurs that opt for the training level are playing for experience only. Amateurs that opt for the competition level will be compensated in the form of gift cards per USGA Rules of Amateur Status. Exception: For both Members only events amateurs will be eligible for gift cards.

Reduction of Rounds / Cuts:

1. 72-Hole events will have a 54-hole cut to the low 35% of the field, plus any score within two shots of the last place check. Example: If even par was the last place check after the 54-hole cut, players that are +2 or better will be invited back to play the final day.

2. Any 54-Hole event that has more than 72 players in the field will have a 36-hole cut to 50% of the field. Of the players making the cut, 30% of the original pro field will be paid.

3. Members Only events will have a 36-hole cut to 40% plus ties. All players making the cut will get paid.

4. At Committee discretion, regardless of field size, a 36-hole cut may be imposed at any event without prior notice if weather or some other unforeseen circumstance arises that could jeopardize completion of an event. In these circumstances, the percentage of players making the cut will follow the guidelines above.

5. 18 holes constitutes a stipulated round. In the event a tournament needs to be shortened due to weather, etc., completion of 36 holes will be deemed an official event.

6. Events will not be extended beyond the final day of a scheduled event to facilitate completion of a tournament round unless, it is to complete 36 holes and the host course can facilitate the additional day of play.

Onsite Tournament Registration: There will not be any onsite registration required for players. It is the player’s responsibility to be at the tee at their starting time.

Yardage Measuring Devices: Players may use lasers, range finders, gps, and the like during competition. Devices that measure slope and gradient must have the functionality to disable these features. If not, the device may not be used. For special events, the Committee may disallow the use of any yardage measuring device. Ample notice will be given in these circumstances.

Transportation: All players will be required to utilize golf cart transportation during normal tournament play. Some events may be deemed walking events and transportation will not be permitted.

1. Only 2 carts will be permitted per pairing. Regardless of the caddie situation.

2. Walking versus riding: Players MUST ride from the Tee box to their ball on all Par 4’s and Par 5’s. Players have the option to walk from their approach shot to the green on all Par 4’s and Par 5’s, and from the Tee of all Par 3’s, provided their group is maintaining time par and/or its position o the golf course. Player’s in groups that are behind time par or out of position will not be permitted to walk until they are back in position with the group ahead. Players that elect to walk to the green may have their caddie ride in the cart greenside.

3. Player’s are responsible for any damages to golf carts and property.

Caddies: Players are permitted to have caddies. Caddies must adhere to the dress code of the host course and will not be permitted to wear flip flops or spiked golf shoes.

1. During the Winter and Fall schedule, caddies will not be permitted to ride during play of a hole. However, Caddies may ride in between holes, or if their player decides to walk from her approach shot to the green, the caddie may move the cart greenside.

2. During the Summer schedule (June-Sept), caddies will be permitted to ride. However, caddies and players are not guaranteed to have their own golf cart. Most courses we deal with adhere to the 2 cart per pairing policy. If there is more than one caddie in a group, it will have to be settled among the group. The tour will not get involved.

3. Caddies may not pay a cart fee to facilitate having their own cart.

4. As always, host club policy regarding caddies and spectators take precedence over tour policy.

Spectators: Spectators are encouraged and welcomed. However, the host club policy regarding walking spectators takes precedence. If you have spectators please contact the host course to inquire. If you have a spectator that requires special assistance, please contact the host club to ensure they can facilitate their needs.

1. Spectators may not assist or give advice players during their round

2. Swing coaches, college coaches, parents, and the like may not give players advice during their round.

3. Spectators may use carts at the host course discretion. A cart fee may be required.

Pace of Play: The SunCoast Ladies Series has a strict pace of play enforcement policy. Each event will have a Time Par established and it is the group’s responsibility to maintain that pace.

1. Red Flag signaled by tour staff indicates your group is on the clock. Staff is not required to advise a group they are on the clock. If the Red Flag is following you, and you are not in position with the group in front of you, you are on the clock. The reason your group is out of position (lost ball, etc.) is not important.

2. A group on the clock will be given: 9 minutes to play a Par 3, 11 minutes to play a par 4, and 13 minutes to play a par 5. Timing of individual players will begin if groups cannot meet those target times.

3. Bad Times: 1^st Offense – Courtesy Warning. 2^nd Offense – Official Warning. 3^rd offense – 1 stroke penalty. 4^th offense – 2 stroke penalty, 5^th offense – DQ.

4. Official Bad Time warnings stay with a player for the remainder of the year. This means, once you have received an Official Bad Time warning you are subject to penalty without warnings for the remainder of the year.

5. The Pace of Policy and Time Par expectations are readily available for each player at the first tee.