Member Manual

OVERVIEW

MISSION STATEMENT

The Amateur Players Tour exists to create a tour-level experience for Amateur Golfers of all skill levels and backgrounds.  We accomplish this by providing unparallelled customer service, the highest quality venues, fair competition, and emphasize the camaraderie and friendship that goes together with life on Tour.

CORE VALUES

The core values the Tour abides by and expects all Members to apply in all decisions, actions and comments related or pertaining to the Tour:

• Fairness
• Respect
• Integrity
• Etiquette
• Inclusivity
• Transparency
• Sportsmanship

GIVING BACK

The Amateur Players Tour (APT) is proud to partner with Folds of Honor, to raise awareness for their noble cause and help to fund scholarships for the families of our fallen and wounded military heroes and first responders. APT members raised over $185,000 for Folds of Honor during the 2022-2024 seasons. Learn more about Folds of Honor Foundation at www.foldsofhonor.org.

MEMBERSHIP

The APT is open to all amateur golfers. The player membership fee is $135 and is good for 365 days from the day of purchase.  Membership renewals extend the membership for an additional 365 days from the previous membership expiration date regardless of the date of renewal purchase. Membership includes a $50 pro shop credit to aptproshop.org, exclusive discounts from our national partners in our pro shop AND on various products and services at our vendor websites, plus the ability to register for any tournament in our expansive network. Please allow up to 7 days for credits to be active and be on the lookout for an email explaining how to use these exclusive benefits. Players can also choose to become a Folds of Honor Partner for $210, which includes a $75 donation to Folds of Honor.

MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION POLICY

Membership Dues become non-refundable 21 days after purchase, or the member participates in an event.  All cancellations are subject to a $25 cancellation fee to cover admin expenses. Donations to Folds of Honor are non-refundable.

HOLE-IN-ONE-CLUB

Hole-In-One Club Dues are $30 per season and paid on a season-by-season basis.  Hole-In-One Club Dues are non-refundable.  Current Hole-In-One Club membership ends at the conclusion of the North American Championship and Senior North American Championship and restarts with the new season on October 1^st.  Membership to the Hole-In-One Club can be purchased at membership registration/renewal, or at any point during the season.  If you do not get a receipt for your transaction, please notify support@aptgolf.org immediately.

FLIGHTED COMPETITION

The Amateur Players Tour offers 5 different divisions for players to compete in:

Division	Handicap Range
Division 1	3.4 & Below
Division 2	3.5 – 8.4
Division 3	8.5 – 13.4
Division 4	13.5 – 18.4
Division 5	18.5 & Above

New players will fill out the APT Handicap Questionnaire, sent to them upon joining which will be used to place the player in their correct division.  The APT Competition Committee will use the 12-month low USGA Handicap if available, other tournament data, as well as the handicap questionnaire to determine the proper division placement.  New players can request relegation after 3 rounds by submitting an e-mail to the Competition Committee at handicaps@aptgolf.org. Strict measures will be in place to protect the integrity of the Tour.

TOUR AND TOURNAMENT FORMAT

The APT provides tournaments at the local level, with a Player of the Year Race in each division occurring in each chapter. APT members also can compete in national majors at some of the top golf resorts in the country for a separate season-long award. The season culminates at the 2025 North American Championship on September 19th-21st and Senior North American Championship on September 23rd-24th, with both hosted in Orlando, Florida.

A vast majority of tournaments ran by the APT are individual flighted, stroke-play events utilizing gross scoring. Other types of tournaments available to APT members are Team Events, Stableford, Match Play, etc.

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION

APT Members can register online via our website at aptgolf.org or through the Amateur Players Tour App. Any questions regarding a local tournament should be posed to the Tournament Director found on the Tournament Information Page for each tournament. If you need additional help or help finding how to contact your tournament director, please email us at support@aptgolf.org.

Each tournament will be limited in the number of entries that can be accepted, therefore entries will be granted on a first-come, first served basis. Some tournaments will sell out well in advance of the registration deadline, so please plan accordingly. It is the player’s responsibility to pay all entry fees before the required registration deadline. Tournament Entries include greens fees, cart fees, use of practice facilities, scoring, trophies, and prize pool unless otherwise noted in the Tournament Information Page (TIP) 2025 Tournament Schedule

TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION/NO SHOWS

Withdrawal from any tournament must be done in accordance with the posted cancellation policy for each event. Registered players who withdraw prior to the cancellation deadline will be subject to the posted cancellation fee.  After the established registration deadline, no refunds will be available for any reason.

Players can initiate a cancellation by logging into their BlueGolf profile and requesting cancellation. Video tutorial.

Players who no-call, no-show for a tournament will forfeit their entry fee and repeated actions may lead to suspension from future events.

TOURNAMENT PRIZING

The winner of each open division will receive a trophy, plaque, etc to commemorate the victory. A portion of each entry fee is also used to generate the prize pool. The prize pool is based on participation in each division and is subject to change based on late additions and withdrawals in each division. The following is the minimum prize payouts for each type of Tour Event:

• Local Event – $20/per player
• Elevated Events – $40/per player
• National Majors and North American Championship – $60/per player
• Senior North American Championship – $40/per player – Senior Divisions and $40/per player – Senior Net

All prizes will be paid out in accordance with the USGA® Rules of Amateur Status.

All payouts, unless otherwise posted, will be in Tour-Approved VISA Gift Cards. Players will have the option to select a Digital VISA Gift Card, physical VISA Gift Card (when available), Tournament Credit, or a Worldwide Golf Shops Digital Gift Card with a 10% bonus offered through the APT’s Prize system.

Here is an explanation of all available prizing options.  Please note: All Awards will be completed between 24-48 hours after the event, as we do not pre-load prizes.

1. APT Branded Physical VISA Gift Card – This can be used anywhere where VISA is accepted.  It is handed to you just like a credit card, with instructions on how to register your card with your address for security verification.  The card is published with the expiration date on it.  Please e-mail support@aptgolf.org if you have any issues.  Please note the terms and conditions that come with the card.
2. Tremendous Digital VISA Gift Card – This prize is emailed to the email provided in your BlueGolf Account.  Please Note – Expiration on these cards is one year from the time of redemption and/or activation.  Players also have the option through this product to redeem their prizes at top retailers (i.e. Amazon, Starbucks, Delta Airlines, AirBNB, etc).
3. APT Tournament Credit – Players have the option to take their winnings as Tournament Credit to be used towards future tournament entries.  Tournament Credit does not expire and carries over in the members account from year to year. Tournament credit cannot be converted to cash, a cash equivalent, or a VISA Gift Card.  Players will see Tournament Credit in their accounts when they go to register for future events.  Video Tutorial – How to View Your Tournament Credit
4. WorldWide Golf Gift Card – Players have the option to take a Worldwide Golf Gift Card as their prize, with a 10% bonus being added up to the $1,000 Max Prize.  Gift cards will be emailed to the player and can be used at any Worldwide Golf Location or e-commerce site.  Please visit worldwidegolfshops.com for a list of locations and brands.

NOTE – Once a gift card has been issued to a player, the player is solely liable to follow all cardholder requirements pertaining to registration of the card and any expiration dates.  While our staff will do our best to assist you, we assume no liability once a card is issued.

NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

OVERVIEW

APT members from every chapter across the country will come together with the goal to earn the title of North American Champion in their respective division. The North American Championship is the premier 54-hole event on the Amateur Players Tour schedule and moves to various locations around the country.

The 2025 North American Championship will be contested from September 19^th-21^st in Orlando, FL.

ELIGIBLILTY

The 2025 Season will run from September 28th, 2024 thru September 27th, 2025. A tournament round is defined as a posted 18-hole tournament score on Tour during the 2025 season. Division 1 Players: Three (3) total rounds must be completed during the 2025 season. All other Divisions: Six (6) total rounds must be completed during the 2025 season and 2 rounds after July 1^st.  Any players not meeting these requirements may be reviewed by the APT Competition Committee on a case-by-case basis (i.e. injury, mid-season signups, etc.)

PRIORITY EXEMPTION QUALIFICATION

Players will be given priority exemption based on their accomplishments in the 2025 season or preceding seasons. Priority Exempt Players can register early beginning July 10th, and priority will be given in the following order:

• A-1. Past Champions of North American Championship and Senior North American Championship
• A-2. Past Winners of National Player of the Year/Senior National Player of the Year
• A-3. Top five (5) and ties in every division from the 2024 North American Championship and Top (3) and ties in every division from the 2024 Senior North American Championship
• A-4. Winner of Last Season’s Local Player of the Year in Every Division
• A-5. Winner of National Major (last 2 years)
• A-6 Top three (3) and ties in every division in 2025 National Majors
• A-7. 2025 Season Top 100 in National Player of the Year Races as of July 8th, 2025 and Top 50 in Senior National Player of the Year Races.
• A-8. Local Player of the Year Standings as of July 8th, 2025.
  • Tier 1 Chapters – Top 4 Finishers in Each Division, Top 2 Seniors, Senior Net Top 8 Finishers
  • Tier 2 Chapters – Top 6 Finishers in Each Division, Top 3 Seniors, Senior Net Top 10 Finishers
  • Tier 3 Chapters – Top 8 Finishers in Each Division, Top 4 Seniors, Senior Net Top 12 Finishers
  • Tier 4 Chapters – Top 12 Finishers in Each Division, Top 5 Seniors, Senior Net Top 15 Finishers
• A-9. Any validated player who earns a promotion during the 2025 season in their promoted division. Players with previous relegation do not qualify for this exemption.
• A-10. Special invitations determined by Tour.

*NOTE* – Priority Exempt Players must also be eligible prior to their registration being accepted for the North American Championship.

OPEN REGISTRATION PROCESS

For players not otherwise earning a priority exemption, open registration will begin on July 31st, 2025. On July 31st, all APT members who are eligible, meaning they have completed the round requirement outlined above, will be able to register for the North American Championship on a first come, first-served basis. Players are encouraged to apply early, and members must be in good-standing.

SENIOR NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

SNAC OVERVIEW

APT members from every chapter across the country will come together with the goal to earn the title of Senior North American Champion in their respective division. The Senior North American Championship is the premier 36-hole event on the Amateur Players Tour schedule for members 50 and over with the location slated to move each year.

The 2025 Senior North American Championship will be contested from September 23^rd-24^th, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

ELIGIBILITY

Member must be at least 50 years old on or before September 23rd, 2025.

The 2024 Season will run from September 28th, 2024 thru September 27th, 2025. A tournament round is defined as a posted 18-hole tournament score on Tour during the 2025 season.

Division 1 Players: Three (3) total rounds must be completed during the 2024 season.  All other Divisions: Six (6) total rounds must be completed during the 2025 season and 2 rounds after July 1^st.  Any players not meeting these requirements may be reviewed by the APT Competition Committee on a case-by-case basis (i.e. injury, mid-season signups, etc.)

NOTE: It is not a requirement to play in an optional senior division throughout the local season to be eligible to compete in the Senior North American Championship.

PRIORITY EXEMPTION QUALIFICATION

Players will be given priority exemption based on their accomplishments in the 2025 season or preceding seasons. Priority Exempt Players can register early beginning July 10th, and priority will be given in the following order:

• A-1. Past Champions of North American Championship and Senior North American Championship
• A-2. Past Winners of National Player of the Year/Senior National Player of the Year
• A-3. Top five (5) and ties in every division from the 2024 North American Championship and Top (3) and ties in every division from the 2024 Senior North American Championship
• A-4. Winner of Last Season’s Local Player of the Year in Every Division
• A-5. Winner of National Major (last 2 years)
• A-6 Top three (3) and ties in every division in 2025 National Majors
• A-7. 2025 Season Top 100 in National Player of the Year Races as of July 8th, 2025 and Top 50 in Senior National Player of the Year Races.
• A-8. Local Player of the Year Standings as of July 8th, 2025.
  • Tier 1 Chapters – Top 4 Finishers in Each Division, Top 2 Seniors, Senior Net Top 8 Finishers
  • Tier 2 Chapters – Top 6 Finishers in Each Division, Top 3 Seniors, Senior Net Top 10 Finishers
  • Tier 3 Chapters – Top 8 Finishers in Each Division, Top 4 Seniors, Senior Net Top 12 Finishers
  • Tier 4 Chapters – Top 12 Finishers in Each Division, Top 5 Seniors, Senior Net Top 15 Finishers
• A-9. Any validated player who earns a promotion during the 2025 season in their promoted division. Players with previous relegation do not qualify for this exemption.
• A-10. Special invitations determined by Tour.

*NOTE* – Priority Exempt Players must also be eligible prior to their registration being accepted for the Senior North American Championship.

OPEN REGISTRATION PROCESS

For players not otherwise earning a priority exemption, open registration will begin on July 31^st, 2025. On July 31st, all APT members who are eligible, meaning they have completed the round requirement outlined above, will be able to register for the Senior North American Championship on a first come, first served basis. Players are encouraged to apply early, and members must be in good standing.

TOURNAMENT POLICIES

CHECK-IN & STARTING

Players must be at their assigned starting hole no later than ten (10) minutes prior to their starting time.  It is customary for the players to arrive to the APT Registration area 30-60 minutes before their tee time to pay for side games, warm up, etc.

A player arriving to their starting hole at their starting time or up to five minutes late will incur the general penalty (2 strokes). Any player arriving five (5) or more minutes after their starting time will be disqualified.

PAIRINGS

APT Staff will notify all competitors of their assigned starting time at least thirty-six (36) hours prior to the start of the event. Pairings will be posted on the Amateur Players Tour App, Tournament Information Page, and be emailed/texted to the field. Please do not contact the Host Facility to inquire about tee times or pairings. All communication regarding the event should be directed to the Tournament Director listed on the Tournament Information Page or APT Staff on-site to handle the event.

TEE ASSIGNMENTS

Here are the approximate distances that each division will play. Please keep in mind that these will change based on course conditions, design of course, par, etc. Projected Tee Assignments may be available in the Tournament Information Page leading up to an event and are subject to change. The following example is for a par-72 golf course:

Division	Open Yardage	60+Yardage	Ladies Yardage
Division 1 – 3.4 & Below	6,500 – 6,800	6,200 – 6,500	5,500+
Division 2 – 3.5 – 8.4	6,200 – 6,500	5,900 – 6,200	5,200 – 5,500
Division 3 – 8.5 – 13.4	6,200 – 6,500	5,900 – 6,200	5,200 – 5,500
Division 4 – 13.5 – 18.4	5,900 – 6,200	5,600 – 5,900	4,900 – 5,200
Division 5 – 18.5 & Above	5,900 – 6,200	5,600 – 5,900	4,900 – 5,200

SENIOR TEES – MEN 60+

Senior men aged 60 and over are generally eligible to play from the 60+ yardage, but for APT Tournament Index purposes, their scores will be posted from the corresponding open division tee. 

Senior men 60 and over on the day of the tournament are eligible to play from the 60+ yardage with the following points of clarification:

• It is the player’s responsibility to know their classification.  Misrepresenting your Yardage Classification may result in penalties that may include Disqualification.  For reference, the 60+ tee option is published in your Player Profile.
• Players cannot “skip around” between the senior tee and Open Tee Yardage, within a round or between events.
• For new members, if your Initial Handicap Review has your index within 1.5 strokes of the cutoff of your division range, the APT Competition Committee may require you to start from the Open Tee Yardage within your division.
• For current members, if you elect to play the Open Tee Yardage, then you must request a review with the APT Competition Committee to gain approval prior to playing the senior tee yardage.  Requests must be made to handicaps@aptgolf.org.  Requests where your Tournament Index is within 1.5 strokes of the Division cutoff line will likely be denied.
• Members who turn 60 after July 8^th, 2025 will not be eligible to play the senior tees until after the North American and Senior North American Championships.
• Players will not be able to move forward to the senior tees after July 8^th, 2025.
• The APT Competition Committee may require as part of approving a relegation request that a player competes at the open tee yardage in their new division.
• The APT Competition Committee reserves the right to require any player to play from the Open Tee Yardage in the interest of protecting the integrity of the competition.

NOTE: The senior tee yardage is designed to allow seniors 60 and over who have lost a significant amount of distance off the tee a chance to compete on an equitable playing field with players of their own skill level.  However, with the yardage advantage comes a handicap disadvantage.  This is by design.  If you do not need the senior tee yardage, it may be in your best interest to play from the open tees.

LADIES TEES

For APT Tournament Index purposes, rounds will be posted from the corresponding men’s open tee rating/slope.  This creates a fair and equitable handicap system based on scores shot.  Ladies tees will be set at a similar slope/rating to the male open tee divisions.

SCORING

Paper scorecards will be official and used at every event. Players are solely responsible for ensuring that each hole has the correct score on it. At the conclusion of each round, players will review their hole-by-hole scores and each scorecard must have the competitor’s signature and the marker’s signature. Once a player leaves the golf course and/or awards are presented, scores are final.

LIVE SCORING

As a benefit to the players, we utilize a live scoring tool at every event.  One player from each group must do the live score for each players in the group through the Amateur Players Tour App.  This must not be used to fill out your paper scorecard.  Under no circumstances are scores in live scoring official as the paper card always is official.

TIEBREAKERS

Weather, course availability and daylight permitting, all ties for 1st place in each open Division (1-5) will be broken by sudden-death playoff on the course. The Host Facility will determine which hole the sudden-death playoff is to begin with. If an on-course playoff for 1st is not available, a scorecard playoff according to USGA rules will be used to determine who wins the trophy, but points and purses will be split equally among the competitors. Ties beyond first place and points and purse will be split equally among the players tied.  Open Net and Senior Net will have a scorecard playoff for a trophy (if available), with all points and purse being split evenly.

TRIPLE BOGEY MAX

Divisions 3, 4 & 5 will observe a triple bogey maximum on any hole. Once a competitor reaches triple bogey for the hole, including penalty strokes, they MUST pick up their ball and discontinue play on that hole.

EQUIPMENT

Per the USGA Rules of Golf, tournament competitors may not have more than fourteen (14) golf clubs in their bag during a tournament round. If a competitor has arrived at the first tee with more than fourteen (14) clubs and declares one to be out of play and removes it from his bag prior to hitting their first shot, there will be no penalty assessed so long as the competitor does not attempt any stroke with the removed club during the round. All clubs used in competition must comply with all current USGA Equipment Rules.

RANGE FINDERS

Range Finders, GPS Watches and Mobile Apps that utilize slope are authorized for use in APT Tournament Play.

NOTICE TO COMPETITORS/LOCAL RULES

Local Rules for the Day will be printed on the Notice to Competitors and included in the Rules Sheet given to players when they receive their official scorecards. Do not assume that a local rule used by the golf course will be in effect for tournament play. This includes drop zones, etc. If you have any question on the rules, play two balls and bring the question to the committee.

The Amateur Players Tour Hard Card has all the Local Rules that are always in effect at Amateur Players Tour sanctioned events. A link to the 2025 APT Conditions of Competition is available on every TIP page.

SPECTATORS

Spectators are welcome at each tournament, noting that each course may have different policies that we abide by as guests of the host facility. Spectators are the responsibility of the associated player who is solely responsible for their proper golf etiquette and general decorum. If any issue(s) arise with their behavior or lack of proper golf etiquette, they will be asked to leave the premises. Golf carts are limited at each event to two carts per group and players always have priority use of a golf cart. Spectators should anticipate and expect to walk the course and stay a reasonable distance away from play as not to be a distraction. (i.e. walking on green, etc.) Spectators are under no circumstances allowed to give advice to the player. In the case where this happens, the player will be disqualified.  If spectator carts are available, spectators are responsible for any fees incurred for the rental of a spectator cart.

CADDIES

No personal caddies are allowed at APT Events. Caddies will only be allowed at specific golf courses where caddies are available to the entire field. Caddie availability will be provided (cost, etc.) prior to the competition.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

All questions as to whether a Tour Event will be played, delayed or cancelled, should be directed to the Tournament Committee. Do not rely upon communication from the Host Facility staff regarding weather-related decisions. The Tournament Committee and the Host Facility staff will confer to reach a decision regarding beginning, delaying, or stopping play. That decision will be relayed to competitors via the Tour’s mobile application, email and/or text. Members should not assume that because it is raining or storming at their home that it is doing so at the Host Facility. If the Host Facility permits play, and the Tournament Committee determines that it is safe, play will go on.

Weather-related conditions may delay or suspend play such as:

• Lightning
• Weather Warnings
• Course being deemed unplayable as determined by host facility

All practice facilities are closed during a suspension of play. Violation of this will result in immediate disqualification and potential additional disciplinary action from the Tour.

If there is a weather delay or suspension of play, every effort will be made by the Tournament Committee to complete the entire event. If weather causes a delay, all players should remain on property and await official announcements from the Tournament Committee. The Tour will communicate by either live announcement, text, or email whether and when play will resume.

As a last option, if a weather delay prevents a tournament from finishing, the following may result in an official tournament:

• 18-hole events may be shortened to 9-holes or 9-holes plus the greatest number of common holes completed. If this isn’t possible, it may be rescheduled.
• 36-hole events may become official and be shortened to an 18-hole tournament or 18-holes plus the most number of common holes completed.

While the Tour will do everything possible to complete an official and full event, there will be no refunds should inclement weather cause an event to be shortened unless the Host Facility provides a refund to the Tournament Committee. In the event where a tournament must be washed out and cannot be completed, all available refunds and optional cash games will be returned in the form of Tournament Credit.

GUEST POLICY

Guests and Prospective Members may play in up to two events per year. After the 2nd event the guest must apply for membership to the Tour before he or she will be permitted to register for any additional Tour Events.

Guests who have a verifiable USGA handicap or complete the APT Handicap Questionnaire will be placed in a division corresponding with their demonstrated ability.  Guests who do not have a USGA Handicap or fail to complete the Handicap Questionnaire will be ineligible to receive any prize winnings but may participate in any optional games offered.

Guests, except for Division 1, are limited to winning their membership ($135).  Any payout short of the value of membership will be in the form of tournament credit.  A guest will be eligible to win the trophy, if they shoot a score differential within their division range (i.e Division 2 scores – 3.5-8.4).

HANDICAP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

APT TOURNAMENT INDEX

The APT Tournament Index is used for division placement based only on a members Tournament Scores. It is not equivalent to a USGA Handicap and should not be viewed as such. The Index’s sole purpose is to divide members into divisions where players can compete against players of their own skill level and to promote fair play on Tour.

The APT Tournament Index will be calculated based on the Adjusted Gross Score of the 20 most recent Tour Event rounds using our unique performance based formula. The following table will be used to determine the players Tournament Index:

# OF TOUR EVENT SCORES	# OF EVENT SCORES USED
1	1
2	1
3	2
4	2
5	3
6	3
7	4
8	4
9	5
10	5
11	6
12	6
13	7
14	7
15	8
16	8
17	9
18	9
19	10
20	10

VALIDATING YOUR TOURNAMENT INDEX

A members tournament index will become validated after they post their 7th score to their tournament index. If a member’s tournament index is validated, their APT Tournament Index will be the primary factor used in Division Placement.

Validated players are exempt from Disqualification based on out of division scores.

NOTE – The APT Competition Committee has the right to move any player for any reason at any time in the interest of protecting the integrity of the competition.

UNVALIDATED TOURNAMENT INDEXES

Before a tour member’s index is validated, the APT Competition Committee will use any relevant data available to ensure that a member is in the correct division. This includes a member’s USGA Handicap Index, other tournament data, as well as all other relevant playing history. The APT Competition Committee will have sole discretion to move a member up or down before a member’s Tournament Index is validated.

EXCEPTIONAL ROUND PROMOTION

If a member shoots a round that is 6 or more strokes below their division range, the APT Competition Committee reserves the right to re-classify the member into the next division.

TOURNAMENT INDEX REVIEW

If a member fails to post a score within the last 90 days, the Handicap Committee reserves the right to review that members APT Tournament Index, using more recent data (USGA Handicap, Other Tournament Playing History, etc.) to place the member in the proper division based on their recent playing history (up or down).

APT COMPETITION COMMITTEE

The chairman of the APT Competition Committee is Matt Fegley. The APT Competition Committee is made up of 3 Chapter Owners and 2 Player Representatives. If a player has a question for the APT Competition Committee, please e-mail handicaps@aptgolf.org

DIVISION MOVEMENT – PROMOTIONS

When a Member’s Tournament Index qualifies for promotion, the Member will automatically be promoted to the higher division. Upon promotion, the Member will earn exemptions into this season’s North American Championship/Senior North American Championship and next year’s Signature Majors in their new division. The member also will retain 100% of their points when they move to their new division. Members will receive an email of their promotion on Thursday after the Handicap Committee meeting on Wednesday night.

2% FLIGHT PROTECTION – VALIDATED PLAYERS – July 8th, 2025

Beginning on July 8th, 2025, all validated players will be subject to a 2% Flight Lock in all divisions. The goal is to allow players to continue to play in the division they started the season in, provided they stay within the 2% variance for their respective division. This will help to avoid the automatic promotion for players who have just barely dipped below the line of their respective division, while still allowing for promotion for players who show that their play requires they move divisions.

2% Flight Protection Restrictions:

When a players tournament index goes below the division range but within the flight lock range, the player is eligible to remain in that division unless ANY of the following are true:

• The players USGA Handicap is more than 2 strokes below the Division line (Division 2 – 3.5, Division 3 – 8.5, Division 4 – 13.5, Division 5 – 18.5)
• The player must not be competing on another amateur tour in a more difficult division than their APT division.
• The player must not have been relegated within the last 12 months.

The flight lock will be as follows for the 2024 season (2% variance):

• Division 2 – 3.4
• Division 3 – 8.3
• Division 4 – 13.2
• Division 5 – 18.1

FLIGHT LOCK

For highly validated players (defined as 14 or more rounds posted within the current season and 2 or more after July 1^st), there will be no division movement once a player gets to his/her local finals, provided that he/she does not play an event besides their local finals prior to the North American Championships.

For validated players, there will be no division movement between the North American Championship and the Senior North American Championship.

DIVISION MOVEMENT – RELEGATIONS

Relegation Requests will be considered until July 30^th at 5:00pm EST. All requests must be in writing and sent to handicaps@aptgolf.org. No other form of request will be accepted. The APT Competition Committee will communicate their decision after their weekly meeting that currently occurs on Wednesdays.

A player may only be relegated once per season.

After relegation is approved, a player must play a minimum of 3 rounds to be eligible to compete in the North American Championship and Senior North American Championship.

UNVALIDATED PLAYERS – OUT OF DIVISION SCORES

In the interest of protecting the integrity of any Tour Event, the APT Competition Committee shall have the discretion to act during a Tour Event to disqualify an unvalidated player if he/she posts a single round score that is:

• More than four (4) strokes (Divisions 2/3) or five (5) strokes (Divisions 4/5) below their division cut off (based on course index adjustment for course slope and rating); OR
• More than three (3) strokes below their closest competitor within the division.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACES

In each chapter, members will be competing for a Local Player of the Year prize in each division. The player of the year race awards points based on a members finish in each event. Each chapter provides an award for winning your local “Player of the Year”, plus players also earn a ranking that gives them exemptions to register for signature events and to earn a spot in the North American Championship or Senior North American Championship. This includes Open Divisions and where available – senior divisions, senior net and open net.

Player of the Year points are awarded based on the number of contestants in each division. For example, you can earn more points by beating 20 people in your division than you can if there are only 8 people in your division.

Points will be given the following multiplier based on the type of event:

• Local Event – 1x
• Elevated Event/Majors – 2x
• Local Finals/North American Championship – 2.5x

Here is an example of the points matrix for a Local Event:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
1	15
2	25	5
3	30	10	5
4	35	15	5	5
5	37.5	17.5	10	5	5
6	40	20	12.5	7.5	5	5
7	42.5	22.5	15	10	5	5	5
8	45	25	17.5	12.5	5	5	5	5
9	46	26	18	13.5	11.5	5	5	5	5
10	47	27	19	15	12.5	9.5	5	5	5	5
11	47.5	27.5	19.5	15.5	13	10.5	9	7.5	5	5	5
12	48	28	20	16.5	14	12	10.5	8.5	7.5	5	5	5
13	48.5	28.5	20.5	17.5	15	13	11.5	10	8.5	7	5	5	5
14	49	29	21	18	16	14	12	11	9.5	8.5	7	5	5	5

Local Player of the Year Races will be determined as follows:

• Local Events – Best 8 finishes
• Elevated Events/Majors – Best 2 finishes
• Local Finals

*NOTE – A player who does not play at least 5 local events in their local chapter may not be eligible to win their local chapter’s Player of the Year race.

*NOTE – Local Finals may be restricted to only members of the local chapter(s) that are hosting the local finals.

DIFFICULTY MULTIPLIER

Recognizing the variance in difficulty between divisional competition based on yardage and level of competition, the Tour will add a difficulty multiplier to each division contest. Because of this, players moving up or down a division will keep 100% of their points. The Tour has developed a proprietary algorithm to simulate where a player would finish if they were playing in the new division, using a data driven approach to consider the tee box changes and competitive playing level of moving to a different division. The division multiplier added to the points matrix will be as follows:

• Division 1 – 10x
• Division 2 – 5.75x
• Division 3 – 3.6x
• Division 4 – 1.75x
• Division 5 – 1x

POINTS MOVEMENT – PROMOTION

When a player moves divisions (promotions), the player keeps 100% of their points. Upon promotion, a player’s points are “copied” to their new division, meaning they have 100% of their points in the new division and the old division.  However, the player can no longer earn points in their old division unless relegated later in the year.  If the player has earned enough points to be named Player of the Year in the old division, they will be awarded the Player of the Year award.

POINTS MOVEMENT – RELEGATION

When a player moves divisions (relegates), the player cannot take any points earned in a more competitive division. The player is able to keep points that were earned in their relegated division.  Example (Player A earns 812 points in 4 events in Division 3 before getting promoted.  Player A then plays 7 events in Division 2, earning an additional 800 points before requesting relegation.  When the relegation request is approved, Player A will have 812 points in 4 events in Division 3).

NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The National Player of the Year race is a season-long points race, with more weight being applied to national-level events to measure how players fare against members from other chapters. The National Player of the Year Race will be calculated by calculating the best of:

• Two (2) Local Events
• One (1) Elevated Event
• Three (3) National Majors
• One (1) Local Finals
• North American Championship

SENIOR NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Senior National Player of the Year race is a season-long points race, with more weight being applied to national-level events to measure how players fare against members from other chapters. Local Chapters will run either Senior Divisions or Senior Net, and we will crown Senior National Players of the Year in 5 Senior Divisions and a Senior Net.

The Senior National Player of the Year Race will be calculated by calculating the best of:

• Two (2) Local Events
• One (1) Elevated Event
• Three (3) National Majors
• One (1) Local Finals
• Senior North American Championship

*NOTE – National Players of the Year will not be able to win the Senior National Player of the Year awards.

CODE OF CONDUCT

DRESS CODE

Members and Guests are expected to dress in a manner to present a positive public image of the Tour with a constant effort to positively reflect the Tour in all respects both on and off the golf course at any Tour Event. Members are expected to dress appropriately for golf while on the golf course. Collared shirts, including blade or mock collars, are required. No jeans, denim or cutoff shorts of any kind will be permitted. Any printed language, slogans, or logos should reflect positively on the Tour and its Members.

PLAYER CONDUCT

Members and/or their guests shall always conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner consistent with the spirit of the game of golf. The Amateur Players Tour reserves the right to disqualify any player for unbecoming conduct which includes incidents and/or actions that are detrimental to the Tour, host facility, staff members, sponsors, or fellow players, all of which may be grounds for suspension or even expulsion, without a refund, from the Tour. These include, but are not limited to:

• Excessive Displays of Anger
• Willful Damage to the Golf Course or Golf Course Property
• Potential Endangerment of Others
• Offensive or Unbecoming Language
• Fighting
• Illegal Drug Use
• Alcohol Abuse
• Verbal Abuse of Staff, APT or Host Facility
• Public Criticism of Host Course, to include social media
• Use of Chargebacks to circumvent cancellation policies
• Disrespect to Fellow Players or Staff
• Manipulation of scores posted for Handicap purposes

PLAYER DISCIPLINE

If a serious breach of the Code of Conduct policy occurs, sanctions against the member are the next step. The Tour reserves the right to issue suspensions and/or expulsions depending on the severity and frequency of the offense. If the Tour hands out disciplinary action for a violation of the Code of Conduct, no refunds will be issued to the player.

FINANCIAL POLICIES

TOURNAMENT CREDIT

APT Members may elect to take tournament credit as part of their prize winnings or earn tour credit for promotions, etc. throughout the course of the season. Tournament Credit goes into a players account and can be used for future tournament entries. Currently, it cannot be redeemed for membership, and it cannot be applied to a registration that has already occurred. Tournament Credit does not expire and carries over in the members account from year to year. Tournament credit cannot be converted to cash, a cash equivalent, or a VISA Gift Card.

GIFT CARD LIABILITY

Once a gift card has been issued to a player, the player is solely liable to follow all cardholder requirements pertaining to registration of the card and any expiration dates.  While our staff will do our best to assist you, we assume no liability once a card is issued.

LEGAL STUFF

OWNERSHIP

The Amateur Players Tour name and all intellectual property, including but not limited to registered trademarks, patents, and/or trade secrets, are owned by APT Holdings, LLC, a Tennessee Limited Liability Company. The Amateur Players Tour is operated by APT Events, LLC, a Tennessee Limited Liability Company.

INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS

Any Member, Guest or other person who, in any manner, makes use of or accepts the use of any web application, software, apparatus, appliance, facility, privilege or service whatsoever owned, leased, licensed to, or operated by the Tour, any Local Chapter Owner, or by any Host Facility, shall do so at his or her own risk. Members and their guests shall hold the Company, the Tour, Local Chapter Owner, any manager or operator of the Host Facility, their affiliates, their successors and assigns and their respective shareholders, partners, directors, officers, members, employees, representatives, and agents (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from any and all loss, cost, claim of injury, damage or liability sustained or incurred by him or her, resulting from the participation in Tour Events or the use of Host Facility’s property, arising out of or incident to membership in the Tour and/or from any act or omission of any of the Indemnified Parties, unless caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any of the Indemnified Parties. Any Member shall have, shall owe and shall observe the same obligation to the Indemnified Parties hereunder in respect to any such loss, cost, claim, injury, damage or liability sustained or incurred by any guest or family member guest.

PHOTO RELEASE FOR ADVERTISING/MARKETING

Membership, or registration as a guest for entry into any Amateur Players Tour Event, includes an express waiver and consent to the use of each Member’s and/or competitor’s name, image and/or likeness by APT Holdings, LLC, it’s subsidiaries and/or assigns, for purposes of promoting, marketing, reporting, or otherwise advertising the Amateur Players Tour, its events, chapters, website, etc. Said name, image, likeness may be used in all forms of media, including but not limited to the tour’s website, social media channels, digital marketing, print marketing materials, etc. By joining the Tour or registering for any Tour Event, each player expressly waives any right to compensation or control of the use of their name, image, or likeness by APT Holdings, its subsidiaries or assigns.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Tour is limited to amateur golfers only. Members must be able to provide proof of amateur status from the USGA, upon request in order to be eligible to compete in Tour Events. Former professional players may be eligible for membership and eligible to compete in Tour Events only upon receipt of official reinstatement of Amateur Status from the USGA or other comparable governing body.

All fields on the membership application must be completely and accurately filled out to be considered for admission. Admission may be denied for any reason and the Tour shall not be required to disclose any reason for denial of admission.

Individual player information will not be sold by the Tour. However, collective demographic data may be used to promote the Tour and/or acquire promotional opportunities with equipment and accessory manufacturers, or other industry providers, for the benefit of the Members and the Tour.PRIORITY EXEMPTIONS

PRIORITY EXEMPTIONS

CHAPTER TIERS

For the purpose of granting priority exemption spots equitably, the Tour has split all Local Chapters into 4 tiers based on the overall tour size. When issuing invites and priority exemptions, the local chapter will fall under the tier size of last year’s membership OR current membership numbers as of the day the invitations are sent, whichever is HIGHER.

Tier 1 – Chapters with 109 members or less

• Top 4 finishers in each open division
• Top 2 seniors in each senior division (if applicable)
• Top 8 finishers in senior net (if applicable)

Tier 2 – Chapters between 110-174 members

• Top 6 finishers in each open division
• Top 3 seniors in each senior division (if applicable)
• Top 10 finishers in senior net (if applicable)

Tier 3 – Chapters between 175-249 members

• Top 8 finishers in each open division
• Top 4 seniors in each senior division (if applicable)
• Top 12 finishers in senior net (if applicable)

Tier 4 – Chapters with 250 members and up

• Top 12 finishers in each open division
• Top 5 finishers in each senior division (if applicable)
• Top 14 finishers in senior net (if applicable)

SIGNATURE MAJOR PRIORITY EXEMPTIONS

The Amateur Players Tour will conduct 4 (four) “Signature Majors” during the 2025 season at some of the top golf resorts in the country. To ensure the best and most competitive fields for these signature events and to reward stellar play, these majors will have priority registration based on player’s accomplishments. Once the priority exemption period has ended, registration will open to all APT members. The 4 (four) signature majors are:

• February 22^nd-23^rd  – The Conflict at Kiawah
• May 4^th-5^th  – The Cinco De Mayo at Torrey Pines
• May 24^th-26^th  – The APT Players Championship at PGA National
• July 26^th-27^th  – The Double-Down at French Lick Resort

Exemptions to pre-register will be given to players based on the following priority:

• A-1. Past Champions of North American Championship and Senior North American Championship
• A-2. Past Winners of National Player of the Year/Senior National Player of the Year
• A-3. Top five (5) and ties in every division from the 2024 North American Championship and Top (3) and ties in every division from the 2024 Senior North American Championship
• A-4. Winner of Last Season’s Local Player of the Year in Every Division
• A-5. Winner of National Major (last 2 years)
• A-6. Top three (3) and ties in every division in 2024 National Majors
• A-7. Final 2024 Season Top 100 in National Player of the Year Races and Final 2024 Season Top 50 in Senior National Player of the Year Races.
• A-8. Final 2024 Local Player of the Year Standings.
  • Tier 1 Chapters – Top 4 Finishers in Each Division, Top 2 Seniors, Senior Net Top 8 Finishers
  • Tier 2 Chapters – Top 6 Finishers in Each Division, Top 3 Seniors, Senior Net Top 10 Finishers
  • Tier 3 Chapters – Top 8 Finishers in Each Division, Top 4 Seniors, Senior Net Top 12 Finishers
  • Tier 4 Chapters – Top 12 Finishers in Each Division, Top 5 Seniors, Senior Net Top 15 Finishers
• A-9. Any validated player who earns a promotion during the 2024 season in their promoted division. Players with previous relegation do not qualify for this exemption.
• A-10. Special invitations determined by Tour.

Priority Exemption Order

Week 1 (2 weeks before open registration) – A-1 thru A-6.
Week 2 (1 week before open registration) – A-7 thru A-10.
Week 3 – Open Registration for all APT members who will have completed at least 3 events prior to the event.