Big amateur competitions

[Gregolf]

I'm trying and failing to find entry requirements to the big amateur comps across Europe (Spanish Amateur Open, Portugese, south of england etc). I know you may laugh given my handicap of 10, but I'm just interested to know more about the requirements and the sort of scores that win them. I like to dream

Are there qualifying rounds? Where do you sign up? Is the h/c category 1 only or lower?

 

[The19thHole]

I’d love to know this even with my 17Hc


check the link
http://www.golfempire.co.uk/tours/amateur-tours.htm

 

[Mattyboy]

The South of Engalnd Amateur is one of the two big comps played annually at Walton Heath (the other being the US Open qualifying for the European Tour). Look at their website (Walton Heath that is) and you will see what the scoring is like.
I think for the SOEA scratch is the limit. For the US open qualifier I guess its done on world ranking ballot of those not otherwise qualified (e.g. top 50 in the world etc).

 

[Doh]

Most of the top amature comps are reststricted to cat 1 golfers as far as i am aware even then you will have to be a 2 or 3 H/C or scratch golfer. Depending on how many entre they will ballot out the higher H/C.

 

[Wayman]

There's a open on st Andrews old course next year an max handicap is scratch :/
Is on golf empire if you don't believe me

 

[pbrown7582]

i don't think balloting on handicap is only appliacable to the top comps pretty sure it happens in some regional ones too.

 

[Jonny]

Handicap limits apply not only to top level and regional but also club level events. The Romford Scratch for example is Cat 1 only... and they ballot out the 5 handicappers at times due to over subscription. Essex Am is now a 2 handicap limit I believe.

If you want to play a big four day event which is a lot more accessible and still has good coverage go for the Bournemouth Open. You can find out more about on www.bournemouthopen.net. Good mix of events for both the men and the women (although there is no Fatima Whitbread classification) and for a good range of handicaps.

 

[Gregolf]

Scratch!? bloody hell. I played with some old Irish bloke in Portugal on Sunday and he was saying he used to play in the Spanish Amateur Open every year, got to the semi finals once. He said in those days the limit was 3. 3 is a long way from scratch IMO.

Cheers for the tip on Bournemouth Jonny.

 

[Robobum]

They have the full list of elite amateur comps, including overseas events, on Golf Central.

Sorry to say but you rarely get into county stuff unless you are at least be playing off of 4. You can blame those pesky kids for being so damn good these days for all the low ballots!!

Big national comps will see you just about scrape through off of scratch!!

If you are over 35 then that is your best chance in national mid amateur events, they normally ballot at 4. The more regional mid ams will see the odd person get in off 6.

 

[CMAC]

I used to enter many 36 hole tournaments years ago and the limit was usually 5 sometimes 3 but normally the 5's and some 4's were balloted out depending on the numbers and the prestige of the competition.
The Major amateur comps were 3 at that time, even entering the regional qualifying for the Open was a 3 handicap, think its a plus fig now.

As a slight aside, I remember playing in one of the big competitions with some Walker cup players in the field, long delay at the first so nerves took over and when I finally could tee off I topped it and it rolled 10 yds into the channel that surrounded the tee, if that wasn't bad enough the started informed me that 'channel' was in fact OB, I still wake up with the night sweats over that one

 

[Jonny]

Scratch!? bloody hell. I played with some old Irish bloke in Portugal on Sunday and he was saying he used to play in the Spanish Amateur Open every year, got to the semi finals once. He said in those days the limit was 3. 3 is a long way from scratch IMO.

Cheers for the tip on Bournemouth Jonny.

I tend to play the 36 hole scratch (two years and counting now) with a friend who lives down there. Good courses I think even if they are public... Meyrick park being my preferred course.

I also would like to mention they have a dedicated coffin dodger event each year as well.

 

[A1ex]

Cheers for that, had a look on the site and think I'll be entering some of those comps

 

[beggsy]

As you say 3 is a long way from scratch but 10.3 to scratch is a billion miles away my friend me personaly would not want to look a fool but each to there iwn

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Played the Bournemouth Open and had a top 15 finish one year. I think off his handicap the OP would be better off looking at the Trilby Tour (waiting list only now though) and arguably the most elite of all events on the amateur calendar, the GM forum meets

 

[richart]

To get into the Selboune Salver at my place this year you needed a handicap of +1.2 or better. The winner had one round of 60.

 

[chrisd]

The Romford Scratch for example is Cat 1 only...




.

I thought that the Romford Scratch was only for someone who went out with a friendly Essex girl!


Chris

 

[Doh]

Why dont you look at club open days thats always a good place to start.

 

[Wildrover]

I thought that the Romford Scratch was only for someone who went out with a friendly Essex girl!


Chris

Classic!!!!!

 

[papyt]

I tried for 5 years to play in the PILKINGTON ROSE BOWL and got balloted out every year ( was off 7 ) the winners are normally +1 or +2 different game for them. regarding the GM FORUM GAMES how do you get on those

 

[philly169]

Trilby Tour limit is 18 I think, but as homer said there is a waiting list. Once I get my handicap down I'm signing up!