Must possess a WHS handicap index not exceeding 3.0

Field limited to 132, or as the Championship Committee amend, ballot on handicap if oversubscribed

Terms of Entry

1. The Championship is open to players who to be eligible:
   1. Must be an Amateur Golfer as defined by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
   2. Must be a member of a club affiliated to the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, or have been born in Lancashire and be a member of an affiliated club in another County
   3. If an Artisan, must be a member of a n Artisan section of a club which is also affiliated to both County Union and the Artisan Golfers Association
   4. Must not have taken part in a Golf Championship of another County or have represented another County Union during the previous 12 months.
   5. Must possess a handicap index not exceeding 3.0
2. The exact handicap from the WHS at the time of the draw will be used for all entry purposes.
3. All entries shall be subject to approval of the Championship Committee which reserves the right to accept or refuse any entry without giving reasons for its decision, which shall be final.
4. No entry fee will be returned unless notification of withdrawal is received before the closing date for entries, except for any entrant who is balloted-out, or any reserve who is not called upon to play.
5. Any competitor who withdraws after the Starting Sheet has been published must, without delay, furnish the Championship Committee with an explanation.  Any competitor whose withdrawal is not notified within 48hours of the start of the Championship, or who is absent for the Championship without notice of withdrawal, may have future entries rejected.

Terms of Play

1. The Championship shall be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by R&A Rules Limited, and any local rules as approved by the Championship Committee.

   All competitors will be required to play with golf balls and other equipment which are authorised in The Official Rules of Equipment  issued periodically by the R&A Rules Limited.  A list of all conforming balls and equipment  is available on

   https://www.randa.org/en/rules-of-equipment/2019/pages/equipment-rules 

   Penalty for breach of condition:         Disqualification

2. Competitors are expected to walk at all times during a stipulated round.  A golf buggy may be used by a player who can provide a valid current medical certificate of disability and has requested permission to use a golf buggy by the closing date for the Championship.  Where the disability prevents the player from driving the buggy, he may nominate a third party to drive the buggy for them who must be approved by the Championship Committee in the event that permission is granted and who must act solely as a driver and not a caddie.  In any other case, the use of a motorised buggy is not permitted without the permission of an on-course referee.  Penalty for breach of condition: 2 shots, maximum of 4.  Note, the Championship Committee will not be responsible for providing buggies regardless of whether a competitor provides a valid certificate.

3. Late attendance on the first tee will be treated with strict adherence to Rule 5.3 – i.e. up to 5 minutes late will attract a 2 shot penalty applied to the first hole, and any later will result in disqualification.  To avoid the risk of penalties competitors are asked to report to the official starter at the first tee 5 minutes before their starting time. Pace of Play – the policy of the Championship Committee is that the Pace of Play in accordance with 5.6b(i) will be applied.

Championship Format

1. The Championship shall be played by Stroke Play over 72 holes.  18 holes will be played on each of the first two days.  After 36 holes, the leading 40 competitors and those whose score ties for 40^th place shall play a further 36 holes on the third day.
2. The number of competitors will be limited to 132 and if more entries are received, they will be reduced to that number by eliminating the highest handicaps by ballot.
3. The winner shall be the competitor who returns the lowest score over 72 holes.  In the event of a tie, those involved shall play off by stroke play over three holes to be selected by the Championship Committee.  The player with the lowest aggregate shall be declared the winner.  In the event of a further tie, the winner shall be decided by sudden death over the same three holes.  All other ties will be decided in accordance with Regulation 6 as printed in the Rules of the Union.
4. If it becomes impossible to complete the Championship in accordance with the Conditions thereof because of adverse weather conditions, or other circumstances which, in the opinion of the Championship Committee, make it impossible or impractical to do so, the Championship Committee shall be empowered to vary such Conditions to the extent necessary to achieve a result within the time available.
5. All disputes shall be settled by the Championship Committee (three to form a quorum) whose decision shall be final.