87th Maryland Open

At the qualifying sites, automotive transportation is prohibited for players.  At Fountain Head, automotive transportation is prohibited for players AND caddies - a player may either carry his own bag or bring his own caddie.  Pull carts are not allowed at Fountain Head; for qualifying sites call club.

COMPETITIONS: 

Eighteen (18) hole qualifying rounds will be held at Timbers at Troy GC and Montgomery Village GC on Monday, May 5, 2008, and at Hunt Valley GC  on Tuesday,  May 6, 2008.   The MSGA will  make  the final course assignments.  The number of qualifying places shall be that number  required  to  provide  a  minimum  starting  field  of 120 players (including the exempt entrants) at the first round  of  the  Maryland Open at Fountain Head on Monday, July 14, 2008.  Any ties for the last qualifying score at each site shall advance to the first round at Fountain Head.  The Maryland Open will be 54 holes of stroke play with all players playing 36 holes and then the field will be cut to the low 40 scores and ties for the final round.

ELIGIBILITY: 

This tournament is open to male amateur members of MSGA member clubs with an up-to-date USGA index at that club (must be a licensed club) of 5.4 or less as of November 15, 2007 or April 1, 2008 (entrant’s choice); to male professionals who are Middle Atlantic PGA members or registered apprentices; to male professionals employed by member clubs; and to male professionals who are residents of Maryland. The handicap index must be at the member club shown on the entry form, must be current both on 4/1/08 and the date of the event, and must be viewable on the verification site of www.msga.org. Entries may be rejected by the MSGA at any time, including during the competition.  The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct or failure to comply with the requirements of the handicap system.  Entrants may be required to provide evidence of playing ability.

FIELD:  The field shall be a minimum of 120 players including exempt players and those who qualified at each of hte three qualifying sites.

At the qualifying sites, automotive transportation is prohibited for players. At Fountain Head, automotive transportation is prohibited for players AND caddies - a player may either carry his own bag or bring his own caddie.  Pull carts are not allowed at Fountain Head; for qualifying sites call club.

High finishers receive silver prize. All professionals who finish will receive prize money via check($) in the mail. All other amateur prizes are in the form of merchandise certificates which will be issued at the conclusion of play and must be exchanged for merchandise at the Fountain Head  Country Club Pro Shop. For those who win merchandise certificates but are not present when presented at the conclusion of the tournament, their certificates will be left at the Pro Shop for them to claim and exchange. All certificates must be redeemed prior to January 1, 2009.

EXEMPTIONS FROM LOCAL QUALIFYING:

The following shall be exempt from the local qualifying and shall advance to the final 18 hole qualifying round at Woodholme Country Club on Thursday, June 5, 2008:  those who competed in the round of sixteen of the 2007 MSGA Amateur Championship; those amateurs who completed 54 holes in the 2007 Maryland Open; Maryland Amateur Champions of 2003 through 2007; Maryland Open Champions (if amateurs at the time) of 2003 through 2007; 2007 MSGA Senior Open Champion (if amateur at the time); 2006 and 2007 MSGA Mid-Amateur Champions; 2007 MSGA Senior Amateur Champion; 2007 MSGA Junior Amateur Champion; 2007 MSGA APL Champion; Player of the Year top 10; Senior Player of the Year top 5; and all qualifiers for 2007 USGA Championships.  These exempt players must also meet the previously outlined eligibility requirements of the Championship. AN EXEMPT PLAYER MUST SUBMIT AN ENTRY ON A TIMELY BASIS. 

Range balls are included in the entry fee.