2012
Optimist International Tournament of Champions
Detailed
Tournament Information
Host Site ChampionsGate Golf Club will host the 8th Annual Optimist
International Tournament of Champions on November 10-11, 2012. The event will be played on both the International and National golf courses at ChampionsGate.
From
the ChampionsGate website:
ChampionsGate Golf Club in Orlando, Florida features two premier 18-hole championship golf courses designed by accomplished architect and golfer, Greg Norman.
The International Course brings a unique "down under" style of coastal links from Norman’s homeland to Orlando golf. The links style course is designed around scenic natural wetlands, and features long carries, deep pot bunkers, tall grass-topped dunes, and large undulating greens. The International course has hosted many of the top players in golf, at the Father Son Challenge.
The National Course is a completely different experience, and is designed in the "Florida golf resort" style. The lush Orlando golf course is weaves its way through the naturally rolling central Florida plains, and features mature Pine, Oak, and Cypress groves, spring fed lakes, bunker protected fairways and greens, and small, challenging putting surfaces.
ChampionsGate
Clubhouse Photo courtesy ChampionsGate Golf Club
Schedule
of Events
For a detailed schedule of events, click
here.
Age Divisions and Field Sizes
Three age divisions will be offered at the Tournament of Champions: Boys 16-18, Boys 14-15 and Girls 14-18.
Age
Limit and Eligibility
The Tournament of Champions is open to boys and girls who are between
the ages of 14 and 18 through the final round on November 11, 2012. To
be eligible, golfers may not be enrolled in college. Golfers who are younger
than 14 may apply to "play up" and will be considered on a case-by-case
basis. For
detailed information on exemptions and eligibility, click
here.
Tournament Format
Competition is 36-hole stroke play with tournament rounds on Saturday,
November 10 and Sunday, November 11. Additional practice rounds
are available on Thursday and Friday, November 8 and 9. Carts and caddies
are prohibited for all tournament rounds.
Course and Yardages
All divisions will play on the golf courses at ChampionsGate Golf Club. Approximate course yardages are:
Boys
16-18: International Golf Course (6,982 yards)
Boys 14-15: International Golf Course (6,492 yards)
Girls 14-18: National Golf Course (5,959 yards)
Application
Process Applications are no longer being accepted for the Tournament of Champions. To view a list of applicants, click here. Accepted applicants will receive registration information on October 10.
Registration
Fee
The registration fee for the Tournament of Champions is $375 US. The registration fee includes two tournament rounds, range balls prior to play, golfer's lunch on both tournament round days, and an Optimist Golf gift package. Player or family is responsible for making their own hotel arrangements.
Refunds
Golfers who cancel on or before October 17 will receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee. Golfers canceling from October 18 to October 24 will receive a refund less a cancellation fee of $100. Golfers canceling after October 24 will not receive a refund. Refund requests must be made in writing; verbal requests will not be honored.
Accommodations
A special rate of $119 per night, plus tax, is available at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. To make a reservation, call 1-800-THE-OMNI and mention "Optimist Tournament of Champions." Please check back for a link to the online reservations page. Reservation cutoff date is October 25, 2012. Reservations made after this date will be accepted on a space available basis only. Prices listed are for single or double occupancy only. An additional $30 per person per night will apply for additional guests. Guests 17 and under do not count towards triple and quad occupancy rate increase.
Financial
Assistance
Optimist Districts and Clubs are not required to provide financial assistance
to golfers from their area. However, many Districts or Clubs may have
funds available to assist golfers in attending the Tournament of Champions.
Please contact the Optimist Junior Golf Chairperson from your District
for details. For a list of Junior Golf Chairs, please click
here.
Practice
Rounds
Optional
practice rounds are available on Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November
9. Call ChampionsGate Golf Club at (407) 787-4653 for prices and availability. For more information on practice rounds, click here.
Driving
Range and Putting Green
Registration also includes range balls prior to play and unlimited access
to practice greens for the dates of November 10 and 11.
Rules
and Regulations
The Tournament of Champions will be played in accordance with all USGA
and local course rules. A local rules sheet will be given to all players
at tournament registration. All participants are responsible for following
the Optimist
Golf Code of Conduct. Violations to any rules or regulations
may result in stroke penalties or disqualification. Severe violations
of the Code of Conduct will result in immediate disqualification and the
golfer will be sent home at the first available opportunity at his/her
own expense.
Carts,
Pull Carts, Caddies and Distance Measuring Devices
Electric carts and caddies are prohibited in all age divisions for all
tournament rounds. Pull carts are allowed in all age divisions for all
tournament rounds. Participants must provide their own equipment.
Electric
carts are prohibited for spectators during tournament rounds. No exceptions.
Spectators who need on-course transportation may utilize an electric mobility
scooter. Scooters are available from several local rental vendors.
The rental fee for a scooter is the responsibility of the individual. Please contact the Optimist
Junior Golf office for a list of local vendors.
Distance measuring devices are
allowed. Players may obtain distance information by using a device
that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses
a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other
conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature,
etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification,
regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
Completion
of Play
Provided there are no weather or other delays, the final round is scheduled
to conclude by 2:30 p.m. However, tournament play will extend to 4:00
p.m. on November 11 if necessary. Please plan your departures accordingly
and allow for ample time for airport transfers. If the final round cannot
be completed by 4:00 p.m. due to weather delays or unforeseen circumstances,
the tournament will revert back to the last 18 holes completed by the
entire field. If
inclement weather suspends play on the final day of the tournament and
it is determined that all players in an age division cannot complete 18
holes by 4:00 p.m. but the entire field in an age division can complete
a common 9 holes, then the tournament will revert to a 27-hole event.
If a common 9 holes cannot be completed on the final day then the tournament
will revert back to the last stipulated round completed by the entire
field in an age division.
Spectator Rules
Spectator rules will be in effect for all non-participants. Carts are
not available for spectators for all tournament rounds. The following
rules will be in effect during all tournament rounds. Parental involvement
contrary to these rules may result in player penalty or disqualification.
Remain
a minimum of 50 feet from all golfers while following play.
Advice
may not be given to any player. Violation of this rule may result in
stroke penalties or disqualification of the player.
Do
not walk in the fairways.
Help
spot golf balls.
Allow
rules officials to administer rulings. You will be brought into a situation
only when asked by a rules official.
When
on the course, turn off cell phones or turn ringers to the silent or
vibrate mode.
Exemptions
Top finishers of the Tournament of Champions will be exempt from having
to qualify for the summer 2013 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships
at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida as follows: Boys 16-18
(Top 10); Boys 14-15
& Girls 14-18 (Top 5).
For the 2012 Tournament of Champions, the following AJGA exemptions will
be awarded: Boys 16-18 - Champion (3 exemptions), Top 5 (2 exemptions),
Top 10 (1 exemption); Girls 14-18 - Champion (2 exemptions), Top 3 (1
exemption); Boys 14-15 - Top 5 (AJGA Junior All-Star Exempt Status). For
more information, go to www.ajga.org.
Junior Orange Bowl
Optimist Junior Golf is pleased to announce that the winners of the Boys 16-18 and Girls 14-18 divisions of the 2012 Optimist International Tournament of Champions will earn an invitation to participate in the 2012 Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship. The Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship, one of the most prestigious junior golf events in the world is schedule for December 26-30, 2012, at the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables, Florida.
Rankings
The Tournament of Champions is nationally ranked by the Junior Golf
Scoreboard and Golfweek and is included in the AJGA Performance
Based Entry process.
Awards
Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each division.
In case of ties, there will be a playoff for first place only. 2nd and
3rd place ties will be determined by a scorecard playoff. Trophies will
also be awarded for the lowest score on the last day of play in each division.
Junior Golf Scoreboard Live!Scoring
Optimist International, in cooperation with the Junior Golf Scoreboard,
will feature live scoring at the Tournament of Champions. Live!Scoring
is the newest innovation in competitive junior golf. The Internet-based
system is an opportunity to see tee times and overall tournament results
in addition to the hole-by-hole scores of players as they compete. To
view the Live!Scoring website, go to www.JuniorGolfResults.com
or navigate to the site from the main Tournament
of Champions page.
Travel
and Transportation
ChampionsGate Golf Club is located in ChampionsGate, Florida (Orlando
area), approximately 29 miles from the Orlando International airport (MCO).
SuperShuttle and Associated Transportation provide airport transfers to/from
ChampionsGate in addition to transportation to several Orlando theme part
destinations. For information, transfer fares and booking details, click here.
Questions or Inquiries
All questions or inquiries should be directed to the Optimist Junior Golf
office. Please e-mail golf@optimist.org
or call 314.881.1307 or toll free 800.500.8130, ext. 207.
The Optimist
International Tournament of Champions is nationally ranked by the Junior
Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek and is included in the AJGA Performance Based
Entry process.
