Michiana Seniors - Schedule | Tournament Format | Tournament Cancellation Policy
MSGA Assumption of Risk Statement | Tips for Speeding Up Play

Michiana Seniors - 2024 Schedule

* Regular events are Individual Medal Play and Skins games within handicap flights
Current WHS (USGA) handicap required for ALL PLAYERS INCLUDING GUESTS
All tournaments (including Championship) include "Hole-in-One" contest
All tournaments (except Championship) include "Closest-to-the-Pin" contests for Front, Middle and Back Tee players
Normal Start Times for Regular and Member/Guest tournaments is 12:00pm CDT / 1:00pm EDT

** Maximum Player Entries Accepted (if more entries received, additional players ARE placed on WAIT LIST in order received)

*** MSGA Team Championship is Member/Member or Member/Guest Tournament
Current WHS (USGA) handicap required for ALL PLAYERS INCLUDING GUESTS
Championship limited to 30 teams (60 players) unless additional 6 teams enter; then field limited to 36 teams (72 players)

ENTRIES FOR 2024 TOURNAMENTS ARE MADE ONLINE THRU BLUEGOLF SYSTEM
PAYMENTS ARE PROCESSED VIA CREDIT CARD

REGISTRATION FEE OF $10 IS CHARGED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION & RESERVES YOUR SPOT
ENTRY FEE LESS REGISTRATION FEE ($10) IS CHARGED 2 DAYS BEFORE TOURNMENT IS PLAYED

ENTRY FEES INCLUDE $10 PRIZE FUND AND $5 SKINS GAME FUND

Email correspondense should be made thru "CONTACT US" tab at top of page:

Written correspondense should be mailed to:

MSGA
P. O. Box 162
Valparaiso, IN 46383-0162

PHONE: 219-241-7599

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Tournament Format Individual Medal Play (Regular) tournaments: To participate and compete for awards in MSGA tournaments, all players must have an established USGA approved handicap.  Beginning in 2020, USGA handicaps were calculated by the World Handicap System (WHS). For more information on handicaps, see Handicap Central tab above. A player’s official handicap is known as the player’s Handicap Index (the index is in tenths; for example, 8.7 or 19.2, etc.).  By using a player’s Handicap Index and the rating and slope of the course tees being played, a course handicap (for example 9 or 20, etc.) is determined for each player and that handicap is assigned to the player for the tournament.

For each Regular tournament, players are divided into three Tee Groups, i.e. players who play the Front tees (Green markers) at approximately 5100 yards, Middle tees (Blue markers) at approximately 5600 yards and Back Tees (Black markers) at approximately 6100 yards.  Each player chooses which tee to play. To choose the Front tees, players must have an Age + Handicap Index number of 85+.  In each group, players are divided into two flights based on Handicap Index, so players are playing against players of similar skill levels. 

Individual Medal Play tournaments have six flights (A-B, C-D and E-F). 

• Flights generally have 13-18 players each. 
• Players with the same Handicap Index are assigned to the same flight in each Tee Group.
• Players with the same course handicap may be assigned to different flights as Handicap Indexes may be slightly different.
• Tee Group players play par 3’s from different tees and have separate Closest-to-the-Pin awards.
• Hole-in-One contest includes players from all flights combined.
• Flights have separate low-net and multiple low-gross awards depending on number of players in each Tee Group.
• Hole handicaps for each Tee Group may be different based on the course scorecard.  Hole handicaps are used to determine net skin awards.
• Awards may be different because of the number of players in each Tee Group.
• If a course does not have a Men’s slope and rating for the various tees used, the MSGA calculates a slope and rating based on USGA guidelines. 
• Adjusted slope and ratings are used for automatic score posting of MSGA Tournament scores.
• Players are encouraged to continue to play with their regular groups even though players may be playing from different tees.

MSGA Championship tournament:

For information on the format of the MSGA Championship, see MSGA Championship tab above.

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Tournament Cancellation Policy

Every effort is made to play all scheduled tournaments. Players should be aware that the weather conditions at the site of a tournament may be significantly different from where the player lives. Contact the tournament site or the Director of Golf for information.

If a tournament is cancelled prior to the scheduled start time, the MSGA attempts to contact all players as soon as possible after the tournament cancellation is determined.

Generally, cancelled tournaments are not rescheduled because of the difficulty in negotiating an acceptable reschedule date with the golf course. If tournament payments have been processed, the MSGA will issue credits or refunds to players charged less the negotiated partial payment to the golf course. 

Tournament entrants may cancel their entry in any tournament 48 hours prior to the scheduled start time. The registration fee of $10 will not be refunded.

If an entrant cancels within 48 hours of scheduled start time, the player is responsible for finding an MSGA member as a replacement. The MSGA is usually required to give the golf course a player count two full days in advance and is required to pay for that number of players as the course has already paid lunch and cart costs in advance.

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MSGA Assumption of Risk Statement

Each member/golfer assumes all risks and dangers incidental to the game of golf, including but not limited to the risk of bad weather, lightning, being struck by errant golf shots and the risk of being injured by falling from a golf cart and releases the Michiana Seniors Golf Association (MSGA) and its officers, directors, agents and employees from any and all liabilities resulting from such risks.

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Tips for Speeding Up Play The MSGA strives to have its members complete tournament rounds in 4 to 4¼ hours. For groups (foursomes) that have fallen behind the group in front, the group must speed up play by playing “Ready Golf” until they catch up to the group in front. “Ready Golf” is defined as hitting your shot when you are ready to hit but are not interfering with any other player hitting their shot. This will result in players sometimes hitting out of turn. This can occur when playing partners have not arrived at their ball and are not ready to hit their shot or players are looking for a lost ball, etc. Remember “Ready Golf” is not for the benefit of your group, but for groups following. ITS CALLED GOLF ETIQUETTE. In order to keep rounds within the goal, the MSGA offers the following common-sense suggestions: A very important part of playing speedy golf is choosing the correct tees.  Three sets of tees are available to best fit each player’s skill level.  If a player consistently shoots a net score of 7-10 over par, the player should consider moving up to a shorter tee. Keep pace with the group in front at all times. Be ready to hit your shot when it becomes your turn.  Do not converse with others who are ready to hit their shot.  That is defined as interfering. Do not sit in the cart while your cart partner or other players hit their shots.  Determine which club(s) you need and if practical, walk to your ball and be ready to hit your shot. When returning to your cart, keep your club(s) with you while you drive to the next shot, then put the club(s) in your bag and make your next club selection.

• Even though you may not be away, if no other player is ready to hit their shot and you do not interfere, hit your shot. 
• Follow all cart directional signs but try to park the cart in the direction of the next tee box or behind the green when reaching the green.  Do not park the cart in front of greens.  Do not park the cart so that when walking off the green, you are walking toward the following group.
• Upon reaching the green, provided it does not interfere with others, line up your putt while other players are lining up their putts or while they are putting.
• Clear the green area as quickly as possible after putting is complete (No practice putting).
• When returning to your cart, keep your putter with you until you reach the next tee box, then put the putter in your bag and record the scores. 
• The best way to know if your group is playing at a reasonable pace is to see where the group in front is compared to your group.  If you arrive at a tee on a par 4 or par 5 hole and the group ahead is on the green or has completed the hole, your group is not keeping pace.

Speed up play and make golf enjoyable for everyone, especially the groups following!

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