FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a membership fee to join the Tour and if so, how long is it good for?
Yes, there is a membership fee of $70.00 and it is good for the 2012 calendar year.

How much do tournaments cost?
Tournament fees range from $20 - $150 depending on the Chapter (East, West or Metro), the level of play (Prep, Medalist, Junior All American or All American), and the series (Junior All American, All American, Spring Break, Summer or Cowboys).

What are the differences in the levels and where are they offered? Junior Tour Levels of Competition

I have signed up for membership but cannot register for any tournaments. Why?
Before registering for a tournament, membership applications must be approved by the NTPGA. The NTPGA approves memberships three (3) times a day Monday through Friday and once a day on the weekends. Once your membership is approved and your age division is assigned, a player can begin registering for tournaments.

Once I register for membership, how do I register for tournaments?
After your membership has been approved, you will be sent an email with your BlueGolf ID and Password. This ID and Password will allow you to access your BlueGolf account and register for tournaments.
Please click HERE for specific instructions on how to register for a NTPGA Junior Tour tournament.

Can my child play in more than one level?
Yes, players may play on multiple levels throughout the year. However, it is required that players remain in the same age division at all levels. The different levels exist so that each Member can find their appropriate level of competition. Please note that the Metro Medalist levels are open to players ages 11-18 only, so players 7-10 years old playing on the Prep level cannot play in Metro Medalist level events unless they ‘declare up’ and remain in that age division for the rest of the season.

If I have a birthday during a tournament series, in which age group do I participate?
Players will be placed in an age division according to their age as of the date of the tournament. Points earned within an age division will stay in that division and will not carry over to the next. Exemptions earned in an age division will be honored when moving to an older division, however, the player will be required to compete in that older division of the tournament that they earned an exemption into. Should you have a birthday that falls in the middle of a Series, you are always welcome to ‘declare up’ to the new division your birthday will land you in, thus ensuring you don’t split points between both age divisions.
 
What does it mean to ‘declare up’?
‘Declaring up’ refers to a player's desire to compete in an older age division. For example, declaring up allows a player who is 10 years of age the ability to play in the 11-12 age division. All requests to declare up must be submitted to and approved by the NTPGA by completing an Age Division Declaration Form. Once a player has declared up to an older age division, the player must continue to play in that age division for the rest of the Series (Junior All American, All American, Spring Break, Summer, and Cowboys). Reasons for declaring up vary by the individual player, but greater competition or longer yardages are the most frequent reasons a player elects to declare up.
Please click HERE to view the Age Division Declaration Form.

Is there a limit in the number of tournaments we can sign up for?
No, a player may register and compete in as many tournaments as they choose throughout the year.

Can we pick and choose which events we want to play in?
Yes, but remember that there are different Rules & Regulations at each level of play.

Do we have to pick all of our tournaments at once, or can we pick them on a week by week basis?
You can pick tournaments as you see fit, however there is a five (5) day entry window on all of our non-invitational events. Please note that some tournaments fill up very fast, so if you want to make sure that you are registered for the event of your choice we suggest that you sign up online as soon as the entry window opens.

My child is a member of the West Chapter; can he play in an event in the Metro or East Chapter?
Yes, as long as your child is a current member of the NTPGA Junior Tour, they can play a tournament in any Chapter so long as the event in which they choose to play has their appropriate age division available.

What happens when a tournament is full?
Once a tournament is full, all players that then register will be placed on the waiting list. Players on the waiting list will be placed into the event on a first come first served basis according to age division. Players can be placed into a tournament from the waiting list up to 3 days prior to the event. After which, no players from the waiting list will be processed into the event. Please note that there is no on-site waiting list/walk-up list at NTPGA Junior Tour tournaments.

If I miss the registration deadline for a tournament can I still play?
No, after the registration deadline has passed, tournament entries will no longer be accepted. Walk-up players will not be accepted at NTPGA Junior Tour events.

When are tee times posted and how do I find mine?
Tee times and starting hole assignments can be found on the Tournament Information Page for each specific tournament three (3) days prior to an event. The NTPGA will also email tee times and starting hole assignments to all players 3 days prior to the event.

Can I use my pull cart during a tournament?
Yes, the NTPGA Junior Tour allows pull carts; however, they will be allowed only at the discretion of the host facility. It is the player's responsibility to obtain course policy.  Please view the tournament’s information page to obtain the facility’s policy on pull carts. 

Are spectator carts allowed at tournaments?
Yes, the NTPGA Junior Tour allows spectator carts; however, they will be allowed only at the discretion of the host facility. It is the spectator's responsibility to obtain course policy. Please note that spectator cart rental fees are at the discretion of the host facility.

What is the tournament cancellation and refund policy?
Players may cancel out of a tournament three (3) days prior to the scheduled event for a full refund (less a $5 administrative fee for Prep and Medalist level and Junior All American Tour tournaments; $10 for All American Tour and Championship events). Cancellations can be made in your BlueGolf account or by calling the NTPGA office. After office hours, dial extension 6 to reach the cancellation line.

What is the tournament transfer policy?
Players may transfer out of an event and into a different event if it is within the registration window (at least five (5) days prior) of the event the player is transferring into. Players may only transfer tournaments if they are within the same level (example: Prep level to Prep level; players cannot transfer from a Prep level event into a Medalist level event). There is no processing fee to transfer into other events. To transfer, please call the NTPGA office at 214-420-7421.

Are Distance Measuring Devices allowed?
The NTPGA Junior Tour does allow the use of devices that measure distance only in all sanctioned events. Please see the Junior Tour Rules and Regulations for full details regarding distance measuring devices.

How do I qualify to play in the 2012 Ewing Automotive Tour Championship?
There are five (5) guidelines for a player to gain entry into the 2012 Ewing Automotive Junior Tour Championship.  The following qualifying guidelines are listed in the manner in which they will be executed.

1. The top finisher and ties from each age division in each chapter of the Spring Break Series Points Challenge will qualify to compete in the Tour Championship.

2. The top 3 finishers and ties from each age division of the All American Tour Points Challenge (not otherwise qualified via guideline 1) as of July 31, 2012 will qualify to compete in the Tour Championship.

3. The top 3 finishers and ties from each age division of the Junior All American Tour Points Challenge (not otherwise qualified via guidelines 1 or 2) as of August 1, 2012 will qualify to compete in the Tour Championship.

4. The top 3 finishers and ties from each age division at the East, West, and Metro Area Championships (not otherwise qualified via guidelines 1, 2, or 3) will qualify to compete in the Tour Championship.

5. Top 3 finishers and ties in the Summer Points Challenge in each Chapter in each age division after the Area Championship points have been awarded (not otherwise qualified via guidelines 1, 2, 3, or 4) qualify to compete in the Tour Championship.

View the 2012 NTPGA Junior Tour Rules & Regulations in its entirety HERE.