U.S. Pub Links question...

[Simp]

I'm aware that to be eligible for the Pub Links championship you have to be a bona fide public course player. If a private golf course offers a membership to just their driving range (not golf), would this be in violation of being a bona fide public course player?

[nikeblades]

r u paying to hit at their range? if u are i think u arent allowed to but im not sure. junior merits arent allowed to qualify either. Call USGA and ask them.

[PreppySlapCut]

I would think if you were not a member at said course and played your rounds out of a publiuc track you would be alright. However, if being a range member also entitled you to a couple rounds a year or something like that you may be in trouble. In general: If the club can not be accessed by everyone, you'd be inelegible. Only real exception is college students who get to play a private course becasue they are on a team...

[Simp]

Thanks for your replies guys! I'll definitely call the USGA to see what they have to say also. Simp

[TigerFrank]

How is that possible? Michelle Wie is a member of a private club and plays in the Pub links...

[rollen]

From the USGA.org website

 

What are the eligibility rules for the Amateur Public Links and the Women’s Amateur Public Links?

 

Entries are open to amateur golfers who since Jan. 1 of the current year have been bona fide public course players. Players may not have held privileges of any course that does not extend playing privileges to the general public or privileges of any private club maintaining its own courseAll of the interpretations of the rules of eligibility can be found on the last page of the application for the Amateur Public Links or the Women’s Amateur Public Links.

 

The page on the USGA site is not available, but here is an older page from archive.org . You may need to still give them a call.

 

US Amatuer Public Links eligibility