USBGA Application Information 2009

The USBGA is a non-profit 501c3 organization. It exists for the purpose of teaching and promoting blind/visually impaired golf as well as conducting golf tournaments for its members, including a National Championship annually. There are two levels of memberships: Full USBGA Membership for those who are blind or visually impaired wanting to play golf, and Support for those individuals such as coaches, sponsors, and any person interested in endorsing the mission of the USBGA. Note: Individuals applying for Full membership must complete the application form as well as the sight evaluation form. Full members wanting to compete in the National Championship must also turn in three 18 hole scores to qualify. The score card information is listed at the bottom of this page. Support members need only complete the application form. All dues are paid annually and by the end of the calendar year for the following year.

Members must meet the specific visual guidelines accepted by the International Blind Golf Association in order to compete in all USBGA and International Blind Golf events. Prospective playing members must understand that a visual acuity of 20/200 will not qualify under the sight classification standards set by the International Blind Golf Association. Visual acuity in best eye with best correction must be less than 20/200 i.e. 20/201 or below. For clarification of this standard, please contact the USBGA Office. The official sight categories are as follows:

No light perception, or light perception which is not functional, central or peripheral, with or without light projection, up to the inability to differentiate between a blank sheet of white paper and a sheet of white paper with a black symbol on it.

From the ability to recognize the shape of a hand up to the visual acuity of 20/600.

From the visual acuity above 20/600 up to visual acuity of less than 20/200.

Important

If applying for FULL USBGA MEMBERSHIP AS A PLAYING MEMBER, make sure to

Mail in the following:

I. USBGA APPLICATION FORM

APPLICATION (WORD FORMAT)

APPLICATION (PDF FORMAT)

II. USBGA/IBGA SIGHT FORM

SIGHT FORM (WORD FORMAT)

SIGHT FORM (PDF FORMAT)

III. Score Cards

If wanting to qualify to play in the National Championship

IV. Annual Dues

Your entry fee of $25 can be made payable to the

United States Blind Golf Association

Scores can be used to establish an official IBGA handicap and/or qualify to play in the USBGA National Championship.

These are the procedures that you need to follow to play a non-competitive round of golf that will be used for calculating a handicap. If you are a new member you may play and turn in up to four handicap qualifying rounds in your first year of membership. If you are not a new member then you may use only two handicap qualifying rounds in one year. Scores are kept on the database for only two years. After two years have passed old scores are dropped from the system and new handicaps are calculated using the remaining scores. A minimum of four scores are required to have an official IBGA handicap.

Step 1: Arrange a date and place for your handicap qualifying round to be played. The course must have at least a par of 68 or higher.

Step 2: the handicap qualifying round must be played in accordance with USBGA golf rules and with a local golfer with an official local handicap or a marker with knowledge of golf rules.

Step 3: Upon completion of the handicap qualifying round, your scorecard must be signed and dated by you or your coach and the golfer or marker that witnessed your round.

Step 4: Send the attested scorecard along with a note signed by an official of the host course attesting that you played the round on that date at that course, to the USBGA Handicap Chairman.

If you should have any questions about these procedures, Please contact the Handicap Chairperson via the information listed below.

To play in the National Championship you must have three (3) 18 hole scores of (men 125) (women 130) or less played at a regulation golf course from the men’s tees (measuring approximately 6,000 yards), the senior tees (for those 65 years or older, measuring approximately 5,600 yards) and the women’s tees (measuring approximately 5,000 yards). Regional tournaments do not require qualifying scores.

To play in the National Championship you must have (3 ) 18 hole scores of 110 for men or 115 for women or less played at a regulation golf course from the Men's tees (measuring approximately 6,000 yards), the Senior tees (for those 65 years or older, measuring approximately 5,600 yards) and the Women’s tees (measuring approximately 5,000 yards). Regional tournaments do not require qualifying scores.

To play in the National Championship you must have (3 ) 18 hole scores of 100 for men or 105 for women or less played at a regulation golf course from the Men's tees (measuring approximately 6,000 yards), the Senior tees (for those 65 years or older, measuring approximately 5,600 yards) and the Women’s tees (measuring approximately 5,000 yards). Regional tournaments do not require qualifying scores.