All SPC / SPG inquiries, clarifications and questions not within the 8/14-20/09 date range should be directed via the following:

Tournament Chairman

Fred Solomon

415.614.0322

group @ scratchplayers.org

1133 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA, 94108

All venue inquiries, clarifications & questions should be directed via the following:

All inquiries, clarifications and questions regarding shuttles, problems, tee times, pairings or any other matter pertaining to the tournament from August 10th thru 16th of 07 should be directed via the SPC “Hotline” cell phone as follows: 

notice - all contestants arriving

by air that are desirous in utilizing the complementary (free) shuttle service we provide, must be at one of the four  airports available (Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton or Modesto) for curb side pickup no sooner than 7am on Sunday or later than 2pm on Thursday.

Contact information for the SPC "Tournament Housing Site" is on the "Travel & Housing" page via the link above. 

The Merit Exemption Request is, in essence, a request to be “invited” to compete in the tournament.  The SPC is not an “Invitational” and primarily utilizes identifiable exemption criteria for entry so that players meeting any such exemption criteria can simply enter the tournament as exempt without proceeding through the process of requesting an invitation.  Notwithstanding that we maintain a current and extensive database on amateur players worldwide encompassing junior, collegiate, senior, regional amateur, national and international performance track records, we recognize there are always going to be those that “slip through the cracks” off our “radar screen” or have situations particular to them that would warrant favorable consideration for inclusion in the field without having to qualify.  Consequently, if one does not meet any one of the exemption criteria as stipulated on the "Exemptions & Qualifying" page of this website linked above but is, say, close to being exempt on multiple exemption criteria, then such player would have a good chance to get in via a Merit Exemption.

When submitting a Merit Exemption Request, keep in mind that we only reply to such requests via email.

A SPC Form request (below), written request (cover letter) or email request must include the following for the requesting player:

·   First and Last name (if different than as you wish to be identified, then provide such "nickname" or otherwise)

·   Birthdate (age included in player program; provide birthdate with month first, then day, then year)

·   Mailing address including postal code (Zip Code in the USA)

·   Hometown (if different; for those in college, hometown is usually parent's town of residence while in high school)

·   School (high school or college if still in school, include graduation year whether alumni or otherwise)

·   Telephone number (preferably a cell number as such number is the only phone we have on record during the tournament)

·   Email address (if different than emailed request address) an email address is required for a response

·   Head Shot Photo (if email request, attach .jpg photo; if written request, provide link to website where such photo can be found)

·   GHIN or Handicap Number (do not provide handicap; GHIN #’s are 6 or 7 digits with international #’s of varying digits)

·   Golf Association/Union/Federation affiliation (such as the SCGA, TGA, QGU, FMG, EGU, NYSGA, FFG, WSGA, AGA, etc)

·   Primary or Home Club (to be listed in Player Program)

A Golf Resume of Accomplishments must accompany a written request or be attached to an email request.

Click here for an example format of a Golf Resume of Accomplishments.  Please make sure your accomplishments submitted are accurate (if tied for a particular event finish, state so accurately).  All resumes are verified on at least a sample basis if not thoroughly.  If in college, do not provide any collegiate event finishes except wins, top 5 finishes in your conference championship, finishes in Regionals or finishes in the Nationals.  Otherwise, all evaluations of collegiate performance are made strictly by collegiate rankings.

Merit exemption consideration terminates for anyone submitting “inflated” resume data – no exceptions (this would indicate a “fatal flaw” in integrity).  You should provide individual golf accomplishments in one line “bullet” mode and a minimum of 10 individual golf accomplishment highlights must be provided to be considered for a merit exemption (see format of a Player Profile linked from the SPC Contestants page or to the right).  All written resumes submitted must have at least 10 significant individual accomplishments in the same one line bullet format.  All such track record data will also be used for compiling your bio for the SPC Player Program should you be granted such an exemption.

Flores,  Erik                         

Grass valley, CA             Alta Sierra GC            age 20

UCLA Senior

#60 SP World Amateur Ranking (as of 7/11)

08 Pac NW Am Quarters/Co-Medalist + Sahalee 3rd

08 & 06 D1 All American + 06 All Freshman team

08 D1 West Regional T8 + 07 Western Am T19

07 US Am Qual Medalist + Pac NW Am Quarters

06 Western Am Quarters  &  Scratch Players 10th

06 US v Japan team & D1 East Regional T18

06 All Pac 10 1st team & Freshman of the Year

05 Cal State Fair Champion (T9 in 06, T2 in 04)

05 Azalea Am 2nd & Sacramento Player of Year

05 World Junior Cup Champ (course record)

04 & 03 AJGA & FCWT 1st team All American

Merit Exemption requests received will only be confirmed via email so make sure the email provided to us is your personal, valid and current email address (current thru tournament) that you check on a timely basis.  You will be notified as to your status via email or telephone before August in virtually all cases for those remaining in consideration of a Merit Exemption.

As a guideline (not a requirement), those requesting a Merit Exemption should meet at least one of following criteria as applicable:

·   If a current collegiate player, a Golfweek or Golfstat Division 1 ranking among top 200 (without Golfweek asterisk)

·   If junior, a minimum top 50 Golfweek Boys or Junior Scoreboard ranking, website posted Cannon Cup rank or current AJGA All American Honorable Mention or higher (only current AJGA First Team All Americans exempt)

·   If senior player, provide current track record in significant non-senior events with national level senior wins

·   More weight is given to ones track record within the last 16 months and very little weight if track record is over 5 years ago

Requirements for those requesting a Merit Exemption include both of following criteria as applicable:

·   Must have a current Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking among the top 1000 (name appears on ranking website)

·   If collegiate and eligible this last year and not redshirting, then must have started in Regionals or have top 250 NCAA D1 rank

It is important that those requesting a Merit Exemption are aware that the SPC is now among the top 15 amateur fields worldwide and is not a “starter” tournament to get “experience” for other national level events or otherwise.  We do not consider “potential” or respond favorable to those who state that if they get in, they will play well irrespective of track record.  We admire confidence but focus on one’s existing and recent tournament track record in significant men’s events as the primary determinant as to expected playing ability.  We do not discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, economic status, nationality, religious affiliation, language, sexual orientation or any other criteria other than golf performance track record in men's events.  In order for your request to be considered, a “Golf Resume of Accomplishments” should be submitted and received by the TC on or before the entry deadline via email attachment or in writing to the San Francisco mailing address.   Your email request must include a telephone number (cell # preferred) to reach you prior to the tournament.  A written request (cover letter) must include a valid and working email address.  All subsequent tournament related communications from us are via email with telephone contact utilized as may be needed.

Notice to collegiate coaches - if a player on your team is not otherwise exempt, or if an incoming freshman is not otherwise exempt,

no such merit exemption request will be considered without exception until after at least one player on your current team who is exempt has already entered the tournament.  Players will be "a good addition to the field" if they meet stipulated exemption criteria.

The Tournament Chairman (who created and administers the Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking), will review the Merit Exemption Requests received and maintain a log pertaining thereof.  We reserve the right to grant Merit Exemptions to as many amateur players to participate in the SPC as the Tournament Committee deems appropriate.  The SPC reserves the right to approve or reject any Merit Exemption Requests at any time for any reason.  The number of such requests granted exemptions will depend, in part, on the number of exempt player entries otherwise received by the entry deadline.  All decisions on Merit Exemption Requests are final.