Beginnings

The Tour was started by PGA professional Jimmy Thomson 35 years ago and it was one, if not the first tour to start where players competed for their own money, which at the time was against the then PGA regulations. The tour continued until Jimmy found he couldn’t spend the time needed to run the tour, it is at this point that Ex European Tour member Mark Litton took over the organisation. The name was kept, hence The Thomson Tour continues.

Format

The Tour has tried to keep with the original format and it especially encourages Trainees to compete and gain experience.

It gives all PGA members including Head Professionals, Qualified Assistants and Registered Trainees the opportunity to play some golf during the winter months when there is very little else to play in.

Players

Since it’s conception 35 years ago The Thomson Tour has played a pivotal part in the early careers of some of the biggest names in golf.

Former tour members have gone on to earn their European Tour cards and include a few that have won major international honours along the way,  including Ian Poulter, Simon Khan, Mark Litton, Daniel Brooks, Rob Coles and Dale Whitnell.

The Future

The 2019/20 season will comprise of 10 events and culminate in the 36 hole Thomson Tour Championship.

Players will compete over 18 holes stroke play at some of the UK’s premier golfing venues, including The Shire London, Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa and Porters Park GC.

Each tournament field will be limited to 60 players based on first come, first served basis.

2019/20 Membership

• • • Tour Membership is open to all Declared Professional Golfers.
    • Full Membership for 2019/20 is £45.
    • ALL players need to pay full membership, there are NO per tournament membership fees for players wishing to only play a limited number of events.
    • The Thomson Tour reserves the right to refuse any membership application.
    • To obtain membership a completed on-line application form together with the appropriate fee, payable by Paypal.
      

• No refunds will be given if a Member resigns or is banned.
• Future Membership to The Tour will be refused if a player has any outstanding fines from previous years.
• Tournament Entry Fees are £50 per event plus optional sweeps.
• Use of credit or debit cards for Tournament Entry Fees carry a 4% surcharge.

To pay or discuss anything regarding the tour, email us now info@thethomsontour.com or call for further information: 07710 288397 / 07968 943503

1. Membership

• • • • 1. Tour Membership is open to all Professional Golfers.
        2. The Thomson Tour reserves the right to refuse any membership application.
        3. To obtain membership a completed on-line application form together with the appropriate fee, payable on-line by Paypal or by calling 07710 288397 for alternative methods and enquiries.
        4. No refunds will be given if a Member resigns or is banned.
        5. Up to a maximum of 5 amateurs with Handicap’s of 4 or less may apply for membership on recommendation from the PGA Professional of their golf club.

2. Event Entry

• • • • 1. Thomson Tour events are open to all declared Professional Golfers.
        2. Entry fee per tournament is £50.
        3. Only full members of the Tour are eligible for event entry, there are NO per tournament membership fees for players wishing to only play a limited number of events.
        4. All Thomson Tour members will be entered into each draw. It is a players responsibility to withdraw from the tournament by 6 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the tournament.
        5. There is also optional “Sweeps” Most Birdies, £5 entry and Best Back Nine, £5 entry.

3. Tournament Format

• • • • 1. 18 holes Stroke play over 1 day played in 2 or 3 balls and will be played in accordance with The Rules of Golf as prescribed by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
        2. Local rules will apply at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

4. Tournament Field

• • • • 1. The Field size is limited to 60. Those who register their memberships first will have priority in each draw once the membership passes sixty. If however you are registered in the first sixty but do not play on a regular basis, your priority to play may drop.
        2. Based on first come, first served basis.
        3. Further details can be given on request.

5. Tee Times

• • • • 1. Tee Time preference for events, for those travelling together will be given whenever possible, also a late start time may be requested.
        2. All requests cease at 6:00pm on the Friday preceding each event.

6. Tour Schedule

• • • • 1. As per the “Schedule” Page on the website.

7. Prize-Money

• • • • 1. In the event of a tie for first place prize money will be divided equally between them.
        2. In the event of a tie at the Tour Championship, the result will be determined by a sudden death play-off. All runners up will be deemed to have come second and the place money will be divided equally between them.
        3. All winnings will be paid in cash on the day of the event following tournament closure.
        4. The Entry Fee Breakdown for 2019/20 is as follows:
        5. Lunch (approx. £8) is included
        6. Members pay approx. £40 into main prize fund
        7. There is also optional “Sweeps”
           Most Birdies – £5 entry
           Best Back Nine – £5 entry.

8. Order of Merit

• • • • 1. The Order of Merit will be determined solely by Points allocation. The top 3 players in the final Order-of-merit will receive a percentage of the bonus fund.

9. The Thomson Tour Championship and Order-of Merit

• • • • 1. From the prize fund of each event approx 10% will be deducted, 5% will be added to the Tour Championship Prize Fund and 5% will be added to the Order-of Merit Bonus Prize Fund.
        2. The Championship Prize Fund could then be larger than regular tour events.
        3. Members wishing to play in The Tour Championship must reach a minimum of 250 points on the Order of Merit after the Final event of the season leading up to the championship.

10. Entry Procedure

• • • • 1. All Thomson Tour members will be automatically entered into every draw, unless the tournament administrator has been informed before hand. It is a players responsibility to withdraw from the tournament by 6 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the tournament.
        2. Entry fees are to be paid on the day of the event in Cash only.
        3. The draw will be made 1 week before the event and will be published on the website and individual Tee-Times will be sent via text.
        4. A Re-draw will be made on the Friday before the event after the closing time, 18:00, and will be published on the website and individual Tee-Times will be sent via text.
        5. It is the player’s responsibility to inform us of any change to their mobile number or Email.

11. Registration

• • • • 1. Players must register at the Tournament Office at least 15 minutes before their Tee-Time.
        2. Players failing to register may be withdrawn from the tournament.
        3. Appeals subject to Thomson Tour discretion.
        4. A player is fully registered when The Thomson Tour has received all personal details and outstanding fees. These must be paid in full before commencement of play.
        5. Late payment, on the day of Tournament play, must have prior approval, exceptional circumstances only.

12. Tournament Withdrawals

• • • • 1. Failure to give notice of withdrawal before tournament closure, Thursday 18:00, will incur a £20 fine, payable immediately (fines to be paid via PayPal).
        2. Withdrawals will be acknowledged by the Tournament Administrator, if no confirmation is received the player MUST resend notice of withdrawal before tournament closure, Thursday 18:00 by text, email or phone message.
        3. Any competitor who fails to show for allocated tee time will result in a £30 fine, payable immediately (fines to be paid via PayPal).
        4. All fines must be paid before any future entry will be accepted.
        5. Fines are at the discretion of The Thomson Tour.
        6. No fines will be applied for a withdrawal due to a late call-up for a European Tour Event.

13. Membership and Tournament Fees

• • • • 1. Membership Fees are published on the website.
        2. Late entries and Non Members must pay all fees before play.
        3. The “no pay, no play” policy remains if force for 2019/20, all fees and fines must be paid before a player will be permitted to “tee-up” in any event.

14. Player’s Responsibilities

• • • • 1. To inform the tournament administrator and withdraw by 6 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the tournament (on the Monday) if you cannot play.
        2. To abide by the Rules and etiquette of Golf.
        3. To ensure speed of play.
        4. To report to the tee and be ready to play at least 10 minutes before his allotted tee time.
        5. If the player is late and not ready to play when called he may be disqualified.
        6. A player late due to traffic conditions is at fault and will forfeit his entry fee. A later time slot may be offered if possible at the discretion of the tournament controller, notification must be made as early as possible in such circumstances.
        7. Note: The official, tournament controller clocks/watches, are deemed to be the official time.
        8. To observe the one ball rule for each tournament round.
        9. Treat the golf course and its members with respect at all times, repair pitch marks and repair bunkers on leaving, failure to repair a bunker during Tournament play, will incur a £20 fine.
        10. Abuse of golf course property or Thomson Tour equipment will incur a £100 fine.
        11. To ensure that Caddies, Fore-Caddies, friends and family when walking ahead of the playing group do not go out of sight of the players.
        12. It is expected that the top five players stay for prize giving, absentees must have prior approval, exceptional circumstances only.

15. Players and Caddies Attire

• • • • 1. The proper on course attire is required at all times.
        2. Hats & waterproofs must be removed before entering the clubhouse.
        3. The Thomson Tour reserves the right to require all Professionals and caddies to remove or cover-up any logo deemed to be inappropriate.
        4. The wearing of Jeans, Shorts or Collarless vests is not permitted.
        5. Soft spikes are preferred by all host courses and therefore are mandatory for all events.
        6. Players must ensure that their caddies observe the dress code.
        7. Caddies must wear “trainer” type footwear only, not spikes. (Caddies may wear tailored shorts.)

16. GPS or Laser Assistance

• • • • 1. Approved, with the exception of Lasers with slope fitted, which are not permitted even if turned off.

17. Buggies and Trolleys

• • • • 1. Buggies* are not allowed, however players may use powered or pull trolleys, at the discretion of the host club.

18. Mobile Telephones

• • • • 1. The use of mobile phones is prohibited on the Golf Course during Tournament play, except, as laid down in the local rules.
        2. Failure to abide by this code will result in disqualification.
        3. We would also respectfully ask players not to use their mobile telephones in the clubhouse, on the practice tee or during practice rounds.

19. Slow Play

• • • • 1. It is a requirement that all groups keep pace with the preceding group, NOT just to keep ahead of the group behind!
        2. Unless there is a mitigating circumstance i.e. a ruling is required (in which case the group behind should be called through). Then the following will apply:
        3. One bad time: Warning from official.
        4. Two bad times: One stroke penalty.
        5. Three bad times: Disqualification.

Timings will be as follows:

•Timing will commence when a group is out of position i.e. more than one hole behind the group ahead or failing to adhere to the recommended timings, which are;

•Par 3’s 12 minutes, Par 4’s 14 minutes & Par 5’s 17 minutes.

•The player first to play an approach shot (which includes a par 3 tee shot, chip or putt) has 50 seconds in which to execute his shot.

•The second or third players have 40 seconds in which to execute their shots.

•Timing will start when the player is deemed to be ready to play.

•If these timings are exceeded then the player will be given a bad time.

•Play “ready golf” be prepared to play before it’s your turn, walk between shots at a good pace.

20. Appeals Procedures

• • • • 1. Any appeal regarding penalties must be referred to the Tournament Director immediately after the round is completed and before the card is signed.
        2. Tournament closure. The tournament is deemed to have closed 30 minutes after the last group have left the registration area.
        3. In all cases the Tournament Directors decision is final.
        4. The Tournament Director reserves the right to alter or amend the Rules and Regulations in the interest and the future well being of the Thomson Tour.

21. Grievances

• • • • 1. If you have any grievance with The Thomson Tour please discuss it with the Directors first.

22. Suspension of Play

• • • • 1. In the event of play being suspended due to thunderstorm / electrical activity, signalled by 1 long blast on the klaxon, immediately mark your ball and seek the nearest area of shelter.
        2. Resumption of play will be signalled by 2 long blasts on the klaxon.
        3. If play has to be suspended for any other reason, signalled by 2 short blasts on the klaxon then players may choose either:
           – To mark the ball, or finish the hole currently in play.
           – All players must then report directly to the Tournament Registration Office.
           – Not until the players have been given permission, may play resume.

23. Course Unfit for Play

• • • • 1. In the event of a Tournament being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions the Tour will try to find an alternative venue. This however cannot be guaranteed.
        2. We will do all in our power to replace any cancelled event.
        3. 18 holes must be completed by all competitors in order for an event to have been staged.
        4. Payment for food will be taken from entry fees in the circumstance that the tournament is abandoned once play has commenced. Remaining entry fees will be funded.

24. Media/Sponsors

• • • • 1. Please respect the Tour and Sponsors when dealing with the media.
        2. It is a Tournament entry requirement that that all players will be available for any media duties, including interviews, sponsorship presentations, press photographs and all television requirements