The information below applies for the remainder of the 2006/2007 Sunshine Tour season, ending on the 28th February 2007.

Q. How can I become a member of the Sunshine Tour?

A. The main way to become a member of the Sunshine Tour is to go to Qualifying School. Some players are eligible for Affiliate Membership with the Sunshine Tour, and they would not be required to enter the Qualifying School. Players qualifying for Affiliate Membership are, amongst others;

• Members of the PGA Tour
• FULL members of the European Tour
• Players finishing within the top 50 positions on the Final Order of Merits on following Tours:
• Asian Tour
• PGA Tour of Australasia
• Canadian Tour
• European Challenge Tour
• Nationwide Tour

Q. How do I enter the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School?

A. You will need to complete the Qualifying School Entry Form and return it to the Sunshine Tour. The form is available from the Sunshine Tour Membership Department or it can be downloaded here. Faxed entries are preferable

Q. When do the entries close for the Qualifying School?

A. Entries need to reach the Sunshine Tour by the end of business on Monday 18th December 2006. The onus lies with the player to ensure that HIS ENTRY HAS been received by the Sunshine Tour ON TIME

Q. Who can enter the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School?

A. All male golfers, both professional and amateur, are eligible to enter.

Q. How much does it cost to go to Qualifying School?

A. The entry fee is R5 750 for all entrants. The entry fee must accompany your entry form. Credit Card payments are accepted. The entry fee does not include travel and accommodation, which are your responsibility.

Q. Do I lose my amateur status if I enter the Qualifying School?

A. It is not a breach of the Rules of Amateur Status to file an entry for and participate in any Stage of the Qualifying School, providing that you waive your right to prize money prior to the first round by completing the appropriate forms available at the tournament office, or attached to the entry form.

Q. Are there age restrictions on entering the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School?

A. In general the Sunshine Tour will not accept entries from anyone under the age of 18 years, at the commencement date of the Qualifying School.

Q. What is the format of the Qualifying School?

A. 72 holes stroke play. There will be a cut after 36 holes and a further cut after 54 holes. The number of players making the cut will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director and will be published prior to the first round of the tournament.

Q. How do I book a practice round for the Qualifying School?

A. Practice rounds can be booked by calling the pro shop at Kempton Park CC on (011) 970 1075.

Q. Do I need to register for the Qualifying School at the tournament venue?

A. Yes. You must register by no later than 18h00 on Wednesday 3rd January 2007. Registration can be done in person, or by a person designated by you to act on your behalf, at the tournament office or by telephone to the tournament office, or the head office on (021) 850 6500

Q. How many players get a ‘Tour Card’ through the Qualifying School?

A. The leading 20 players (and ties) will get a ‘Tour Card’ and Membership of the Sunshine Tour for the 2007 season, which will run from January – December 2007. (If you gain your tour card at this Qualifying School, your prize money earned in tournaments played in January and February 2007, will be listed on the 2007 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit ONLY, and not the 2006/2007 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit)

Q. If I earn a ‘Tour Card’, how many tournaments will I be able to play on the Sunshine Tour?

A. The Sunshine Tour is currently NOT an all-exempt professional tour. This statement means that for each tournament there are exempt players (who will contest the advertised main tournament) and non-exempt players (who are required to contest a qualifying round prior to commencement of the main tournament). If you earn your ‘Card’, you will be eligible for membership to the 2007 Sunshine Tour, with non-exempt status. This allows you to enter Order of Merit events sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour throughout the 2007 Sunshine Tour season, which will run from January – December 2007

Q: How many spots are normally available in the qualifying rounds?

A: The number of spots varies from week to week. However, there is no guarantee of spots being available at every tournament. On the winter swing, the spots usually range from 10 – 20 per tournament. On the summer swing, the spots in regular field tournaments range from 15 to 55, and for the co-sanctioned tournaments, the number of spots available are limited - generally between 8 & 15 per tournament.

Q. If I obtain a ‘Tour Card’ at the Qualifying School, how do I retain my Tour Card for the following season?

A. You will need to play at least 4 Order of Merit tournaments, and earn enough money to finish in the top 120 positions on the Final Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, or win a tournament. In the 2005/2006 season, the last player to retain their card earned R11 400.

Q. How do I become an exempt player during a season?

A: In general you can become exempt in the following ways:

• by winning a tournament;
• by finishing in the top 20 positions in an Order of Merit tournament, you gain exemption into the next Order of Merit tournament, provided it is not co-sanctioned and a limited field tournament;
• by being granted a sponsors invitation;

If you finish in the top 50 positions on the season’s Final Order of Merit, you will be exempt for the following season. In the 2005/2006 season, the 50th placed player earned R118 449,18.

Q. Is it easy to withdraw from the Qualifying School, and can the entry fee be refunded?

A. You can withdraw by contacting the Sunshine Tour Membership Department by telephone, e-mail or fax indicating their intention. If you withdraw prior to the closing date, a full refund will be given and if it is after the closing date (and you do not compete), a refund of R5 250 will be given. Once you tee off (or are absent on the tee) you are no longer eligible for any type of refund.

Q. What are the rules of golf during Qualifying School?

A. Rules governing play will be the following:

• The Current R&A Rules of Golf
• The current Sunshine Tour Conditions of Competition and Local Rules
• The local rules of the host club as approved by the Tournament Director

In addition, you are required to conduct yourself in accordance with the Sunshine Tour Code of Behaviour as contained within the Members Regulations Handbook.

Q. Do I need to have a caddie at the Qualifying School?

A. Yes. It is compulsory for you to use a caddy. (Use of golf carts is prohibited.) Other entrants into the 2007 Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, or professionals who are members of a recognized professional golf body may NOT act as caddies.

Q. Does the Sunshine Tour provide accommodation?

A. NO. The Sunshine Tour will try and assist with accommodation listings in the vicinity of the tournaments, however, you are responsible for making your own accommodation bookings

Q. Am I required to have a visa to play on the Sunshine Tour?

A. It is advisable to contact the South African Embassy in your country of residence as requirements vary from nationality to nationality.

The Entry form can be downloaded here.

Is your question not here? E-mail info@sunshinetour.com