DATE: July 15, 2008

TO: PGA Members, USGA Committee Members, Regional Golf Associations, USGA Member Clubs and Attendees of a 2008 PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf

FROM: Genger A. Fahleson, Director, Rules Education

SUBJECT: 2009 PGA/USGA Workshops on the Rules of Golf

We are pleased to announce the PGA/USGA Workshops on the Rules of Golf schedule for 2009. The dates, sites, and instructors are listed on page four of this memo.

REGISTRATION

You may register either one of two ways:

• on-line via the USGA’s web site or
• you may use the phone number listed below.

The workshop registration fee must be pre-paid with a credit card (Master Card, Visa, American Express). Applicants will be enrolled as they apply on a first-come basis. The registration fees are:

• $175 for the Introductory Workshop (2-day)
• $250 for the Regular Rules and Tournament Administration Workshops

Anyone may register on-line.

Registration begins: Wednesday, October 1, 2008

9:00 a.m. Eastern Time for on-line registration

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

9:00 a.m. Eastern Time for phone-in registration

Following this start date, phone-in registration can be completed during regular business hours at the USGA. (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

On-line registration, web site: Coming on October 1, 2008

Phone-in registration (USGA): (908) 234-2300, ext. 5100

No one is permitted to enroll prior to the dates and times listed above.

The USGA will have a small number of telephone lines dedicated to registration for Rules Workshops. Therefore, we are encouraging everyone to register on-line. If you are unable to register on-line or have trouble accessing the on-line registration web site, please do not call the USGA until the Registration phone-in start time - October 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.

Registration will be closed for each workshop approximately 10 days prior to the first day of the workshop – see the schedule.

After you have been registered, the USGA will send you a confirmation receipt and a fact sheet with information regarding the workshop site, transportation, where rooms have been reserved, and how to make your room reservations. The USGA will send you a kit containing materials to assist in your preparation for the workshop.

If you withdraw, you MUST do so before the first day of your workshop by notifying the United States Golf Association at the phone number above. Your registration fee will be refunded minus an administration fee of $50. If you fail to cancel prior to the workshop start time the entire registration fee will be forfeited. If necessary, you may transfer your enrollment from one workshop to another in the same workshop season for a fee of $50, if there is space available.

If a program has reached maximum enrollment – IT IS CLOSED. There are no wait lists.

• DO NOT travel to the workshop site unless you are a confirmed registrant.

• Alternates/walk-ins will not be allowed to register on site at the workshop as registration closes 10 days prior to the start of each workshop.

• Golf associations that have secured a block of seats must submit names 10 days in advance of the program or their spots will be forfeited.

• Registered participants CANNOT arrange to have another person attend in their place.

• Only registered individuals listed on the current class roster will be permitted to attend the workshop.

CURRICULUM

Introductory Rules of Golf (2-day programs)
This year’s schedule includes two Introductory Workshops. These Workshops will focus on using the Rules of Golf book, Definitions, and a brief introduction to the Rules of Golf. They provide a good base for those looking for a basic explanation of the Rules or those preparing to attend a Regular Workshop for the first time.

Regular Rules of Golf (3 ½ -day programs)
There will be nineteen Regular Workshops that cover Rules 1-34. Officiating and course marking topics will not be covered. One Regular Workshop will be restricted to those who have scored 85 or higher within the last four years on the Rules of Golf Exam given at the Regular Workshops and Tournament Administration Workshops. The restricted workshop is #89239 (Las Vegas). Generally, the same program will be presented at this 85+ class as at the other 18 Regular Workshops. You must have your eight digit workshop registration number from a year you achieved the score to register for the 85+ class. This number is included on your exam results letter.

Tournament Administration
The Tournament Administration Workshop is not a Rules of Golf workshop. Event operations and officiating are included in this program. Rules of Golf will not be covered; however the Rules of Golf exam will be administered on Day-4 of this program.

EXAM

Final Exam
As in the past, an optional examination will be given on the final morning of all Regular Rules Workshops (8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.). The examination consists of 100 questions (multiple choice). No reference materials are allowed for Part I (50 questions); Part II is open-book, open-notes (50 questions). The examination is brought up to date and changed annually. Although important in the training process, the exam is NOT the primary variable for an invitation to officiate PGA of America, USGA, PGA Tour, or LPGA events. Special ADA reader assistance is available. Attendees must notify the USGA of this request at the time of registration. There is no extra charge for ADA requests.

Exams will not be graded on site; however, instructors will review the exam following its conclusion. This review will start around noon and should conclude no later than 1:30 p.m. Test results will be mailed and will include your score and the class distribution of scores.

Intermediate Test
An Intermediate test will be given on Day 4 of the Regular Workshop program as an alternative for those not wishing to take the 100 question exam. The Intermediate test is designed for first-time attendees and those who do not need a score for officiating purposes. The Intermediate test will be reviewed at the Workshop site, but not officially graded.

An individual may enroll in more than one workshop per year. Workshop attendees may take both the Intermediate Test and the Final Exam in one workshop season if they enroll in more than one workshop. The Rules examinations given at the PGA/USGA Workshops may be taken only once each year and must be taken at the workshop site in which you are registered.

Should you have questions about the workshop programs, please contact the USGA Rules Department at (908) 234-2300.