The first annual
national putting championship of the U.S. Putting Tour, set for September 24-30, 2011 in Carlsbad, California, will determine America's Best Putter, with men and women competing together for the title.
The
putting tournament is for amateurs who are at least 13 years of age by September 24, 2011. There is no upper age limit and men and women play together in the only division.
In addition to the national championship, the U.S. Putting Tour will feature local
putting events around the country in the 12 months leading up to the finals, at which golfers can qualify for a spot in the championship.
The USPT National Championship features three rounds of putting competition. Golfers can choose which of five days to play their first round, from September 24 through September 28 of USPT Championship Week. Cuts will be made after round one and round two, which will be played on September 29. The number of golfers
making each cut will be dependent on the combination of USPT National
Championship entries and local qualifiers from USPT qualifying events.
The format will vary from round to round and will include one-putt
competition and medal play (total score). In the first two rounds, ties
will be broken via card-off from the final hole backwards. In the
finals, ties will be broken by a sudden-death playoff. Putts will vary
in length from three to 30 feet.
The top finishers in the
putting tournament will receive merchandise prizes and certificates in
accordance with USGA Amateur Status rules. The top three finishers will
receive USPT hardware. The winner also gains the title of "America's
Best Putter." The top five finishers will receive automatic free entry
into the 2012 USPT National Championship.
Golfers can sign up at USPuttingTour.com.
