1. The VGT International Pairs Australia (VGTIPAU) is the major Sponsor of the event.
2. The season runs from 1 September to 31st December year.
3. Players who qualify at club level will go through to either a Regional, State and/or National Final spot.
4. The event is a 4 Ball Better Ball Stableford (4BBB) event.
5. Player registration fees cover entry and prizes for each qualifying event.
6. Full player details must be provided using Mi-Club or similar, QR code, paper registration form.
7. The Golf Club provide the details of each playing pair.
8.  Full Name/ Handicap Index/ GA handicap number/ Valid Mobile/Valid Email address.
9. Payment of Registration fees must be paid in full prior to any qualifying event.
10. The hosting Clubs (or where an Open event is held) must ensure the minimum number of players are met. If in the case this does not happen, the event is cancelled until minimum numbers are met and a refund of the registration fee is owed to the player from the Club.
11. Playing Pair will consist of 2 players.
12. $32 per playing Pair entry ($16.00 per player).
13. Entry fee is per qualifying event.
14. Qualifying pairs must be the same pair for any and all qualifying events, club or open events.
15. Minimum of 15 pairs per qualifying event for men’s division, Minimum of 8 pairs per qualifying event for women’s division, Minimum of 10 pairs per qualifying event for the mixed division except for clubs who are required to amalgamate – refer to point 7, below.
16. The winning pair from each 15 pairs for men, 8 pairs for women and 10 pairs for mixed is guaranteed to go through to a regional, state and or national final. Refer point 3 (d).
17. Players can opt to play in all qualifying events at their home club and or at an open event.
18. Qualifying Pairs will go through to a regional, State and/or National Finals.
19. This will be determined based on number of qualifying Pairs.
20. Golf Clubs that do not have enough members to make up a minimum field of 15 Pairs (30 Players) can amalgamate with another golf club to make up the minimum number of playing Pairs. The request must be confirmed in writing from the Tournament Director. Please email – australia@internationalpairsgolf.com
21. Players are encouraged to use digital scorecard technology to record their scores.
22. This can be any digital platform as long as it records the full and complete details as required for each qualifying Pair and must be 4BBB Stableford format.
23. Unless a single stableford is being played with the 4BBB as a side event.
24. All playing Pairs must have a verifiable and registered handicap to be eligible to participate in the VGTIPAU Tournament.
25. And must be a member of the same golf club unless it is an open or invitational event.
26. Players who hold a social GA are ineligible to enter, all players must be a member of a golf club.
27. However the players cannot compete in another club event with a different playing partner unless one partner withdraws, or the hosting club is holding an open or invitational event.
28. The partner that withdraws is not eligible to play in another event of the same season.
29. Players cannot mark their own card and must have an independent marker if there are not even player numbers.
30. The scorecard must be signed by you and your marker (or markers if another person has had to take over) and returned as soon as possible on completion of the round.
31. Local golf club rules apply in conjunction with IPAU tournament rules.
32. Qualifying events take place from 1 January to 31 December each year.
33. Club Qualifying events will be completed by December or earlier with February of the following year for the National Final will be held.
34. Players who qualify from 1 January to 31 December go through to the Regional, State and/or National Final of the following year.
35. The Regional and or State Final will be completed  by 31 December of each year.
36. All costs associated to all club, Regional, State and/or National Finals will be at the expense of the player/s an example (entry fee, green fees, golf cart hire, food, drink, accommodation and or travel if and where required by players. 
37. The World Finals will be played Europe or Africa and announced by March of each year.
38. Live the dream and feel what it is like to play like a Pro.

a) The tournament is open to all golfers of eighteen years or older at the time of the Club Qualifying event who are affiliated members of a Golf Australia affiliated Golf Club and have an official handicap index.
b) All participants must hold a current GA handicap.
c) The Tournament Director may make provision for an Open event for players whose Home Club are not able to host a qualifying event.
d) In qualifying events, one Pair qualifies from a field of the minimum number of 15 Pairs, two Pairs qualify from a field comprising of 30 Pairs etc.
For clarification if a Club has one field for the entire day, then very simply: 15 Pairs = 1 place; 30 Pairs = 2 places; 45 Pairs = 3 places and thereafter 1 place for every additional 15 Pairs will represent the Club/s at the Regional, State and/or National Finals.
e) The competition shall be played as 4BBB Stableford in accordance with the rules of golf as laid down by the R&A of St Andrews and Rule 6.2a. together with any local rules approved by participating club competition committees i.e., club count back procedure. The winning Pairs will be the Pairs as determined by the Club Competition Committee. If the qualifying event is held in conjunction with a club single Stableford competition, ‘Swingers’ will not be permitted.
f) Any disputes in Club Qualifiers shall be settled by the relevant Club Competition Committee, whose decision shall be final.
g) Only club competitions registered with the Tournament Directors by the participating Clubs will be deemed to be an official Club qualifier.
h) Payment of competition entry fees must be received by the Club prior to the commencement of any qualifying event.
i) Players register with their Home Club on the day, prior to the commencement of the qualifying round. The competition entry fee is paid directly to the Club.
j) Each participating Pair must complete a player registration form and submit it before playing in any event, this will be either a paper-based form left with the participating Club, or we highly encourage all players to register via our digital form using a QR code.
k) Club winners will be officially registered for the Regional, State and/or National Finals once the Tournament Director has received full payment of all competition entry fees due and the duly completed Players Registration Forms containing the necessary details of each entrant.
l) If one player of a qualifying Pair is no longer a member of the Club or unable to play in the Regional, State and/or National Finals for reasons of health, bereavement, business or any other reason, the remaining player may nominate a substitute partner who must have played in the same qualifying event. Subject to 3(k), they then become the qualifying Pair.
m) The Tournament Director must be notified in writing of the player substitution. Upon validation of the substituted player having played in the same qualifying event, written approval will be provided by the Tournament Director.
n) In the event of a qualifying Pair who are no longer members of the Club or the qualifying Pair are not able to play in the Regional, State and/or National Final, the Club may substitute such a Pair. The only stipulation is that any substitute Pair must have played in the same Club Qualifying event and their details must be recorded on the Players Registration Forms. There shall be no further changes to the qualifying Pair during the competition and any future unavailability of either player shall result in withdrawal of the Pair as a team.
o) Club winners and other qualifiers as determined by the size of the field will win a qualifying place in the Regional, State and/or National Final. There may be further prizes from the Club and/or associated sponsors in accordance with Rule 4-2g.

a) A Pair can qualify at their Home Club, or in an Open event as per 3(c)
b) The Home Club can hold up to six (6) qualifying events, (more if they wish) providing each Pair multiple opportunities to qualify for a place in the Regional, State and/or National Final.
c) Players can play in as many qualifying events as provided either by their Home Club or where an open event has been organised, under condition 3(c).
d) A player may only qualify once for the Regional, State and/or National Final. e.g. if a player has played in two (2) qualifying events with two different partners, and achieved qualification in both events, the first registered qualification date will be deemed to be the only qualification by that player for the Regional, State and/or National Final.
e) Players can enter at their Home Golf Club or via www.australia.internationalpairs.golf.com
If a players Home Club has not registered to hold a Club Qualifying event, players can encourage them to do so in order to participate and represent their Club.
f) In the event that the players Home Club does not host a qualifying event, a playing Pair may register to play in an Open qualifying event as per point 3(c).
g) Any player having qualified and played in the World Finals may not qualify for the World Finals again for the next TWO (2) WORLD FINALS.
h) The Regional, State and/or National Finals are contested by all qualifying Pairs from the golf clubs and Open qualifying events.
i) Regional, State and/or National Final venues will be determined by the Tournament Director, whose decision is final.
j) The event format for the Regional, State and/or National Finals is an 18-hole Four Ball Better Ball (4BBB) Stableford competition as per Rule 6.2
k) The qualifiers for the Regional and/or State Finals will be those players with the highest 4BBB Stableford score along with the next highest score as per point 3(d).

l) n the event of a tie, a countback will determine the winning pair, as opposed to a playoff and any placings. The countback will use the back 9 holes or 6 or 3 or 2 or 1 hole and, if a tie still arises, the last 6 or 3 or 2 or 1 hole of the front 9 holes and, if a tie still arises, by the drawing of lots. (as recommended by the R&A). i.e. a flip of a coin.

m) In the event of a cessation of play in the playoffs due to unavoidable circumstances such as adverse weather conditions or bad light, then a countback will be used to decide the winners/qualifiers.

n) In the event of two or more teams not being separated by any of the above methods as a last resort, the winners will be decided by the toss of a coin or by drawing lots if more than 2 teams are involved.

o) In the normal course of play, in the event of a cessation of play due to unavoidable circumstances such as adverse weather conditions or bad light and all Pairs have not completed the round, the course will be deemed to be the front 9.

p) In the event of all Pairs not having completed the front 9, the course will be deemed to comprise the number of holes completed by the Pair having completed 6 holes as long as at least the same 6 holes have been played by all the Pairs competing.

q) in the event, there is a tie using this method, as a last resort the winning pair will be decided by the toss of a coin or by drawing lots if more than 2 teams are involved.

r) The Tournament Director and/or Club Committee reserves the right to nominate a shortened course comprising at least six designated holes as may be appropriate considering the prevailing conditions.
s) The Tournament Director and/or Club Committee will determine the use of tees prior to the event.
t) At the Regional, State and/or National Finals, all qualifying Pairs (will compete in their respective Division i.e. Men’s or Ladies Division) whether they qualified through their Club qualifying event or an Open qualifying event.

a) International Pairs is one of the biggest golf tournaments for amateur golfers in the world.
b) The final stages are conducted along the lines of a professional tournament, with no count back and any “ties” being settled by way of a play-off (if possible).
c) Hundreds of thousands of golfers have played in qualifying events around the world.
d) Each qualifying stage is unique, and every club golfer should try and experience what it is like.
e) VGTIPAU is a tournament that facilitates “competitive golf played in a fun way”.
f) The process enables thousands of golfers to represent their Golf Clubs and to compete in the VGTIPAU International Pairs Championship.
g) The qualifying process culminates in one Pair (in each Division) of amateur club golfers representing Australia at the World Finals.
h) If one player of a qualifying Pair is no longer a member of the Club or unable to play in the World Finals for reasons of health, bereavement, business or any other reason, the remaining player may nominate a substitute partner who must have played in the same qualifying event. Subject to 5(i) they will then become the qualifying pair.
i) The Tournament Director must be notified in writing of the player substitution. Upon validation of the substitute player having played in the same qualifying event, written approval will be provided by the Tournament Director.
j) The entry fee for each country is nominated by the Country Licensee.
k) No payment is required at the World Finals. Costs including air travel, accommodation, all meals and green fees covered by the sponsorship. (Caddies or carts where applicable are at the players’ own expense)
l) Any player having qualified and played in the World Finals may not qualify for the World Finals again for the next TWO (2) WORLD FINALS.
m) Right of admission to the Tournament may be reserved.
n) All participants playing in the World Final will be required to acknowledge and sign a Code of Conduct.

a) All players must be in good standing at their Club.
b) All players must have a current official handicap index.
c) Players shall use their handicap index according to the handicapping system in operation, as implemented by Golf Australia.
d) Furthermore, each player will play off their official registered handicap on the day.
i. Except where a players registered handicap exceeds 32 (men) and 36 (women), in which case, the maximum handicap of 32 (men) and 36 (women) will apply.
e) Should any player make an error with a score submission for handicapping or fail to submit a score from any round during any stage of the competition in which that player is involved, then that player and their partner will be required to withdraw from further participation in the event, even if such submission or omission was a mistake. Scores must be submitted within 15 minutes of completion of play or as stipulated by the Home Club.
f) As with the above point 6(e) and as with Professional golfers, should a competitor sign for an incorrect score during any stage of the event, that player and their partner will be required to withdraw from further participation in the event.
6.1 Handicapping World Finals
a) All players must be in good standing at their club and internationally recognised official handicapping organisation.
b) All players must have a current official handicap index.
c) Players shall use their handicap index according to the handicapping system in operation, in their Country.
d) During the World Final, golfers will receive 85% allowance of their handicap index, which complies with the international Handicapping Rules of the Tournament.
e) There is a maximum handicap of 32 for men and 36 for women for the World Finals.
f) This means an allowance at the World Finals of a maximum of 27 for men and 31 for ladies. Anyone can enter on the understanding that there are maximum handicaps off which they will play.
g) All players must have an official club handicap index and the Tournament Director reserves the right to request a handicap index and membership validation from the player’s Golf Club.

a) Australia has an allocation of one Pair from each Division (i.e. one Pair in Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Division)

b) The World final is generally held in the months of October or November of each year. Division winners of the National final will play in the World Final of the following year, this is to allow sufficient time to arrange time off and any extra travel plans they may wish to arrange. 

c) Qualifying players must be available to travel to the World Final venue as per the dates provided. Participation in the event is only available on these dates and cannot be changed. If the qualifying Pair or a player of the qualifying Pair is unable to travel on the nominated date the prize may be forfeited. Refer to 5(h).

d) The Pairs who successfully qualify to represent Australia in the World Final will travel to the World Final venue as advised.

The following costs are covered for the qualifying players and may change at any time.

• Return Economy Flights to/from the qualifying players closes capital city to the nearest international airport to the World Final venue.
• 4-nights’ twin-share accommodation.
• Meals – breakfast, lunch and evening functions.
• Excludes One evening dinner(free night to explore at players expense)
• Entertainment at dinner functions
• All golf – 1 practice round and 2 competition rounds.
• Goodie bag.

e) Any costs associated with transport to/from the departure airport will be the responsibility of the qualifying players and will not be borne by the Event Organisers.
f) Excursions or other activities, caddies or golf carts, spending money, additional meals, taxes, travel insurance, passports, visas, vaccinations, PCR tests, transfers, items of a personal nature, in-room charges and all other ancillary costs are not included. No reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses will be given no matter the reason.
g) Players are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary and valid travel documentation including, passports, any requisite visas and vaccinations and or Doctor certificates.
h) Players are responsible for their own travel insurance and ensuring that they are appropriately covered, travel documents such as passports and visas, border passes if required and proof of COVID vaccination if and as required. 
i) If any player is not able to travel due to inappropriate documents and/or other reasons, the Pair will have to withdraw and may be replaced.
j) It is the responsibility of the players to check with local and international government travel advisory and immigration authorities regarding travel requirements and eligibility.
k) Players will be responsible for any expenses incurred in obtaining necessary travel documentation, including any fines, or penalties incurred as a result of not having the requisite travel documentation.

l) Itinerary to be determined by the Event Organiser in its absolute discretion.
m) Any unused portion of the package is not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.
n) In the event of war, terrorism, state of emergency, pandemic, disaster or any other circumstance beyond the control of the Event Organisers, the Event Organisers reserves the right to either provide an alternative travel destination or subject to any applicable laws or written directions made under applicable legislation, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the event. The Event Organiser and the associated agencies, make no representation as to the safety, conditions or other issues that may exist at any destination. It is the sole responsibility of the Players to first check with all government travel advisory information regarding the safety and situation of the destination of the event.

COVID means COVID-19 and all variants.
All travel requirements related to vaccination, PCR tests, hotel or home quarantine is as directed by Government and health officer directives at both state and federal level and as per each country requirements. Travel documentation to show proof of current vaccination will be required as per Government, Health directive, airline, and accommodation. All liability to ensure travel requirements including insurances are met is the complete and total responsibility of all players. No liability is held by the Sponsor, Event Organiser or any representative of the International Pairs Tournament.
All PCR tests, hotel and or home quarantine is at the expense of the players.
All attendee’s must follow the government directive and must meet the minimum vaccination requirements and meet the conditions as per each States/territory and or country policies.
Any player that does not meet tournament directives and or the government requirements for travel, domestic and or international are not permitted to play in the tournament. Any player that does not meet The Tournament director, golf club directives and or the government requirements for travel, domestic and or international are not permitted to play in the tournament.

We love seeing our players sharing their photos and videos from the tournament! We want to make sure that everyone is comfortable with how their images are used, so here are a few things to keep in mind:

• By participating in the tournament, you agree that the tournament organiser may use your photo or image taken during the tournament for promotional purposes. This includes use on social media, the tournament website, and in promotional emails.
• Your photo or image may be used as an individual or in a group.
• You will not be compensated for the use of your photo’s, images and or Video’s.
• You have the right to request that the tournament organiser remove your photo or image from any promotional materials. To do so, please contact the tournament organiser at info@aus.internationalpairsgolf.com 
• If you are the only person in the photo’s, images, and or Video’s, you are free to use and share it however you like.
• If the photo’s, images, and or Video’s contains other people, you must get their permission before using or sharing it.
• If you use a photo’s, images, and or Video’s without someone’s permission, you could be liable for legal action.
• Never use the photo’s, images, and or Video’s of others in a malicious or harmful way.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect the privacy of our players.

Disclaimer

Voyager Golf Travel PTY LTD licensee for International Pairs Golf Australia takes the privacy of its players seriously. We will never intentionally use or share photos, images and or video’s of our players in a way that is malicious or harmful. However, we cannot control the actions of other people or entities. If a photo’s, images, and or Video’s of a player is used incorrectly by another person or entity, Voyager Golf Travel PTY LTD licensee for International Pairs Golf Australia is not liable.

We also cannot guarantee that we will always be able to remove a player’s photos, images and or video’s from our website or social media channels. If we inadvertently miss removing a player’s photo or image, we apologise. We will take steps to remove the photos, images and or video’s as soon as we are made aware of the oversight.

If you have any concerns about the use of your photo or image, please contact us at info@aus.internationalpairsgolf.com