Playing Ability Test Policy

The PGA of Ontario Playing Ability Test (PAT) policy and penalties are in effect for all PGA of Ontario playing ability tests and will be shared with all registrants prior to each event. Applicants participating in Playing Ability Tests conducted by the PGA of Ontario must understand and adhere to the following:

Pace of Play and Finish Time
The PGA of Ontario Tournament Committee will establish a Pace of Play for each PAT. Each group is required to complete play within the allocated time. Each group is required to be seated at the scoring table by the designated “finish time” which will be on every player’s score card. All applicants must go to the scoring table immediately post-play. Please see the diagram below which demonstrates pace of play and finish time on a player’s scorecard.

2025 PAT Policy - SC V3 (2000 x 800 px)

Pace of Play Penalties
Players in groups exceeding their designated “finish time” will automatically be deemed ineligible to attempt the next PGA of Ontario PAT. Attempting a Playing Ability Test includes evaluation of a player's ability to complete a round within a professional timeframe as outlined by the PGA of Ontario. This policy encourages applicants to monitor their pace of play throughout their round and emphasizes that it is integral toward obtaining professional status.

Details of Pace of Play Penalties
Every player will have a bolded “finish time” on their score card. The entire group must be sitting at the scoring table no later than this time. If a group exceeds their designated “finish time” by 1 minute or more, each player in the group will automatically be deemed ineligible to attempt the next PGA of Ontario PAT.

  • Example – If a group’s “finish time” is 4:50PM, and they arrive at the scoring table at 4:51PM, every player in the group will automatically be deemed ineligible to attempt the next PGA of     Ontario PAT.

All players within a group which exceeded the designated “finish time” at a PAT will be informed via email from events@pgaofontario.com following the event.

Time Monitoring
PGA of Ontario staff will record “finish times” of each group based on when the full group is seated at the scoring table. During play, each group is responsible for monitoring their own time based on the pace of play provided on each player’s scorecard. The Referee will advise of timing concerns and issue warnings as required to encourage groups to stay within the time allocated for play. Once an infraction has occurred (i.e. – a group arrives late to the scoring table) a 15-minute grace period will be applied to each group’s Finish Time based on the actual Finish Time of the group directly ahead of them.

Tagmarshal
Tagmarshal, a pace of play monitoring system, will be used at all PAT’s. Each group will be provided with a Tagmarshal GPS tracking device at the start of the round. The Tagmarshal devices will be tracked by the PGA of Ontario staff and the Referee during the round to monitor group positions on-course, identify any groups that are out of position, and manage pace of play.

Appealing a Pace of Play Penalty
Players may appeal this group penalty. Appeals must be submitted via the PAT Pace of Play Penalty Appeal Form (included in notice of offense email) to events@pgaofontario.com within 24 hours of a player receiving written notice of the infraction. Only appeals submitted following this format will be considered for review.

PGA of Ontario Tournament Committee members will review all appeals utilizing all necessary resources to provide a fair and equitable decision in a timely manner. Any decision rendered by the Tournament Committee shall be final.

If the player in question does not appeal within 24 hours upon notification of the offense, all penalties will stand.

Score Eligibility and Penalties
If a player's final score in a Playing Ability Test exceeds the target score by more than 12 strokes, they will be notified that they are ineligible to attempt the next PGA of Ontario PAT.

This policy is designed to maintain the integrity of our Playing Ability Tests and our professional association, and ensure participants are adequately prepared for this test. Players are encouraged to practice and improve their skills before attempting their next PAT to increase their chances of success.

Details of Score Eligibility and Penalties

  • Example 1 – If the target score at a PAT is 79, and a player's final score is 88, they have not passed the PAT, but they may attempt the next PAT because their score was within 12 strokes of the target score
  • Example 2 – If the target score at a PAT is 79, and a player's final score is 92 (13 strokes over) or more, they have not passed the PAT, AND they may not attempt the next PAT because their score was not within 12 strokes of the target score.

Cancellations, Withdrawals, and Refunds
Refunds are not provided once the PAT tee sheet has been released to the players and posted on the PGA of Ontario website.*
*A refund may be provided in the following circumstances:

  • If an applicant withdraws from a PAT after the tee sheet has been released, a full refund will be provided if the PGA of Ontario team finds another applicant to take the cancelling applicant’s spot. The cancelling applicant's refund will be processed once the replacement applicant has registered and paid their entry fee in full. If the cancelling applicant’s spot is NOT filled 24 hours prior to the event’s start time, a refund will not be issued.
  • A full refund will be provided if an applicant withdraws from the event due to medical reasons no later than 72 hours before the start of the event. The refund will be issued once the PGA of Ontario office receives supporting medical documentation.
  • A full or partial refund may be provided in extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the PGA of Ontario Tournament Committee.

Please note the following regarding withdrawing during a PAT:

  1. Withdrawals during a round for reasons other than medical are considered unprofessional and will be reviewed by the tournament committee to determine a player’s eligibility to register for future PAT’s.
  2. Players who withdraw during a round without notifying a PGA of Ontario staff member and submitting their scorecard will automatically be deemed ineligible to register for the next PAT.
  3. For medical withdrawals, a medical note must be submitted to events@pgaofontario.com within 72 hours from the event date.
  4. Under no other circumstances will a player be refunded once they have commenced play.

General
Please understand that PGA of Ontario Staff, Tournament Committee members, and event Referees shall not be subject to abuse – verbal or otherwise. Their duty is to enforce the above guidelines, with intent to elevate the overall experience and maintain the integrity of our Playing Ability Tests and professional association. Please be respectful.

Updated May 7, 2025

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