Performance Points Lists

In the early 1990s, Washington Golf introduced a points system, now called the “Washington Golf Performance Points List,” to identify its top players in various categories like Men, Women, Mid-Amateur Men and Women, and Senior Men and Women. This list helps select teams for events like the Hudson Cup Matches, PNGA Cup, Pacific Coast Amateur, Mexican Amateur, and for the WA Golf Player of the Year Awards.

Washington Golf’s Board of Directors and Championship Committee encourage participation in local to international team competitions. To give all members a fair chance at selection, the WA Golf Championship Committee follows specific standards in their selection process.

Selection criteria: The WA Golf Championship Committee has the final say in team selections for any competition level. They use the Performance Points Lists (Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s, and Senior Women’s) as a primary guide. However, since the list mainly reflects playing ability and not other golf aspects like experience or sportsmanship, the Committee also considers these additional credentials during selection.

The WA Golf Performance Points Lists and their governing criteria can be changed anytime by the WA Golf Championship Committee. To include an event in the points lists, a formal request must be sent to this Committee by the event’s coordinator. An event must meet the following criteria for consideration:

• It must follow the Rules of Golf. ‘Preferred Lies’ or ‘Winter Rules’ are only used in extreme cases like poor maintenance or bad weather.
• The event should have a history.
• The focus should be on finding a ‘gross’ champion.
• The event should have a tradition of attracting strong competitors and producing quality champions, as judged by the Committee. Past results should be included in the inclusion request.

Events meeting these standards and approved by the Committee will receive points similar to events of the same level. Any changes to point allocation must also be requested in writing, with reasons provided.

Note: These criteria are guidelines and can be modified by the WA Golf Championship Committee at any time.

The Washington Golf Player of the Year Award is given each year to players who excel in performance and character. Categories include Men’s, Women’s, Mid-Amateur Men’s, Mid-Amateur Women’s, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Junior Boys’, and Junior Girls’.

To be considered, a player’s Home Club must be a member club of WA Golf and the player must live in Washington or Northern Idaho when they earn Performance Points. Students studying out of state but living part-time in the WA Golf region are also eligible. Selection is based mainly on the Performance Points List, but the Committee also looks at other factors like support for the Association, sportsmanship, and contributions to golf.

Age categories are as follows: no age limit for Men and Women, Mid-Amateurs (25 and older), Seniors (50 and older), and Juniors (18 and younger).

WA Golf Players of the Year automatically qualify for PNGA Player of the Year nomination. Candidates are nominated by various golf associations within the PNGA (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon) and selected by the PNGA Championship Committee.

The PNGA Lamey Cup takes place in early May annually. Teams from four regions – British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington – each consist of 12 players. These include 4 mid-amateur men, 2 master-40 men, 2 senior men, 2 mid-amateur women, and 2 senior women.

To qualify for the WA Golf Lamey Cup Team, a player’s Home Club must be a member club of WA Golf and the player must live in Washington or Northern Idaho when they earn Performance Points.

The WA Golf Championship Committee primarily uses the Performance Points List to choose team members but also considers factors like support for the Association, sportsmanship, and game contributions. Age groups are as follows: Mid-Amateurs (25+), Master-40 Men (40+), Senior Men (55+), and Senior Women (50+). Players can compete in any category if they meet its minimum age requirement. For example, a 45-year-old man could compete as a mid-amateur, not just as a master-40.

Each association competes in 24 matches, including both men’s and women’s teams, in formats like foursomes, four-balls, and singles. A win earns one point, and a tie (all square) earns half a point. The team with the most points at the end of the PNGA Cup is the champion.

To be considered for selection, a player’s Home Club must be a member club of WA Golf and the player must reside in Washington or Northern Idaho while earning Performance Points. Collegiate golfers studying out of state are still eligible to earn points provided they spend part of the year living in the WA Golf region, however players on an active college roster during the Hudson Cup will not be considered for selection. The WA Golf Championship Committee primarily evaluates players’ skills and achievements using the Performance Points List but will also take into account additional factors such as support for the association, sportsmanship, and overall contributions to golf.

Points for the Hudson Cup standings will be awarded for all events listed in the Men’s Points Allocation. Additionally, points will also be given for specific events in the Men’s Mid-Amateur Points Allocation, including the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier, PNGA Mid-Amateur Championship, and Washington Mid-Amateur.

Each fall, the WA Golf Championship Committee gathers in early October to select the Player of the Year recipients. Therefore, tournaments starting after September 30 will count towards the next year’s standings. For example, tournaments starting between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, will earn points for the 2025 season.