Rules
01.ELIGIBILITY
Professionals
The “16th BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am” is open to all PGA Members and trainees as recognised by their respective National PGA. A limited number of exemptions may be considered provided that the Professional is a member in good standing of an organisation that is considered a Professional Member of the International Golf Federation. Any doubts as to eligibility will be decided by the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) Board of Directors whose decision will be final.
Amateurs
Amateur participants must be in possession of a valid handicap certificate.
02. TOURNAMENT ITINERARY
Monday 01 July
Registration Day at BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas
Opening Ceremony at BlackSeaRama Amphitheatre
Welcome Buffet Dinner
Tuesday 02 July
16 Teams Scramble at Thracian Cliffs
17 Teams Official Practice Round at BlackSeaRama
Wednesday 03 July
17 Teams Scramble at Thracian Cliffs
16 Teams Official Practice Round at BlackSeaRama
Thursday 04 July
Tournament Round 01, 17 Teams on BlackSeaRama
Tournament Round 01, 16 Teams on Lighthouse
Friday 05 July
Tournament Round 02, 16 Teams on BlackSeaRama
Tournament Round 02, 17 Teams on Lighthouse
Closing ceremony and Gala Dinner at BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas
03. REGISTRATIONS AND COMPETITOR BRIEFING
CPG Registration:
Online team registration via Golf Genius for Professionals MUST be completed before 10:00hrs (local time)
on Monday 01 July at the latest. It is the Professional’s responsibility to confirm their Amateur Teammates’ current handicap upon registration and MUST provide an updated handicap certificate, dated within two weeks of the start of the
event, either uploaded via the form at https://cp.golf/47TBx6E or provided to the CPG via email or WhatsApp as a print-out or as a document/image. Failure to do so will result in the amateur playing off a handicap of 0.0.
All teams must register in person with BlackSeaRama staff as soon as they can when arriving at the main reception area at the BlackSeaRama Clubhouse. BlackSeaRama staff will request any outstanding handicap certificates to be provided at the time of registration.
Data Use:
Participants agree that their personal data may be given to third parties for reasons related to timing, results' ranking and announcement on the internet. Personal data of the participants required during the registration procedure are stored and will be used for purposes only related to the staging of the event [unless otherwise opted-in to]. By submitting an entry form, each participant consents to the storing of his/her personal data and its use for the purposes of the event.
#BlackSeaRama
Participants consent to the use of their image during the event by the organisers, sponsors, or other partners of the event for promotional purposes, with no right to claim full or partial compensation for that reason.
Competitor Briefing:
There will be a compulsory Professional briefing at the BlackSeaRama Clubhouse before the Opening Ceremony on the evening of registration day. Attendance is COMPULSORY from all PGA Professionals only and will cover various procedures for the event.
04. CONDITIONS OF PLAY
The event shall be played under The R&A Rules of Golf, the Tournament Regulations of the CPG, the 2024 CPG Conditions of Competition and the local rules for the BlackSeaRama, Lighthouse and Thracian Cliffs courses as determined by the CPG Chief Referee.
Team Scramble [02/03 July]:
The round on Thracian Cliffs will be played as a [Texas] Scramble for all Teams. Only team scores will count for this round. All four players will tee off, the best drive is selected, all 4 players play
from this position, choose the next best shot and all 4 players play from this position and so on (one team score per hole). A Minimum of 3 tee shots per person must be selected. Full format
details will be shared during the Professional Briefing.
Professional Competition [04/05 July]:
The Professionals will compete in a 36-hole individual strokeplay competition, played on BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse golf courses.
Team Competition [04/05 July]:
Teams (consisting of 1 Professional and 3 Amateurs) will compete over 36 holes stableford with the best two scores from the team of four to count on each hole.
The amateur handicap index limit is 28.0 for men and 36.0 ladies. This handicap index will be sloped first, then reduced to a 75% allowance. The resulting playing handicap will also be limited to 28.0 for men and 36.0 for ladies. The World Handicapping System [WHS] will apply to the tournament and each amateur will
play from the applicable playing handicap.
Amateurs are required to provide their exact handicap at the time of entry and MUST provide a handicap certificate as per the above instructions. NOTE: All prize winners will be required to provide current proof of handicap before their team is presented with their prizes.
NOTE: It is the Professional’s responsibility to ensure that the CPG is made aware of their amateurs’ correct exact handicap.
Prizes:
Amateurs - [TO BE CONFIRMED]
In the event of a tie in the Pro-Am category, prizes will be determined by a card countback based on the scores achieved over the last 18 holes, then 9, 6, 3, and last hole.
Professionals
The Professional Prize Fund is €33,000 based on 33 teams competing in the Pro-Am, which will increase or decrease pro-rata by €1,000 for any teams more than or less than 10 [The Prize Fund is also subject to a CPG 5% Levy].
In the event of Ties in the Pros division there will be a sudden death play-off taking place on BlackSeaRama golf course straight after play has finished on Friday 05 July.
#BlackSeaRama
Any disputes regarding the interpretation of these Conditions of Competition will be settled by the CPG Tournament Manager in consultation with BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas and will be binding.
05. DRAWS
The starting times for the Scramble will be published on Monday 01 July in the afternoon. Starting times will be sent via email and published on the noticeboard in BlackSeaRama clubhouse. The starting times for the two tournament rounds will be published on Wednesday 03 July in the afternoon.
NOTE: No changes to the draws will be permitted once they are posted and the decision of the Tournament Manager will be final.
06. STARTING & TEES
All competitors are required to be at their starting tee 10 minutes prior to their start time. This is to allow the starter to provide pin positions, local rules and additional information to each player. This also ensures that all team members are present and able to start on time.
NOTE: Female Professionals will play from a course that is not shorter than 10-14% shorter than the total course yardage of the course played by the male Professionals. The Chief Referee will vary the tees as necessary to ensure the fairness of the holes and the event.
Tee sites (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
All relevant players MUST confirm whether they will play from any special allocated tee site BEFORE the tournament begins. For example, a Male Amateur over 60 years of age MUST play from the ‘Male Amateurs (60+)’ sites on all 3 courses if they choose this. In this example can they CANNOT switch between ‘Male
Amateur’ and ‘Male Amateurs (60+)’ at different courses.
All players will be required to confirm their selections before they begin their first round of play.
Lighthouse Male Professionals Black
Male Professionals (65+) Yellow
Female Professionals Yellow
Male Amateurs Yellow
Female Amateurs Red
Male Amateurs (60+) Red
Juniors - Age 17 and under + handicap 28 or higher Red
Thracian Cliffs Male Professionals Black
Male Professionals (65+) Silver
Female Professionals Silver
Male Amateurs Silver
Female Amateurs Green
Male Amateurs (60+) Green
Juniors - Age 17 and under + handicap 28 or higher Green
BlackSeaRama Male Professionals Black
Male Professionals (65+) Silver
Female Professionals Silver
Male Amateurs Silver
Female Amateurs Green
Male Amateurs (60+) Green
Juniors - Age 17 and under + handicap 28 or higher Green
#BlackSeaRama
Full details of the tee block allocations will be available on noticeboards, confirmed during the Professional Briefing, and confirmed on the first tee. It is the individual’s sole responsibility to confirm this.
Missing Team Members:
Important: Missing team members including the PGA Professional may be subject to penalty if the team in question fails to meet the points highlighted in 20.1 of the CPG tournament Regulations.
NOTE: When both Professional and the team are subject to a two-stroke penalty for lateness on the tee, the team total for the first hole will be increased by two shots prior to any penalty being added to the Professional's individual score for that hole.
07. BUGGIES
For the round at Thracian Cliffs buggies will be provided to ALL competitors and ALL competitors (Amateurs and Professionals) can ride in them for this round ONLY.
For tournament rounds at Lighthouse and at BlackSeaRama, Buggies are available to ALL AMATEURS ONLY, however these are AT THE PLAYER’S OWN COST and are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Professionals are NOT permitted to ride in a buggy during tournament rounds at BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse.
Model Local Rule G-6 modified as:
At BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse, Professional players MUST walk and are not allowed to ride in a buggy.
However Professional players ARE allowed to put their golf equipment (Golf bag, etc) on the back of a buggy.
08. RECORDING OF SCORES
The Professional and one amateur will record scores using the Golf Genius app. Please ensure you have downloaded the Golf Genius App on your smartphone in advance of the tournament. One amateur team member will be responsible for marking the team scores and signing for the Pro’s score, using a paper
scorecard.
All scores must be finalised with a CPG Official immediately following play. Note: There will be a Scoring Area on each of the 3 courses. Players MUST visit the Scoring Area relevant to the course they played straight after play. Failure to do so can result in a disqualification.
09. RULINGS & DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE
There will be a CPG Rules Official on each course at all times to deal with any disputes. If, however, there is no Rules Official present, the player may invoke Rule 20.1c(3) (two ball rule). The player must nominate the ball with which he wants to score, should the rules permit, and report the facts to a CPG Official
immediately after the conclusion of play. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
10. DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
All competitors will be permitted to use distance-measuring devices provided they measure distance only.
If a player has any doubt as to whether a device is conforming, they should seek the advice of a CPG official.
11. SLOW PLAY
For everyone's enjoyment we ask for each team to “keep up with the team in front, and not in front of the team behind”. If a player is not going to score on a hole, he/she is requested to please "pick up". A Pace of Play will be enforced on the courses.
It will be the Professional's responsibility to ensure that the team's pace of play adheres to the guidelines of the Tournament Manager. A pace of play policy will be published for each course and MUST be followed be all participants.
#BlackSeaRama
12. BAD WEATHER / PLAY FORESHORTENED OR CANCELLED
In the event of bad weather and an overall result not being possible, the overall result will be decided over completed rounds.
All players should make themselves aware of the Suspension of Play Policy, which can be found on the CPG Hard Card – Section A11. In all instances when there is a threat of lightning the player should put their own safety first and seek shelter as soon as possible. In the event of unforeseen circumstances any decision shall be made by the CPG and, in consultation with BlackSeaRama, will be binding.
13. DRESS REGULATIONS
Normal Golf clothing is to be worn at BlackSeaRama, Lighthouse and Thracian Cliffs during the tournament or the equivalent after golf. Professionals are permitted to wear shorts throughout the practice and tournament rounds. Dress code will be indicated for each advertised function.
14. CURRENCY
The local currency is Bulgarian Lev [BGN].
15. OFFICIALS AND CONTACTS
CPG Tournament Director: Simon Edwards simonedwards85@hotmail.com +44 7803 905213 [WhatsApp preferred]
BlackSeaRama Event Manager: Delyana Davidova
delyana@blacksearama.com +359 888 809 536
CPG Tournaments: Aston Ward
aw@cpg.golf +44 (0) 20 71 83 59 83 / +447917 665502
[WhatsApp preferred]
Professionals
The “16th BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am” is open to all PGA Members and trainees as recognised by their respective National PGA. A limited number of exemptions may be considered provided that the Professional is a member in good standing of an organisation that is considered a Professional Member of the International Golf Federation. Any doubts as to eligibility will be decided by the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) Board of Directors whose decision will be final.
Amateurs
Amateur participants must be in possession of a valid handicap certificate.
02. TOURNAMENT ITINERARY
Monday 01 July
Registration Day at BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas
Opening Ceremony at BlackSeaRama Amphitheatre
Welcome Buffet Dinner
Tuesday 02 July
16 Teams Scramble at Thracian Cliffs
17 Teams Official Practice Round at BlackSeaRama
Wednesday 03 July
17 Teams Scramble at Thracian Cliffs
16 Teams Official Practice Round at BlackSeaRama
Thursday 04 July
Tournament Round 01, 17 Teams on BlackSeaRama
Tournament Round 01, 16 Teams on Lighthouse
Friday 05 July
Tournament Round 02, 16 Teams on BlackSeaRama
Tournament Round 02, 17 Teams on Lighthouse
Closing ceremony and Gala Dinner at BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas
03. REGISTRATIONS AND COMPETITOR BRIEFING
CPG Registration:
Online team registration via Golf Genius for Professionals MUST be completed before 10:00hrs (local time)
on Monday 01 July at the latest. It is the Professional’s responsibility to confirm their Amateur Teammates’ current handicap upon registration and MUST provide an updated handicap certificate, dated within two weeks of the start of the
event, either uploaded via the form at https://cp.golf/47TBx6E or provided to the CPG via email or WhatsApp as a print-out or as a document/image. Failure to do so will result in the amateur playing off a handicap of 0.0.
All teams must register in person with BlackSeaRama staff as soon as they can when arriving at the main reception area at the BlackSeaRama Clubhouse. BlackSeaRama staff will request any outstanding handicap certificates to be provided at the time of registration.
Data Use:
Participants agree that their personal data may be given to third parties for reasons related to timing, results' ranking and announcement on the internet. Personal data of the participants required during the registration procedure are stored and will be used for purposes only related to the staging of the event [unless otherwise opted-in to]. By submitting an entry form, each participant consents to the storing of his/her personal data and its use for the purposes of the event.
#BlackSeaRama
Participants consent to the use of their image during the event by the organisers, sponsors, or other partners of the event for promotional purposes, with no right to claim full or partial compensation for that reason.
Competitor Briefing:
There will be a compulsory Professional briefing at the BlackSeaRama Clubhouse before the Opening Ceremony on the evening of registration day. Attendance is COMPULSORY from all PGA Professionals only and will cover various procedures for the event.
04. CONDITIONS OF PLAY
The event shall be played under The R&A Rules of Golf, the Tournament Regulations of the CPG, the 2024 CPG Conditions of Competition and the local rules for the BlackSeaRama, Lighthouse and Thracian Cliffs courses as determined by the CPG Chief Referee.
Team Scramble [02/03 July]:
The round on Thracian Cliffs will be played as a [Texas] Scramble for all Teams. Only team scores will count for this round. All four players will tee off, the best drive is selected, all 4 players play
from this position, choose the next best shot and all 4 players play from this position and so on (one team score per hole). A Minimum of 3 tee shots per person must be selected. Full format
details will be shared during the Professional Briefing.
Professional Competition [04/05 July]:
The Professionals will compete in a 36-hole individual strokeplay competition, played on BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse golf courses.
Team Competition [04/05 July]:
Teams (consisting of 1 Professional and 3 Amateurs) will compete over 36 holes stableford with the best two scores from the team of four to count on each hole.
The amateur handicap index limit is 28.0 for men and 36.0 ladies. This handicap index will be sloped first, then reduced to a 75% allowance. The resulting playing handicap will also be limited to 28.0 for men and 36.0 for ladies. The World Handicapping System [WHS] will apply to the tournament and each amateur will
play from the applicable playing handicap.
Amateurs are required to provide their exact handicap at the time of entry and MUST provide a handicap certificate as per the above instructions. NOTE: All prize winners will be required to provide current proof of handicap before their team is presented with their prizes.
NOTE: It is the Professional’s responsibility to ensure that the CPG is made aware of their amateurs’ correct exact handicap.
Prizes:
Amateurs - [TO BE CONFIRMED]
In the event of a tie in the Pro-Am category, prizes will be determined by a card countback based on the scores achieved over the last 18 holes, then 9, 6, 3, and last hole.
Professionals
The Professional Prize Fund is €33,000 based on 33 teams competing in the Pro-Am, which will increase or decrease pro-rata by €1,000 for any teams more than or less than 10 [The Prize Fund is also subject to a CPG 5% Levy].
In the event of Ties in the Pros division there will be a sudden death play-off taking place on BlackSeaRama golf course straight after play has finished on Friday 05 July.
#BlackSeaRama
Any disputes regarding the interpretation of these Conditions of Competition will be settled by the CPG Tournament Manager in consultation with BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas and will be binding.
05. DRAWS
The starting times for the Scramble will be published on Monday 01 July in the afternoon. Starting times will be sent via email and published on the noticeboard in BlackSeaRama clubhouse. The starting times for the two tournament rounds will be published on Wednesday 03 July in the afternoon.
NOTE: No changes to the draws will be permitted once they are posted and the decision of the Tournament Manager will be final.
06. STARTING & TEES
All competitors are required to be at their starting tee 10 minutes prior to their start time. This is to allow the starter to provide pin positions, local rules and additional information to each player. This also ensures that all team members are present and able to start on time.
NOTE: Female Professionals will play from a course that is not shorter than 10-14% shorter than the total course yardage of the course played by the male Professionals. The Chief Referee will vary the tees as necessary to ensure the fairness of the holes and the event.
Tee sites (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
All relevant players MUST confirm whether they will play from any special allocated tee site BEFORE the tournament begins. For example, a Male Amateur over 60 years of age MUST play from the ‘Male Amateurs (60+)’ sites on all 3 courses if they choose this. In this example can they CANNOT switch between ‘Male
Amateur’ and ‘Male Amateurs (60+)’ at different courses.
All players will be required to confirm their selections before they begin their first round of play.
Lighthouse Male Professionals Black
Male Professionals (65+) Yellow
Female Professionals Yellow
Male Amateurs Yellow
Female Amateurs Red
Male Amateurs (60+) Red
Juniors - Age 17 and under + handicap 28 or higher Red
Thracian Cliffs Male Professionals Black
Male Professionals (65+) Silver
Female Professionals Silver
Male Amateurs Silver
Female Amateurs Green
Male Amateurs (60+) Green
Juniors - Age 17 and under + handicap 28 or higher Green
BlackSeaRama Male Professionals Black
Male Professionals (65+) Silver
Female Professionals Silver
Male Amateurs Silver
Female Amateurs Green
Male Amateurs (60+) Green
Juniors - Age 17 and under + handicap 28 or higher Green
#BlackSeaRama
Full details of the tee block allocations will be available on noticeboards, confirmed during the Professional Briefing, and confirmed on the first tee. It is the individual’s sole responsibility to confirm this.
Missing Team Members:
Important: Missing team members including the PGA Professional may be subject to penalty if the team in question fails to meet the points highlighted in 20.1 of the CPG tournament Regulations.
NOTE: When both Professional and the team are subject to a two-stroke penalty for lateness on the tee, the team total for the first hole will be increased by two shots prior to any penalty being added to the Professional's individual score for that hole.
07. BUGGIES
For the round at Thracian Cliffs buggies will be provided to ALL competitors and ALL competitors (Amateurs and Professionals) can ride in them for this round ONLY.
For tournament rounds at Lighthouse and at BlackSeaRama, Buggies are available to ALL AMATEURS ONLY, however these are AT THE PLAYER’S OWN COST and are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Professionals are NOT permitted to ride in a buggy during tournament rounds at BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse.
Model Local Rule G-6 modified as:
At BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse, Professional players MUST walk and are not allowed to ride in a buggy.
However Professional players ARE allowed to put their golf equipment (Golf bag, etc) on the back of a buggy.
08. RECORDING OF SCORES
The Professional and one amateur will record scores using the Golf Genius app. Please ensure you have downloaded the Golf Genius App on your smartphone in advance of the tournament. One amateur team member will be responsible for marking the team scores and signing for the Pro’s score, using a paper
scorecard.
All scores must be finalised with a CPG Official immediately following play. Note: There will be a Scoring Area on each of the 3 courses. Players MUST visit the Scoring Area relevant to the course they played straight after play. Failure to do so can result in a disqualification.
09. RULINGS & DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE
There will be a CPG Rules Official on each course at all times to deal with any disputes. If, however, there is no Rules Official present, the player may invoke Rule 20.1c(3) (two ball rule). The player must nominate the ball with which he wants to score, should the rules permit, and report the facts to a CPG Official
immediately after the conclusion of play. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
10. DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES
All competitors will be permitted to use distance-measuring devices provided they measure distance only.
If a player has any doubt as to whether a device is conforming, they should seek the advice of a CPG official.
11. SLOW PLAY
For everyone's enjoyment we ask for each team to “keep up with the team in front, and not in front of the team behind”. If a player is not going to score on a hole, he/she is requested to please "pick up". A Pace of Play will be enforced on the courses.
It will be the Professional's responsibility to ensure that the team's pace of play adheres to the guidelines of the Tournament Manager. A pace of play policy will be published for each course and MUST be followed be all participants.
#BlackSeaRama
12. BAD WEATHER / PLAY FORESHORTENED OR CANCELLED
In the event of bad weather and an overall result not being possible, the overall result will be decided over completed rounds.
All players should make themselves aware of the Suspension of Play Policy, which can be found on the CPG Hard Card – Section A11. In all instances when there is a threat of lightning the player should put their own safety first and seek shelter as soon as possible. In the event of unforeseen circumstances any decision shall be made by the CPG and, in consultation with BlackSeaRama, will be binding.
13. DRESS REGULATIONS
Normal Golf clothing is to be worn at BlackSeaRama, Lighthouse and Thracian Cliffs during the tournament or the equivalent after golf. Professionals are permitted to wear shorts throughout the practice and tournament rounds. Dress code will be indicated for each advertised function.
14. CURRENCY
The local currency is Bulgarian Lev [BGN].
15. OFFICIALS AND CONTACTS
CPG Tournament Director: Simon Edwards simonedwards85@hotmail.com +44 7803 905213 [WhatsApp preferred]
BlackSeaRama Event Manager: Delyana Davidova
delyana@blacksearama.com +359 888 809 536
CPG Tournaments: Aston Ward
aw@cpg.golf +44 (0) 20 71 83 59 83 / +447917 665502
[WhatsApp preferred]
