This event is a counting event for the WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) System.

EXCITING NEWS!!!
Beginning this year, the winner of the MGA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP will be EXEMPT for the US AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

Thus, the person who claims the 2024 MGA Amateur will earn a FULL exemption into the 2024 US Amateur, set for Hazeltine National Golf Club and the Chaska Town Course, August 12-18.  This is true even if the person fails to qualify in the US Amateur qualifying at either the local or final level.  (NOTE: This exemption cannot be deferred to another year nor is it transferable to another person should the champion already be exempt or have qualified.) 

In addition, the 2024 Champion and the others in the Top 5 from 2024 also earn a LOCAL exemption in the 2025 qualifying process.

FORMAT
Sectional Qualifying:
A contestant may enter only once and attempt to qualify only one day, at one site, for this championship.  

Players entered in the Championship, except exempt players, will play 18 holes of stroke play in a Qualifying round to earn a spot into the Minnesota Amateur Championship.  Any ties for the final qualifying or alternate spots will be played off immediately, hole by hole, until the final qualifiers and alternates are determined.

The MGA reserves the right to cancel a Sectional Qualifying in the event no competition exists at the close of entries. In the unlikely event this occurs, any player entered will have the option of moving to any remaining Sectional Qualifying site with spots available or to withdraw and receive a full refund.

Championship:
The 156 players in the Championship field will play 18 holes of stroke play each of the first two days. A cut will be made to the 60 lowest scoring players, plus ties, who will then play an additional 18 holes on the final day.

The Champion will be the player having the lowest total score after 54 holes. In the event there is a tie for the Championship, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following play.

Schedule:
Monday, July 15 - Round 1: Starting times begin from #1/10 tees at 7:30 am and 12:30 pm
Tuesday, July 16 - Round 2: Starting times begin from #1/10 tees at 7:30 am and 12:30 pm
Wednesday, July 17 - Final Round: Starting times begin from #1/10 tees at 8:00 am 

Practice Rounds - Sectional Qualifying:
Practice rounds will be available.  Contact the host facility and identify yourself as an MGA Amateur Qualifying contestant when scheduling a time.  The fee may be based on the day and time you play.

Practice Rounds - Championship:
Practice rounds will be available for players only at Minnesota Valley Country Club according to the schedule below.  Contact the Minnesota Valley Golf Shop (952/884-1744) and identify yourself as an MGA Amateur contestant.  The fee is $70+tax (walking) and a cart is $28+tax per person.  Players will be paired with other contestants.  Availability: 

• July 11 - 3:00-5:00 pm (52 spots)
• July 12 - 3:00-4:30 pm (36 spots)
• July 13 - 3:00-5:00 pm (52 spots)
• July 14 - 3:30-4:00 pm (16 spots)

Driving Range:
Range balls will be provided prior to play eachday.  The range will open at least 60 minutes prior to play.  

Push Carts:
Push carts are permitted for the Championship.   

Food & Beverages:
An awards luncheon will be available on Wednesday to all players making the cut.  There also will be fresh fruit and bottled beverages at #1/10 tees for players and caddies throughout the Championship.  All other food and beverages are at the expense of the player.  Water will be placed on the course at strategic locations for players and caddies.  

Accommodations:
The Hilton Garden Inn - Bloomington West is the host hotel for the Championship.  A flyer with specific details is posted under the "Resources" header on the Championship webpage.  The HGI is conveniently located about 5 miles north of Minnesota Valley CC off American Boulevard at the intersection of Normandale Road/Highway 100 and I-494.