(Ratified at an ABGA Board of Directors Meeting on 17 July, 2006)

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Australian Blind Golf Association (ABGA) has devised this policy to ensure that all blind golfers are participating on a fair and equitable basis and receive the appropriate recognition and opportunities for their efforts and endeavours towards selection to compete in international competitions.

1.2 Until the introduction of this Policy, there have been many different issues raised in respect to the determining and/or the eligibility of blind golfers to compete in international competitions.

2. COMMENCEMENT

2.1 The ABGA Criteria for Selection Policy will come into operation for all ABGA Sanctioned blind golfers and tournaments effective from 1 January, 2006.

2.2 The ABGA Criteria for Selection Policy and the ABGA Order of Merit Policy are to be used for all ABGA selections to compete in international competitions.

2.3 The ABGA Criteria for Selection Policy will operate in conjunction with the ABGA Order of Merit Policy over a two year period commencing on 1 January the first year and concluding on 31 December the following year. For example, 1 January, 2006 through until 31 December, 2007.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABGA MEMBER ORGANISATIONS

3.1 Each ABGA Member organisation shall provide the ABGA Secretary with up to date and relevant information as required or at the appropriate time.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABGA SECRETARY

4.1 The ABGA Secretary shall check all relevant information for compliance with this Policy and the ABGA Order of Merit Policy.

5. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

5.1 Blind golfers shall be awarded points following each ABGA Sanctioned tournament inline with the ABGA Order of Merit Policy.

5.2 A blind golfer is eligible for selection or may be offered the opportunity for selection to compete in an international competition provided that blind golfer is ranked on the current ABGA Order of Merit and positions available are selected or offered on the highest ranking blind golfer down to the lowest ranking blind golfer.

5.3 The following exemptions apply;

• Current World Champions receive automatic invitations to the next World Championships and are not counted in Australia’s allocation of players for the tournament.

• The highest ranked B1, B2 & B3 players under the ABGA Order of Merit rankings are to receive automatic selection for World Championships and be included in Australia’s allocation for the tournament.

• The highest ranked female player under the ABGA Order of Merit rankings is to receive automatic selection for World Championships and be included in Australia’s allocation for the tournament. If the highest ranked female has already been included in Australia’s allocation in line with any of the above mentioned selection criteria’s, this point does not apply.

• In the case of an individual invitation being extended to any specific Australian players inviting him/her to participate in an International tournament, their invitation should be supported by ABGA provided Australia’s allocation of positions is not compromised or reduced to accommodate the invited player.

5.4 A blind golfer that does not comply or meet the ABGA Criteria for Selection Policy may be eligible for selection or may be offered the opportunity for selection to compete in an international competition provided that no other blind golfer meets this Policy and no other blind golfer ranked higher is available under the current ABGA Order of Merit.