Official Competition Rules

European eTour 2021 Season

 

 

1.  Overview and General Rules
 

1. These terms and conditions apply to all competitions featured online at www.etour.gg (the “Website”), at www.wgt.com (the “Platform”), on the desktop game (the “Desktop Game”), on the mobile game (the “Mobile Game”), or on any of European eTour’s social media channels, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram (“Social Network Sites”), and any other competitions organised by the European eTour (or a third party on European eTour’s behalf).
    
2. By entering any of the qualifiers, entrants accept these terms and conditions together with any specific instructions and terms for such competition which may be mentioned in any electronic messages, or on the Platform, Desktop Game or Mobile Game (each a “Game”), or communicated to entrants in any other way. Such competition information shall prevail in the event of there being any inconsistency between these competition terms and conditions and any competition information.

 

2.  Sponsor/Promoter
 

1. This contest organized, sponsored, promoted and/or administrated by PGA European Tour, Wentworth Drive, Virginia Water, Surrey, GU25 4LX, United Kingdom, DreamHack AB, Telefonvägen 30, 4tr, SE-12626 Hägersten, Sweden, and World Golf Tour, Inc. or “WGT”, 100 California St, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 (“WGT”).
    
2. PGA European Tour is the organizer (“Organizer”), DreamHack AB is the administrator and production hub and in charge of the operation of the Events and Global Final as described below (“Producer”), and World Golf Tour, Inc. is the league administrator of the online qualifying rounds (“Administrator”).
    
3. For the avoidance of doubt, Apple Inc., Google Inc., and Amazon Inc., are not sponsors of, or in any way involved in, any Competitions.

 

3.European eTour Format
 

1. The eTour consists of 6 events (individually an “Event”), each with online qualification rounds (individually a “Qualification”) prior to the applicable Event.  Players in the Event will earn points based on their finish in the Live Event.  The eight highest point earners after all Live Events will be invited to the Global Finals. 8 players will compete at the Global Finals to become the European eTour 2021 Season Champion.
2. Points are earned in Live Events in the following manner

• 1st: 5,000
• 2nd: 3,000
• 3rd: 2,000
• 4th: 2,000
• 5th: 1,000
• 6th: 1,000
• 7th: 1,000
• 8th: 1,000

   3.  In the event of a tie, the following rules will be used at a tiebreaker

1. Most event wins
2. Most 2nd places
3. Most 3rd to 4th places
4. Most 5th to 8th places
5. The player with most live event appearances is seeded highest
6. Highest placements across all events
7. Coin toss

4.  The winner of an Event is eligible to participate in future Qualifications and Events. If a player which has already won an Event wins another Event, he will receive the prize money but the seat at the Global Finals will go to the Event Grand Final runner-up. If the runner-up has also won an Event, the seat at the Global Finals will go to the one of the Event semifinalist with the best Qualification placement and so forth.

 

4.Eligibility
 

1. To participate in an European eTour online qualification round, players must be at least 13 years of age at the date of registration.
    
2. To take part in any stage of an Event and/or Global Finals, players must be at least 16 years old by the date of the Event.
3. All players under the age of 18 who attend an Event must have a parent’s/legal guardian’s or parents’/legal guardians’ written approval that they accept the rules and regulations on the player’s behalf, as required by law.
    
4. Employees, officers, and directors and sponsors of Organizer, Producer, and Administrator, and its affiliated entities, parent, subsidiaries, advertising, promotional agencies, legal advisors, their immediate family members and persons living in their same household, are not eligible to enter or participate in European eTour Competitions. Void where restricted, taxed or prohibited by law.

 

5.Registration and Acceptance of Rules
 

1. Participants must register at www.wgt.com to be eligible for European eTour. Participants who meet the Eligibility requirements in the Eligibility section (individually a “Player”) must also (1) own or have access to the game on either a desktop computer or a mobile device; and (2) have agreed to the Administrator’s General Terms and Conditions, Privacy and Cookie Policy and User Agreement.
2.  
3. Players must register with their valid WGT Account and also accept the European eTour Official Rules at https://etour.gg/official-competition-rules to be considered eligible for qualification within the European eTour Qualifications.
    
4. To enter an eTour tournament, log on at either the Platform at www.wgt.com/etour/, at www.etour.gg, on the Desktop Game or on the Mobile Game and register to enter the tournament and then play and complete at least one round of 18-hole stroke play.
   1. Use of multiple email addresses or multiple WGT user accounts to enter is prohibited.
   2. To enter, the registered user of designated WGT user account must personally play the Game or the entry will be disqualified.
   3. Players may not allow any third party to play the game in a Qualification using their WGT user account.
   4. Use of a false email address or a false WGT user account, or an incorrect mail address will disqualify an entry.
   5. By entering this Qualification, players agree that all suspected fraudulent or improper entries will be disqualified by European eTour in conjunction with WGT by their sole discretion.
   6. No WGT Credits will be deducted from players’ WGT account to enter this Qualification.
   7. No other methods of entry will be accepted.
   8. Administrator or Producer is not responsible for technical, hardware or software malfunctions, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, lost, late, misdirected, illegible, mutilated, postage-due, garbled or delayed entries or other communications or other technical problems related to entries.
   9. Sponsor and its agents and subcontractors accept no responsibility for entries lost or delayed in submission.
   10. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt.
   11. Entries become the property of the Administrator and will not be returned.
   12. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person who tampers with the entry process or the operation of the website or the game, or who otherwise violates these rules.
   13. In the event of a dispute over who submitted an entry, the authorized subscriber of the email account designated in the entrant's WGT user account will be deemed to be the entrant.

 

6.Qualification
 

1. Playing in the Qualification rounds is open to all players who meet the eligibility requirements set forth above and comply with the Platform’s Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Community Guidelines.
    
2. The Qualification round for the 1st Event will commence on April 29 and end on May 30, 2021
   1. Open Qualification Period: From April 29 , 2021 through May 30, 2021
   2. Qualification Playoffs: June 3, 2021 at 12:00 am PT to June 6, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT.
   3. Completed entries must be transmitted and received by 11:59 pm PT on the last day of the Qualification.
       
3. The Qualification game mode is one round of 18-hole stroke play.

   1. The Qualification for the bracket tournament will take place over one 4-week qualifier tournament

   2. The bracket round will consist of the top 128 scores on the leaderboard of the qualifier tournament

   3. Players can only qualify once and will officially qualify with their earliest qualifying performance.

   4. Once the top 128 are confirmed for the bracket stage players will be seeded by their qualifying score.
   5. When two or more players share the same score going into the bracket round, seeding will be determined by leaderboard tiebreakers automatically determined by WGT
   6. Players may play as many rounds as they wish during Qualification period and on any platform (Web, Mobile, Desktop)
   7. Only the lowest stroke play round score received during  Qualification period will count towards the leaderboard.
   8. All players will play with the same set of virtual equipment which will be automatically provided and equipped by WGT when playing the qualifying tournament and the championship tournament; except that player will play with their virtual golf balls selected by each player.
4. Course Selection
   1. The April - May qualifying tournament will be played on the virtual Pebble Beach Golf Links course
       
5. The top 128 players in the Qualification rounds proceed to the Qualification Playoffs.
   1. In the event of a tie, the better scoring entrant between or among the tied entrants will be the entrant with the lowest combined score for the final nine (9) holes of the Game. If any ties remain, the better scoring entrant between or among the remaining tied entrants will be the entrant with the lowest combined score for the final six (6) holes for such Game. If any ties remain, the better scoring entrant between or among the remaining tied entrants will be the entrant with the lowest combined score for the final three (3) holes for such Game. If any ties remain, the better scoring entrant between or among the remaining tied entrants will be the entrant with the lowest score for the 18th hole (9th for nine hole games) in such Game, and any remaining ties will be determined by identifying the lowest-scoring entrant for each individual game hole, in sequence from 17th (8th for nine hole games) through to 1st, as is necessary to determine a winner, and if any ties remain at that point, the earlier-submitted entry between or among the tied entries will be deemed the better scoring entry.

 

7.Qualification Playoffs
 

1. The top 128 players from Qualification will be divided into 8 brackets, each consisting of 16 players.
    
2. Seeding of players in the brackets are based on individual placements in top 128.
    
3. The 8 brackets will be played over the course of four days from June 3, 2021 at 12:00 am PT to June 6, 2021at 11:59 pm PT. with the Set of the Week clubset.
4. Course Selection
   1. Course selection will be determined by WGT
5. The winners of each of the 8 brackets advance to the Event.
   1. In the event of tied scores, the entrants will be seeded as described in 6.5
   2. 8 players in total will go to the Event.
   3. The winner of each bracket will qualify to play in the championship event
   4. Due to COVID, the championship event will be a livestream competition from the winner's home location.
6. If a player does not accept the invitation from having won his bracket or is otherwise unable to play, the runner-up in the same bracket will take his spot. If the runner-up is not able to attend as well, the highest seeded runner-up from the other brackets will take his spot and so forth.

 

8.Event
 

8.1.General

 The event Championship will be a livestream from the winner's home location  (could change due to COVID-19 restrictions)

1. All Events including Global Finals are 18 holes single-elimination bracket tournaments this season.
2. The Event is operated by the Producer.
3. Event specific game rules and game settings will be made available to players in due time before an Event.
4. The Desktop Game will be used for all matches
5. Each player will be required to equip the Set of the Week clubset to play any matches
   1. The Set of the Week clubset will be provided to all participants

 

8.3.Knockout Stage

1. All Events including Global Finals are 18 holes single-elimination bracket tournaments this season.
2. The lowest-seeded player will begin the veto process by removing 1 of the 3 available courses; the highest seeded player then selects 1 of the 2 remaining available courses. Veto will be conducted right before each game by Producer together with the two competitng players on stream.
3. Winner proceeds while loser is eliminated.

 

8.4.Grand Final

1. All Events including Global Finals are 18 holes single-elimination bracket tournaments this season.
2. The lowest-seeded player will begin the veto process by removing 1 of the 3 available courses; the highest seeded player then selects 1 of the 2 remaining available courses. Veto will be conducted right before each game by Producer together with the two competitng players on stream.
3. Winner wins the Event while loser is runner-up.

 

 

9.Global Finals
 

9.1.Global Finals Format

1. The eTour Global Finals will take place by the end of the season and will see top eight point earners in the Live Events battle it out to become the winner of the European eTour 2021 Season.
   1. 1st Global Finals will be held via livestream due to COVID-19 restrictions)
   2. The Event is a one-day tournament.
2. Similar to the Event format, the Global Finals are 18 holes single-elimination bracket tournaments this season.
3. The Desktop Game will be used for all matches
4. Each player will be required to equip the Set of the Week clubset to play any matches
   1. The Set of the Week clubset will be provided to each participant

 

10.Prize Pool
 

10.1.Overview

1. The combined prize pool of European eTour is USD 100,000 with a prize pool of USD 10,000 for each Event and USD 50,000 in prize pool for Global Finals
2. Players are only eligible to receive a prize if they attend the Event they have qualified for.
   1. If e.g. player 8 forfeit prior to traveling to an Event, number 9 from Qualification will receive the spot at the Event, including the prize money.
   2. For uncontrollable circumstances, the Organizer, Producer and Administrator can jointly make exceptions to this rule.

 

10.2.Events

1. The winner of an Event takes home USD 5,000 in 1st prize. Runner-up USD 2,000. 3rd-4th place USD 1,000. 5th-8th place USD 250.

 

10.3.Global Finals

1. The winner of the Global Finals receives USD 30,000. Runner-up USD 10,000. 3rd-4th place USD 3,000. 5th-8th place 1,000.

 

11.Additional Applicable Rules
 

11.1.Overall

1. The eTour (and its Organizer, Produce and Administrator) is not responsible for technical, hardware or software malfunctions, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, lost, late, misdirected, illegible, mutilated, postage-due, garbled or delayed entries or other communications or other technical problems related to entries.
2. The Organizer, Producer and Administrator and their agents and subcontractors accept no responsibility for entries lost or delayed in submission.
3. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt.
4. The Administrator or the Producer, as applicable, in their sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person who tampers with the entry process or the operation of the website or the game, or who otherwise violates these rules.
5. In the event of a dispute over who submitted an entry, the authorized subscriber of the email account designated in the entrant's WGT user account will be deemed to be the entrant.
6. For all stages of Qualification, Qualification Playoffs, Global Finals Seeding Tournament, Global Finals Wildcard Tournament, Events and Global Finals, all participating players are required to use the Set of the Week club set which will be provided for use only during these stages on the Platform, Desktop Game and Mobile Game.
7. Players must use their own virtual golf balls during Qualification, Qualification Playoffs, Global Finals Seeding Tournament, Global Finals Wildcard Tournament, Events and Global Finals.

 

 

11.2.Events & Global Finals
 

1. The Desktop Game is used for all matches
2. Game mode for all matches are ‘head-to-head match play’ format
3. The courses to be played in the Events and Global Finals will be decided prior to the events and will be available in the veto process:
4. Players are not allowed to plug any devices, other than own mouse, into any console.
5. Players are not allowed to use headphones when playing.
6. Any action designed to disrupt the opposing player's view of the field or ability to select controlled players is prohibited.
7. Players who are not present at the designated start time of any match will be disqualified and will lose the match.
8. If an error of any kind makes the match unplayable, the Administrator must be informed as fast as possible. The Administrator then decides how to proceed with the match and measures to continue the match.
9. If a player has an issue which they feel is creating an unfair advantage for the opponent, they must pause the match (or request that their opponent pauses the match) and bring the issue to the attention of the Administrator. The Administrator must then address the issue. If a player feels that the Administrator has not addressed the issue properly, they may request that a Head Administrator also addresses the issue. Rulings by the Head Administrator are final and binding.
10. Before the tournament starts, all players must befriend all opponents in the WGT Game client. Players cannot remove other players from their friends list until after December31, 2021.
    1. Players must double check this before every match day and are responsible for having befriended all possible opponents they face in a tournament game.
11. The eTour will provide computer desktop setups for all players
    1. Monitor with 1ms response time, 144hz refresh rate, 24 inches.
    2. Professional gaming keyboard.
    3. It is required for all players to bring own mouse.
12. All players must be available for any post-tournament award ceremonies and interviews for the entirety of European eTour and any promotional activities reasonably requested by the Producer.
13. Any use of computer-based software such as, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, digital calculator, etc. are strictly prohibited.
14. Players may use a simple calculator and a pencil and a piece of paper as their only aid at the Event whilst playing.
15. All costs associated with player travels are covered by the eTour, including flights, accommodation and food.
16. If you disclose any information about the tournament, you will be banned from future European eTour events.
17. If a player disconnects during a match and does not reconnect in time, a new match between the players will be started on back-9 of same course and continue with the number of holes that were left before disconnect.
    1. Only completed holes count.
    2. Players keep scores going into new match.
    3. Example: If Player A is 1UP on hole 5 and Player B disconnects mid-hole and doesn't reconnect in time, a new match will begin on back-9 of same course and continue until hole 14 is finished, keeping the Player A 1UP score going into the new match.
18. Seeding will be conducted right before each game by Producer together with the two competing players
19. Spreadsheets and advanced calculators are still not allowed, however we have no means of checking if players still use this. We ask for good faith and fair-play towards the tournament.
20. Equipment will be provided by WGT staff in the days leading up to the event. This equipment shall be used by all players.
21. Due to a high risk of internet dropouts, we have set the following rules in place.

• If a player disconnects during a match and does not reconnect in time, a new match between the players will be started on the same course and continue with the number of holes that were left before disconnect.
  • Only completed holes count.
  • Players keep scores going into new match.
    • Example: If Player A is 1UP on hole 5 and Player B disconnects during hole 5 and doesn't reconnect in time, a new match will begin on the same course and continue until hole 14 is finished, keeping the Player A 1UP score going into the new match (although WGT graphics won't show this).
  • If the disconnect happens before 1st hole is completed, the match will start over on the same course.
• A player is able to have 1 disconnect in the same match without a warning. If a player disconnects for the 2nd time in the same match, the eTour team will review the situation and will have the final say.
  • Player may forfeit the match.
  • Fair-play is key and no player will be prioritised above others.
  • All decisions will be based on keeping the competition integrity of the tournament.
  • As the Global Finals event is LIVE, the eTour team will have make quick decisions and potentially disqualify players.
    • The eTour team can only state how important it is to have a strong and reliable internet for this event - if you do not believe you have this and maybe you have experienced dropouts during previous eTour events, we strongly recommend you find an alternative location to play from. With $10,000 on the line, being disqualified because of internet dropouts wouldn't be fun...
• The 5th time in Grand Final a player uses a timeout, that player will forfeit the match.
• Match Veto
  • The lowest-seeded player will begin the veto process by removing 1 of the 3 available courses; the highest seeded player then selects 1 of the 2 remaining available courses.
  • Veto will be conducted right before each game by Producer together with the two competing players on stream.
• All matches need a winner. In the event of a tie between 2 players after 18 holes, the match will continue (as per WGT in-game settings and rules) until one player has won a hole.
• Any use of computer-based software such as, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, spreadsheets, digital calculator, phone, etc. are prohibited, however we have no practical way of checking if players oblige. We ask for good faith and fair-play towards players, WGT and the European eTour.
• No skipping after having hit a ball.
• No putt concedes (it's very difficult for viewers to decode the winner of a hole when conceding) - all balls need to go in the cup.
• You are not allowed to open Menu Settings in order to dim the screen.
• You need to install and update OBS, streaming software, to version 25. If this event is your first in OBS, you'll be guided on the Tech call.
• Players will have to be available for pre-match and post-match interviews. To be conducted through the established webcam setup.
   

12.  Standard Terms

1. In the event that any entrant does not, or is unable to, comply with and meet these terms and conditions and the competition information, Administrator or Producer shall be entitled at its sole discretion to disqualify such entrant, without any further liability to such entrant. In these circumstances, any prize(s) won by the entrant may be forfeited and Administrator or Producer reserves the right to reclaim any prize(s) already distributed to the entrant.
2. Any entrant must comply with any directions given to him or her by Administrator or Producer, including but not limited to, any and all relevant laws, rules and regulations.
3. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these terms and conditions shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
   1. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these terms and conditions shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.
       
4. Each competition is governed by the laws of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom Courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over any claims or proceedings in connection with the competition.
5. Players accept that their data, such as, but not limited to, email address, nickname, and real name is shared with the Website and any other third parties that the eTour approves.

 

13.Players’ Code of Conduct
 

1. The Code of Conduct below applies to all players.
2. The eTour Administrator reserves the right to levy penalties, sanction or disqualify any player at its discretion for breach of the Code of Conduct.

 

(i) Player Behavior

1. Players must conduct themselves in a reasonable manner, maintaining an appropriate demeanor to spectators, members of the press, tournament administrators and to other players. These requirements apply both offline and online, including with respect to social media conduct and activity on live streams.
2.  
3. Every player is asked to maintain an adequate level of respect of the other players and the eTour Administrator.
4.  
5. Threatening behavior towards the Administrator and the other players will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disqualification.
6.  
7. Unlawful incidents will be identified at the sole discretion of the Administrator and will be grounds for disqualification.
8.  Players must abide by the instructions made by the Administrator at all times.
9. All players must follow the Administrator’s directions. The Administrator reserves the right to disqualify any player from a match for breach of the Competition Rules or the Code of Conduct.
10. All players are expected to adhere to these standards of sportsmanship at all times and may be sanctioned for:
    1. Violating any law, rule or regulation, as determined by the Administrator at its sole discretion;
    2. Using any software or program which damages, interferes with or disrupts a WGT Service or another person’s computer or property;
    3. Interfering with or disrupting another player's use of a any Game;
11. Harassing, threatening, bullying, repeatedly sending unwanted messages or making personal attacks or statements about race, sexual orientation, religion, heritage, etc. Hate speech is not tolerated;
12. Publishing, posting, uploading or distributing content, or organizing/participating in any activity, group or guild which is determined by the eTour Administrator (acting reasonably and objectively) as inappropriate, abusive, hateful, harassing, profane, defamatory, threatening, hateful, obscene, sexually explicit, infringing, privacy-invasive, vulgar, offensive, indecent or unlawful;
13. Using exploits, cheats, undocumented features, design errors or problems in WGT;
14. Engaging in any other activity which significantly disturbs the peaceful, fair and respectful gaming environment of a WGT; or
15. Promoting, encouraging or taking part in any prohibited activity described above.
     

(ii) During an Event

1. Players must conduct themselves in a reasonable manner, maintaining an appropriate demeanor to spectators, members of the press, eTour Administrator, and to other players. These requirements apply both offline and online, including with respect to social media conduct. All players are expected to adhere to the standards of good sportsmanship at all times.
2. Players must refrain from using vulgar or offensive language.
3. Abusive behavior, including harassment and threats, is prohibited.
4. Physical abuse, fighting or any threatening action or threatening language, directed at any player, spectator, eTour Administrator or any other person is prohibited.
5. Damage and/or abuse to game computers or any eTour equipment is prohibited.
6. Any action which interferes with the play of a match, including but not limited to purposely breaking a game station, interfering with power and abuse of in-game pausing, is prohibited and may result in match forfeiture and/or disqualification from the Event.
7. Gambling, including betting on the outcome of matches or games, is prohibited.
8. No player may accept any gifts, rewards, or compensation for services that are promised to be rendered in connection with competing in the Event. The only exception to this rule is for players with sponsors who are paying them based on their performance.
9. All Players must be available for any post-event award ceremonies and interviews for the entirety of eTour and any promotional activities reasonably requested by the eTour Administrator.
    

(iii) Collusion Policy

1. Collusion is defined as any agreement amongst two or more players to disadvantage other players in the Event. Collusion between players or other parties involved in the Event is strictly prohibited. Any party determined by the eTour Administrator at any phase of the Event to be engaging in collusion will be removed from the Event.
2.  
3. Examples of collusion include, but are not limited to:
   1. Intentionally losing a match for any reason, either at an Event or at the Global Finals.
   2. Playing on behalf of another player, including using a secondary account, to aid them at an Event or Global Finals.
   3. Any form of match-fixing.
   4. Soft play, defined as a player not trying their hardest in an attempt to allow an opponent to run up the score and gain a Stroke Differential advantage.
   5. Agreeing to split prize money.
   6. Allowing an opponent to use more or fewer strokes than they normally would in order to impact the outcome of the Event or the Global Finals.
       

(iv) Drug & Alcohol Policy

1. Player use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited on the premises of, or during the participation in eTour for the duration of the Event.
2. Players may not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while participating in eTour.
3. Smoking, including the use of eCigarettes and vaporizers, is prohibited at all eTour Events except in designated areas.
4. Use of tobacco in any form on-camera is prohibited.

 

14. Sponsorships and Dress Code
 

1. Players are allowed to find special sponsors for their esports team if they so wish.
2. The eTour Administrator adds no restriction on the type of sponsor, but sponsorships must comply with the Organizer’s Official Sponsor Rules.
3. The following is a nonexclusive list of prohibited ad sponsors:
   1. Gambling or gambling websites
   2. Alcohol, tobacco, and/or non-“over-the-counter” drugs
   3. Firearms or any type of weapons
   4. Pornographic or adult material
   5. Products or services from direct competitors of the Organizer, its partners and its other subsidiary brands
       
4. Administrator or Producer reserves the right to prohibit any third party at their sole discretion.
5. Players may wear a sponsor cap or similar when playing in eTour.
6. Players may wear other items when not on stage

15.Entry Into Force

1. These Competition Rules have been adopted by the  Administrator and will enter into force on December 13th, 2019.
2. European eTour may cancel or amend any competition, competition information, or these terms and conditions without prior notice.
3. Any changes to the Competition Rules will be posted either within the competition information or these terms and conditions.

 

16.Amendments

1. All rules may be subject to change by the eTour Administrator at any time.

 

 

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