The NCAA Division I Women's Golf Committee altered its selection criteria for regional competition at its annual meeting June 26-29 in Indianapolis.

The committee defined eight points, in order, that will be used to select teams for regional competition. The criteria are: (1) head-to-head competition within each geographic region (spring vs. fall); (2) won-lost record (in region and overall; (3) comparisons with common opponents; (4) scoring average (adjusted scoring average and team and individual score vs. par); (5) strength of schedule; (6) place finishes in regular-season tournaments; (7) eligibility of student-athletes; and (8) application of NCAA Bylaw 31.3.3.4.

In other administrative matters, the group discussed future sites for the championship and awarded several sites to institutions. The committee recommended regional sites for the 2001 East Regional (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) and West Regional (Oregon State University), but decided to determine the Central Regional site at a later date. The 2002 finals were awarded to the University of Washington.

The committee also voted to keep the advice rule in the form that was agreed upon in January. A player may accept verbal and hand signal advice from her institution's designated coach only. Notes and/or tees left behind by teammates and/or coaches are prohibited.

Regarding crowd control, the committee amended its policy, voting to allow five nonathlete all-access credentials for the coach, assistant coach, athletic trainer and two administrators. Only players and credentialed personnel shall be inside the roped- off area during competition.

In other action, the committee:

Reviewed a cart request that was sent to the group concerning a spring tournament. The committee voted to approve a waiver to the no-cart rule and allow carts to be used at that tournament.

Reviewed the regional assignment policies, including the procedure for obtaining recommendations from the regional advisory committee.

Voted to alter its format during the third and fourth rounds of the championships. The committee proposed that in the third round, teams will be re-paired and the top 15 teams plus ties (up to 18 teams) and individuals will tee off in the first wave. If there are more than 18 teams, the tie-breaker procedures will be followed to determine who will tee off in the first wave.

In the fourth round, teams will be re-paired again in the same manner as was performed before the third round. The committee will revisit this issue on a conference call later this month.