Can non members be forced to play in any division by a TD? Say a player has the skill of andvanced player but insists on playing INT as a nonmember does he relinquish the right to play down?

The TD is THE man.

I have been looking in the rules and I can't find it but I was sure I saw it somewhere that basically nonmembers have no rights as to where they play.

We bump up non-members based on the same criteria as the PDGA uses to bump up members at IOSeries tournaments. If the non-member joins the PDGA, membership trumps the bump.

Non-members don't have very many rights. If the TD wanted he could limit non-members to the open division, but as soon as they become a PDGA member, then the PDGA rules trump local rules and they can play in any age/gender appropriate division that their rating puts them in. If they don't have a rating yet, they can play in any age/gender appropriate division they desired.

We are talking about bumping non-members up in sancitoned events? I wanted to do this at our last event, but I thought the 'no bump' rule was in effect no matter who it was.

So, the $5 non member fee grants them the right to play in a sanctioned event, expecting them to abide by the rules of play and accepting the consequences otherwise...but the TD's could break the bump rule if they wanted?

I guess Im not clear as to why this is OK?

The "no-bump" rule only applies to PDGA members that have a rating. They are allowed to play in any division that their rating/gender/age qualifies them for. The TD can not force them to play above their rating.

A non-member has no official rating to be bumped from. The TD has the authority to designate the appropriate division for any non-rated player.

Great....thanks!

That will come into play at our event next year......