Tour Policy

Ventura County Junior Golf Association 2008

VCJGA TOUR POLICY

It is vitally important that all VCJGA members and parents read and understand the following tour policies before participating in any tournaments.

The VCJGA conducts its golf tournaments by the USGA Rules of Golf. VCJGA Hard Card, Local Rules and conditions of the Competition are also in effect.
Members may be required to attend a 2-3 hour Rules Seminar. It is the responsibility of each competitor (Rule 6-1) to know and apply the rules of golf.
Members, guests and their parents are required to sign a Code of Conduct & Character before being cleared for play. Golf etiquette is a very important part of the game of golf and therefore, a serious breach of etiquette may result in disqualification (Rule 33-7). Any misconduct or conduct unbecoming behavior by a competitor or their parent/guardian may result in immediate disqualification and/or expulsion without warning.
Spectators are required to adhere to the Spectator Code of Conduct Policy. It is up to each golf facility whether or not to permit spectators and whether or not to charge a fee for going onto the course. Golf carts are not allowed for spectators. Rule 8-1, Advice pertains to parents as well as competitors and a breach will result in a two stroke penalty on the player - without warning. Please respect the course policy as we need the courses more than the courses need the VCJGA.
Pace of Play is extremely important to the VCJGA and the courses that we visit. Pace of Play guidelines are posted at each event and can vary from event to event.
All competitors must Check-In a minimum of 30-minutes prior to their scheduled starting time; and must report to their starting hole a minimum of 5-minutes prior to their scheduled starting time. Competitors will be given official scorecards, rules and other important instructions prior to starting.
Each competitor is responsible to carry their clubs or use a hand cart (no motorized carts or caddies permitted). Competitors are not permitted to ride in golf carts unless being shuttled by an official shuttle or rules official. Player's should take care not to leave their equipment unattended and are responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Electronic devices are NOT PERMITTED during tournament play. Range finders, GPS, i-pods, cell phones are prohibited and must be turned off during play. EXCEPTION - In emergencies or to contact a rules official a cell phone may be used.

Membership

Membership is open to all junior golfers from age 8 until the day they begin college. A VCJGA Tour Member is expected to have the knowledge, ability and experience to play a competitive round of golf within the VCJGA Pace of Play guidelines, without assistance and according to the rules and etiquette of the game and the VCJGA Code of Conduct & Character. Championship Boys should be abe to score a minimum of one round in each tournament within 18 strokes of the course rating and in the Championship Girls and Boys 12-15 divisions within 26 strokes of the course rating. A member who is unable to meet these membership requirements may be suspended and or be required to play and graduate from Q-School. It is important that golfers are self sufficent/reliant; able to navigate the course without assistance (hand carts OK); have a basic knowledge of the rules of golf and etitquette. If you have questions, please contact our Director of Tour Operations at: mark@vcjga.org

Membership fees are for the Season (September through August) and are non-refundable. Current year high school graduates are not eligible to compete in the Tour Championship due to AJGA PBE awarded to the champion as they will have no opportunity to utilize the exemption.

MEMBERSHIP FEE IS NON REFUNDABLE AFTER BEING PROCESSED.

Tour & Age Divisions

VCJGA Tour: 18 and 36-Hole tournaments

Championship Boys
Championship Girls
Boys 12-15

Divisions are based upon age: Championship Boys is for boys 16-18 or better or those with the playing ability (top finishes, stroke average (80 or better), ettiquete, pace of play and attitude/maturity). Championship Girls is for girls that regularly shoot 98 or better. Boys 12-15 division need to regularly shoot 98 or better.

Playing-Up: In order to play-up to a different division (i.e. move from Boys 12-15 to Championship Boys) a player must make this request in writing (tourinfo@vcjga.org) to get board approval (This can take up to 10-days):

Players track record shows they are capable of being successful at the next level (top-5 finishes and consistent scoring is required)

Player displays better than average knowledge of the rules of the game; and VCJGA Tour Policy

Player shows maturity and is able to interact in a positive manner with other players; and has displayed a high degree of integrity

Players are not permitted to play-up and back again or to accommodate an open/available spot in another division. Once a junior golfer begins college they are no longer eligible to play with the VCJGA.

TaylorMade SERIES:

- Championship Boys
- Championship Girls
- Boys 12-15
The VCJGA reserves the right to maintain the strength of the field by giving players with top ranking and POY Points first priority to enter.

VCJGA Member Only Events:

VCJGA Invitational at Saticoy Country Club
Collegian Preview at North Ranch Country Club
Match Play Championship presented by TITLEIST NOTE: Players must have played/completed at least one regular season event in order to be eligible. The POY points list shall determine each players seed or ranking for first round matches. Top point earners will have the priority in the seeding as only the top-32 players in each division can compete.
TaylorMade Tour Championship NOTE: Current year high school graduates are not permitted to play in this event due to AJGA PBE, as there would be no opportunity to utilize the exemption.

Mini-Tour: 9-Hole tournaments (Two (2) = 18-Hole Tournaments)

Boys 9-11
Girls 9-11
Q-School Boys
Q-School Girls

Younger players can play-up and play on the VCJGA Tour; however, playing ability will not be the only factor considered. Maturity and understanding the game, rules, courtesy, and having the ability to navigate the course will also be considered. All requests to play-up must be requested in writing (tourinfo@vcjga.org) at least 15-days in advance and are decided by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.

Web Based

The VCJGA is a year round web-based organization. Membership registration and tournament business is handled on our web-site at vcjga.com.

All players are required to sign the Code of Conduct & Character prior to playing in any event.
Before registering for tournaments, you may be required to pass a USGA Rules of Golf quiz each year.

Once the quiz is passed, you can sign up and pay for events, however; the junior golfer and the parent/guardian will need to sign and return the Code of Conduct & Character covenant before being approved for play.

It is vitally important to check your personal e-mail regularly as this is how VCJGA communicates with you.

Event Registration, Cancellation/Rejection & Wait List

Plan your schedule in advance and register early to avoid being left out. All events MUST be paid on-line with a credit card to be accepted.

Each event will have 1) a sign-up deadline (or maximum number of players); 2) a cancellation deadline (usually 7-8 days in advance of the tournament date) depending upon the contract with the host facility. If your registration is rejected due to a credit card issue, you will have to correct before the event fills to gain entry. If an event fills, a Wait List will be available on a first come, first served basis once a division is full. Entry rejection may put your entry at the end of the list. When the deadline has been realized, cancellation is not s an option (you may WD). It is at this point that we confirm the number of players with the host facility, pay the course for golf and food. Additionally, divisions are finalized, tee times/pairings sent, the scoreboard is ordered, scorecards and other materials are completed. These are all committments that the VCJGA has made on your behalf after the deadline to enter has passed.

You must cancel by the deadline listed on the tournament entry information page. If you cancel from a tournament before the cancellation deadline, a $20 administration fee will apply. Once the option to cancel deadline on the website has passed, your only other option is to Withdraw (no refuned).
Once entered, it is the players responsibilty to make certain that entry has been completed properly. Please check the Players list on the INFO page for the event entered. Make certain you have entered in the correct tournament (check the date) and division.
Once the deadline has passed for cancellation, NO REFUNDS will be issued for any reason. See Tournament Withdrawal Policy below.

If an event is cancelled due to course closure or inclement weather a refund will be issued. The VCJGA will reserve the right to charge a minimal administrative fee to offset costs.

Tournament Withdrawal Policy Once you have entered a tournament and the cancellation date has passed, you are now an official competitor in that event and are NOT entitled to a refund (at this point, the VCJGA is paying the course for your spot). The VCJGA Tour has three types of Withdrawals:

1. Justified Withdrawal:

If you need to Withdraw due to an illness, injury, or a family tragedy, you will need to contact the VCJGA Tour Director (tourinfo@vcjga.com) or the onsite Tournament Director and request a Withdrawal Form. The form will need to be completed in full.

Withdrawal because of poor play or any other reason is highly suspect and should be avoided at all times.

2. Questionable Withdrawal:

If the Tour Director or Tournament Director is unable to determine if the junior is withdrawing for a legitimate reason, the Withdrawal will be listed as Questionable. Once a junior receives two (2) Questionable Withdrawals their membership will be suspended and the junior will not be eligible to earn year end awards.

3. Unjustified Withdrawal:

The junior is obviously Withdrawing due to poor play or lack of ambition to play. This includes juniors leaving the golf course before completion of a round in which the event is conducted or failing to show up for any subsequent rounds of an event without talking with the Tournament Director in person or a No Show (see below). Registering for an event that the player never had the intention of finishing due to other known scheduling conflicts.

Very Important: If you are unable to play (Withdrawing), you are still responsible to communicate this with the tournament director: mark@vcjga.org or call 805/207-4653 if computer is not available.

No Show Policy Registering for a tournament and not showing up to play without and not play without notification of the tournament director to withdraw is violation of VCJGA Policy. Responsibility inform the VCJGA Tournament Director in advance lies solely with the player and may result in suspension from future events.

Tournament Overview Tournaments are played to scratch, with no handicaps. You should familiarize yourself with the VCJGA policies as play is always conducted in accordance with the United States Golf Association Rules of Golf, and the VCJGA Code of Conduct & Character. If you have any questions about rules we encourage you to ask because ignorance of the rules will not change the penalty.

Posted at each event: Pace of Play Policy and a Notice to Competitors. It will be vitally important to review these documents prior to playing as it will help avoid needless penalties.

Tee Times & Pairings

Tee times are typically posted four days in advance (Wednesday for Saturday first round and Friday for Monday first round during the summer). 36-hole tournaments will require re-pairing, players will need to check the web site for times prior to the next round. We make special tee time consideration based on summer school obligations or for car pool purposes only. We will do our best to accommodate your needs in these two situations only. You must notify us by e-mail of your request 7 days prior to the event. First round pairings are made in several ways: Age, stroke average, ranking and points. Most of the time they are random. The Tour Director reserves the right to adjust and put on the course in a way that will promote the best Pace of Play.

Please DO NOT request to play with specific competitors. Players will be paired by score in any subsequent rounds.

Results, Tournament Points Distribution & Awards

Tournament scores are posted immediatelly onto the website and the recap and points are posted within 48-hours of event completion. Player of the Year Points for each event are posted in the entry detail.

Awards are also given to the following in each division:

1^st Place
2^nd Place
3^rd Place

Ties for first place only are subject to a Playoff.

Inclement Weather Policy

Inclement weather in and of itself is not a reason to cancel a round or golf tournament. Several factors will be taken into consideration when deciding whether to suspend a round, postpone, shorten or cancel golf:

Unsafe Course Conditions:

Fast flowing creeks, overflowing lakes, bridge(s) out, trees falling over, etc.
Golf traffic causes unnecessary damage to golf course

Unsafe Weather Conditions:

Thunder storms (lightening)
Rain so heavy that it would be unfair to require players to continue
Winds moving a ball on the putting surface, trees/limbs falling

Standing Water on Fairways, Greens & Bunkers:

Too much or large amounts of casual water, especially on greens and fairways

Communication: If an event is delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather, the VCJGA will contact you. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURSE DIRECTLY UNLESS INSTRUCTED.

Suspending Play and the USGA Rules of Golf:

Rule 6-8b governs when play is suspended by the Committee. It states:

When play is suspended by the Committee, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they shall not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they may continue provided they do so without delay. If they choose to continue, they shall discontinue either before or immediately after completing the hole, and shall not thereafter resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.

However, a Note under Rule 6-8b states:

The Committee may provide in the conditions of a competition (Rule 33-1) that, in potentially dangerous situations, play shall be discontinued immediately following a suspension of play by the Committee. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he shall be disqualified unless circumstances warrant waiving such a penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.

This condition is in effect for all VCJGA Tournaments:

Discontinue Play Immediately: One prolonged note of siren.

Discontinue Play: Three consecutive notes of siren, repeated.

Resume Play: Two short notes of siren, repeated.

Electronic Devices

The use of electronic devices (Range/distance finders, cell phones, i-pods, golf riding carts, etc.) during competition is forbidden and will result in a penalty and/or disqualification. Cell phones may be used by competitors in case of an emergency or to contact a Rules Official.

Pace of Play

It is up to players to play without undue delay. Pace of Play Policy will be posted at each event.

USGA Rule 6-7: The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid own by the committee. Between the completion of a hole and playing form the next teeing ground, the player shall not unduly delay play. Penalty for breach of Rule 6-6: Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Two Strokes.

Scoring

The competitor’s responsibilities:

· Each player will have an Official Scorecard provided to them. Players will exchange scorecards on the first tee. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH COMPETITOR TO PROTECT THE FIELD - You are in fact responsible to all the other players in your division to make certain that all players in your group play by the USGA Rules. It is your duty to contact a Rules Official if you have any question about any rule or any competitor. Because SCORING is very important, it is required that each competior carefully follows the instructions of the Official in the Scoring Area upon completion of a round or face suspension from VCJGA Tournaments.

USGA RULES:

· 6-6a: After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round the marker shall sign the card and hand it to the competitor.

· 6-6b: After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the committee. He shall ensure that the marker has signed the card, countersign the card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible. Penalty for breach of Rule 6-6b: Disqualification.

· 6-6c: No alteration may be made on a card after the competitor has returned it to the committee.

· 6-6d: The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he shall be disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned shall stand.

· Players should go directly to the scoring table after your 18^th hole has been completed. Scorecards should be signed immediately upon completion of play, no communication with parents, family or friends until the scorecard is signed.

· All scoring rulings or rule information must be requested of the tournament official(s) before the scorecard is attested.

· Each player must perform his responsibility to protect the field by reporting any rule infraction. Players are reminded that under USGA Rule No. 1-3, no player may exclude the operation of a rule or waive any penalty incurred.

Conduct Unbecoming (Cheating)

USGA Rules and the Rules and Code of Conduct & Character of the VCJGA will govern all play. CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Any knowledge of cheating should be reported to the Tournament Director as soon as possible.

If a player is found to be cheating, they will be Disqualified under USGA Rule 33-7 and Suspended from future play at the discreation of the Board of Directors.

It is the explicit duty of each competitor to protect the field - which means you must report any known breach of the Rules of Golf to a Rules Official

Quitting, No Show or Not Posting a Scorecard

If a competing player quits the round without a good reason before play has officially ended, the player will be DISQUALIFIED from that event and will face suspension from future VCJGA events for which the player is entered or entitled to enter, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A PLAYER DOES NOT LEAVE THE FACILITY WITHOUT PROPER NOTIFICATION OF VCJGA STAFF. If a Player leaves the event after completion and does not post their score, these same rules apply, and the Players will be subject to disciplinary action.

Disqualification

If a player is Disqualified for any reason, they are not entitled to a refund or a credit for another event. Each player is bound by the USGA Rules of Golf and the Code of Conduct & Character.

Ranking & Affiliations

All 36-Hole tournaments are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard.

NOTE: JGS policy must be met and adhered to with regard to Ranked Tournaments.

Major events (TaylorMade Series) will offer an American Junior Golf Association PBE STARS:

Championship Boys must have 40 players in the field;
Championship Girls must have 12 players in the field;
Boys 12-15 must have 20 boys and earn an AJGA JAS Exemption.

NOTE: AJGA field requirements must be met for Stars/Exmptions to be awarded.

The top-5 Championship Boys & Girls (subject to SCPGA Approval) will be exempt on the 2013 SCPGA Toyota Tour Cup

NOTE: Only VCJGA members that have played in and completed a minimum of four (4) VCJGA tournaments are eligible to qualify for SCPGA Toyota Tour Cup exemptions.

The VCJGA administration and players must adhere to the policies set forth by these important affiliates. Such as the Tournament Withdrawal Policy outlined (above).

NOTE: The VCJGA will make every effort to conduct all events by the 2012-2015 USGA Rule of Golf.

The VCJGA is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization Since 1967