Ventura County Junior Golf Association 2008

VCJGA PLAYER'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Nov 8 - Nov 9, 2008

Cypress Ridge Golf Course

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Rules

Title Detail
PACE OF PLAY

PACE OF PLAY PROCESS
The VCJGA Tournament Committee will designate a minimum of six (6) holes on the course as timing checkpoints. A volunteer will be stationed at each timing checkpoint and signal each group with a color-coded card (green or red) indicating a group's position on the course. Penalties will be confirmed with groups by a VCJGA Tournament Committee member and verified in the scoring tent. It is the responsibility of the player to know which color cards they receive at all checkpoint holes.

 
OVERALL TIME PAR
Overall time par is the amount of time in which the VCJGA Tournament Committee expects all players to complete a round. This will be expressed on a per hole basis and an overall time for 18 holes. In part, time par is established with the understanding that 45 or more seconds is excessive to play a shot without distractions.
• A group's time begins when a member of the group has played a stroke from his starting teeing ground.
• Checkpoint times are measured when the flagstick is replaced in the hole after all players in the group have holed out.
• The VCJGA Tournament Committee may adjust time par between tournament rounds.
 
OUT OF POSITION
“Out of position” is defined as:
• Failure to complete the hole being played before the group immediately ahead has completed the hole which follows the timing checkpoint. (e.g. your group is one hole behind).
• When a checkpoint hole precedes a par 5, failure to complete the checkpoint hole before the group immediately ahead has made a stroke from the putting green.
• When a checkpoint hole is followed by a par 3, failure to complete the checkpoint hole before the group immediately ahead has completed the par 3 and teed off and walked forward of the teeing ground of the next tee.
* The first group(s) of the day is judged only against time par.
 
TIMING CARDS
Volunteers stationed at each checkpoint hole will signal the group according to their position on the course.
• Green card (No Penalty): The group is in position AND/OR within overall time par throughout that checkpoint.
• Red card (Warning): The group is out of position AND behind overall time par through that checkpoint.
 
Upon receiving a Red Card (a) each player in a group is subject to being timed and “bad time” penalties, and will continue to be subject to timing until the group receives a Green card at a timing checkpoint, and (b) the group is subject to a Multiple red card penalty.
 
PENALTIES/BAD TIMES
• Bad times: A player has recorded a bad time when he has taken in excess of 45 seconds to play a shot once it is his turn to play and there are no distractions. A one-stroke penalty may be assessed to any player with three bad times. Players may incur additional one-stroke penalties thereafter for two or more bad times. The tournament Committee reserves the right to disqualify a player that incurs or is subject to more than two one-stroke penalties for bad times during any given event. Players will generally be advised when they have a bad time, but, once subject to being timed, can be penalized even if not so advised.
• Multiple red cards: At the discretion of the Tournament Committee, a one-stroke penalty per card may be assessed to each member in the group if the group receives back-to-back red cards. The one stroke penalty will be assessed to any player with multiple bad times (minimum of three).
• * A penalty stroke is added to the hole where the infraction is incurred. Penalties will be confirmed with the group by an VCJGA Rules Official and verified in the scoring area.
 
UNDUE DELAY
• If a player records five (5) bad times during the round, they will receive a one-stroke penalty for undue delay.
• The player will receive another penalty stroke if they record two (2) or more additional bad times.

RESCINDING A RED CARD
A red card can be rescinded in three ways:
1. Group is in position with the group immediately ahead through next checkpoint.
2. Group is on or below overall time par through next checkpoint.
3. Group gains one minute on time par from red card checkpoint to following checkpoint or final hole.
• A group will be presented with a green and a red card if they play checkpoint to checkpoint or to final hole gaining one minute on time par, but are still "Out of Position" AND behind overall time par through that checkpoint.
• Timing will begin when the flagstick has been replaced in the hole of the checkpoint hole.
 
FACTORS IN DETERMINING TIME PAR
Listed are factors the VCJGA takes into consideration in creating a fair time par at each event:
• Difficulty and length of course        
• Walks between holes
• Conditions of competition
• Pace of play history for course
 
The VCJGA reserves the right to adjust the Pace of Play Policy.
 
This policy mirrors the Pace of Play policy utilized by the AJGA.

 

RULES OF PLAY

The following Local Rules and Conditions apply:

Abnormal Ground Conditions
a) Fire and mounds or beds
b) In a Water Hazard relief for fire ant mounds or beds is provided by Decision 1-4/10
 
Casual Water on Putting Green
If casual water exists on the putting green the Committee may require the player to proceed under Rule 25-1b (iii) - Page 74-75
 
Integral Parts of the Course
Artificial walls and/or pilings when used to define the margin of bunkers are integral parts of the course and are through the green.
 
Scoring Area
The scoring area may include, but is not limited to trailers, tents or rooms. A player’s scorecard has been returned to the Committee when the player has exited the defined scoring area with both feet.
 
Conditions of Competition
 
The Rules of the United States Golf Association govern play, as       modified by the VCJGA Tour. The following Conditions of            Competition and Local Rules apply and may be found in the current Appendix I of the USGA Rules of Golf as referenced on page numbers below.
 
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or      Condition is: Match Play—Loss of Hole; Stroke Play—Two Strokes.
 
1. Specifications of Equipment
      a) List of conforming Driver Heads—Pages 117-118.
      b) List of Conforming Golf Balls (Note to Rule 5-1) - Page 118.          
           The one ball rule is not in effect.
      c) Shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited as   
           determined by the VCJGA.
 
2. Time of Starting (Note to Rule 6-3a) - Page 119.
It is a condition of the competition that, if the player arrives at his     starting point, ready to play, within five-minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7.
 
3. Pace of Play
A player shall be subject to penalty if he unduly delays play.     
(Note 2 to Rule 6-7) - Page 120. KEEP UP WITH GROUP AHEAD!
A provisional ball is played under Rule 27-2 for a ball that may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds.
Time spent looking for a lost ball must be made up by the group.
 
4. Suspension of Play Due to Dangerous Situation
(Note to Rule 6-8b) - Pages 120-121.
· Discontinue Play Immediately: One prolonged signal note.
· Discontinue Play: Three consecutive short signal notes.
· Resume Play: Two short signal notes.
Note: All practice areas shall be closed during a suspension for a     dangerous situation until the Rules Committee has declared them open.
  
5. Practice
Prior to his round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Appendix I Rule 6b: In stroke play, between the play of two holes, a player must not make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole last played and must not test the surface of the putting green of the hole last played by rolling a ball (Note 2 to Rule 7) - Page 121.
 
6. Transportation/Caddies/Golf Cars
Exception: When permitted by the Committee - Page 121.
Players must walk and carry clubs or use a hand cart.
Shuttles are permitted when approved by the Rules Committee.
 
7. Electronic Devises
Not permitted during the competition. Cell phones may be used in case of an emergency and to notify a rules official only.
 
8. How to Decide Ties
In the event of a tie for first place, there will be a hole by hole playoff to determine the winner. Starting hole TBD by the Committee.
 
9. Close of Competition
The competition shall be deemed to have closed when all scores have been approved by the Rules Committee. In the event of a playoff, the competition shall be deemed to have closed when the playoff scores have been approved by the Rules Committee.
  
Doubt as to Procedure - Rule 3-3 - Page 22:
In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct        procedure during the play of a hole, the player may, without penalty,      complete the hole with two balls. After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. If he fails to do so, the provisions of Rule 3-3b (ii) apply. The competitor must report the facts of the situation to the     Committee before returning his score card. If he fails to do so, he is      disqualified, even if he makes the same score with each ball.
   
Local Rules
 
1. Out of Bounds - Rule 27.
When the inside edge of a road or curb defines out of bounds, a ball that crosses such boundary is out of bounds even though it may lie on another part of the course.
 
2. Water Hazards and Lateral Water Hazards - Rule 26.
Water hazards are defined by yellow stakes or lines.
Lateral water hazards are defined by red stakes or lines.
Environmentally-Sensitive Areas defined by red stakes-green tops. See Appendix I—Part B
 
3. Abnormal Ground Conditions - Rule 25.
Ground Under Repair:
A)    Areas completely encircled with white lines
B)    French drains filled with stones
C)    Seams of cut turf. Page 109
 
4. Embedded Ball Through the Green - Pages 107-108
 
5. Immovable Obstructions - Rule 24.
A) White lined areas tying into obstructions are deemed to have the same status as the obstruction and are not ground under repair.
B) Landscaped garden areas completely encircled by an obstruction are part of the obstruction.
 
6. Turf Plugs on Putting Greens - Rule 16-1c.
Turf plugs on putting greens have the same status as old hole plugs and may be repaired as in Rule 16-1c.
.
7. Integral Parts of the Course.
A) Wrappings, wires, cables and other objects when closely attached to trees.
B) Artificial walls and/or pilings when located within water hazards.
 
8. Permanent Elevated Power Lines or Cables - Rule 20-5
 
9. Temporary Obstructions - Pages 111-115.
VCJGA Tour Policy

2008 TOUR POLICY

Membership in the VCJGA is open to all junior golfers’ ages 8 to 18 (before beginning college) with two tours serving different age groups and abilities.
 
Exempt vs. Non-Exempt
Exempt: Most (not all) player’s progress through our program in this way:
  • They start out on the VCJGA Mini-Tour playing 9-hole events;
  • Juniors play their until turning age 12 or until end of calendar year;
  • Then they move up to the VCJGA Tour and play in their age appropriate division (Boys may play up a flight once they begin breaking 82). The junior must be able to break 100 for 18-holes. Most events are 36-hole tournaments.  Golfers must play and navigate the course while carrying a golf bag or using a hand cart (no caddies) without help from anyone.

 
Non-Exempt: Golfers who are new to the organization or who averaged higher than 98 last season are non-exempt and must pass a Player's Ability Test at a Qualifying School offered along with all the mini-tour tournaments. Once you have qualified for the VCJGA Tour, you will earn a medal and membership access will be expanded.
 
Younger players can move 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. These are handled by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.
 
MEMBERSHIP IS NON REFUNDABLE AFTER BEING PROCESSED.
 
Web Based

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

  • Before registering and paying for membership, you will be required to pass a USGA Rules of Golf quiz. 
  • The quiz is open book and must be passed with a score of 70% or greater.
You can now sign up and pay for events, however; the junior golfer and the parent/guardian will need to sign 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
Plan your schedule in advance and enter 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. 

  • You must cancel by the deadline listed on the tournament entry information page. 
  • Once that deadline has passed, NO REFUNDS will be issued for any reason
  • If you withdraw from a tournament before the cancellation deadline, a $20 administration fee will apply.

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 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.
 
Tee Times & Pairings
Tee times are typically posted four days in advance. 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.
Players are paired by ages in their respective flights, then by scoring average.             Please DO NOT make this request to the Tournament Director. 
 
Results, Tournament Points Distribution & Awards
Tournament scores are usually posted onto the website within 24-hours of event completion. Points for each event are posted in the entry detail.
Awards are given to the following in each flight:
  • 1st Place     Gold Medal                                      
  • 2nd Place       Silver Medal                 
  • 3rd Place        Bronze Medal               
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 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.
 
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:
 
Ø Unsafe Course Conditions:
ü Fast flowing creeks, overflowing lakes, bridge(s) out, trees falling over, etc.
ü Golf traffic causes unnecessary damage to golf course
 
Ø Unsafe Weather Conditions:
ü Thunder storms (lightening)
ü Rain so heavy that it would be unfair to require players to continue
ü Winds moving a ball on the putting surface, trees/limbs falling
 
Ø Standing Water on Fairways, Greens & Bunkers:
ü Too much (unfair) amounts of casual water, especially on greens
 
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 Devises

The use of electronic devices (Range/distance finders, cell phones, i-pods, golf riding/hand 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.

Electronic Devises

Please refer to the Code of Conduct & Character. 

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.
·        USGA Rule 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.
·        USGA Rule 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.
·        USGA Rule 6-6c: No alteration may be made on a card after the competitor has returned it to the committee.
·        USGA Rule 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 18th 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.
 
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.
It is the explicit duty of each competitor to protect the field. 
 
Quitting 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. If a Player leaves the event after completion and does not post their score, these same rules apply, and the Players scoring average will be modified by adding 3 scores equal to their highest score posted during the calendar year to the average score calculation.

Ranking & Affiliations

  • All 36-Hole tournaments are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard
  • Two major events will offer an AJGA Exemption to the Championship Boy & Girl
  • The top-5 Championship Boys & Girls (subject to SCPGA Approval) will be exempt on the 2009 SCPGA Tour Cup

VCJGA 2008