Conditions of Competition

The Rules of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and its Decisions on the Rules of Golf govern all play except where it is necessary to apply local rules. Decisions of the members of the rules committee will be final in all matters concerning the interpretation and enforcement of the Rules of Golf and the tournament rules of the Durham Junior Golf Tour (“DJGT”).

Unless otherwise provided. Penalty for breach of a local Rule or Condition is:

Match Play—Loss of Hole

Stroke Play—Two Strokes

1. The ball the player plays must be listed on the current list of “Conforming Golf Balls”. Penalty is disqualification.

2. Transportation - Players may use pull carts but no golf carts. They must walk at all times.

3. Practice - In a stroke play competition, a player must not play any practice stroke or roll a ball on or near the putting green of the last hole played. If a practice stroke is played on or near the putting green of the hole last played, the player incurs a penalty of two strokes at the next hole, except in the case of the last hole of the round, he incurs the penalty at that hole.

4. Pace of Play - See enclosed pace of play policy.

5. Discontinuance of Play - Suspension due to a dangerous situation is in effect and all practice and playing areas are closed during suspension until the committee has declared them open.

Discontinue play immediately – one prolonged note of siren

Discontinue play – three consecutive notes of siren, repeated

Resume play – two short notes of siren, repeated

6. All events will be comprised of two consecutive 9-hole stipulated rounds. In the event that every player is unable to complete 18 holes but has completed 9 holes and the event is subsequently cancelled, the 9-hole score will count for the tournament. Nine holes must be completed by all participants for the event to count.

7. Close of Competition – The competition is deemed to be closed when all scores have been approved by the committee.

Local Rules

1. Out of Bounds - defined by the nearest inside points of white stakes and/or boundary fence posts at ground level. When out of bounds is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds.

2. Water and Lateral Water Hazard Stakes and Lines (Rule 26) - when both stakes and lines are used to define water and lateral water hazards, stakes identify hazard and lines define margins. When a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity. When water hazards and lateral water hazards are bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.

3. Ground under Repair (Rule 25) - area defined by white lines, including those marked for gallery crosswalks; French drains, which are trenches, filled with rocks or stones; flower beds, except those in hazards are Ground Under Repair from which play is prohibited; and sod seams except when interference is only with the player’s stance.

4. Embedded Ball through the Green (Rule 25-2) is in effect.

5. Roads and Paths – White Lines (Rule 24) – white lined areas tying into roads or paths have the same status as the roads and paths, that of obstructions. The line itself is part of the obstruction.

6. Temporary Immovable Obstructions (Rule 24-2) is in effect.

7. Wood Chips and Mulch (Rule 23) – wood chips and mulch are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in “Notice to Players”.

8. Stones In Bunkers (Rule 24) – Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1 applies.

9. Integral Parts of the Course - includes cables, rods, wires, or wrappings when closely attached to trees, plastic liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in “Notice to Players”.

10. Distance-Measuring Devices – A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

11. Maximum Stroke Count – If a competitor reaches “Triple Par” (ie., 9 on a par 3, 12 on a par 4 or 15 on a par 5), he/she must notify their marker, pick up their ball and proceed to the next hole.

12. Doubt as to Procedure (Rule 3-3) – If a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he 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 a fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. 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.

General Information

All players must register at each tournament at the registration area. Scorecards will be distributed to contestants at the starting tee.  Scorecards must be exchanged among players within playing groups and scorecards must be signed and attested before they are turned in at the scoring table. All players must remain seated at the scorers table until released by scoring official.

Time of Starting:  1st and 10th tee start tournaments—Note under Rule 6-3 and Optional Condition prescribed in Appendix 1 shall be in effect.  Shotgun start tournaments—Any player not registered at the tournament site 15 minutes prior to the announced tournament starting time will be assessed a 2-stroke penalty. Any player who has not completed registration at the tournament site by the announced starting time will be disqualified

Caddies

The use of caddies by tournament contestants is prohibited.

Junior Code of Conduct

All participants are guests at the host Golf Club. Participants are required to wear appropriate golf attire at all times while at the facility. Shirts must have sleeves and collars (mock necks also acceptable) and be tucked in at all times. No mesh shirts, muscle shirts or any attire with offensive writing or graphics are permitted.

For junior ladies, no halter tops or tube tops are permitted. All tops must have collars and sleeves. Bermuda style or shorts of a respectable length are acceptable. No gym shorts, cut-offs, track suits or sweat suits are permitted. Soft spiked golf shoes must be worn at all times. Proper attire is required in order to appropriately represent DJGT and our sponsors. Improper attire may result in a player not being allowed to compete. Tournament officials will enforce this rule. The tournament committee will review unusual hair or clothing styles

Spectators are expected to adhere to the same dress code as the players.

Use of tobacco, drugs, alcoholic beverages, or betting by contestants during any tournament, is strictly prohibited. Violators will be disqualified.

A two-stroke penalty may be assessed against any contestant for use of profanity or throwing golf equipment during any tournament. These actions may be grounds for disqualification from the tournament by the Rules Committee. In the event of damage to any part of the golf course, the player shall be disqualified from the event and, at the discretion of the Committee, may forfeit DJGT membership.

Electronic Devices

The use of cellular phones, noise-making pagers, radios, iPods, Digital audio players (MP3) and any other similar electronic noise making devices will be prohibited during competition play. In addition, other electronic devices that support push e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, Internet faxing and web browsing (ie., Blackberries devices) are also prohibited. Players in breach of this condition may be subject to disqualification.

 Format

18 Holes Stroke Play

Tournament rounds will be comprised of two consecutive 9-hole stipulated rounds. In the event that every player is unable to complete 18 holes but has completed 9 holes and the event is subsequently cancelled, the 9-hole score will count for the tournament. Nine holes must be completed by all participants for the event to count.

Withdrawals

If a player finds he cannot compete in an event for which he has registered, he must withdraw 24 hours prior to the event by contacting the DJGT. In the event of illness, call DJGT prior to your tee time. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE GOLF COURSE. If you cannot compete and do not withdraw and are therefore a “no show”, the following action will be taken:

1. You will not be accepted to participate in the next event.

2. In the event of a second offense, you will not be allowed to participate in any DJGT event for the remainder of the year.

Scoring System

Points are awarded based on your finish in your best seven events including the final event and accumulated points for those events determine a champion for the tour. Eg. 1st - 60 points, 2nd- 59 points, 3rd- 58 points, etc. In addition, bonus points will be awarded for participation in the skills competition and rules seminar. Twelve (12) exemptions will be given for next years qualifying tournament based on total points accumulated by junior golfers in all events played and counted. Points will be awarded on the basis of finish in each event as well as participation in the skills competition and rules seminar. The exemptions will be made up as follows: juvenile/junior boy’s ten (10) exemptions and bantam boys/junior girls will have two (2) exemptions

Tie Breaking Policy

Rule 33-6 States: “The Committee shall announce the manner, day and time for the decision of a halved match or of a tie, whether played on level terms or under handicap. A halved match shall not be decided by stroke play. A tie in stroke play shall not be decided by a match.”

The DJGT has determined that, for the purpose of breaking ties for gross score rounds, in order to determine spots for final position of qualifying, and for determining the order of the alternates, that the following method of tie-breaking will be utilized:

For 18 hole competition, ties will be broken on the basis of the best score for the last 9 holes.  If the tying players have the same score for the last 9 holes, determine the place based upon the last 6 holes, last 3 holes and finally the 18th hole.  If this fails to break the tie then go to the best score on the second last hole (17th hole), then to the best score on the third last hole (16th hole), then to the best score on the fourth last hole (15th hole), and continue through holes one by one to the best score on the first hole. If a tie still exists, the tie will be broken by coin toss. 

For 9 hole events, ties will be broken on the basis of the best score for the last 6 holes.  If the tying players have the same score for the last 6 holes, determine the place based upon the last 3 holes, and finally the last hole.  If a tie still exists, the tie will be broken by coin toss.

Pace of Play Policy at all Tournament Rounds

Adherence to the pace of play is the player’s responsibility.

Warnings will not be issued to slow groups.

Advise rules officials ASAP of a slow player in your group.

The following Pace of Play Policy is in effect at all DJGT Events.

Pace of Play Policy - (Rule 6-7) Undue delay; Slow Play states: the player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.

Pace of Play Appeals

Slow play penalties may be appealed to the Tournament Committee. The appeal must be in writing and must be based on facts relevant to the reason Pace of Play was not maintained. All appeals must be submitted prior to leaving the course. The decision of the Tournament Committee will be final.

Summary

Each groups pace of play will be monitored at the ninth and eighteenth hole (check points). When a group is out of position at any check point, the players in the group are liable to penalty under these guidelines. Players in a group that have been determined to be out of position will be liable to penalty according to the following schedule of penalties pending final determination of whether a breach or breaches of these guidelines have occurred:

1st breach (during the round) – liable to a one stroke penalty

2nd breach (during the round) – liable to a two stroke penalty.

Check points will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of the groups 9th and 18th hole.

Allotted Time: Each group is allotted a specified time to complete 18 holes at a pace in accordance with the time chart provided in the local rules at the group’s first hole. When a group falls behind, regardless of reason, it must regain its position. Time for ball searches, rulings and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time.

Out of Position: The first group is out of position if it takes more than the allotted time to finish a check point hole. The following groups are out of position if it:

1. takes more than the allotted time to finish a check point and

2. completes play of a check point hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.

Group out of Position: When a group is out of position at a check point, it will be notified by an official that the group is potentially in breach of these pace of play guidelines. When a group has been notified of its first potential breach, that group is expected to regain its position before reaching the next check-point. If that group reaches the next check point out of position, each player in the group may incur the applicable penalty for a breach of these guidelines.

Final Determination Regarding Breach: Before returning his score card, a player who was out of position during his round may consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine if he has incurred a penalty under these guidelines. The Committee will determine that a player who has been found to be out of position is not in breach of these guidelines only if:

1. the player was delayed by the committee; or

2. the player was delayed by a circumstance beyond control of the player or the group; or

3. the player was delayed by another player in the group

A player who was out of position during his/her round and who elects not to consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine whether he/she was in breach of these guidelines is considered to have been in breach of these guidelines and to have incurred a penalty or penalties according to the local rules schedule of penalties. If a group is liable to penalty, all penalties will be applied to the check-point hole where the breach occurred.

Last Updated: July 2011