PING Arizona Junior Masters

The JGAA Rules, Policies and Procedures apply to all programs administered by the JGAA. Failure to comply with these guidelines can result in disqualification, forfeiture of funds or other penalties.

Age groups for all JGAA tournaments will be determined by the age of the competitor on the stated Age Group Determination Date for each event. If a player feels his/her play warrants a move into an older age group, a written request must be submitted to the JGAA Tournament Department. The Tournament Committee will then review this request and determine if the request is warranted.

Age groups will be as follows except when noted on the Tournament Information and /or Entry Form:

• Boys 10 and Under
• Boys 11 - 12
• Boys 13 - 14
• Boys 15 - 18 Regular
• Boys 15 - 18 Championship
• Girls 10 and Under
• Girls 11 - 12
• Girls 13 - 14
• Girls 15 - 18 Regular
• Girls 15 - 18 Championship

In the event of a tie in a stroke play competition, 1st Place ties will decided by an on-course play-off. If an on-course play-off is not feasible, the tie will be broken using the USGA recommended method for scorecard play-off. The winner will be determined on the basis of the best score for the last nine holes. For events with shotgun starts, the last nine holes will be holes 10-18. If the tying players have the same score on the last nine holes, the winner will be determined on the basis of the last six holes. If a tie still exists, the winner will be determined on the basis of the last three holes. If a tie still exists, the winner will be determined on the basis of the last hole. If a tie still exists, the same procedure will be applied to the first nine holes until a winner is determined. Ties for 2nd, 3rd, etc., will be decided by the same method. If there are more than two players involved, the play-off will determine all positions involved.

Caddies may be utilized in Match Play events and some developmental program events only. The caddie must be a JGAA member for at least 30 days. Siblings who are JGAA members can serve as caddies. Please note that caddies must abide by the JGAA Dress Code and Code of Conduct. Failure to do so will result in appropriate action  by the JGAA Tournament Staff.

It will be at the discretion of the JGAA Tournament Staff or Host Professional to cancel play and/or reduce the number of holes to a lesser number to determine age group winners. An event will not be cancelled due to rain unless the Host Professional deems it necessary. In the event of lightning or other dangerous situations, play will be suspended until conditions are safe. Refunds for an event cancelled prior to commencement of play will be issued within three weeks, provided the event cannot be rescheduled.

The use of pull carts will be allowed at each event for every age group, subject to host golf course approval. Motorized cars of any kind are prohibited.

Use of Range Finders: The use of rangefinders will be prohibited during any JGAA Tournament.

The JGAA provides a worthwhile activity which can be pursued throughout life and which helps develop character and good sportsmanship.

The JGAA Code of Conduct is a guideline for junior golfers to follow throughout the tournaments, both on and off the course. It is not intended to scare players, but to help JGAA participants understand the consequences of their actions.

Specific Penalties will be assessed for the following:

• A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed every time a participant leaves litter on the course property and fails to pick up litter found on the course.
• A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed every time a participant fails to replace a divot, repair a ball mark or fails to rake a  bunker.

Any of the following behavior will result in a warning. Flagrant and subsequent violations will result in disqualification. Repeated infractions will result in suspension of membership:

• Lack of respect for others
• Improper attire (see dress code)
• Use of electronic devises (includes walkmans, radios, MP3 players, beepers and mobile phones) are prohibited during the round of play.  Devises may be used before and after the round.  This policy applies to scorekeepers and caddies.

The following violation are always considered flagrant and as such, they will result in automatic disqualification:

• Cheating
• Lack of respect for volunteers or officials
• Damage to course or course property
• Smoking or use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs
• Throwing clubs
• Obscene, abusive or vulgar language

The JGAA does NOT confirm your entry by mail or phone, however, online entries will receive e-mail confirmations as entries are processed.  Status in the tournament is available on our website at jgaa.org.  Juniors whose applications are received after the Closing/Refund Date or after an event is full will  be put on a waiting list and notified by e-mail.

Proper attire for all JGAA members include:

• Belts on boys and girls
• Neat and clean clothing
• Hats worn properly (bills forward)
• Sleeves and collars on boys' shirts (mock turtleneck golf shirts are acceptable).  Shirts must be tucked in.
• Collared shirts on girls (sleeveless and mock turtleneck golf shirts are acceptable)
• Capri pants on girls that are appropriate for golf
• Girls shirts not to rise above the belt line at any time during the golf swing.
• Shorts must be no shorter than a dollar bill length from the top of the knee
• Boy's shorts must NOT be lower than the bottom of the knee
• Shorts or pants cannot have more than four (4) pockets
• Spikeless golf shoes or tennis shoes only (shoes must be worn at all times)
• Ear piercings are acceptable on girls.  All other visible body piercings are NOT allowed on boys and girls.

All clothing must be worn in a neat and respectable way.

Improper attire includes, but is not limited to:

• Jeans
• Sweats
• Spandex
• Cut-offs
• Earrings on Boys
• Tee shirts
• Tank tops
• Tennis shorts
• Caps worn backwards
• Cargo shorts or pants
• Bathing suits
• Short shorts
• Excessively baggy shorts
• Visible body piercings

Please note that the JGAA Tournament Staff has the right to deem other attire to be improper, even if it does not appear in the previous list. The dress code policy will be reviewed at all 2008 Rules clinics.

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona strongly urges all tournament participants to establish a handicap. This service is provided free to all JGAA members, 18 years of age or younger, through the Arizona Golf Association and the Arizona Women’s Golf Association. The JGAA assigns a handicap number to each member.

To establish your handicap, post all scores for rounds played. Maintain your handicap throughout the year by posting all your scores each and every time you play, including JGAA events. Ask for help in the Golf Shop if you are unsure as to the procedure to post your score. It is your responsibility to post your scores.  An easy way to post a score is: You should be able to proceed from there and post your scores as needed.   You may also enter your scores through the AGA website at azgolf.org, just click on “Post a Score” under the Quick Links section.  Please note that once a member does not renew or is too old to renew their membership, they will be removed from the JGAA Handicap Service.

• Log onto any AZHN Network computer at a local golf course
• Click on the bar that reads "Sign in with your AZHN Number"
• Type in your AZHN Number as listed on your Membership Card
• Follow instructions on the screen

DECLARATION OF INTENTION

You are required to declare your intention to be considered for a JGAA State Team.  Intention must be declared on the membership application by marking the box or in writing to the JGAA office by June 9, 2008.

Membership is open to all boys and girls, age 8 up to their 19th birthday or the day they enter college. The JGAA does not recommend membership to those under the age of eight.

Membership is for the calendar year, January - December, and is required for participation in any JGAA tournament.

The Parent's Consent must be signed by the parent and the Member's Participation Agreement must be signed by the junior and on file in the JGAA office or verified on-line when using on-line entry.

The No-Show policy applies to all competitive rounds of each event, not just the first round. If you begin play on the first day and cannot play in the second or third round of an event, you MUST notify the JGAA Tournament Staff prior to your scheduled starting time for that round. Call the JGAA Tournament Director and leave a message at (602) 944-6168.

Sanctions for No-Show Infractions

First No-Show Offense

• The player is disqualified from the next JGAA event for which the junior has previously entered (Invitational or open entry).

Second No-Show Offense

• The player is disqualified from the next two JGAA events for which the junior has previously entered, and must assist the staff at a JGAA event prior to being allowed to play in another event in the 2008 season.

Third No-Show Offense

• The player is disqualified for the remainder of the 2008 season, including any State JGAA Teams.

If a member is disqualified from an event(s) because of a No-Show offense, there will be a forfeiture of all applicable entry fees.

If you are still on the waiting list prior to the event, you may come to the tournament site the morning of the first round and be placed on a stand-by list. Please be advised that the stand-by list is formed on a first come - first serve basis. For example, if you were previously 20th on the waiting list, but you show up at the tournament site before anyone else on the waiting list, you will automatically be the first person on the stand-by list. You MUST have already been on the original tournament waiting list for this policy to apply.  Members on the waiting list will automatically be placed on the stand-by list above members who simply decide to play the day of the event.

If the junior picks-up (quits) without notifying the JGAA Tournament Staff before play has OFFICIALLY ended, the player is disqualified (Rule 6-8a) and is automatically suspended from the next JGAA event for which the player has previously entered. There will be a forfeiture of the applicable entry fees.

All entries processed on our secured online payment system with a credit card will receive a refund through our online system applicable to the credit card used in making the transaction.  All refund requests, online or other, must be in our office before the Closing/Refund Date of the event.  No refunds will be available after the Closing/Refund Date.

The amount refunded will be the amount originally paid, minus a $5.00 per tournament handling fee. JGAA Invitaionals will have specific refund deadline dates assigned to each event.

When requesting a refund in writing, please include the members's name, age, address and the name and date of the tournament.  Please note that a refund will not be applied to a players's future tournament entry. 

The 2008 JGAA Rules Clinic will be mandatory for all age groups.  Please do not procrastinate, as there are only a limited number of clinics.  The schedule of location and time of the rules clinics may be found on the JGAA website.  There is an online multi-level rules test by age group.  Rules tests will not be given at the rules clinic.  Tests may only be taken and graded online.  The rules clinic and test must be completed and passed prior to June 1, 2008.  Failure to pass the exam with an acceptable score will prevent you from entering any tournaments.

The JGAA believes a good understanding of the Rules of Golf is essential for members. We provide enough clinics for each member to have the opportunity to attend. During the clinic, there will also be a review of the JGAA Dress Code and Code of Conduct Policies.

Parents are encouraged to attend the clinics. They will be given the opportunity to review the JGAA programs and obtain answers to questions they may have.

Please refer to our website for rules clinic dates and times.

Spectators/Parents, except those volunteers acting in an official capacity, are NOT allowed on the course, in the scoring area or the registration area. Spectators must wear a spectator badge-anyone without a badge will be removed from the course.

Only some developmental programs and the following JGAA tournaments are designated as Spectator Events:

• Southern Arizona Junior Championship
• Thunderbird Invitaional
• Tucson Spring Classic
• Quintero Cactus Cup
• Yuma City Junior Championship
• Willie Low Invitational
• Thunderbird Junior Classic
• Boys & Girls State Stroke Play Championship
• Ping Arizona Junior Match Play
• Kingman City Junior Championship 
• Boys & Girls State Match Play Championship
• Winter Classic  

The Spectator Guidelines for JGAA events are as follows:

• All spectators MUST be at least 7 years of age.
• Spectators are asked to adhere to the JGAA dress code.
• Spectators must remain on the cart path at all times or at least 30 yards away from the group if a cart path is not available.
• Any verbal and non-verbal contact could be construed as giving advice (Rule 8).  Conversations with players are not permitted
• Requests to use a golf cart while spectating must be submitted to the JGAA office at least two days prior to the event. Requests will be approved if warranted by physical or health reasons.
• Cell phones or other electronic devices are prohibited when spectating.

Failure to abide by these rules will result in immediate disqualification of the related participant.

Individual starting times for the First Round of competition will be available on our website, calling the golf course or the JGAA office not more than three (3) days prior to the event. The JGAA is not responsible for wrong starting times given out by the host course. Individual starting times for second (and third) rounds will be available on the wesite or at each tournament site as soon as possible after completion of all play. Second (and third) day starting times will be based on the order of finish in the previous round.

JGAA State Tournaments are the most competitive events conducted by the JGAA. Many serve as qualifiers to additional JGAA events as well as to national tournaments. Some are also designated as qualifiers for those juniors wishing to be considered for one of the JGAA's four (4) State Teams. Historically, these events have more entries than the field size allows.

Juniors participating in any of the events in this program must be tournament ready. Any player who does not demonstrate a good knowledge of the Rules of Golf; does not demonstrate an adequate playing ability; fails to maintain a reasonable pace of play; cannot keep an accurate score for him(her)self and a fellow competitor (with the exception of the 10 & Under age division); or does not conduct him(her)self properly will be asked to withdraw from the tournament. All Juniors are expected to abide by the Rules of Golf and the Rules, Policies and Procedures of the JGAA at all times.

Juniors whose playing ability and scores do not warrant tournament competition must participate in the Boys & Girls development programs prior to attempting tournament play.

Volunteers are needed at all JGAA events. Duties include helping with registration, starting, scoring, marshaling, checking scorecards and posting scores. All parents are expected to volunteer for at least two events per year per junior member. Please indicate on the entry form if you will be able to volunteer or use the following link:

http://www.jgaa.org/volunteer.html

To withdraw from an event, including an invitational, notice must be given to the JGAA office or JGAA Tournament Staff prior to the participant's starting time. Withdrawing from an event will not affect future tournament play, although, failure to withdraw will be considered a No-Show (see separate "No Show Policy"). You will not automatically receive a refund (see "Refund Policy").