SCPGA JUNIOR TOUR
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Download a printable version of the complete Rules & Regulations
Download the 2010 SCPGA Junior Tour Local Rules and Conditions of Competiton (Hard Card)
***It is very important that all SCPGA Junior Tour Members and parents read and understand the following before participating in any SCPGA Junior Tour events.
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
- USGA Rules of Golf will govern play at all times. The Conditions of Competition and Local Rules on the SCPGA Junior Tour Hard Card are also in effect.
- All members are required to take and pass a Rules Exam before entering any SCPGA Junior Tour event. There are Rules Exams for the JDL, Junior Tour and Toyota Tour Cup that are required prior to participation at that level.
- Players and parents should always conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen while at a tournament site. Remember, we are the guests of the host facilities, and the SCPGA needs the courses more than the courses need the SCPGA Junior Tour.
- Golf etiquette is a very important consideration. Members and parents are expected to behave in accordance with accepted norms. Players must be careful not to damage greens when putting down golf bags, the flagstick, or with shoes or clubs. Players are responsible for replacing divots, repairing ball marks and raking bunkers. Not adhering to this guideline could result in a Serious Breach of Etiquette (Rule 33-7) and result in disqualification.
- Slow play will not be tolerated. Always be ready to play when it is your turn and be sure that your group maintains its position with the group in front of yours. (please refer to the Tour Hard Card and Pace of Play policy in this Handbook (Pg 9) Groups that fall behind will be subject to penalty under the Rules of Golf.
- All players must check in at registration at least 30 minutes prior to their starting time. Failure to arrive at the tee ready to play at your designated starting time may result in a penalty or disqualification under the Rules of Golf (Rule 6-3).
- Do not leave your clubs unattended. The SCPGA and the host facilities are NOT responsible for any lost or stolen items.
- Caddies are not permitted.
- Junior Tour Members are forbidden to ride in golf carts in all Junior Tour events, unless being shuttled by an official SCPGA Staff member. Players (all age divisions) may use pull carts if they are permitted at the host course. Motorized carts of any kind are prohibited.
- The use of electronic devices (RANGE FINDERS, cell phones, i-pods, blackberry’s, etc.) during competition is forbidden and will result in a general penalty and /or disqualification. Spectators are asked to NOT use cell phones during competition, and to keep ringers in the “off”
- Any misconduct or unbecoming behavior by the Junior Member or their parent/guardian may result in the immediate disqualification of the player from the event, or the removal of the parent/guardian from the facility. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to, throwing clubs, use of vulgar or obscene language, smoking, drinking, use of tobacco, littering, abuse of SCPGA Staff, volunteers, or PGA Members. If you witness any unbecoming behavior, please report it immediately to the SCPGA Staff on site. Excessive and continued abuse of SCPGA Rules and Regulations by a Junior Member or Parent will result in a hearing with the SCPGA Advisory Committee and /or suspension or expulsion from the SCPGA Junior Tour. If a junior or a parent is suspended, the suspension may last throughout the end of the calendar year. The Junior/Parent may reapply for Membership/reinstatement the following year, and may appeal the Advisory Committee’s decision. Notification of any suspension or expulsion will be forwarded to the AJGA & USGA.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION:
Membership is open to juniors between the ages of 5 and 18 (18 year olds are eligible through the end of the Summer Series –August 31, or until they begin attending college, whichever comes first). All members must complete the Membership Application including the Rules Exam each year. All members must provide the SCPGA with a verification of age (copy of birth certificate or passport). Membership is based on the calendar year (expires December 31). Membership is subject to suspension or cancellation by the SCPGA Foundation and the Junior Golf Advisory Committee for violation of any SCPGA Junior Tour Rules and Regulations. Membership dues entitle member access to SCPGA sanctioned events, year-round SCGA Handicap services, and official SCPGA Junior Tour merchandise.
Membership is structured into four tiers to accommodate juniors of every skill level:
Square One:
Square One is designed to introduce newcomers to the game of golf. The program includes access to PGA Professionals, an SCGA Handicap and the SCGA Foundations Youth on Course Program. Events will be scheduled at Facilities all over Southern California for these members to participate in and have a successful introduction into the game.
Ages: 5-18
JDL (Junior Developmental League):
The JDL is designed for players without any prior competitive experience. This level offers PGA Professional (at designated events) and SCPGA Junior Tour Staff instruction readying players to handle the rigors of competitive golf. The focus of JDL Events will be on course experience as well as instruction on the Rules and Etiquette. Scores will be posted online, but will not be posted at the event and points will not be awarded in JDL events. JDL Members may advance to the Junior Tour after successfully passing a Rules of Golf Test as well as a Skills Test. If a JDL Member moves from the JDL to the Junior Tour Membership, the difference in membership fee must be paid.
Ages: 7-18
JUNIOR TOUR:
SCPGA Junior Tour events are played by age divisions for boys and girls, with no handicaps used. Customary age divisions for boys are: 9-11 (9 holes, forward/red tees), 12-13 (middle/white tees), 14-15 (championship/blue tees), 16-18 (championship/blue tees). Customary age divisions for girls are: 9-11 (9 holes), 12-14, 15-18. All girls will compete from the forward/red tees. All events are conducted in accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf, SCPGA Junior Tour Conditions of Competition and the Rules and Regulations of the SCPGA Junior Tour. Events on the Junior Tour are conducted throughout Southern California. *** The SCPGA reserves the right to place a Junior Tour Member back to the JDL if their play, Rules knowledge, etiquette and/or maturity level is not consistent with that of their age division.
Ages: 9-18
TOYOTA TOUR CUP:
The Toyota Tour Cup Series is a series of two-day events at some of Southern California’s premiere facilities. Membership is Invitation Only. Juniors are invited based on the previous year’s Junior Tour point standings (refer to “Series Breakdown”), Toyota Tour Cup Qualifying Schools and final Toyota Tour Cup point standings from the previous year. In addition, the top players from the following junior golf organizations are invited: Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Northern California, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura County, Washington, and Canada. All Toyota Tour Cup events are nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard, as well as recognized as AJGA Performance Based Entry Events. Five 2010 Toyota Tour Cup Events will be ranked by Golfweek, including the Toyota Tour Cup Championship. All Toyota Tour Cup events are 36-54 hole events, played with no age divisions. Boys compete from the Championship tees (6600-7000+ yards), and girls compete from the middle tees (5700-6100+). Local qualifiers are open to SCPGA Junior Tour members who are not Toyota Tour Cup members, and will be offered for each event. The number of available spots at each qualifying site will be announced on the Tournament Page prior to the opening of Registration. (Juniors who qualify for a Toyota Tour Cup event through a local qualifier will only be invited for membership if they finish in the top 10 of the Tour Cup event played. Any players who are not invited, that feel they are capable of competing at the Toyota Tour Cup level, may compete in the Toyota Tour Cup Qualifiers or Toyota Tour Cup Qualifying School to try and gain access into an event or the Series.
Ages: 12-18
PLAYING UP:
Players are required to play in the proper age division for the current series. Players may, at their discretion, petition the SCPGA Foundation permission to “play up” into an older age division. The request form can be found on scpgajrtour.com under the Frequently Asked Questions>Junior Tour Docs (click here to download the form). If the request is granted, the junior will be required to participate in the older age division for the remainder of the year. The request to play-up must be made in writing to the Junior Tour Director (email acceptable), and granted before a junior may compete in an older age division. The decision to move a player up is at the sole discretion of the SCPGA Junior Tour Staff, and will be determined based on skill level and maturity level.
JUNIOR TOUR SERIES BREAKDOWN:
The SCPGA Junior Tour is comprised of three Series (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Below lists the breakdown of the Series, relating to age divisions, points, Series Championships, Toyota Tour Cup invitations, etc.
Spring Series: January 1 – May 31, 2010.
Age Divisions: Players must compete in the age division they will be in as of the last day of the Series (May 31, 2010).
Points: Points will be awarded for top ten finishes in recognized events, and there will be one Point Ranking for the Spring Series.
Series Championship: Players finishing in the Top three (plus ties) in any recognized event during the Series.
Toyota Tour Cup Invitations: extended to the following:
Boys 12-13: top 3; Boys 14-15: top 5; Boys 16-18: top 5
Girls 12-14: top 3; Girls 15-18: top 5
Invited players from the Spring Series will be eligible to participate in Toyota Tour Cup events for the remainder of the current year.
Summer Series: June 1 – August 31, 2010
Age Divisions: Players must compete in the age division they will be in as of the last day of the Series (August 31, 2010).
Points: Points will be awarded for top ten finishes in recognized events, and there will be a separate Metro Point Rankings and Desert Point Rankings for the Summer Series only.
Series Championship: There will be a Metro and a Desert Series Championship. Players finishing in First Place in Metro (ties included) or Top 3 Desert (ties included) in any recognized event during the series are eligible to compete in that respective Series Championship.
Metro Series Toyota Tour Cup Invitations: extended to the following:
Boys 12-13: top 5; Boys 14-15: top 10; Boys 16-18: top 10
Girls 12-14: top 5; Girls 15-18: top 10
Invited players from the Metro Summer Series will be eligible to participate in Toyota Tour Cup events for the remainder of the current year, as well as the following year.
Desert Series Toyota Tour Cup Invitations: extended to the following:
Boys 12-13: top 3; Boys 14-15: top 5; Boys 16-18: top 5
Girls 12-14: top 3; Girls 15-18: top 5
Invited players from the Desert Summer Series will be eligible to participate in Toyota Tour Cup events for the remainder of the current year, as well as the following year.
Fall Series: September 1 – December 31, 2010
Age Divisions: Players must compete in the age division they will be in as of the last day of the Series (December 31, 2010).
Points: Points will be awarded for top ten finishes in recognized events, and there will be one Point Ranking for the Fall Series.
Series Championship: Players finishing in the Top three (ties included) in any recognized event during the Series.
Toyota Tour Cup Invitations: extended to the following:
Boys 12-13: top 3; Boys 14-15: top 5; Boys 16-18: top 5
Girls 12-14: top 3; Girls 15-18: top 5
Invited players from the Fall Series will be eligible to participate in Toyota Tour Cup events in the following year.
To see the rest of the SCPGA Junior Tour Rules and Regulations, download a printable version of the complete Rules & Regulations
