TOUR INFORMATION
PACE OF PLAY POLICIES
AGE DIVISIONS
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Girls:
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9-12 (9 holes) |
| 13-15 (18 holes) |
| 16-18 (18 holes) |
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Boys
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9-11 (9 holes) |
| 12-13 (18 holes) |
| 14-15 (18 holes) |
| 16-18 (18 holes) |
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A member's age as of June 10, 2012 is used to assign them to their respective age divisions. You may play up in a higher age division. However, should you decide to play in a higher age division you cannot switch back. Once the season begins there will be no changing of age divisions.
A copy of your birth certificate must be submitted upon registration, if you are a new member.
Any age division which fails to enroll six (6) members before June 10, 2012 will be eliminated. Any member enrolled in that cancelled age division may join the next age division.
ALTERNATE STATUS
There are 128 spots per tournament. The number of available spots for each age division is determined by the percentage of members in each age division relative to the membership total. Any member who cannot secure an available spot, yet has followed all the guidelines, is placed on the alternate list, receives a full refund for that tournament and is awarded five (5) player of the year points. When on the alternate list, it is strongly suggested that you correspond with Derek Smith about your probability of playing in that event. The SWGT attempts to get as many alternates in as possible. We urge you to show up at the tournament site at your age groups starting time to attempt to gain entry.
TEE TIMES
Tee times begin at 7:30 AM for the regular tour events. The Satellite Tour tee times are at 6 PM on Mondays.
A tee times player list will be available at the first event and at each event thereafter. Tee times for the regular tour events will also be listed on this website.
Please do not call the host golf courses for your teetime!!
REGISTRATION FEES
The registration fee is $75 from March 1, 2012 through April 30, 2012. Late registration is May 1, 2012 and forward, this fee is $90. Tournament entry fees are $33 for 18 holes and $65 for two-day events. (2011 Players of the Year are exempt from the registration fee only). The payment options are detailed within the registration page.
Each member must complete all registration forms which include applicable tournament forms with fees paid, resume page, signed medical form, and a copy of your birth certificate on file to be considered enrolled. Checks that bounce will be charged a $40 fee.
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may cancel out of any event. Cancellations must be submitted 3 days prior to the tournament date to qualify for a refund. Cancellations must be documented! Therefore, you must e-mail or call Derek Smith to cancel out of an event. If leaving a voice message you must report your name, age and event you are cancelling out of. All refunds are sent back by mail. All tournament cancellations will be assessed a $5.00 service charge which will be deducted from the refund amount. No shows (DNS) at tournaments will not receive a refund.
There are no banquet dinner refunds after Sunday, July 22, 2012.
There are no transfer of fees allowed. Should you cancel an event and want to play in another, you must send in or drop off the appropriate entry forms with the correct fees. Ultimately, you will be refunded for the event you cancelled minus the service charge should you have followed the above guideline.
TOURNAMENT STATUS
Each regular event may be an 18 hole or a 36 hole tournament. In the case of inclement weather, an event may be shortened. Your fee per event is a tournament fee, not an 18 hole or 36 hole greens fee.
With regard to the Satelitte Tour, should weather cancel an event, all players will receive a nine-hole voucher for that golf course.
DRESS CODE
All golfers are required to wear golf apparel which is of proper fit. Shirts must be consistent with apparel on the PGA/LPGA tours and be tucked in at all times. Please use a belt! Shirts must be tucked in from the moment you arrive at the event, until you leave the tournament site. You will receive one warning. After that, a two shot penalty may be assessed if you continue to disregard this policy. Logo golf attire is permitted. Young ladies must wear appropriate shirts (no tank tops or midriff tops). Shorts are permitted, but they must have pockets and be of proper length. NO CARGO SHORTS!! Shorts cannot be ripped or torn. (no gym or lycra shorts) Golf shoes with soft spikes are required. Hats, caps, or visors are strongly recommended! Players not meeting with these dress code guidelines will not play and will not recieve a refund! Dress for success!
PLAYERS RESPONSIBILITIES
The Southwest Junior Golf Tour follows the official rules of golf.
It is recommended that each player put an identification mark on their golf ball. After completion of the tournament round, each player should check the correctness of each hole played, then ensure that the scorecard is signed by your marker and then yourself. The player may decide to discontinue play only under threatening weather conditions. Lightning, heavy rains, and windstorms are valid reasons. Rainfall or cold conditions are not reasons for delay.
Our host sites are gracious to allow our tour to play, so please use proper manners. No swearing or abusive language will be tolerated! No use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or drugs are allowed. You cannot throw clubs. Any infraction against the above conditions means immediate dismissal from the event.
Please repair ball marks, fix divots, and rake bunkers perfectly smooth. Please discard trash in the proper receptacles. Slow play will not be tolerated, and violators will be penalized (rule #6-7). You must maintain your position on the golf course. Please play safely and with courtesy to your fellow competitors.
It is also the player's responsibility to report rule infractions (CHEATING) to the player suspected of committing the offense and to the Tournament Directors. This must be done on the course after the infraction has been witnessed, or immediately after the round, prior to signing the scorecard. No protests will be considered after the scorecard is signed!!!
Weather questions will be considered on the morning of the event. Check out radar for the vicinty of the event. Call Derek (440-346-6750) or Dave (440-346-6751) that morning should a question concerning weather arise the morning of the event.
Pace of Play
Many times we all get so wrapped up in playing golf that we tend to forget what the game of golf is all about. Golf is played for fun and enjoyment. The weather and the conditions of the turf play a significant role in how the game is played. However, there is another factor to add to this equation, Pace of Play.
We are all creatures of habit and we learn by example. Slow play is like a virus and it needs as much attention and practice as the golf swing.
Here are some suggestions for helping the Pace of Play.
- Be organized. Anticipate circumstances.
- Mark your golf balls before arriving at the first tee.
- Have a good exercise plan and stay in shape.
- Help teach other players that are slow how to pick up the pace of play.
- Get your golf bag as light as possible
- Learn as a foursome how to play a par 3 in 8 minutes, a par 4 in 12 minutes, and a par 5 in 15 minutes.
- Walk at a steady pace.
- Wear a watch or attach one to your golf bag.
- Be ready to play when it is your turn.
- Learn how to play when it is your turn.
- Learn how to play a Second Ball properly – Rule #3-3
- Stare down wayward shots. (Don’t take your eyes off the ball until it stops.)
- Watch your fellow competitor’s shots.
- Help search for lost balls.
- Carry a rake into the bunker with you.
- If undecided, carry your clubs into the hazard with you-Rule #13-4 Exceptions 1(b).
- Place your golf bag down between the green and the next tee.
- Continuous putt. (Providing you don’t have to stand in another player’s line.)
- The first person in the group to hole a putt should go directly to the flagstick and be prepared to pick it up and put it in the hole after the last player holes out.
- Record scores while walking to the next tee.
- Constantly talk to your club pro about rules, situations, relief and the rule #.
- Read the Rules of Golf by the USGA.
- Attend rules clinics and seminars.
Here are some scenarios involving pace of play:
Problem:
Three players in different groups hit shots into a lot of trouble and don’t hit provisional balls. They searched for 5 minutes and don’t find their balls. They have to walk back 250 yards to put another ball into play. This could add as much as 30 minutes to the finishing time for the last group in a field of 120 players.
Solution:
Everyone should watch each other’s shots and on wayward shots, stare at them until they stop. If you don’t see it and it may be lost or out of bounds, play a provisional ball. Pick out a landmark and walk straight toward the spot. If you find the original ball and it is not out of bounds you must abandon the provisional ball. Exception: A provisional ball cannot be played if your ball went into a hazard.
Problem:
All the players in a foursome shoot 90 each. Normally, they take 4 ½ hours to play their round. On this particular day, each player takes an extra 10 seconds per shot.
Here’s the Result:
90 shots x 10 seconds
= 900 seconds x 4 players
= 3,600 seconds
3,600 seconds/60 per minute
=60 minutes
By waiting 10 seconds per shot, per player their round turned into 5 ½ hours!
Solution:
Practice your pace of play and make it as consistent as your swing and you will never hear these 4 dreaded words on the golf course – “You’re on the clock!” This could ruin your round.
Again, remember golf is a game we play by choice. Have fun, make new friends, pay attention to your fellow competitors and your surroundings. Enjoy the process of learning from all the changes that take place on tour and tournament golf. You will become a much better player and person.
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