Before you attend a SCJGA event — either as a participant or spectator — you must be free of fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19. You must not have come in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for a minimum of two weeks. Also, please familiarize yourself with and follow best practices regarding social distancing and hand hygiene published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The South Carolina Junior Golf Association has adopted new guidelines to protect the health and safety of players, parents, spectators, college coaches, SCJGA staff, host facility staff and volunteers. KEEP IN MIND THESE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME as guidelines and recommendations from DHEC, CDC and our state and local government change. Thank you for reviewing and adopting these practices to protect all stakeholders at events.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
All players must maintain a minimum of SIX FEET distance from all other people, including other players, spectators, club staff, association staff, etc. at all times. This includes the parking lot, putting green, practice area, on the golf course, in the scoring area, restrooms, clubhouse and golf shop at all host facilities.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
In order to be eligible to participate in an SCJGA event YOU WILL BE REQUIRED to sign an SCJGA waiver of liability.
FIELD SIZE
All SCJGA tournament fields (including chapter events) will be limited to no more than 120 players.
SPECTATORS
Spectators are allowed, but please limit the amount of spectators at this time. Spectators are asked to stay in their vehicle until their players’ tee time and refrain from congregating before and after the round. Spectators are not allowed in practice areas.
SPECTATOR CARTS
Spectator carts are permitted in SCJGA events.
CLUBHOUSE
All players and spectators are discouraged from congregating in the clubhouse, parking lot or any other common areas. If players are waiting for prizes or playoffs on the final day, they can wait in their vehicle or at a safe social distance outside.
CADDIES
Caddies are prohibited at all SCJGA events.
PRE-ROUND-WARM UP
Players should not arrive at the golf course more than one hour before their starting time. To eliminate congestion on the practice facilities, warm up time and spaces will be limited.
PRACTICE AREAS
Practice areas are only open to participants prior to each round and will be closed and unavailable to participants after tournament rounds. Except in the need of playoffs for players involved to warm up.
FIRST TEE and TOURNAMENT PAPERWORK
The SCJGA will no longer provide these items at the first tee: tees, pencils permanent markers, sunscreen, insect repellant, or ball markers. Players should come prepared with these items.
The SCJGA will make every attempt to email, text and post on our tournament information page (which can be viewed from smartphones) hole locations and local rules sheets for each event. Limited copies of these will be available at the starting area (players are encouraged to take a picture with smart phones for reference if you have one.)
DURING THE ROUND
Bunkers – If tournaments are played without bunker rakes: Relief from an abnormal ground condition (i.e. a footprint) for the lie of the ball only, the player may lift the ball, smooth the area and place it within one club length, no closer to the hole. Players are also encouraged to smooth out all bunkers with their feet when exiting after play.
Flag stick – Players must not remove the flagstick at this time. Removing the flagstick is a violation of the SCJGA Code of Conduct policy and may result in penalty if repeatedly violated.
Holed – The definition of Holed is modified in this way: If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed even if the entire ball is not below the surface.
POST-ROUND
Players are asked to refrain from the traditional handshake or hug prior to and after all rounds. A friendly nod, a tip of the cap, or wave is a recommended form of greeting or sportsmanship.
As soon as you attest your scorecard, you will need to immediately leave the golf course unless you may be involved in a playoff.
SCORING
Players will be asked to use the BlueGolf Application (available on iOS and Android App Store) to serve as their official scorecard. We will email and post instructional tutorials on our website prior to the first round on how to properly use this application.
The SCJGA will also provide the optional paper scorecards to competitors. These scorecards are not official and should not be exchanged amongst players.
After the round, players will verify scores that were entered into BlueGolf in the scoring area with SCJGA staff. Those players who do not use the app will be allowed to verbally call their scores to SCJGA staff at this point for verification. Scores are deemed returned and attested once players and markers verbally verify scores.
There will be no scoreboards, all scoring will be visible online.
PLAYOFFS
In the event of a tie for first place after the competition is closed, we will have a playoff for the overall championship. If an event is also used to determine other honors, such as GA/SC Team Matches, playoffs will be held accordingly. Players are responsible for making themselves available should a playoff take place. If players are waiting for prizes or playoffs on the final day, they can wait in their vehicle or at a safe social distance outside.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
The SCJGA will not host buffet lunches or social events to reduce large group gatherings. SCJGA provided tournament Food & Beverage options will be on an event by event basis. Information regarding F&B will be sent out in the player information letter.
Please bring your own water and/or snacks. Water and/or snacks MAY be provided at certain SCJGA events but are not guaranteed at each event. Food and beverage will also be available to purchase at host facilities.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather, PARTICIPANTS, will be the top priority for shuttled evacuation. Players and spectators are to report to their vehicles during suspensions and/or delays. Any player without a vehicle should report the SCGA/SCJGA staff for instructions on where they should remain during the delay. Suspensions, delays and starting instructions will be sent via email and text to all participants. Please login to your BlueGolf account and update the parent cell phone number to the phone number you would like to receive text updates and/or information.
PLAYER GIVEAWAYS
Tournament gifts will be sanitized by SCJGA staff prior to registration. Please do not congregate around registration table.
AWARDS
SCJGA will hand out awards to overall winners using protective measures.
The South Carolina Junior Golf Association will continue to act in the best interest of our members and make safety the top priority for our players, volunteers, spectators, and host club’s personnel. Please continue to check www.scjga.org for updates on our policies and guidelines as they may change at any time.
