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May 28, 2020 - As our suspension of events lifts today, we will begin a "new normal" of running events in the coming weeks and months to come. We are excited for tournament golf to begin again, but at the same time realize the threat that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) still poses across our state and the United States as a whole. With that being said, new protocols, procedures, and guidelines will be implemented at SCGA events. The information below addresses many of the changes that we will be implementing at SCGA events, and we encourage and advise all participants and spectators to review the information prior to any SCGA event or activity. 

Please note that these protocols, policies, and guidelines may change at any time or even event by event. Information pertinent to each event will be sent to the participating field prior to the tournament dates. 

2020 SCGA Covid-19 Protocols, Policies and Guidelines

Before you attend a SCGA 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 Golf Association has adopted new guidelines to protect the health and safety of players, parents, spectators, college coaches, SCGA staff, host facility staff and volunteers. KEEP IN MIND THESE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES CAN CHANGE AT ANYTIME 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 SCGA event YOU WILL BE REQUIRED to sign a SCGA waiver of liability.

FIELD SIZE & FORMAT

SCGA Field Sizes will be decided on an event by event basis and can be found in the tournament information and entry information – field sizes may be subject to change at any time by the SCGA and host club.

All SCGA events for the entire 2020 season will be one-tee starts to maximize social distancing on practice facilities and during weather delays. The format best reduces the overall number of people at a host facility at any one time.

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. College coaches may attend SCGA events in accordance with NCAA rules.

SPECTATOR CARTS

Spectator carts may only be rented with a valid South Carolina Handicap card or placard – Members of the same family may ride in the cart used by the handicap approved individual.

CLUBHOUSE

All players and spectators are discouraged from congregating in the clubhouse, parking lot or any other common areas. Should a suspension of play occur, please head immediately to your car and wait for instruction by text message and social media.

CADDIES

Caddies will be prohibited at all SCGA events.

PRACTICE AREAS & PRE-ROUND WARMUP

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 will be PLAYERS ONLY 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 SCGA 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.

SCGA Tournament Paperwork (Hole Locations, rules sheets, hard card, etc.) will be sent to participants by email, text and will be posted on our tournament information page (which can be viewed from smartphones). Limited copies of these will be available at the starting area (players are encouraged to take a picture with smart phones for reference, if needed).

DURING THE ROUND

Local Rules will be provided for each SCGA event and may vary event by event – PLEASE READ the local rules sheet provided for each event and pay close attention to bunker rules, flagstick rules, etc. as they are subject to change event by event.

As of 5/28/2020:

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. 

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.

Flagstick - Under the Rules of Golf, players are permitted to leave the flagstick in the hole while putting. At this time, touching or removing the flagstick and replacing it before a stroke is deemed a SCGA Code of Conduct violation at this time and is subject to penalty. If a player removes the flagstick and makes a stroke with the flagstick removed, the player will be subject to the general penalty for each offense.

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 use the Golf Genius TM 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.

After the round, all players will verify scores verbally and visually (television, mobile device, etc) that were entered into Golf Genius TM in the scoring area with SCGA staff. Scores are deemed returned and attested once players and markers verbally verify scores.

There will be no scoreboards, all scoring will be visible online through Golf Genius TM.

As soon as scores are attested, players and accompanying spectators will need to leave the host facility immediately, unless there is a chance of a playoff. In the case of a playoff, please socially distance yourself and we will be in contact as soon as necessary.

PLAYOFFS

In the event of a tie for first place, we will have a playoff for the overall championship. Players are responsible for making themselves available should a playoff take place.

AWARDS & GIFT CERTIFICATES

The SCGA will hand out award (s) to the OVERALL winners using protective measures (face mask, gloves, etc.). All gift certificates will be left at the club for redemption at a later time on a player by player basis.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

The SCGA will not host buffet lunches or social events at this time. SCGA 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 prior to each event. However, please come prepared with extra water, snacks, and beverages as needed!

INCLEMENT WEATHER/SUSPENSION OF PLAY

In the event of inclement weather, PARTICIPANTS will be the top priority. Players and spectators are to report to their vehicles during suspensions and/or delays. Any player without a vehicle should report the SCGA staff for instructions on where they should remain during the delay. Suspensions, delays and starting instructions will be sent via text, email to all participants along with updated on social media channels. Please login to your SCGA profile Golf Genius TM account to make sure your cell phone number and email address is updated and correct.

PLAYER GIVEAWAYS

When tournament gifts are to be given away, all gifts will be sanitized by SCGA staff prior to handout at registration. Registration times (when applicable) will be lengthened, and player will arrive based on tee time to help ensure safe distribution.

The safety of all involved is of the upmost importance to the SCGA and our host facilities. Please follow the below cautions before attending any SCGA event or activity.

• If you are sick or at risk (CDC’s list of high risk indivuals) please stay home.
• Please familiarize yourself and follow best practices as published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and state / local governments.
• Please bring your own water and/or snacks. Water and/or snacks MAY be provided at certain SCGA events. Food and beverage will only be available to purchase at the host facility.
• Players should wash their hands frequently, where available. Hand Sanitizer should be used frequently in absence of a restroom. Players are responsible for providing their own hand sanitizer at most SCGA Events.

We look forward to seeing everyone at SCGA events in the near future!

SCGA Tournament Staff