BC Junior Girls Championship

JUNIOR CODE OF CONDUCT

BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF ASSOCIATION

The British Columbia Golf Association (BCGA), in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), takes great pride in the quality of its competitors, host facilities, sponsors and community support associated with all its junior events.  To maintain and further enhance the quality of its events, the BCGA requires all competitors to comply with the code of conduct in all BCGA sanctioned events.  The junior code of conduct is:

A junior competitor will behave in a manner becoming of a BCGA/RCGA member at all times by:

·          Acting with integrity and honor,

·          Respecting fellow competitors, officials and volunteers,

·          Displaying proper etiquette,

·          Wearing appropriate attire, and

·          Being polite.

Code of conduct violations include, but are not limited to:

·          Possession, use or association with alcohol, tobacco products (chewing or smoking) or illegal drugs including drug paraphernalia,   

·          Gaming and/or gambling, i.e. any wagering, betting or contests where a prize, other than that offered by the event, is involved,

·          Cheating,

·          Abusive language or disrespectful behavior towards fellow competitors, tournament officials, marshals, volunteers, spotters, club members, guests, spectators, course employees, or anyone otherwise associated with the tournament  including host families, drivers, hotel employees and hotel guests,

·          Club throwing,

·          Spitting,

·          Intentionally damaging or vandalizing the course, equipment or property,

·          Theft,

·          Violent behavior,  

·          Failure to appear for a tournament without just cause and/or prior notification,

·          Breaking curfew or any other rule established by a tournament committee, team captain or official,

·          Leaving the course during a stipulated round or any other activity where one’s presence is required, and/or 

·          Any other conduct unbecoming a BCGA member.

The penalty for a code of conduct violation may be immediate disqualification or dismissal from an event.  For an on-course violation, the BCGA may opt to issue a warning for a 1^ST offence.  Where circumstances warrant, the BCGA team captain, official or supervisor may send a competitor home in which case the competitor and his/her parent(s)’ or guardian(s) will be responsible for all costs incurred.

Dress Code

Acceptable attire includes full length golf slacks, plus fours, tailored rugby pants, tailored golf shorts and golf shirts. Hats must be worn properly and shirts must be tucked in.  A dress code established by a host club or tournament committee, if more restrictive, will apply.

Competitors must adhere to the dress code during or after practice, qualifying or tournament rounds, and event meetings, award ceremonies, and other event related activities. 

Violations of the Dress Code include, but are not limited to:

Cutoffs, jeans, sweat pants, warm up pants, non-golf shirts such as sport uniforms, t-shirts & muscle shirts.  

Commercial logos, except logos of golf equipment companies or golf clubs and commercial logos as being part of the team uniform, numbers or offensive illustrations are not permitted on any attire or equipment.

A competitor may be prohibited from further play until they comply with the code.  A competitor must comply without undue delay and may be subject to penalties for lateness or pace of play.  Failure to comply may result in disqualification.  The BCGA may disqualify a competitor who has a record of repeat dress code violations without giving them a chance to comply.

Junior Girls should refer to the Women’s Dress Code.

Etiquette

See Section 1 of “The Rules of Golf.”

A serious breach of etiquette may result in disqualification of the competitor under Rule 33.7.  Repeated infractions may be dealt with by the BCGA disciplinary committee.

Spectators

Rule 8 prohibits a competitor from receiving advice, except under specified circumstances.  Competitors are advised to ask parents, spectators and companions to follow at a distance (recommended minimum of 25 yards) so there can be no question that communication can be construed to be advice.

A competitor is subject to a 2-stroke penalty for each infraction or disqualification in extreme circumstances.

Non-Compliance

The tournament committee will impose penalties for Code of Conduct violations.  All violations or infractions will be recorded, referred to the disciplinary committee for further investigation, and kept on file as part of a competitor’s permanent record.  Where deemed necessary a written letter of warning will be sent to the competitor, with a copy to his/her parent(s) or guardian(s).  The Disciplinary Committee may impose additional penalties or sanctions.  In the event that the Disciplinary Committee decides that a suspension is warranted, the competitor and his/her parents or guardian and the Management Committee/Zone Committee will be advised of the suspension in writing.  A competitor may appeal a disciplinary committee decision to the Management Committee/Zone Committee.  The competitor and his/her parents or guardian will be notified of the date when the appeal will be heard.  The Management Committee/Zone Committee will review all submitted materials and presentations then issue a written decision within 30 days of such a hearing.  The decision of the Management Committee/Zone Committee is final.

Competitors are responsible for their own decisions and are encouraged to consult with BCGA or RCGA representatives or event organizers before undertaking any action or activity that may be considered a violation of the code of conduct.  

Misconduct in other jurisdictions and non-BCGA events

Should the BCGA be informed or become aware of misconduct by a competitor in non-BCGA sanctioned events either in British Columbia or other jurisdictions, the BCGA reserves the right to impose it own additional penalties, discipline or sanctions against the competitor, including, but not limited to, non-selection or removal from teams and denial of entry into BCGA sanctioned events.