

December
6, 2006
To: All State Golf and
Junior Golf Associations, PGA Sections, Junior Golf Tours, Independent Junior
Golf Tournaments.
From: Mac Thayer – Executive Director
Subj: Reporting and
publishing of player DQ’s, WD’s, NS’s and NC’s
Over the last two years, all of us have been concerned and have commented about the pattern of unwarranted withdrawals by players
after having played poorly or for some other reason. In the spirit of “sunlight is the best disinfectant”, effective January 1, 2007, for all
tournaments commencing play after that date, the Junior Golf Scoreboard will accept results reported with players who weredisqualified,
withdrew, were no-shows after having started play, or no-carded themselves. The Scoreboard will then do the following:
1) Publish the tournament results, listing last, the players who have a DQ, WD, NS or NC.
2) Maintain that information in a player’s file
3) Display that information in the “Player Results” pop-up box in the Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings™ under the heading “Other Tournaments”
The player’s actual ranking
will not be affected but the information will remain on display for a
period of one year after its occurrence.
Please take time to review the chart attached. Please also note that
your decisions about a player’s status are yours alone and are final.
We will forward all questions about a particular player to your
organization.
Over the last few months, we
have spoken with several junior tours and state junior golf directors about this
initiative and have received
valuable input and unanimous support. In addition, both college golf coach
associations (GCAA and NCGA) have issued a joint letter written to the
junior golf community about coaches’ attitude towards junior golf
withdrawals. That letter is provided to you to use as you see fit.
You are permitted and encouraged to publish that letter and this one on your
website and/or to distribute copies to your players or members in
mailings or at tournaments.
Please find attached the
coaches’ letter and a chart that outlines the use and guidelines of DQ, WD, NS
and NC. These conform with
the USGA TPP codes and were designed during the conversations we mentioned.
During December, please feel free to call with any
questions. You input is welcome as
we approach the announcement in December. (Those organizations using BlueGolf,
please call us)
Many thanks to Les Brown(FSGA), Todd Thompson (SJGT), Rob Jansen (AJGA), Dustin
Jensen (CoJGA), Chris Childers (PGA Junior Series),
Tom Cunningham (JGAA), Dan McQuire(IJGA-ret).
PAGE 2
OF 3
Overall consideration –
do the tournament officials feel that the situation was one in which there was
no intention
or managed purpose (DQ) or was there intent or a deliberate
decision by the player (WD or NC)?
All final decisions rests with tournament officials.
|
Category Name |
Designation |
Explanation |
Report Tort to JRort Junior GolfScoreboard Golf Scoreboard |
|
No show before competition begins |
|
Those players who do not come to the tournament at all |
NO Each organization handles internally |
|
Disqualified |
DQ |
Reserved for actual USGA rules infraction that occurs without a deliberate or managed intention |
YES + any official scores |
|
Withdrawal – unjustified or questionable*
Justified* – DO NOT REPORT
* Many thanks to the AJGA for their categories |
WD |
Reserved for a deliberate voluntary action or decision not to continue play after having started a competition and turned in a score.
|
YES + any official scores
(NO – for justified WD’s) |
|
No show |
NS |
Completed one or more rounds – fails to report for tee time |
YES + any official scores
|
|
No card (worst action by player) |
NC
|
After having begun competition – a deliberate decision not to sign or turn in a card |
YES + any official scores
|
Examples:
1) Player does not come to tournament at all – handled by tournament organization – do not report
2) Player tees it up,
plays a complete or partial stipulated round, walks off without turning in
scorecard for any reason
NC (Deliberate decision by player)
3) Player tees it up, plays,
signs card, does not call or speak to an official, fails to show for next round
– NS
(Deliberate decision by player by not coming to course, calling or
speaking to an official)
4) Player plays, signs card,
actually comes to course reports late for tee time or calls to acknowledge being
late,
DQ (While this might be deliberate,giving benefit of the doubt)
4a) Calls to say they are sick – WD (no way to verify unless tournament asks for doctor’s letter)
5) Player tees it up, plays,
signs card, notifies official that they will not be playing next round, no
justifiable reason
WD (Deliberate decision by player to withdraw)
6) Player unintentionally fails to sign scorecard – DQ (Unintentional action by player)
7) Player fails to sign card after being given an opportunity to do so – NC (Deliberate decision by player)
8) Player has clear, verifiable physical condition or family emergency reason for not continuing play – Justified WD (do not report)
PAGE 3 OF 3
October 23, 2006
Dear Junior Golfers and Junior Golf Supporters:
The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA-men) and the National Golf
Coaches Association (NGCA-women) have
recently been made aware of a growing concern in junior golf regarding
tournament withdrawals. Obviously, as there is in any
type of golf competition, withdrawal for legitimate illness, injury or
personal emergency is understood. However, it has come to
our attention that the practice of withdrawing from events in order to
protect scoring average and/or national ranking is occurring.
One of the hallmarks of the game of golf is that it is a sport of honesty,
integrity and discipline. In no other sport are the participants
asked to enforce the rules of the game themselves and behave in a manner beyond
reproach. College coaches throughout the country evaluate
prospective student-athletes based not only on their success in the classroom
and on the course, but also on their integrity.The ability to perform
despite adversity is a characteristic that all coaches place a very high
premium on during the evaluation and recruiting process.
Especially noticeable are those players who "press on" during challenging
times in competition and especially those who shoot better scores
after a poor round. Equally Noticeable
to college coaches are those players who choose not to finish a competition.
Final decisions
on who coaches believe will best measure up to the challenges of college
golf are made based on subtle differences. Through the cooperation and
assistance of junior golf tournament organizers and the Junior Golf Scoreboard
our members are able to see the results of all those who participate
throughout the country and around the world.
On behalf of all college coaches, please accept our best wishes as you continue to play the game!
Sincerely, Sincerely,
John Fields Kelley Hester
President, GCAA President, NGCA
University of Texas University of Arkansas