FALL WEEK 9 CHAMPIONSHIP
Local Rules Governing Play
- USGA Rules and the following will apply, unless stated otherwise herein or on tournament day.
- “Winter Rules”: You may mark, lift and clean your ball anywhere through the green (fairway or rough areas). Ball must be replaced within 6” of its original position, and no closer to the hole.
- Auxiliary Holes: If another cup (e.g , footgolf) interferes with your intended line of play or shot, you may move the ball laterally, no closer to the hole and in the same cut of grass.
- Long grass along the perimeter of the course is played as penalty area. So you may play it as it lies, or drop at the point of entry (or nearest point of full relief) with a one stroke penalty.
- Leaf rule in effect. If you are unable to find your ball in an area where leaves are prevalent and covering much of the ground, and your playing partners agree, you may place a new ball approximately where you believe the ball should be without penalty.
- Pace of Play goals:
10 min/hole (PLAYer, Par & Birdie)
15 min/hole (Eagle & Ace – regulation course)
If your group is falling behind, play “ready golf” and even if someone is technically closer to the hole, they may hit first to help the group move faster.
- Maximum score is 7 per hole. If you reach 7 shots and have not holed out, record as “7x”
- Scoring: Keep 2 scores – yours and a playing partner. If you have a walking scorer, report to them after every hole. Sign both scorecards after the round.
- PLAYer level only:
- “Whiff Rule”: first miss at each address does not count. Second attempt does.
- Play to large cup (shorter flag)
All scores must be accurately recorded and attested to be eligible!
Tournament Details
Tournament Mission
To provide a fun and educational opportunity for our members to participate in tournament-style competition and apply the golf and life skill lessons they are developing in their weekly classes.
Tournament Timetable
Please check in 15-30 minutes prior to your tee time. Course play have a duration of approximately 90 minutes for PLAYer, Par & Birdie divisions (Eagle 9-hole is 2 hours, Eagle/Ace 18-hole is 4 hours). Once play has concluded, return to the check-in table to complete scoring and check out.
COVID Guidelines
All of the rules from our regular season apply to the Week 9 Championship, including wearing facial coverings at all times. Any adults acting as either a “spectator” or a “caddie” must also wear a facial covering at all times.
This will be a contact-free environment.
Exceptions (made available before your round):
- Golf supplies: balls, tees, ball markers, etc.
- Snacks and bottled waters.
- Paper scorecard and pencil.*
*Scoring can be done either on a paper scorecard or by using the Golf Genius app on your phone. Golf Genius instructions will be sent out prior to the tournament.
Masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer will be provided at check-in if you need it.
Parent & Guardian Roles
To minimize group sizes, we can only allow one adult or spectator on the course with each golfer. In the PLAYer division, this would be the “caddie.” In all other divisions, where caddying is not allowed, that would be a “spectator.”
Spectators: Having galleries for the tournament can make it a fun and exciting atmosphere for players, and enhance the experience for everyone. We ask that spectators keep a distance of 25 yards at all times (per WJGA rules).
Caddies: in the PLAYer divisions only, ONE parent, guardian, or family member per player is permitted to carry the golfer’s bag, provide assistance with equipment, and scoring if deemed the player’s caddie. Caddies are not allowed in the Par, Birdie, or Eagle/Ace divisions.
Walking Scorers: We will try to have one official “walking scorer” per group. This adult will keep a separate scorecard and players will report their score to you on each hole. At the end of the round, your scorecard is then used to verify each of the players’ cards.
In the interest of ensuring a young person’s positive association with golf, we encourage parents to be an active member of their child’s support team. To start, we recommend watching this video: “Golf Parent for the Future” – (10 min. Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriot). Vision 54 is an industry leader in the theories golf skill development for all ages, with the goal being the pursuit of the perfect round: in score, enjoyment, and application for the future. Pia and Lynn were also instrumental in the development of The First Tee curriculum taught in each of our classes.
Weather
Please come prepared to be outdoors and comfortable for the duration of your round (hat, snack, water bottle, etc.).
Players must wear close-toed shoes (no flip flops or sandals) and golf cleats are ok of course, but no other cleats are allowed (soccer, baseball, football, etc.).
Walking Scorers
As stated above, keeping one’s score is an important part of our curriculum, so we ask that players manage their own scorecard independently. Additionally, we will attempt to assign at least one adult to each group as a walking scorer. It will be their responsibility to keep an objective and accurate score to compare with players upon completion of the round. If there is an unresolved rules question, please consult a coach.
Code of Conduct
For players and galleries in tournament play, we maintain a code of conduct consistent with the Washington Junior Golf Association (WJGA). For more information, visit their website HERE. USGA rules apply unless otherwise stated.
Photography
Cameras are welcome. We’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@firstteeseattle). Share your memories!