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E-mail: karen@premierjuniortour.com Phone: 239.822.8590
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2011 SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT
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The competitor you are watching is playing in a nationally-ranked event. It is important for the integrity of the field that ALL spectators adhere to all of the following Spectator policies. Following a
competitor at a Premier Junior Tour event is a privilege. The Premier Junior Tour Staff has the right to assess a penalty to a player based on the severity of the spectator violation. The spectator
may also be asked to leave the facility if he/she is not following the rules.
Please keep emotions of joy or disappointment under control. We certainly encourage you to clap/encourage the kids, but please do so in a controlled matter that is not a distraction to other
competitors in the group or other groups on the golf course.
We ask spectators to keep smoking and alcoholic beverages to a minimum at our events. Cigarette butts do not make the golf course look good. Also smoking/drinking does not set a good
example for the kids. We ask you to simply enjoy the competition and the fresh air!
HOW TO PROPERLY FOLLOW A GROUP
-Follow your group from a distance and stay in the rough or on the cart paths. You should NOT be in the fairway. Please stay off of all tees, fairways, and greens.
-You may go ahead of the group to fore caddie, and we encourage you to do so, as long as you are not disrupting the group ahead of you with your presence. Please do not go forward until the
group ahead of you has cleared the landing area.
-If you do not choose to go ahead of your group, please stay to the side of the players and remain still and quiet as they play their shots.
-Do not lag behind the group you are following as this often delays the group behind you.
Putting Green - Spectators must never be on the putting surface and should observe the putting green from a reasonable distance that will not interfere with the players.
Looking for Balls - Please help spot balls for all players. Spectators are encouraged to watch each player's shot closely and may assist searching for a lost ball during the five-minute search
period.
-Spectators are allowed to carry medicine, drinks, food, umbrellas, etc.
COMMUNICATING WITH PLAYERS
ADVICE (Rule 8. Advice; Indicating Line of Play)
Advice (Rule 8) is any counsel or suggestion which could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. In addition, any conversation between
player/spectator may be construed as advice. This includes any conversation between player/spectator in their native language. In either instance, penalty for breach of this rule is two strokes.
Players are responsible for the actions of their relatives and spectators in regards to this rule.
Spectators who need to talk with a player (for health reasons and handing them sunscreen, food or beverages) should do so in front of other spectators and/or players.
-Penalty for a breach of Rule 8 is: loss of hole in Match Play; or two strokes in Stoke Play.
-We encourage you to carefully read Rule 8 and the Decisions pertaining to Rule 8. Penalties for the players because of Spectator conduct is unfortunate and can be avoided by reading Rule 8 and
adhering to it.
SPECTATORS GIVING RULINGS
-Spectators are not allowed or asked to give information on the Rules to players in any instance, frequently the information is incorrect and/or Rule 8 (Advice) is breached. Violation of the Rules will
typically lead to a penalty for the player(s) involved. For additional information please carefully read Rule 8, and the Decisions on the Rules of Golf under Rule 8.
RULES OFFICIALS
Rules Officials are on the course to assist players when they are unsure how to proceed, to monitor pace of play, to refresh the competitors with water and/or crackers, and for emergency
situations. Players and spectators should notify an Official when someone needs assistance by calling the phone number of the official which is located at the bottom of the tournament rules
sheet. All tournament officials will have a bright orange flag on their carts.
If no Official is nearby, we ask that you call the phone number(s) provided on the tournament rules sheet and request that an Official come to you. If no Official is nearby or able to be reached on
phone, please proceed and play a second ball under Rule 3-3. Remember, it is the players responsibility to know the rules (Rule 6-1)
When an Official is assisting a player all spectators should stay at least 25 yards away and should not get involved in the conversation. Spectators will be brought into a situation only if asked by
the Official.
Spectators should not confront Officials. If a spectator has a question, or information, for an Official it should be done away from the players and in a calm manner.
SPECTATOR CART POLICY
(Failure to follow these policies can result in your cart being taken away at any time and may result in your privileges being suspended for future events.)
Carts may be rented by spectators based on course availability - the daily fee is determined by each individual club and will be posted in the player's information on the website.
Spectator carts must stay on the cart path at ALL times. If the course doesn't have cart paths then the cart must stay in the rough at all times.
Carts may only move forward on the golf course (from tee to green) except in case of a weather evacuation. Carts may not move while competitors are playing a stroke
Spectator carts will not be used for shuttling of players from green to tee unless stated on the rules sheet that is given to each player at the event.
Spectators carts will be used to assist with evacuation of players and spectators and may leave the cart path as necessary during an evacuation.
Spectator carts may carry water for players and any other spectator's items such as umbrellas etc.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
For your personal safety, we ask you exercise caution at all times. When inclement weather moves into the area, Premier will suspend play by sounding airhorns. Accordingly, you should seek
shelter immediately. The Premier staff will evacuate players from the course first and then spectators.
If you have a Spectator cart, we encourage you to transport as many players as safely possible to either the nearest shelter or the clubhouse, depending on what the tournament officials tell you.
The USGA and Premier Junior Tour emphasize that players in a competition have the right to stop play if they think lightning threatens them, even though the Committee may not have authorized is
specifically by signal (Rule 6-8).
DRESS CODE
All spectators must dress in appropriate golf attire or clothing of a similar nature. All attire must meet club guidelines.
CELL PHONES
All cell phones must be silenced when at the event. Cell phones are not required to be turned off, as we know that cell phones may be needed to contact a rules official. We ask that you do not
answer a phone call during an event, if you must though please remove yourself far away from the competitors when on the phone so you do not provide any distractions.
APPRECIATION OF CLUB STAFF AND OFFICIALS
It is appropriate, and Premier encourages you to express your appreciation to the host club, and the staff there. Please recognize that your actions may influence the future ability of not only
Premier coming back, but other junior golf organizations coming to the club in the future. It is your responsibility to be a gracious ambassador of junior golf. Set a great example for your child and
all the people present:
Say thank you to the golf professional, club staff and members
Be patient with staff and officials
Write a thank you note to the club
Be courteous at all times
Do not wear hats indoors (Men)
-All Competitors and Spectators attend Premier Junior Tour events at their own risk.