PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL

PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL

All rules and regulations in this manual apply specifically to play in IGHSAU-sanctioned district, regional and state tournament competition. To ensure that the players become familiar with these rules prior to IGHSAU-sanctioned tournament competition, it is expected all rules and regulations within this manual will be utilized during regular season play unless the host meet manager dictates otherwise. Coaches shall not play course while teams are in competition. Penalty is disqualification of all team members.

DISTRICT & REGIONAL TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS

ENTRIES

1. The entry found on line at the IGHSAU web site must be filed with the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union to indicate participation in golf for the current year.

2. Following notification of site assignment for district competition, Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A must file the District Golf Tournament Entry Blank with the site manager. Class 4A must file the Regional form with the site manager. This form is on the IGHSAU web site.

3. Entries to regional tournaments for classes 1A, 2A, and 3A will be indicated on the IGHSAU web site (www.ighsau.org) noting those eligible for play from results of district or regional play.

MEDALIST TOURNAMENT

Each player participating in the District Tournament is a part of the medalist tournament. The top five finishers in MEDALIST play advance from district to regional competition. No additional competitors shall advance from district to regional tournament play based on home course advancers.

All players at the regional tournament, whether they qualified as a medalist from the district tournament or advanced though the team competition at the district tournament are eligible for medalist honors. The top five finishers in regional medalist play advance to the State Tournament.

TEAM TOURNAMENT

The team tournament is separate from the medalist tournament, although a player's score in the district tournament shall count toward both the team and medalist results.

Each team may play six (6) participants, with the low four (4) of six (6) 18-hole scores counting for the team total. A school may change its six participants between district and regional and state competition.

The district champion and runner-up in team play advance to regional competition.

The regional team champion and runner-up advance to the State Tournament.

PARTICIPANT ATTIRE

All participants in district, regional, state, and co-ed tournament competition shall wear a collared shirt. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.

CELLULAR PHONES

Use of cellular telephones in any manner by participants during the competition shall result in disqualification.

PLAYER REGULATIONS

1) Power carts and caddies are prohibited. Note - Special permission may be granted by the state office for use of a cart. Contact the IGHSAU should a student require a cart as a condition of participation.

2) Family, friends, spectators, etc. cannot communicate with participants on the course. (Walking immediately alongside a player is deemed to be communication.) Any spectator disrupting play in the opinion of the Rules Committee will be removed from the course. Competitors may be disqualified if in violation of this rule. While spectators may follow players around the course, they are not to provide any type of assistance or instruction.

3) The golf coach(es) only may confer with the participant from the time a hole is completed and until they reach the next tee. The certified coach(es) has this privilege and is not to include any other spectators.

4) When golfers are on the green, spectators must be behind the green, so the next group can hit as soon as the green is cleared.

5) No practice putting is allowed on the course, including the putting green, after competition has begun.

6) Any rule violation on the course must be called by a player. The rule violation must be brought to the attention of the entire foursome before the alleged violator has COMPLETED THE HOLE ON WHICH THE VIOLATION OCCURRED AND LEFT THE GREEN. After a rule violation has been declared, the Rules Committee shall be consulted immediately, or the player shall finish the hole with two balls, one played as if no rule violation occurred, one played as if a rule violation did occur. The Rules Committee shall then hear the violation as soon as possible. If the violation is not called by a player prior to the violator's completion of play and leaving the green on the hole that the violation occurred, no penalty will be assessed.

7) If a player is guilty of unsporting conduct or demeanor, her coach and a rules committee member shall be notified. If the player is guilty of a subsequent offense, the rules committee may disqualify the violator.

8) Tobacco products are NOT permitted anywhere on the course.

9) USGA Rules are being followed unless published in this manual.

10) Summer Rules will be played during the tournament series, with the tournament manager retaining the right to invoke a local rule allowing winter rules if course conditions warrant.

11) Continuous putting shall be employed whenever possible.

12) Coaches may not leave the grounds during the competition. Any coach not present during the tournament will force disqualification of the entire team.

13) Contact a Rules Committee Member should any question arise during the tournament.

SPECTATOR REGULATIONS

1) Family, friends, spectators, etc. cannot communicate with participants on the course. (Walking immediately alongside a player is deemed to be communication.) Any spectator disrupting play in the opinion of the Rules Committee will be removed from the course. Competitors may be disqualified if in violation of this rule. While spectators may follow players around the course, they are not to provide any type of assistance or instruction.

2) Spectators may assist a player looking for a lost ball, but may not offer rulings.

3) Spectators must stay out of the way of all players.

4) Spectators shall refrain from use of cellular phones on the course.

GREEN FEES

In accordance with policy established by the Board of Directors of the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, a $10 per participant fee will be assessed for participation in all district and regional tournaments, payable directly to the Host School, which in turn will be responsible for paying the host course.

PRACTICE ROUNDS

Practice rounds for district, regional and state meet play must not involve loss of school time. Arrangements must be made with the host course concerning time and regulations governing play.

RULES GOVERNING ALL PLAY

It is imperative that all tournaments play under identical rules, other than local rules that are mandatory because of peculiarities of a course.

1. Any player gambling during a match is automatically disqualified.

2. The host Tournament Manager will serve as Rules Committee Chair. Rules Committee will be appointed by the Chair to handle all rule decisions. This Committee shall consist of three coaches from among those schools participating. The State Tournament Committee is appointed by the State Office.

3 Coaches shall not play the course while teams are in competition. Penalty is disqualification of all team members.

BREAKING TIES

1. Team Competition: At the District, Regional, and State level the 5th team player scores shall be compared. If a tie still exists, compare the scores of the 6th player . If a tie still exists, compare the scores of the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. If a tie exists at all levels both teams advance. If teams involved in the tie do not have a 5th team member they will not be involved in the tie breaking procedure.

2. Medalist Competition: All players finishing fifth or tied for fifth or better shall advance.

TOURNAMENT ADMINISTRATION

TOURNAMENT MANAGER

Each district and regional tournament has its own manager responsible for total administration of each individual site. At the manager's earliest convenience, each school should be notified of both site and starting time of the tournament. The manager has total liberty in establishing the starting time according to the dictates of the course facility. Member schools are to adhere to the instructions given.

RULES COMMITTEE

At the district and regional tournaments the host will select and identify to participants a Rules Committee selected from the competing team's coaches. This Committee shall administer the tournament under USGA and IGHSAU regulations. The Committee shall consist of three (3) members.

AWARDS

Awards for each tournament will be shipped directly to the tournament manager.

RESULTS

The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union shall be the clearinghouse for all results of district and regional golf tournaments. Results should be FAXED to the State Office (515-284-1969) upon completion of the tournament. If FAX facilities are not available, telephone results to the State Office (515-288-9741) immediately, and fax the results the following morning. Results may also be sent via EMAIL to the State Office (jasoneslinger@ighsau.org).

When reporting results to the State Office, all qualifiers for the next level of play must be included. The tournament manager should retain a copy of the results for possible verification by the State Office that evening.

Results will be posted on the IGHSAU web site (www.ighsau.org) when received at the State Office.

SCOREKEEPING

Pursuant to Board of Director's action of October 2004, adult scorekeepers are not mandated at the District, Regional, or State level. Scorekeeping will be done in the following manner: Players exchange score cards within their group and score for each other. Both players will be required to sign the card before it is turned in at the finish. Each player is ultimately responsible for her own score.

DISTRICT GOLF PROCEDURES

Upon receipt of the district golf assignment you must prepare the Personnel Entry Form and submit it to the appropriate tournament manager seven days prior to the district tournament. This form is found online at the IGHSAU web site. Please list the six (6) players representing your school and have the form signed by your school administrator.

All tournaments are played on a time schedule established by the tournament manager at the site according to the dictates of the course being played.

Practice rounds at district sites must not involve loss of school time.

DISTRICT GOLF TEE ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES

In an effort to assist the Tournament Manager as tee assignments are made for District Tournament competition, the following guidelines have been established.

l Players shall be grouped in threesomes or foursomes only. (Foursomes are preferred) NO groups larger than four shall be permitted during IGHSAU tournament competition.

l Two starting methods are permitted. A "shotgun" start, in which all players are on the course and begin play simultaneously on different holes, or a "tee time" start, in which all players begin on Hole 1 in successive groups.

l Players shall be grouped by the position they represent on their respective teams. For example, #1 players shall be grouped together, #2 players together, and so on. It is permissible for players to be grouped with players of a similar position. (e.g., #1 and #2 players or #4 and #5 players may be grouped together, but a #1 or #2 player should never be in a group involving #4, or #5 players.)

l No players from the same team shall be in the same group.

A sample 10-team district tournament would be grouped as follows:

Group 1: Team A #1, Team B #1, Team C #1, Team D #1

Group 2: Team E #1, Team F #1, Team G #1, Team H #1

Group 3: Team I #1, Team J #1, Team A #2, Team B #2

Group 4: Team C #2, Team D #2, Team E #2, Team F #2

Group 5: Team G #2, Team H #2, Team I #2, Team J #2

Group 6: Team A #3, Team B #3, Team C #3, Team D #3

Etc.

REGIONAL GOLF PROCEDURES

All regional tournaments are played on a time schedule established by the tournament manager at the site according to the dictates of the course being played.

Practice rounds at regional sites must not involve loss of school time.

REGIONAL GOLF TEE ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES

In an effort to assist the Tournament Manager as tee assignments are made for Regional Tournament competition, the following guidelines have been established.

l Players shall be grouped in threesomes or foursomes only. (Foursomes are preferred) NO groups larger than four shall be permitted during IGHSAU tournament competition.

l Players who have advanced from district play as "medalists" shall be grouped together first. Medalists should be grouped according to their place finish in the district competition. Example: 1st place paired together, 2nd place paired together and so on.

l Medalist players shall tee off first when utilizing a "tee time" start. When using a "shotgun" start, medalist players with the best district scores shall tee from Hole 1. The next best scores, etc., shall tee from the following holes (in order of priority): Hole 10 (if applicable), Hole 9, Hole 18 (if applicable), 2nd Group on Hole 1, etc.

l Remaining players shall be grouped by the position they represent on their respective teams. For example, #1 players shall be grouped together, #2 players together, and so on. It is permissible for players to be grouped with players of a similar position. (e.g., #1 and #2 players or #4 and #5 players may be grouped together, but a #1 or #2 player should never be in a group involving #4, or #5 players.) Note: Medalists represent a team's #1, #2, etc. players. If Team A has two players who've advanced in medalist play, and its team has also qualified for regional play, its next player to be assigned will be its #3 player.

l After medalist players have been grouped, no players from the same team shall be in the same group.

STATE CO-ED GOLF MEET

The State-Co-Ed Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, June 6 at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny. This year for the first time the meet will be classed. All schools having an enrollment of 700 or more will be in Class 2A. All others will be in Class 1A.

Each school is allowed to enter up to two teams, each consisting of one boy and one girl. All teams must be accompanied by a certified coach or school faculty member. Entry fee is $10 per team, payable prior to participation in the tournament.

Check in is from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. at the Otter Creek clubhouse. Shotgun start begins at 9:00 a.m. The format is alternate shot.

STATE GOLF MEET

TOURNAMENT SITE

Tuesday, May 30, Class 1A and 2A will compete at Jester Park Golf Course and Class 3A and 4A will compete at Otter Creek Golf Course. Wednesday, May 31, all classes will compete on the opposite course.

TIME SCHEDULE

A coaches meeting will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30 and Wednesday, May 31 at the Jester Park Golf Course clubhouse and the Otter Creek Golf Course clubhouse. This will be followed by an 8:45 meeting with Players. Tee-off time both days is 9:00 a.m.

The tournament will not await arrival of coaches or players either day.

COACHES MEETING

This meeting is mandatory for all coaches as rules for competition and local rules will be explained. Failure to attend this meeting will result in disqualification of that teams members. It is the responsibility of each coach to attend and in turn carry instructions to their own golf squad.

Coaches will wear badges issued by the State Office. This is to clarify who is permitted to give instruction to players on the course. If a Team qualifies you will receive 2 coaches badges, Individual qualification you will receive 1 badge.

PRACTICE

Practice is permitted anytime at Jester Park Golf Course and Otter Creek Golf Course provided there is no loss of school time. Arrangements must be made with the course concerning time and regulations governing play.

FORMAT

Shotgun start will be used both days. Tee assignments will be distributed at the coaches meeting each day. The tournament is 36-hole stroke play.

FREQUENTLY MISINTERPRETED RULES

The following USGA rules should be clarified before play is started:

1. OUT-OF-BOUNDS OR LOST BALL: If a ball is lost outside a water hazard, or is out-of-bounds, the player shall play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as near as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. (Rule 20-5)

2. BUNKERS OR HAZARDS: Any ball lying in a bunker or hazard must be played as it lies. A player in a bunker or other hazard shall not:

A. Test the condition of the hazard or any other similar hazard.

B. Touch the ground in the hazard with a club or otherwise.

C. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.

3. WATER HAZARDS: (Water hazards are defined by yellow stakes -- lateral water hazards are defined by red stakes). If a ball lies, touches or is lost in a water hazard, (whether the ball lies in the water or not) the player may, under penalty of one stroke:

A. Play the next stroke as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played, or

B. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit as to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped, or

C. An additional option, available only if the ball lies or is lost in a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two (2) club lengths of (a) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, or (b) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. The ball must be dropped and come to rest not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this rule.

4. PROVISIONAL BALL:

A. Procedure: If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be lost out-of-bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played (see Rule 20-5). The player shall inform her marker or a fellow-competitor that she intends to play a provisional ball, and she shall play it before she or her playing partners go forward to search for the original ball. If she fails to do so and plays another ball, such ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1); the original ball is deemed to be lost.

B. When provisional ball becomes ball in play: The player may play a provisional ball until she reaches the place where the original ball is likely to be. If she plays a stroke with the provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place, the original ball is deemed to be lost and the provisional ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

C. When provisional ball to be abandoned: If the original ball is neither lost outside a water hazard nor out-of-bounds, the player shall abandon the provisional ball and continue play with the original ball. If she fails to do so, any further strokes played with the provisional ball shall constitute playing a wrong ball and the provisions of Rule 15 shall apply.

5. UNPLAYABLE LIE: The player may declare her ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball lies in or touches a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether the ball is unplayable. If the player deems the ball to be unplayable, she shall, under penalty of one stroke:

A. Play the next stroke as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played, (Rule 20-5) or

B. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit as to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped. If the unplayable ball lies in a bunker and the player elects to proceed under Clause B or C, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.

C. Drop a ball within two club lengths of the spot where the ball lay but not nearer the hole, or

If playing a ball under Clause A, she shall proceed as follows: If the stroke is to be played from the teeing ground, the ball to be played shall be played from anywhere within the teeing ground and may be teed; if the stroke is to be played through the green or a hazard, it shall be dropped; if the stroke is to be played on the putting green, it shall be placed.

Penalty for breach of the unplayable ball rule in stroke play is two strokes.

NOTE: If the original ball lies in a water hazard, the player shall play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26. If it is lost in a water hazard or unplayable, the player shall proceed under Rule 26 or 28, whichever is applicable.