Article I – Mission Statement
Section 1. The mission of the SGA Tour, LLC aka [SGA Tour] is to:
(i) Preserve the integrity of golf at all levels,
(ii) Promote respect for and adherence to The Rules,
(iii) Promote learning about the game,
(iv) Organize weekly amateur golf tournaments.
Article II – Membership
Section 1. Membership applications must be submitted online through the website and are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Preference is given to prior year members. Each member must be approved by the Delegate Board. Membership is valid for the Rochester area golf season.
Section 2. Membership is open to all individuals regardless of economic or social status. The SGA Tour, Delegate Board or Membership will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Applicants under sixteen (16) years of age must have parental or guardian’s permission and be sponsored by an adult member.
Section 3. Waiver of Liability. There are inherent risks of injury on golf courses and when participating in golfing events. These risks include but are not limited to being struck by a golf ball, injury from lightning strikes and operation or movement of motorized golf carts. Accepting membership, the member agrees to hold the SGA Tour, LLC aka SGA Tour, the Delegate Board, Tournament Directors, and the General Membership blameless for any injury the member may sustain, and further, the member agrees to accept liability for any such injury.
Section 4. Acceptance of membership binds each member to abide by all the conditions, rules, and regulations of the SGA Tour and to accept and support all decisions and directives by the Delegate Board. Refusing compliance with the rules and regulations of the SGA Tour or with decisions or directives of the Delegate Board will render a member liable to disqualification, suspension or expulsion.
Section 5. Communications: The primary method of communicating with the membership is via email. A valid email address must be supplied when submitting an application. All members’ email addresses are published on the website to assist the membership with making arrangements with each other for weekly events or golf outings. Members are prohibited from sending mass emails without the approval of the Delegate Board.
Section 6. Public Privacy: The SGA Tour does not share the content of the Players’ membership information. Although as an SGA Tour member, we will use content from social media sites for your Player Profile Photo. SGA Tour gives the ability to contact others SGA Tour members internally for networking abilities. A Profile Photo is required and without a refund will be given or no tee times.
** Beware the RDGA has old emails and will spam/tolls former RDGA GHIN members which are currently SGA Tour members.
Article III – Dues
Section 1. (a) Membership dues may be adjusted annually as required by the needs of the SGA Tour. Annual membership dues will be published on the website and shall be submitted as directed.
(b) Dues include the optional fee for members’ GHIN® service provided by the SGA Tour. Members may also have GHIN service with other clubs (only one GHIN number).
(c) Members’ GHIN Service will be activated upon receipt of annual dues. Those not received by the SGA Tour, LLC aka SGA Tour before March 16th will not be activated for the season’s first revision date. USGA Handicap Rules state, if a member is not active on the revision they do not have a valid index and their handicap cannot be calculated. Until the member has a valid index they are NH and do not have a handicap, Provisions of Article IV, Sec. 1(c) must be used to calculate the competition handicap.
(d) The fee for returned checks is $25.00.
Section 2. All monies collected are used to operate, promote and maintain the SGA Tour, LLC aka SGA Tour and includes weekly tournament prizes, year-end banquet door prizes, bank fees, the NYSGA club fee, GHIN® fees, administrative fees to golf courses and fees to maintain the website.
Article IV – Handicapping
Section 1 (a) Under the authority of membership in good standing with the New York State Golf Association[NYSGA] and as licensed by the USGA®, the SGA Tour will issue handicap indexes to its members for NYSGA events only. The SGA Tour will use the World Handicap system with golfleaguetracker.com to calculate an SGA Tour index for SGA Tour events. The Handicap Committee shall maintain the club’s certification to utilize the World Golf Handicap and Information Network® (GHIN) by completing all requirements including course study and examinations as prescribed by the USGA®.
(b) The handicap index as shown in SGA Tour GHIN Service on the respective revision date will be used to calculate the competitor’s individual handicap. The competition handicap is the course handicap adjusted for competitors competing from different tees. This adjustment is based on the rating of the tee the member has selected to play and calculated utilizing the formula published in the USGA Handicap System, Section 3-5..
(c) A competitor that has not posted five scores prior to a revision date will not have a handicap index. No handicap index renders the competitor NH, no handicap. To establish a handicap for the event, it shall be calculated after the completion of the stipulated round using the following formula: Subtract 18 hole par from competitor’s gross score. 50% of the difference is used for competition handicaps for that event only. Example: Gross Score 100 – Par 70 = 30 x 50% = 15 Competition Handicap. Note: Team’s best ball score cannot be calculated until the NH player has completed his round.
Section 2. The USGA® Handicap Rules state that all 9 or 18-hole scores from an area where the season is open must be reported and posted for calculating the member’s Handicap Index®. The membership’s GHIN service will remain active throughout the winter so scores can be posted. The entire membership will be deactivated in the latter part of March at the discretion of the Handicap Committee to prepare for the new season. Those who have submitted their annual dues will be reactivated immediately.
Section 3. Posted scores are classified as either “home”,” away” or ”tournament “. SGA Tour scores that are posted as “tournament” are those from the Summer Sizzler, Year-End Event, the Fall Classic, and others as declared by the Handicap Committee. All other scores from regular Saturday play are home or away; the home course is Blue Heron Hills. Members of multiple clubs will also have home scores from their other clubs.
Section 4. Teeing Ground: TheDelegate Board has designated the following tees for tournament play; Men’s Back, Men’s Regular, Men’s Senior(>=60), Ladies Back, Ladies Forward.
(a) Members shall declare their choice of tee for the season on their online membership application.
(b) Members are not restricted in their choice of the designated tee. Those that do not declare prior to the season will be assigned to play from the Regular Tees. Tee designation may be changed by notifying the handicap chairman.
(c) The Tournament Director will designate the tournament tees each week and communicate the tee colors to the membership. The following guidelines will be used in establishing Teeing Ground:
i. Forward (Women’s Regular) – Course designation as published in the USGA National Database.
ii. Women’s Back – Course designation as published in the USGA National Database.
iii. Men’s Senior (>=60yo) – Forward most tees rated for men as published in the USGA National Database.
iv. Men’s Regular – Normally between 5900 – 6300 yards as published in the USGA National Database.
v. Men’s Back – Not to exceed 6800 yards as published in the USGA National Database. [Needs to break 80 on a regular basis)
Article V – Conditions of Competition
Section 1. The Rules of Golf as approved by The United States Golf Association and R&A Rules Limited govern all events.
Section 2. Tournament Directors will be appointed by the Delegate Board. Tournament Directors are responsible for coordinating all activities related to their assigned tournaments.
Section 3. Tournament Committee – see Article IX, Sec. 7.
Section 4. Tournaments will only be played on SGA Tour approved golf courses.
Section 5. Only SGA Tour members are permitted to compete in regular Tour events. Regular Tour events are conducted during the season on Saturdays as published on the website. Guests, if announced, may be eligible to play in Special events such as those played on other days of the week. The Fall Classic is a 2 person team tournament, member-member or member-guest.
Section 6. A member regardless of handicap will be allowed to play in all tour events. To be eligible to compete for flight prizes, best-ball team prize or for Cup points, the member must be current with posting scores to the GHIN system.
Section 7. Competitors must complete the stipulated round to qualify for prizes.
Section 8. Dress Code: The SGA Tour is a guest of the courses that host their tournaments. To comply with the dress policies of these courses, members and competitors attending the course will be required to wear appropriate golf attire. This dress code requires collared shirts, no denim, no cut-offs or gym shorts. Participants deemed to be in violation must comply prior to their tee time or they cannot participate in the day’s event.
Section 9. Spikes: Golf shoes with steel spikes are prohibited, only soft spikes are permitted.
Section 10. Members under sixteen years of age, while competing, must be supervised by an adult member with status.
Section 11. Each Member with an assigned tee time is responsible to pay the Greens Fees to the golf course on the day of the tournament. There is also a $3.00 tournament fee (commonly known as sweeps) required from every player payable at the time the green fee is paid. The Tour may announce and collect tournament fees that include the green fee for special tournaments or events.
Section 12. The membership may be divided into four or five flights for each event, AA, A, B, C, D. The AA flight may be utilized when the number of event participants warrants it. Flight ranges may float as the Tournament Director equalizes the number of players in each flight. Recommended ranges for flights are as follows:
AA Flight = < 10 GHIN Index (when utilized)
A Flight = 0 – 19
B Flight = 20 – 27
C Flight = 28 – 34
D Flight = 35 – 40
Section 13. Inclement Weather:
(a) When Course Management declares the course closed or unplayable, the Tournament Director may cancel the tournament or declare Sec.13 (c) implemented. Upon cancellation, members will abide by the Courses’ rain check policy. Sweeps are non-refundable.
(b) If the course is not declared closed by the Course Management, the Tournament Director or Committee may declare weather stoppages or cancellation of the tournament.
(c) The Tournament Director or Committee may declare a 9 hole tournament and flight prizes determined on using 9 hole scores. All competitors must have completed the same 9 holes. No best ball prizes will be awarded.
Section 14. Only completed scorecards submitted on the day of the tournament, immediately after the stipulated round, will qualify for weekly prizes.
(a) A completed card includes at a minimum, the starting time assigned to the group; the last name and the handicap of each competitor. It is requested that gross, net, and ESC scores for every player be included.
(b) To compete for the team-best ball prize, you must calculate your team score also. Record the best score for each hole on the separate line provided on the card and then the total for the team score. Provisions of Article VIII, Sec.2 will break ties.
Section 15. In all tournaments, a hole is considered complete when the player has made 10 strokes. After the allowable 10 strokes, the player should pick up their ball, mark the hole score 10 and continue the round.
Section 16. Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the adjustment of unusually high scores on individual holes, which, if included in the score, would be abnormally high in relation to the players’ general ability. The USGA has instituted Equitable Stroke Control, a maximum number of strokes that can be posted based on course handicap. Course Handicap of 9 or less Double Bogey maximum on all holes; 10 through 19 maximum of 7 on all holes; 20 through 29 maximum of 8 on all holes; 30 through 39 maximum of 9 on all holes and 40 and over a maximum of 10 . Actual hole scores are recorded on the scorecard and the adjustment is made when calculating the ESC score (for posting).
Section 17. A No Show Fee of $10.00 will be assessed from your winnings if you have an assigned tee time and do not report to the course to play. The Tournament Director will have the final call on the No Show Fee assessment. No show assessments must be paid before a member can collect any winnings from any event.
(a) Members that have not paid their No Show Fee are not eligible to compete for prizes.
(b) Outstanding no-show fees carry over to the next season.
(c) During inclement weather, the no-show penalty is waived if a player is at the course, checks in at the Pro Shop, and decides not to play whether or not the event is canceled.
(d) Cancellation by the Tournament Director waives the No Show Fee for that event only.
(e) A No Show penalty assessment may be appealed to the Delegate Board by the affected member.
Section 18. Incomplete round: A player who withdraws prior to completing the stipulated round is DNF (did not finish). A competitor that is DNF forfeits all completed holes towards the team’s best ball and loses eligibility for team-best ball prize.
Article VI – RULES.
Section 1(a) The SGA Tour has adopted Etiquette, Section 1 as found in the Rules of Golf. Any violation of etiquette may result in disqualification by the Tournament Director or Committee. The Delegate Board may suspend or expel a member from the tour for a serious breach of etiquette.
(b) Pace of Play. Emphasis is placed on the pace of play for all events. Completing a competition in a reasonable time maintains a good relationship with the course. Play at a good pace and keep up with the group in front. Competitors should be ready to play when it is their turn. It is the entire group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front of them. The expected time for a stipulated round is 4.5 hours (15 minutes per hole).
Section 2. SGA Tour Local Rules for All Events.
(a) Out of Bounds: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/topics/out-of-bounds-lost-ball-provisional.html
(b) Embedded Ball Through the Green: Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect. Through the green, a ball that is embedded in the ground in its own pitch mark may be lifted, without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
Exceptions:
1. A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if the ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely mown.
2. A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Local Rule makes the stroke clearly impracticable.
(c) Stones in Bunkers: Stones in bunkers are moveable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies).
(d) Distance Measuring Devices: A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is used. The use of a ‘smart phone’ as a GPS device for distance information is permitted provided the device is not used to obtain other information that might affect the play of the player. Use of such devices as a telephone for other than obtaining information that might affect the play of a player or to obtain information regarding the Rules of Golf does not constitute information that might affect the play of the player and is permissible.
Section 3. Local Rules – Course Specific.
(a) Prior to tee off, the competitor shall check with the course for any local rule(s) the course has adopted.
(b) When courses have adopted a local rule that is contrary to the rules, the Rules of Golf must be followed. Example: Course has local rule for dropping at the point a ball goes out of bounds. This is contrary to the rules and Stroke and Distance (Section 27-1) must be used.
Section 4. Local Rules – Tournament Specific. Course and playing conditions may vary from course to course each week. Prior to tee off of the first competitor the Tournament Director or Committee may declare additional local rules on the day of the tournament as the need arises. These local rules must be announced prior to the tee-off of the first competitor.
(a) Lift, Clean, and Place – When the ball lies on the fairway of the hole currently being played, the player may lift and clean and place his ball without penalty. The player must mark the position of the ball, clean and then place the ball on a spot within 6 inches of the ball mark, not nearer the hole and not in a hazard. Once the ball has been placed it is in play and may not be touched again unless another applicable rule. (Rule 20-4). Penalty for Breach – Two strokes.
Article VII – Starting Times
Section 1. Starting times will be assigned to members on a first-come, first-served basis for those online submissions the designated number during the designated call-in period. A member may submit for all players in his group up to a maximum of four (4). DO NOT CALL THE COURSE; they cannot give you a tee time for SGA Tour events.
(a) Exact times are not always available. Members are assigned as close as possible to their requests.
(b) The times for the designated submissions period is announced on the website. Submissions periods are on Mondays except for holidays when it will fall on Tuesday.
(c) No starting times will be given out prior to the designated call-in period.
Section 2. (a) Members must contact the Tournament Director for additions or changes after the submissions period. You have until Friday until noon on to contact the Tournament Director to change or cancel a reservation. Additional tee times may be available after Wednesday based on availability.
(b) A member cannot reserve a starting time for more than their group of four as noted in Section 1. It is the caller’s responsibility to inform the other members in their group of the assigned starting time.
Section 3. The final starting times will be published on the Starter Sheet published on the website. Each member is responsible for verifying their assigned starting time. Last minute changes may be necessary; each member is responsible for checking their time before leaving for the course.
Article VIII – Prizes
Section 1. Weekly Tournament Prizes are awarded to winners of low gross and low net in each flight and for each member of the 1st place best ball team.
Section 2. Ties: In the case of a tie, the winnerwill be decided by comparing cards starting with the #1 handicap hole and if still tied continuing to #2 handicap hole and so on.
Section 3. A member that does not finish (DNF) the stipulated round is not eligible for the weekly low net, low gross or team best ball tournament prizes.
Section 4. Prize Value. Prizes for low net, low gross and team best ball are in the form of gift cards. Value for low net and low gross will not exceed $20.00 and for team best ball for each member will not exceed $15.00. Value of total prizes paid out for each event cannot exceed the amount of “sweeps” collected for that event. Value of prizes may be adjusted to a lesser amount when the amount of sweeps collected does not support the aforementioned prize amount. Prizes cannot be paid in cash.
Section 5. End of Season Awards: All Members that have competed in a minimum of ten (7) SGA Tour events will be eligible for the End of Season Tour Awards. End of Season Tour award categories will be decided by the Delegate Board.
Article IX. Delegate Board Members and Tournament Committee.
Section 1. The Delegate Board shall consist of the following officers: Delegate/Tour Chairman, Treasurer, Handicap Committee and Tournament Directors. The same individual may hold more than one position simultaneously.
Section 2. When a Delegate Board position opens the Delegate Board’s vote shall establish the new Delegate member.
Section 3. Delegate/Tour Chairman duties consist of overseeing the overall operations of the SGA Tour including but not limited to negotiations with golf courses, establishing the tour schedule and marketing of the Tour .The Delegate/Tour Chairman has final approval on all SGA Tour matters and business. The Delegate/Tour Chairman is a member of the Tournament Committee.
Section 4. Treasurer duties include all accounts receivable and payables. The person shall maintain financial records and report the financial status of the SGA Tour to the Delegate/Tour Chairman. The Treasurer shall notify the Handicap Committee of member’s names upon receipt of their annual membership dues. The Treasurer is not a member of the Tournament Committee.
Section 5. Handicap Committee duties include all aspects of handicapping for the SGA Tour, LLC aka SGA Tour. Also see Article IV, Sec. 1(a). The Handicap Committee may appoint members to a handicap committee. The Handicap Chairman shall provide a competition handicap report to the Tournament Directors each week. The Handicap Committee is a member of the Tournament Committee.
Section 6. Tournament Directors duties cover all aspects of the weekly tournament. The Tournament Director is a member of the Tournament Committee.
Section 7. Tournament Committee is also known as the Committee. Members consist of the Delegate/Tour Chairman, Handicap committee, Rules Chairman, and Tournament Directors. The Committee’s responsibilities are set out in the Rules of Golf, see Section 33 and Section 34.
Section 8. Rules Chairman duties are to ensure the Rules of Golf and provisions of Article VI are followed for each SGA Tour event. The Rules Chairman educates the membership on the Rules of Golf, interprets the Rules, make decisions consistent with the Decisions of the Rules of Golf. The Rules Chairman is the Referee (Rule 34-2) for the final year end Championship Tournament.
Article X – Meetings – The annual Fall/Spring meeting of the membership to conduct SGA Tour business will be held immediately after the Year End Tournament awards banquet and March of the new season. Meetings by the Delegate Board members may be conducted as required.
Article XI – By-Law Amendments
Section 1. Additions, repeals or amendments may be made to the By-Laws to maintain continuity of club practices, improve efficiency and maintain viability of the Tour. Any changes must be approved by the Delegate Board. Amendments or changes to Articles V and VI must also be approved by the Rules Chairman.