MEMBERSHIP POLICIES & PROCEDURES

DRESS CODE
The Junior Golf Association of Northern California (JGANC) takes great pride in the quality of its players and host facilities. To maintain and strengthen the outstanding relationships JGANC has built with these facilities, all JGANC members, parents, and spectators must adhere to the JGANC Dress Code.

Please note: The Tournament Director and staff reserve the right to deem any attire improper, even if it is not explicitly listed below. Proper attire is required at all times on the host facility premises. Players in violation will not be permitted to tee off. Parents/spectators in violation may be asked to leave the facility.

Required Dress Code
• Hats/visors must be worn with the brim facing forward.
• Males must remove hats whenever indoors.
• Collared shirts must be worn and tucked in at all times. Mock turtlenecks are acceptable.
• Women’s fashion shirts without a collar are acceptable but must have sleeves.
• Slacks and shorts must be hemmed at the bottom and free of fraying.
• Spike-less/non-metal golf shoes only.
• Women’s fashion shirts must not rise above the belt line at any time during the golf swing.
• Women’s shorts, fashion/golf skorts, capris, or pants must be at least fingertip length (when arms are extended straight down at the sides) or knee-length or longer.
• Shorts must be no more than 6 inches above the knee (approximately the length of a dollar bill from the top of the knee).
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Acceptable options: spike-less golf shoes or athletic tennis shoes.

Prohibited Dress
• Tank tops and T-shirts
• Shirts with offensive language or pictures
• Shirts or hats with any alcohol, tobacco, or drug references
• Golf shoes with metal spikes
• Slacks or shorts with holes, tears, or frayed ends
• Denim shorts, short shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, or jeans
• Earrings (males)
• Body piercings (visible)
• Tattoos (must be covered)
• Any questionable attire will be reviewed and decided upon by the onsite Tournament Committee.

Spike-less/Soft-Spike/Non-Metal Shoe Policy
All individuals participating in any JGANC-sanctioned, sponsored, or co-sponsored event must wear spike-less, soft-spike, or non-metal golf shoes. It is the sole responsibility of the JGANC member (or their parent/guardian) to ensure compliance with this condition of competition.

Any competitor found wearing non-conforming shoes after making a stroke from the first teeing ground will be disqualified from the event.

Download/print the Dress Code Policy

MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT
To be accepted as a member of the Junior Golf Association of Northern California, all juniors, parents/guardians/spectators agree to abide by the following JGANC Code of Conduct. The Junior Golf Association of Northern California asks our Junior Members to accept responsibility for conducting themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. To honor and appreciate a tournament schedule of over 60+ events, allowing them to play the top golf courses of Northern California. To work within the point system that awards play and allows each member to be eligible for special invitational events, scholarships and honors. Members realize they may set a goal of being considered for one of the junior teams representing Northern California and our association. Junior members should never be listed as “no shows.” We trust that JGANC members will respect the tournament course by picking up litter and putting it in its place, replacing divots and repairing ball marks. Courtesy and respect are honored JGANC traits and we ask that our members personally thank the host professional and tournament committee of the JGANC sanctioned events and acknowledge our Directors of the JGANC who are all volunteers on their behalf.

JUNIOR MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT – Zero Tolerance Policy – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!!
In order to make the Junior Golf Association of Northern California enjoyable for everyone, ALL MEMBERS are required to abide by our “Code of Conduct” Zero Tolerance Policy. The “Code of Conduct” needs to be followed at all times while the junior is participating in a JGANC Sanctioned Event. Any conduct unbecoming a junior golfer and not following along with our “Code of Conduct” will get the junior immediately disqualified from the event they are participating. There ARE NO second chances for bad behavior.

VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE GOLF COURSE
Any of the following actions by a JGANC Junior member at a JGANC Junior event or toward another JGANC Junior member constitutes a violation of the JGANC Code of Conduct Zero Tolerance Policy. The junior will be immediately disqualified from the event and asked to leave the course:
• Cheating
• Unsportsmanlike conduct including obscene, abusive or vulgar language, throwing clubs
• Disrespect to volunteers, officials or fellow competitors
• Use of electronic devices including iPods, iWatch, Game Golf, MP3 players, radios, cell-phones and cameras during play
• Use of distance devices, unless permitted by tournament committee
• Use of drugs, alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco products
• Parents/guardians ask for his/her child’s trophy/award to be given to him/her because you have a long drive home (so does everyone else), appointment or other excuses. Plan ahead.
• Vandalism at a host hotel, abusive behavior to host family or their property

WARNINGS
Any of the following behavior will result in a warning. Flagrant and subsequent violations will result in disqualification. Repeated infractions will result in suspension of membership:
• Abuse of golf course property including not putting litter in its place and replacing divots and repairing ball marks
• Not adhering to the dress code during practice round or during tournament play

VIOLATIONS OF MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT OFF THE GOLF COURSE
JGANC members shall not conduct himself/herself in such a manner as to adversely impact or otherwise injure the reputation of the “Association” or its directors or members, or engage in any conduct which is contrary to or inconsistent with the policies of the Association. Such conduct includes but is not limited to: Using e-mail or any form of communication in an abusive manner directed at members or directors of the Association.

REPORTING OF CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS
If a player witnesses a rules violation, they must immediately alert the player in question and/or a Rules Official as to the possible infraction. Rules Officials and/or the Rules Committee will do everything within their power to immediately resolve rules violations and assess proper penalties during the round. Any rules violations that cannot be immediately addressed or solved by a Rules Official will be addressed at scoring and the proper penalty will be enforced.
If a player witnesses a potential rules violation and fails or declines to alert his/her group or a Rules Official before the completion of the hole in which the violation occurs, the maximum penalty allowed will be the general penalty (2 strokes) if it is deemed a violation did occur.

If there is disagreement within a group as to a rules violation and a Rules Official is not present, the player in question must play two balls under Rule 3-3, and a ruling will be given at scoring (or as soon as possible, as long as pace of play is not affected).

Rules Officials/the Rules Committee are instructed to gather all possible information regarding a possible rules violation and issue a ruling in accordance with USGA Rules and this document. In the event that a Rules Official truly cannot determine if a violation occurred, the Rules Official/Committee will issue no penalty to the player in question.

CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION PENALTIES
Breach of the code of conduct occurs:
• Player will be disqualified from the event at which the violation occurred.
• Issue a written letter of warning to the player and his/her parent/guardian.
• Depending on the severity of the code of conduct violation, a junior membership may be suspended for the remainder of the season following the first breach of the code of conduct.
• A written report of the violation will be created by the Tournament Staff and forwarded to the JGANC Executive Board for review. The report will include a staff account of the violation, any other violations to date and all other pertinent information.
• The JGANC Executive Board will have ten (10) days from the date of the report to decide on the status of that member. The member will then receive a phone call and a copy of the Committee’s report along with written notice of the Committee’s decision.
• Possible indefinite suspension of player’s membership if repeated infractions occur.
Checking the agreement box while registering online verifies the member has read, understands and agrees to adhere to the JGANC Junior Code of Conduct.
REINSTATEMENT POLICY
Players seeking reinstatement from suspension must:
• Submit a written request for reinstatement and/or appeal to the JGANC Executive Board within ten (10) days of notification of suspension.
• The JGANC Executive Board will have ten (10) days from the date of submission to consider any additional information provided by the member as it relates to potential reinstatement. The member will receive written notice of the Committee’s decision.

*All decisions made by the JGANC Executive Board shall be final. A player may only request reinstatement once during the calendar year of suspension. A reinstated player that commits any additional violation of the Code of Conduct will be automatically suspended for the duration of the current season and may be suspended indefinitely.

Download/print the Member Code of Conduct Policy

PARENT/GUARDIAN/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT
The Junior Golf Association of Northern California (JGANC) offers your child the opportunity to develop character and sportsmanship through the game of golf. In doing so, parents/guardians/spectators must also accept responsibility for helping achieve this goal. The JGANC appreciates the support of juniors’ families in attending sanctioned tournaments and recognizes the financial commitment this often requires. By committing to this opportunity and accepting your role as a parent/guardian of a JGANC junior, you enable your child to learn important life skills along with golf skills.

As a parent/guardian/spectator, you are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

• Do not check in for your child—juniors must check in upon arrival.
• Do not carry your child’s golf bag or push their cart. Golf carts are not allowed.
• Decisions in competitive play must be made by the junior, not the parent.
• Your role is that of spectator only.
• Acknowledge good shots by all players, not just your child.
• Accept that your child, marshals, or other players in the group will solve problems, make rulings, or verify scores without your involvement.
• Courtesy requires avoiding distractions during play, such as loud talking with other spectators or using cellular phones, radios, or beepers.
• Take pictures before or after the tournament round, not during play.
• Stay at least 25 yards from competitors, using cart paths and/or staying to the side of the fairway (if no cart paths are available).
• Do not talk to competitors during the competition.
• Your scorekeeping is for personal use only and has no bearing on the official round. Do not share your personal scorecard with competitors.
• Do not dispute rulings made by participants, marshals, scorers, or the tournament committee.

VIOLATIONS OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE GOLF COURSE
Any of the following actions by a parent/guardian/spectator at a JGANC event constitutes a violation:
• Unsportsmanlike conduct toward other junior players or spectators
• Obscene, abusive, or vulgar language
• Use of alcohol during competition
• Disrespect toward tournament officials, volunteers, or other players
• Walking closer than 25 yards to competitors, being in the fairway (instead of to the side), or otherwise failing to maintain proper distance
• Talking to competitors during competition
• Interfering with discussions on rulings or scores
• Acting as an official scorekeeper for your child’s group
• Distracting play through loud talking with other spectators
• Use of cameras, cellular phones, radios, iPods, or MP3 players during competition
• Use of distance-measuring devices, unless specifically permitted by the tournament committee
• Use of drugs, alcohol, smoking, or chewing tobacco products
• Failure to adhere to the dress code during practice rounds or tournament play
VIOLATIONS OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT OFF THE GOLF COURSE
Parents/guardians shall not conduct themselves in a manner that adversely impacts or injures the reputation of the Association, its directors, or its members, or engage in any conduct contrary to or inconsistent with the policies of the Association. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, using email or any form of communication in an abusive manner directed at members or directors of the Association.

PARENT/GUARDIAN/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION PENALTIES (PROCEDURAL ORDER)
1. The parent/guardian/spectator receives a warning from a tournament committee member and/or JGANC Director.
2. The parent/guardian/spectator is asked not to follow their child during the round.
3. The parent/guardian/spectator is asked to leave the tournament site.

For repeated infractions at future sanctioned tournaments:
1. May be asked not to accompany the junior to tournaments.
2. May result in suspension of the player’s JGANC membership, as determined by the JGANC Executive Board of Directors.

Checking the agreement box while registering online verifies that the parent/guardian has read, understands, and will share these conduct expectations with other family members and friends who may attend a tournament. It also verifies agreement to adhere to the JGANC Parent/Guardian/Spectator Code of Conduct.

Parents and juniors are encouraged to report any violations (including the name, date, and type of violation) to the JGANC if not handled by the tournament committee. Reports must be signed, although they will be kept anonymous.

Download/print the Parent, Guardian, Spectator Code of Conduct Policy

PRIVACY POLICY
The Junior Golf Association of Northern California (JGANC) collects personal information from members, parents, alumni, and website visitors through membership applications, tournament entries, and online forms. This information enables us to communicate effectively with each group.

JGANC encourages parents and guardians to monitor and actively participate in their children’s online activities. No personal information should be submitted, posted, or provided to the JGANC by individuals under 18 years of age without the express consent of a parent or legal guardian.

It is the strict policy of the JGANC to never share, sell, or provide any personal, financial, or identifying information collected to any third party.

Download/print the Privacy Policy

PUBLICITY, BROADCASTING & MEDIA
The Junior Golf Association of Northern California (JGANC) may arrange for media coverage and publicity for all sanctioned tournaments. By submitting an entry application, each entrant consents to references to themselves and their play in such publicity and agrees to cooperate fully with authorized media representatives.

By registering as a JGANC member, the member acknowledges and grants a talent release permitting the use of any photographs or video footage of the member taken during sanctioned or official JGANC events. Such media may be used on the JGANC website and for other future marketing opportunities identified by the JGANC.

There is no “no photography” option for players. While participating in JGANC tournaments—including before, during, and after play—participants are considered to be in the public domain for purposes of photography, broadcasting, and media coverage.

Download/print the Publicity, Broadcasting & Media Policy