TOURNAMENTS FAQ

With a full schedule of tournaments throughout the year, we field many questions about competition. Below you’ll find clear answers to the most frequently asked tournament-related questions. For anything else, feel free to reach out to the JGANC office.

A: Please click here for details on the All Star Championship. /special-events/

A: Juniors play in the age group of the age they are on the tabulation date. The majority of their points have to be earned in that age bracket.

A: JGANC Tournament of Champions: Prestigious season-ending event for top junior golfers. Learn more here /special-events/

A: Stroke and medal play actually mean the same thing. The USGA actually prefers to use the word stroke to designate one stroke is counted to your score for each stroke of the ball. This simply means you play 18 holes (or more) and each stroke you take is counted as your score. You are an independent player who posts your individual score. Match plays means you are playing one other player. Your score is counted not by each stroke, but by how many holes you win over your opponent.

A: Qualifying means you cannot enter the tournament without playing a qualifying round first. This is done to limit the players. Oftentimes tournaments only accept a certain number. Other times, as with the USGA, only a certain number of golfers can represent their region or area. In a match play event qualifying allows juniors to be placed in flights or matched to an opponent following USGA rules. Speaking of the USGA boys qualifying specifically, there are three sites; Stanford, Fresno and Woodland where local qualifying is held for this national event. Most often older boys attempt to qualify (ages 15-17), but that does not mean someone younger cannot try. If the junior qualifies after playing 36 holes he may participate in the USGA Junior Amateur. Girls also need to qualify locally, qualifying sites vary depending upon availability. Juniors are responsible for all their expenses and making their own travel arrangements. Housing is available in private homes arranged by the USGA committee. Airfare and caddie fees for girls are financed by the PSGA and the WGANC donations which are administered by the USGA junior girls’ committee person. Donations for boys USGA travel are distributed by the JGANC, if available. Boys must request financial aid for their travel expenses.

A: There are only so many junior golfing days in a year and we have over 70+ events available to juniors. There will always be conflicts. Some courses are only allowed certain days for junior tournaments due to their heavy club calendar. The JGANC has no control when tournaments are scheduled. When you review the JGANC calendar online you will need to make choices where conflicts arise. You might consider which tournament is closest to home, which course you like the best, or the one you’ve never played and want that opportunity.

A: The JGANC cannot control what is provided as “extras” at the various tournaments. Some tournaments have a larger budget than others. It’s certainly difficult for tournaments to raise the money required for a quality junior tournament.

A: Many years ago, when the JGANC first started, all of our tournaments were in the summer when everyone was out of school. Over the years schools have changed their schedules to include various vacation breaks. We have some year-round schools, as well. Tournaments on our calendar are held throughout the year. Some of these dates will be when you are in school. The JGANC feels school comes first. There are plenty of opportunities for junior golfers no matter what schedule their school has planned.

There is nothing more disappointing to a tournament committee after the months of work and expense as to have a junior not be courteous enough to participate in the awards ceremony. All of us know how long tournaments take. And yes, if you have a trophy coming it means waiting until all age groups are posted to begin the awards. If you cannot allow enough time for the entire event, maybe you shouldn’t play the tournament. Be courteous and considerate. Being a winner requires patience. Don’t ask for your award early. Show your respect for all the volunteers who have worked so long and hard for you to have a junior tournament. Please read policy on No Show at Tournament Awards Presentations.

A: Golf is a game of honesty and integrity and it is the player’s responsibility to know the rules. The Rules of Golf are not something learned by just reading a book in one sitting, but by playing the game and learning along the way. A rule that some of us might think everyone should know may not be something another player is aware of. As good stewards of the game, we should stop a player from breaking a rule if we can, and hope that they would do the same for us. If you cannot stop the player, make sure you bring the infraction to their attention as soon as possible. It is also every player’s responsibility to “protect the field”. This means you have the responsibility to make sure the player’s score you are keeping is correct, including any stroke penalties and making sure they proceeded correctly under any rules infractions. If there is a need, please call in a staff member to help with the situation. Please do not wait until the event is over and then contact the office. There is nothing we can do after the competition has closed. We want to be able to handle all these situations on site.

Golf is a game of honesty and integrity and it is the player’s responsibility to know the rules. The Rules of Golf are not something learned by just reading a book in one sitting, but by playing the game and learning along the way. A rule that some of us might think everyone should know, may not be something another player is aware of. As a spectator, you have the opportunity to help players learn the rules. We do not want you to be in the middle of “rulings”, but we do want you to keep players from breaking rules and possibly getting disqualified. If you see a player getting ready to break a rule, you may stop them and tell them they need to get an official. If you are on the course and do not see an official, call the Pro Shop at the event. Tell us where you are and we will contact the staff on site to get to you as soon as possible. If the violation has been made and there was not a serious breach, do not interfere, let the group proceed, call us and we will have a staff member come over.