WASHINGTON GOLF
COVID-19 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – EFFECTIVE 6/15/2020
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A WA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2020
Washington Golf (WA Golf) cares deeply about the health, safety and well-being of our players, spectators, staff, volunteers, as well as everyone at our host facilities. The intent of the following policies and guidelines is to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19 by utilizing publicly available guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but WA Golf cannot guarantee a risk-free environment. Everyone is responsible to do their part by following these guidelines to make our championships as safe as possible. The following policies and procedures may be updated and/or modified at any time.
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Before arriving on-site, please be certain that you have signed and returned the WA Golf’s COVID-19 Participant Release and Waiver that will be sent to you electronically after the close of entry. If you have not signed the waiver in advance, you will not be permitted to participate in the championship.
• We will communicate with host facilities prior to and throughout each championship to ensure that recommended sanitization practices for common touchpoints are met.
• Before arriving on-site for a practice round or championship, if you feel sick or show any symptoms of COVID-19, or if within the last fourteen days you have felt sick, have shown any symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, we request that you stay home and notify us before your starting time. If you are unable to start the championship due to any of these, a refund will be granted.
• Social distancing must be practiced at all times by maintaining a minimum 6-foot distance from others.
• A mask or facial covering should be worn in accordance with state/provincial government guidelines when a 6-foot distance cannot be met.
• Wash your hands frequently. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer will be provided to each player at registration and will be available on the starting tee and at the scoring area.
• Gatherings are prohibited – players and spectators are asked to leave the host facility after their round is complete. If there is a possibility you might be in a playoff, we ask that you still leave the host facility and we will contact you well in advance with instructions on returning to the host facility that same day.
• Players are asked to refrain from handshakes, hugs and high-fives.
• There are no restrictions on spectators attending championships. Spectators are asked to remain on cart paths and to maintain proper social distancing for other spectators and players.
BEFORE YOUR STARTING TIME
• Players are asked to not arrive to the golf course more than 60 minutes prior to their starting time.
• Practice range stations will be spaced to promote social distancing. Practice balls will be set out at each station and practice putting green cups will be removed or modified.
• Players are asked to register prior to starting the first round of competition (either during practice round day or prior to round one starting time) to receive their tee prizes. Championship programs and other pre-championship paperwork will be sent to players digitally after the close of entries.
• Tee prizes will be safely handled using PPE.
STARTING AREA
• Players are asked to report to the starting tee 7 minutes prior to their starting time.
• Players are responsible for providing their own pencil, golf tees, ball markers, divot tool, marking pens, etc. Starter boxes will supplies will NOT be available.
• Championship paperwork (Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, Notice to Competitors, hole locations and pace of play policy) will be emailed to players the evening prior to each round and posted on the Championship Portal. (No paperwork will be provided on the starting tee other than the official scorecard).
• Scorecards will be provided and picked up by the player from the starting table.
• Volunteer Starter will wear a face covering.
GOLF CARTS
• Motorized carts will be restricted to one player unless a member of the same household or the player’s caddie.
• Motorized carts may be limited and based on availability. Carts will only be guaranteed if pre-paid during registration.
• Pull carts may be available at the discretion of the host facility.
CADDIES
• Caddies are permitted and should follow the same player guidelines.
• Caddies are required to wear a caddie bib provided on the starting tee. Bibs will be sanitized after each round.
DURING YOUR ROUND
• Players are encouraged to leave the flagstick in the hole. If the flagstick is removed, players are encouraged to use a sanitizing wipe or alcohol prep pad. Only one player or caddie should handle the flagstick per hole.
• In certain championships were motorized carts are not permitted, player shuttles may be provided. Volunteer shuttle drivers will wear a face covering and touchpoints will be sanitized after each use.
• Cart transportation by a Rules Official in a lost ball scenario will be permitted at the player’s discretion. Officials will wear a face covering and sanitize touchpoints before assisting.
• Bottled water may be available at limited locations on the golf course for players only (a notification will be sent out prior to each championship with a hydration plan). Snacks and fruit will not be provided. Players are encouraged to bring their own bottled water.
• All bunker rakes have been removed from the golf course. Players will be given a new rake at registration prior to each championship to keep in their bag. Players should maintain bunkers as per normal standards using the rake provided.
• WA Golf staff and volunteers will wear face coverings when engaging with players and unable to maintain social distancing.
• Players should call, text or email the WA Golf Official in Charge (contact info will be provided) with any questions. This number may also be used to call in rules assistance is needed during the round.
AFTER YOUR ROUND
• Proceed to the scoring area immediately after the round is complete. Tables (no chairs) will be setup to provide proper social distancing.
• Scorecards in stroke play to be signed and verified and returned to the Committee. Players will be required to provide their own pencil.
• Scorecards in match play to be returned to the scoring area (no signatures required) by the winner of the match to report the result and for online score posting purposes.
• Traditional paper scoreboards have been eliminated to reduce areas of player and spectator congestion. TV leaderboards will be utilized at certain championships. Players and spectators can use the USGA Tournament Management app to follow live scoring using the event GGID.
• Additional sanitization measures will be taken to make sure the perpetual trophy is clean and safe for the champion to hold. All take home trophies will be left in the original packaging for the winners to pick up and take home.
• Pictures and video with the champion will be done using proper social distancing.