GOLF HOUSE KENTUCKY

TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS PROTOCOL

*COVID-19 RELATED GUIDELINES*

 

The following protocols are approved by the Golf House Kentucky Board of Directors for the 2021 season as precautionary measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These protocols are designed in a responsible manner for all players, volunteers, host facility staff, and Golf House Kentucky staff. They are devised per the guidelines and recommendations outlined by the CDC and State Health officials and are subject to change.

 

These protocols are devised from State Health guidelines and the golf industry allied golf association’s “Back2Golf” guidelines (approved by the CDC).

 

These protocols will be executed consistently across all tournaments conducted by organizations in the family of Kentucky golf: Kentucky Golf Association, Kentucky PGA, Kentucky PGA Junior Tour, and Kentucky Golf Foundation. Executing these protocols consistently across the organizations is a responsible effort to eliminate doubt as to procedural actions while on site at an event. Any health concern not addressed in the protocols will be decided in a responsible manner.

 

We anticipate minor adjustments and modifications in operational execution will be necessary as facility accommodations are different. Again, the priority for each event is to be responsible in our efforts to follow CDC guidelines.

 

Table of Contents

 

Supplies…………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

Practice Facilities………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Starting Play……………………………………………………………………………………… 4

On the Course……………………………………………………………………………………. 5

Scoring Procedure……………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Awards Presentation…………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Inclement Weather………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Local Rules……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9         

Tournament Staff (GHK staff, Rules Officials, Volunteers)………………………………….. 10

Spectators………………………………………………………………………………………… 11

Frequently Asked Questions……………………………………………………………………. 12

 


PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) and OTHER SUPPLIES

 

  • All tournament staff (GHK staff, rules officials, volunteers) are required to wear a mask in any situation where they interact with or are near others and when handling items that others may come in contact with during their tournament experience.
    • Masks will be supplied to the tournament staff by Golf House Kentucky.
  • Tournament participants are encouraged to bring their own masks and wear them when interacting with tournament staff and other individuals. Golf House Kentucky will NOT provide masks to tournament participants.
  • Food may be provided as part of the event. Facilities may offer food separate from the tournament provided it is offered in compliance with CDC and Kentucky Health Department guidelines and regulations.
  • It will be communicated to players that any individual displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should withdraw from the tournament. Players withdrawing prior to the start of competition for COVID-19 reasons will be refunded their entry fee less $5 (processing fees).
  • A touchless thermometer will be available at the host site. Players will have their temperature taken on their starting tee prior to play.  

 

    • Any player experiencing a temperature of 100.4 F or higher and/or exhibiting symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 is not permitted to participate in a GHK event. If a player registers a temperature 100.4 or higher, they must wait 5 minutes before recording a second temperature check. If the second temperature recording is 100.4 or higher, the player will not be permitted to play in the tournament.
    • Any player exhibiting any symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention and doctor’s recommendation as to a return to play.
    • Any player diagnosed with COVID-19, or that has been in a group setting with family or friends that have recently tested positive for the virus, is not permitted to participate in any GHK event for 10 days following a diagnosis, regardless of symptoms, and must present a note from a doctor clearing them to the tournament director.
    • Any player found in violation of the above policies or found to have purposely hidden or not disclosed symptoms or diagnosis, will be prohibited from participating in GHK activities for a length of time to be determined by the GHK Board.

 

 

PRACTICE AREAS

 

  • Participants are not permitted to arrive at the host facility more than 45 minutes prior to their starting time. If a player arrives at the facility prior to 45 minutes of their starting time, they must remain in their vehicle.
  • Practice areas are only available to participants 45 minutes prior to their tee time.
    • Following our 12-minute tee time intervals (groups of 3 and 4), this will limit the practice areas to no more than four groups (maximum of 16/32 players) at a time.
  • Tournament staff will monitor the practice areas to ensure compliance of the 45-minute time allotment.
  • Players should leave the facility upon completion of their round. Exception: if following the final round of the event, a player is in contention for any prize, they will be permitted to remain on property. If they fall out of contention prior to completion of the championship, they should leave the premises at that time.

 

 

STARTING PROCEDURES

 

  • Tee time, single and double tee starts, no shotgun events until further notice
  • Groups of 3 players: minimum of 12 minutes between tee time
  • Groups of 4 players: minimum of 12 minutes between tee times
  • The starting area is to be marked/roped off and posted with a sign restricting the area to the Starter and ONLY the players receiving instructions/teeing off.
    • NOTE: the first teeing area is not a part of and is outside the starting area
    • The starter will hand the card to the player of the competitor they keep.
  • Players may take photos of the tournament documents and refer to them during their round.
  • A starter’s box is viewed as a common area and players will not be allowed to access items normally located in a starter’s box. Please ask the starter for items located in the box.

 

 

ON THE COURSE

 

  • All players must play by the current USGA Rules of Golf and GHK Conditions of Competition.
  • Caddies are permitted and are subject to all requirements placed upon the player. Facial coverings are required for caddies.
  • Players should follow proper social distancing protocol and stay at least six feet away from other competitors, partners, and other individuals while on property.
  • Prior to or following a round, players should refrain from shaking another player’s hand or contact of any kind with another individual.
  • Players should not touch another player’s equipment.
  • Golf car use is permitted with two passengers and both players must wear facial covering while in the golf car. Exception: if both players reside in the same household.
  • All individuals must maintain recommended social distancing when assisting players with ball searches, directional messaging, and all other possible interaction points.
  • Rules Officials must maintain recommended social distancing when assisting players with rules assistance. They must not assist the players with any situation where the official would deliberately need to touch either personal equipment of the player or golf course equipment.

 

 

SCORING PROCEDURE

 

  • Players will utilize the Golf Genius scoring application for posting hole by hole scores during each competition round.
  • One player will be designated by a GHK tournament official to digitally post all players’ scores in their pairing.
  • All players will be assigned a paper scorecard (official scorecard) and their designated marker will populate the scorecard for each hole played. Since the scorecard will be provided to the marker, exchanging of the scorecards on the first tee is not necessary.
  • Once the round is complete, players will be assisted by an official scorekeeper to verify all hole-by-hole scores are correct. The scorekeeper will be in a separate and safe space (GHK Scoring Tent). The scoring area is for players and officials only.
  • Players will sign and attest the scorecard according to USGA Rules of Golf
  • Players must remain in the designated scoring area until verification is complete. When the player leaves the scoring area, the score for that player is official. The player may not return to the scoring area once he/she has departed.
  • Digital leaderboards may be placed at the scoring area (streamed through facility TVs when applicable). Players must follow CDC social distance guidelines when viewing digital leaderboards.

 

 

AWARDS PRESENTATION

 

  • All award presentations will be conducted immediately following conclusion of the tournament at a location near the 18th hole.
    • If the tournament has multiple divisions, division awards will be presented immediately following the conclusion of the respective division’s competition.
      • Following the awards presentation for that division, players of that division should depart the premises.
  • The Official in Charge will wear proper PPE, sanitize the awards, and lay them out in an organized fashion on the awards table.
  • The award ceremony will be conducted by the Official in Charge and include recognition of sponsor(s), host facility staff, and champion(s). When a player’s name is announced, they will proceed to the awards table and accept their respective award.
  • Photos will be taken following the conclusion of the awards presentation and will be taken individually.

 

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER & COURSE EVACUATION

 

  • Every effort will be made to provide advance notice of inclement weather systems approaching the tournament site for players to return to the clubhouse. If a suspension of play is announced, players are strongly encouraged to return to the clubhouse or designated safety area. However, storms can pop-up quickly during summer months. In the event the facility has on-course safety shelters, players will be reminded that while congregating in these areas, they must follow CDC guidelines (social distancing) and avoid congregating groups of more than 50. The shelter may not provide adequate space for players to maintain CDC guidelines, thus the reason for returning to the clubhouse.
  • Players must follow the prescribed procedure as outlined in the USGA Rules of Golf, Rule 5.7b, when play is suspended for a dangerous weather situation such as lightning.
  • All precautions must be taken to adhere to the current social distancing guidelines including clubhouse capacity, use of personal vehicles during delays, alternate buildings on property, etc.
  • Players must be given enough time to return to their playing positions before play is to resume.
  • All practice facilities will be closed during inclement weather. Players returning to the course will not be permitted to practice before resuming play (depending on the length of delay). Players who have not started their round are subject to the same protocols provided in the “Practice Facilities” section of this document.

 

 

LOCAL RULES

 

  • Golf House Kentucky will provide updated information and clarifications concerning suggested modifications to the USGA Rules of Golf affected by CDC guidelines and governmental regulations.
  • As these changes occur and when they affect any of the tournament events or championships, the changes will be added to the Conditions of Competition.
  • USGA.rule related items have also been identified as modifications by Golf House Kentucky in the Tournament Operations Protocol Guidelines.

 

 

TOURNAMENT STAFF

 

  • The Tournament Staff will provide a responsible effort to ensure execution of all protocols while at all tournament sites and environments.
  • All tournament staff members must wear protective equipment while on property at a sanctioned event, as outlined in the COVID-19 tournament protocols.
  • Masks are required for use when in the presence of other persons or when handling items others may encounter during their tournament experience.
  • The Official in Charge will assign individuals to place signage for directional needs, CDC signage, time clocks, branded items, and starting and scoring tents and tables.
  • Starters and scorers must use their best judgment when complying with social distancing and the need for verbal interaction with the players and others.
  • All individuals must maintain recommended social distancing when assisting players with ball searches, directional messaging and all other possible interaction points.
  • Rules Officials must maintain recommended social distancing when assisting players with rules assistance. They must not assist the players with any situation where the official would deliberately need to touch either personal equipment of the player or golf course equipment.

 

 

SPECTATORS

 

  • Spectators are permitted; Spectators must follow prescribed current Covid-19 Protocols
  • Caddies are required to wear facial coverings at all times

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

  • Are double riders in a golf car allowed?
    • We have received indirect communication from the Governor’s Office that players may ride 2 persons to a golf car under the following restrictions:
      • If both individuals reside in the same household, they may ride in the same golf car without wearing facial covering
      • If both individuals do not reside in the same household, they may ride together in the same golf car, but MUST wear facial covering while in the golf car. The driver must also remain the driver throughout the entire round.
  • Are shotgun starts permitted?
    • Shotgun starts are not recommended at this time. If shotguns take place, there are extensive restrictions around social distancing requirements, golf car staging, practice tee space allocations, points of congregation, and field limitations. Please refer to executive orders issued by the Governor on social distancing and congregation of people.
  • Are double tee starts permitted?
    • Double tee starts may be permitted under social distancing and state issued guidelines. Please refer to those guidelines to ensure compliance if you are considering a double tee start.
  • The Back2Golf document outlines something different than what your protocols allow. Why is there a discrepancy?
    • The Back2Golf document clearly states that local Government and Health agency policies take precedence over any guidance provided in the Back2Golf document. The Back2Golf document outlines suggestions and recommendations for a responsible return to golf, while under the requirements of local restrictions. Our protocols are developed utilizing the Back2Golf guidelines in the parameters outlined through Governor orders and health agencies in Kentucky.