WASHINGTON GOLF
COVID-19 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – EFFECTIVE 3/14/2022
 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A WA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2022

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 read through this policy in its entirety. By registering for a WA Golf Championship or Winter Series event, you acknowledged having read this policy and agreed to abide by the terms outlined below.

• 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 *ten days you 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.
*When diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available, then quarantine can end after day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring.

• After pairings have been released, refunds will be issued to any player who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. WA Golf reserves the right to require proof of a positive test result when issuing a refund.

• 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 available at registration, on the starting tee and at the scoring area.

• There are no restrictions on caddies.

• There are no restrictions on spectators attending championships.

BEFORE YOUR STARTING TIME

• 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.

• WA Golf will provide a starters box with pencils, golf tees, ball markers, divot tool, marking pens, etc. Hand sanitizer will be placed next to the starters box and all players must sanitize before taking any of the provided materials.  

• Championship paperwork (Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, Notice to Competitors, hole locations and pace of play policy) will be provided on the starting tee.

• Scorecards will be provided and picked up by the player from the starting table.
 

GOLF CARTS

• Motorized carts will be double occupancy unless otherwise stated during entry. Players who wish to reserve a single occupancy cart will be required to pay for both seats and must contact WA Golf after registration to make their reservation.

• 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 and caddies may remove the flagstick from the hole, but are encouraged to use hand sanitizer before and after handling flagsticks.

• Rakes have been placed back in the bunkers. Players and caddies are encouraged to use hand sanitizer before and after handling rakes.

• In certain championships where 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 will 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).

• 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 for Rules assistance if needed during the round.
 

AFTER YOUR ROUND

• Proceed to the scoring area immediately after the round is complete.

• Scorecards in stroke play to be signed and verified and returned to the Committee.

• 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 Golf Genius 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.

• Pictures and video with the champion will be done using proper social distancing.