Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the 2012 Birmingham Golf Association Junior Tour!

All events have a maximum number of allowed in each age division. Each player is allowed a maximum of six (6) events. The places are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Those of you who must change your original schedule will go to the end of the waiting list for the new, changed event if there is one. Remember, there is nothing to keep you from bringing your child to an event for which he is on the waiting list. (Sometimes we have “no-shows”, even though it is discouraged.)

All 18 hole players are strongly urged to have a USGA Handicap or the like to participate in the program. (The USGA does not charge junior golfers for their handicap so there will be no additional cost to you. Most public or daily fee courses are on the USGA/GHIN System as well as all private clubs in the Birmingham area.)

Note to Parents of players who are advancing to the 12-13 Age Division: The rules change significantly when your child enters the 12-13 Age Division. It will become the players responsibility to keep score, obtain rulings when necessary, and all other aspects of playing the game. If parents or friends follow a player the only contact they can have with the player is to provide food or drink, unless an emergency is evident. No coaching or advice of any kind from the gallery is allowed.

Ethics & Code of Conduct: Golf is a game which teaches integrity, honesty and sportsmanship. As such, cheating on scores, use of inappropriate language, throwing clubs and other conduct unbecoming a golfer will result in the player being removed from the event. The BGA Junior Tour gives players an opportunity to learn how to become an accomplished tournament player in a relaxed atmosphere. It is important to take advantage of this opportunity by learning the rules of golf and how to conduct yourself while on the golf course.

We are looking forward to the 2012 season which, of course, would not be possible without the commitment from the local golf professionals, golf course superintendents, club members and volunteers. At every golf course at which a tournament is held, we are guests and we must treat the staff, members, and the golf facility with respect. When you are at these clubs, please have your child thank these individuals for the use of their facility. It is a privilege, not a right, to play golf at these clubs and we must act accordingly.

Having nearly 300 participants requires strict adherence to all printed deadlines. We urge you to call the BGA office at 532-3457 or e-mail at golfsth@aol.com, if you have questions.

Point System

The points system will determine the final field of the BGA Junior Championship. Points are distributed as follows:
 

The 2012 BGA Junior Championship will be July 23-24, 2012. You must be enrolled in the BGA Junior Tour to be eligible for the BGA Junior Championship. There is a $75.00 entry fee for the BGA Championship, that will be payable online after the final field is selected.

Dress Code: The BGA policy of NO METAL SPIKES, is in effect for all courses. Golf shoes having soft spikes or tennis shoes are examples of appropriate footwear. No jeans or cut offs are allowed. All shirts must have collars and sleeves. Hats must have bills facing forward and shirts must be tucked in. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Age Divisions: 10-11 must have reached 10th birthday but not 12th birthday by July 24, 2012. 12-13 must have reached 12th birthday but not 14th birthday by July 24, 2012. 14-15 must have reached 14th birthday but not 16th birthday by July 24, 2012. 16-17 must have reached 16th birthday but not 18th birthday by July 24, 2012. Any child is eligible to play “up” to the next age group. If the decision is made to play “up”, that child must stay in the new age group for the rest of the season.

Eligibility: The Birmingham Golf Association Junior Tour is open to children who are residents in the following counties: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker, Cullman and Tuscaloosa.

Entry Procedure:
1) All participants must register online between April 16th- May 16th, 2012. Entry fee is $225 and includes all green fees for six events. Entrants are notified via email of those events in which they are playing. Events are filled on first come, first serve basis. Each club has a different policy regarding the number of children playing at each event and times to begin. The BGA Executive Director determines playing groups and tee times. The tee times will be posted on the website as soon as is practically possible prior to an event.
2) All schedule change requests must be made via email. As per your requests and in the absence of space availability, you will be placed on the waiting lists in the applicable position. The BGA is not responsible for the weather and everything possible is done to complete play at an event, even if we have to reduce the number of holes in a stipulated round. No make-ups are available.
3) Entries are limited to 300 and only 60 entries are available for the 10-11 age group.