PHASE 1
2026 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship
Host Site Information

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL ASSIST IN MAKING YOUR TOURNAMENT WEEKEND A SUCCESS!

Friday, July 17-Sunday, July 19

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Rules Procedures and Reminders

THE FOLLOWING RULES REMINDERS MAY ASSIST YOU DURING THE COMPETITION
(These are only summary reminders and do not modify the Rules themselves)

PLAYER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The player shall start at the time laid down by the Committee. (Rule 5.3a)

• All players are to be at their designated tee ten minutes prior to their starting time.
• If the player arrives at his/her starting point ready to play within five minutes after his/her starting time, in the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 5.7b, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes.
• If the player is more than five minutes late, he/she shall be disqualified.

The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. (Rule 7.2)

• Each player should put an identification mark on his/her ball.

The Competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on the card. (Rule 3.3b)

The player shall play without undue delay. (Rule 5.6b)

• The player shall play without undue delay in accordance with any pace of play guidelines laid down by the committee.
• Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player shall not unduly delay play.
• If a group is out of position it will be subject to be timed.
• A player will be allowed 40 seconds to complete his/her stroke.

Penalties for Pace of Play Violations:

• Out Of Position - Not Keeping Up With The Group In Front Of You
• First Offense - Verbal Warning
• Second Offense - One Stroke Penalty
• Third Offense - Two Stroke Penalty
• For Subsequent Offense - Disqualification

Note: Timing will discontinue when the group has regained its position. Time previously recorded that may have exceeded the limit, however, will be held over for further occurrence.

• Pace of Play appeal – A player has the right to appeal a pace of play penalty given to him/her but must appeal directly to the Rules Committee before signing and returning his/her scorecard.

OUT OF BOUNDS

In addition to the Out of Bounds defined by a White Line and/or White Stakes, all off-property fences and roadways will also define out of bounds.

RELIEF SITUATIONS

Relief from a Red Penalty Area (Rule 17.1)

All penalty areas at Trump Doral are marked as Red Penalty Areas. Your relief options are as follows under penalty of one stroke:

• Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played.
• Drop a ball behind the red penalty area, keeping the point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area between the hole and the dropping point, with no limit to how far behind the penalty area the ball may be dropped.
• Drop a ball outside the red penalty area within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area.

Relief from Temporary Water (Rule 16.1)

Temporary Water is any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground which is visible before or after the player takes his/her stance and is not in a penalty area.

Interference by temporary water occurs when a ball lies in or touches any temporary water or when such a condition interferes with the player's stance or intended swing.

Relief may be taken as follows:

• Determine the nearest point of complete relief that is not nearer the hole, avoids interference, and is not in a penalty area.
• Lift and drop the ball within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole.

Relief from Abnormal Ground Condition

Abnormal Ground Condition is any portion of the course marked by order of the Committee. White lines define Abnormal Ground Condition.

A ball is in an Abnormal Ground Condition when it lies in or any part of it touches the ground under repair.

Relief may be taken as follows:

• Determine the nearest point of complete relief that is not nearer the hole, avoids interference, and is not in a penalty area.
• Lift and drop the ball within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole.

DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE

• In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his/her rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he/she may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. (Rule 20.1c(3))
• After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor should announce to his marker or a fellow competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit.
• The competitor MUST report the facts of the situation to the Committee before returning his/her scorecard.

Failure to do so results in DISQUALIFICATION.

CONDUCT

Players can be disqualified for actions on and off the golf course. In addition, each room is subject to an on-the-spot inspection at any time.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language and club throwing on the golf course, will result in the following penalties:

• First offense – Warning
• Second offense – Two-shot penalty
• Third offense – Disqualification

Some penalties may be issued at the full discretion of the Rules Committee.

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL WITHDRAWAL POLICY

• This policy allows withdrawals for verified medical reasons or emergencies.
• Medical reasons must be verified and approved by the Tournament Director to receive a WD.
• If a player is healthy enough to continue and refuses, the player will receive an NC.
• The entire group involved will be held at the point of stoppage and other groups will play through.
• A Rules Official will restart the group.
• All play must comply with current Tournament Rules and Policies.
• The player must notify and receive approval from the Tournament Director or Rules Official prior to leaving the course.
• This decision is final.
• If a verified family emergency occurs, a player may be allowed to withdraw.
• All printed and published results will reflect a withdrawn status.

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL DISQUALIFICATION POLICY

Disqualification occurs when, during a competitive round, a player refuses to continue play after medical personnel release the player to continue.

Failure to report for a tee time, leaving the course without notification and approval of a Rules Official, or any other published reason will also result in automatic disqualification.

All printed and published results at the end of the Tournament will reflect a disqualified status.

• If a player is disqualified prior to the final round, the player may play as a marker at the discretion of the Tournament Director based on field size and other circumstances.

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES

In this competition, a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (such as elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3a(1).