Optimist International Junior Golf Championship
Codes of Conduct for Participants, Spectators and Parents

Players Code of Conduct
Optimist International takes great pride in the quality of its players, host facility and volunteer involvement. In order to continue making Optimist Junior Golf events enjoyable for everyone, the Junior Golf Committee requires all players to adhere to the Code of Conduct. Its purpose is to help participants grow and mature by understanding and accepting the consequences of their actions. The Code of Conduct is to be followed throughout the player's stay at the tournament. Tournament play will be conducted in accordance with USGA rules, the following Code of Conduct and local course rules. Participants are expected to conduct themselves in proper fashion both on and off the course for the duration of the event.

Violations of the Code of Conduct on the Course

• Unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language, club throwing, disrespect to volunteers, officials or fellow competitors, or abuse of golf course property.
• Use of drugs or alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco products—a zero tolerance policy is in effect.
• Not adhering to the dress code during practice round or tournament play.
• Use of cell phones can only be used to notify a tournament official for a ruling or medical attention. Please make sure they are turned off during play. Headsets is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

Violations of the Code of Conduct off the Course

• Any use or association with drugs or alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco products—a zero tolerance policy is in effect.
• Vandalism at the hotel or its surrounding properties, abusive behavior to any volunteer or tournament official.
• Damages in any rooms will be the financial responsibility of the players occupying the room. Please report and accidental damage to your chaperone or at the tournament office.
• All players must comply with the tournament Curfew of 11 p.m. local time. You must be in your room by the Curfew and remain in your room for the remainder of the night unless accompanied by an adult chaperone, parent, or legal guardian. Nightly random room checks will be made.
• Leaving the resort property is not permitted unless accompanied by an adult chaperone, parent, or guardian.
• Gambling is not permitted. Any games involving the exchange of money are strictly prohibited.
• Male and female participants may not occupy the same room at any time. Roommate changes are not permitted. Once you are assigned to a room you may not change rooms. No exceptions.
• Attendance at the player orientation is mandatory. Any player failing to attend the player orientation may be subject to disqualification.

Dress Code

• Proper golf attire is required at all times during the practice round and tournament play. Questionable attire will be reviewed by the Tournament Director. Players in violation of the dress code will not be permitted to tee off and may be assessed stroke penalties.
• Hats/visors must be worn with brim forward.
• Collared shirts must be worn and tucked in at all times with the following exceptions: women’s shirts without a collar must have sleeves. Men’s shirts without a collar must have a tight neck fit. T-shirts are prohibited.
• No tank tops, short-shorts, denim shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, t-shirts or jeans.
• Appropriate resort attire is required at all times while off the golf course.

Code of Conduct Violation Penalties

• One stroke penalty for each act of unsportsmanlike behavior on the golf course.
• A serious act of unsportsmanlike behavior on the course may result in the player being immediately disqualified from the tournament, subject to review of the Rules Committee. Any Code of Conduct violation off the course may also result in the player being disqualified from the tournament and immediately sent home subject to review of the Junior Golf Committee.

Optimist Junior Golf Withdrawal Policy
This policy will allow for withdrawals for medical reasons or for emergencies. The medical reason must be verified and approved by a Rules Official and Tournament Director. If a Rules Official and Tournament Director deems the player is healthy enough to continue and the player refuses, the player will be disqualified. 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 all current tournament rules and policies. The player must notify and receive approval of a rules official prior to leaving the course. The decision of the Rules Committee is final. If a family emergency, on or off site occurs, the Rules Committee may allow a player to withdraw. The reason or reasons must be verified by the Rules Committee. All printed and published results at the end of the tournament will reflect a withdrew status.

Optimist Junior Golf Disqualification Policy
Disqualification will occur if during a competitive round of the tournament a player refuses to continue play after a Rules Official and Tournament Director releases the player to continue play. Failure to report for your tee time, leaving the course without the notification and approval of the Rules Official and Tournament Director, or any other already published reason will also be automatic disqualification. Disqualification will also occur for any USGA rules violation that calls for disqualification. All printed and published results at the end of the tournament will reflect a disqualified status.

Parent and Spectator Code of Conduct
In golf, customs of etiquette and decorum are just as important as rules governing play. It is appropriate for parents and spectators to applaud successful strokes, but in order to secure the spirit of the game, we ask parents and spectators to please adhere to the following guidelines. Please note that if any of the following guidelines are perceived as broken by a Rules Official, the player may be subject to penalty.

Advice (Rule 10) is any counsel or suggestion which could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. In addition, any conversation between player/spectator may be construed as advice. This includes any conversation between player/spectator in their native language. In either instance, penalty for breach of this rule is two strokes. Players are responsible for the actions of their relatives and spectators in regards to this rule.

Keeping the above statement in mind, please keep your conversation with the player to words of encouragement as long as advice is not given.

Spectators attend Optimist Golf events at their own risk.

Please turn off all cell phones while on the course.

Spectator carts are not allowed at the Championship. Other Optimist Tournaments is based on availability for a fee.

Spectators should stay on cart paths. In the absence of cart paths, we ask that spectators stay in the rough. Please stay off fairways, tees and greens.

Spectators should stay one shot ahead of the group they are following. This allows spectators to follow errant shots and help identify where the ball comes to rest. Spectators are allowed to aid in the search for lost golf balls.

Spectators should not give rulings. Please seek a rules official if the need arises.

Spectators are allowed to carry medicine, drinks, food, umbrellas, etc.

The Rules Official may assess a penalty to the player based on the severity of the spectator violation. If a serious breach has occurred, the spectator may be asked to leave the facility.

For your personal safety, we ask you exercise caution at all times. When inclement weather moves into the area, play will be suspended by sounding airhorns. Accordingly, you should seek shelter immediately. The staff will evacuate players from the course first and then spectators.

Spectators are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages while on the golf course, in any Optimist meal function or planned indoor event.

Please use descretion when smoking around players on the courses.