PHOTO
GALLERY

INTRODUCTION

HANDBOOK

MEMBERSHIP

2010
PLATINUM TOUR
SCHEDULE

2010
RESULTS

 2010 PLAYER
OF THE YEAR

POINTS
MATRIX

 2009 PLAYER
OF THE YEAR

JUNIOR
LINKS

CONTACT
US

GCJGF

2008 PLAYER
OF THE YEAR

2010 Handbook

Platinum Tour

A Platinum Tour membership is required to participate in more than two Platinum Tour tournaments. A player may participate as a non-member in two tournaments but will not earn points for those tournaments. Membership is available to junior golfers 18 & Under and who have not entered college. Players must have demonstrated the ability to play at a competitive level within their age group by consistently scoring 89 or better for boys and 99 or better for girls. Players returning a score above 90 for Boys and 100 for Girls, or more than 18 shots higher than the score of the Division leader's score, will be subject to being "CUT" from the 2nd round of play for that tournament.

A Platinum Tour member must have a valid email address, be able to obtain all information from the web site, make tournament entries and payment of all fees by MasterCard or Visa credit cards by using the GCJGF on-line registration system powered by BlueGolf. The Platinum Tour membership is valid December 2009 through September 2010.

Platinum Tour Divisions

Boys: 13-15, 16-18

Girls: 13-18

Tournament Entry

Players must meet the above entry guidelines. Platinum Tour entries for each tournament must be made by using the on-line registration system powered by BlueGolf. The number of entries for each division or tournament may be limited. Players will be notified by email of their entry status when registering. Platinum Tour membership does not guarantee entry into any event. Payment of entry fee by check or cash will not be accepted.

Note: The Prestige Junior Championships is not a Platinum Tour event and is governed by its own set of rules which are available at http://www.prestigejuniorchampionships.org

LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE. A LATE FEE OF $50.00 WILL BE ADDED TO THE ENTRY FEE.

Entry Fee Refund 

The entry registration will not be processed if the player is not accepted for the tournament. An entry fee may be transferred to another tournament providing withdrawal is made at least 7 days prior to the tournament you originally registered for.  A member may request a transfer of the entry fee only one time during the membership year. A player may request a refund of the entry fee providing the request for withdrawal is made at least 7 days prior to the event. The entry fee will be credited to the credit card used for the tournament registration, less a $25 service charge. No tournament registration transfers or refunds will be made for any player withdrawing less than 7 days before the tournament date. In the event a tournament must be cancelled prior to the start of play, the entry fee will be fully refunded unless food is part of the entry and the Platinum Tour is not charged a fee. Refunds or credits for tournaments where play was suspended due to weather will not be made.

No portion of the entry fee will be refunded for players cut after the 1st round.

Note: The Prestige Junior Championships is not a Platinum Tour event and is governed by its own set of rules which are available at http://www.prestigejuniorchampionships.org

Annual Awards

A "Player of the Year" award will be presented to the player with the highest point total in their division. See the Points Matrix for points distribution. A "Low Stroke Average" award will be presented to the player with the lowest overall stroke average, using a player's best ten (10) 18-hole scores. Scores must be for the same division. Scores may NOT be combined from two divisions.

The overall Boys "Player of the Year" points winner and the overall Girls "Player of the Year" points winner will receive financial assistance to a national tournament of their choice. The amount of the assistance is limited to Three Hundred Dollars per player. The assistance is to be coordinated with the GCJGF Executive Director and must take place prior to August 31, 2010. Assistance is not retroactive. Should a player win both the Gold Program and the Platinum Tour Overall awards they will only receive assistance to one tournament.

The "Player of the Year"  winner of each division will receive a 50% discount of the entry fee for the Prestige Junior Championships tournament that immediately follows the season in which they won the award. Each player must submit a Prestige Junior Championships entry application and meet all entry requirements. The entry application must be received by September 30, 2009.

Dress Code

Platinum Tour members are required to wear proper golf attire at all Platinum Tour events. Shirts with collars, or mock turtle neck shirts designed for golf and allowed by the host facility, are required. Shirt-tails must be worn inside pants, shorts, or skirts. Players not meeting the above dress will be asked to conform on the first offense, will have 500 points deducted from their "Player of the Year" point total for a 2nd offense, will have 1000 points deducted for a 3rd offense, and future tournament entries will be denied. The tournament entry fee will not be refunded.

Garments not permissible:
Short Shorts or Running Shorts
Gym, Bicycle or Exercise Shorts
Cutoffs
Jeans (shorts, pants, skirts made of denim)
See-through clothing
Tube or Tank Tops
Clothing containing words, phrases, symbols, or pictures, which could be considered obscene, profane, drug, alcohol, or tobacco related.

Shoes

Players must wear proper shoes for golf. Shoes fitted with spikes must have non-metal spikes i.e. soft spikes.
Metal Spikes are not allowed. Flat sole sneakers are permitted.

Caddies

The Platinum Tour does not allow caddies.

iPods, MP3's, or similar devices

The use of iPods, MP3s or a similar device that requires the use of ear buds, and cell phones are prohibited.
Penalty for violation of this rule is: Disqualification

Pull Carts

Pull Carts are permitted to be used by players in all divisions providing they are allowed by the Host course. Pull carts must not be taken onto the green or the collar of the green and should be placed in a position to expedite exiting the green to go to the next hole. In the interest of safety of all participants, players using a pull cart agree to remove their golf bag from the pull cart during a course evacuation and leave the cart on the course. The player is responsible for retrieving the cart once conditions are safe to do so. The player and their parents agree that the Platinum Tour, GCJGF, its Officers and Directors, and the Host course cannot be held responsible for any damaged, missing, or stolen pull carts left on the course as a result of a course evacuation.

Playing Rules

USGA Rules of Golf apply, plus any local rules established by the Platinum Tour Tournament Rules Committee.

Local rules in effect at every tournament are below:

Tournament Check-in

Players are required to check-in at the tournament registration desk on the first day of the tournament at least 30 minutes prior to their assigned tee time. If there is a shotgun start, players must check-in on both days 30 minutes prior to the shotgun start.

Group or Pairing

Groups or Pairing for the first round of a tournament will be by random computer selection. Subsequent groupings or pairings will be made according to the scores returned for the first round, with the lowest score returned in the division being the last out. In case of ties, the first player to return a score will be the last player out. Note: In the event the Boys 13-15 and 15-18 divisions play the same set of tees, the groupings or pairings may be combined so that an "Overall" winner can be determined. 

Tee Times

Players are required to report to the Starter for their tee time in accordance with USGA Rules of Golf; Rule 6-3 and Rule 33-1.
Rule 33-1: Any player arriving at his/her starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his/her starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play instead of disqualification. Note: All players in a group must be present at the assigned tee time, not according to the order of play.

We request that players report to the Starter 16 minutes prior to their tee time.

Golf Carts

Electric or Gas Golf Carts are not permitted unless authorized by the Tournament Director.
Players may not sit or ride in Golf Carts once they begin play unless authorized by Platinum Tour Officials.

Pace of Play

A threesome will have 15 minutes to play each hole on the course unless noted otherwise on the scorecard. Each player in the group that is out of position and over the time allotted to play 9 holes will receive a two-stroke penalty at the nine-hole checkpoint and or 18 hole checkpoint. This policy is not to be confused with the following pace of play policy regarding individual players.

The first player to play from the tee will have 50 seconds to do so; each of the following players will have 40 seconds to play their shot. Timing starts for the 1st player as soon as the group ahead is clear and for the remaining players as soon as the ball hits the ground from the preceding player's shot. Additional time will be allowed for difficult problem shots.

Players may request a Rules Official time a player in their group if they believe that player will cause the GROUP to receive a two-stroke penalty for slow play.

Please keep in mind that if you exceed the allotted time to play a hole by only 60 seconds on each hole, you add 18 minutes to the round for your group and all the players behind you.

Note: The time a group must complete a hole is printed on each scorecard. A group must complete each hole within 15 minutes of the group playing directly in front of their group. If you are out of position, you must catch up!!!
See the "Hard Card" for Pace of Play. Hard Cards are available from the starter.

Scoring

USGA RULE 3-3. If unable to resolve a rule question and a marshal or official is not available, play a second ball and declare which ball you will score if the rules permit. Keep score on both balls. Obtain a ruling at the scoreboard prior to signing and submitting your scorecard. 

See USGA Rules of Golf, rule 6-6a and 6-6d.

1.     The following categories will be used when posting scores and reporting those scores to Junior
 Golf Scoreboard.

a.     No Show (NS): Player does not show for the first round and does not notify the Platinum Tour that they are unable to participate or the player does not return for the 2^nd round and fails to notify the Tournament Director of their intentions and provide a justifiable excuse for not returning.

1) A player violating this policy will be suspended from play for the next two
             tournaments.

2) A second violation will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
3) No refunds will be given for any tournaments the player may be registered to play
    if the player is suspended.

b.      Withdrawal (WD): Player withdraws from the tournament for an unjustified or 
  questionable reason.

1) A player violating this policy will be suspended from play for the next two
             tournaments.

2) A second violation will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
3) No refunds will be given for any tournaments the player may be registered to play
    if the player is suspended.

c.      No Card (NC): Player fails to return a scorecard or intentionally does not sign their card when given the opportunity.

1) A player violating this policy will be suspended from play for the next two   
             tournaments.

2) A second violation will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
3) No refunds will be given for any tournaments the player may be registered to play
    if the player is suspended.

d.     Disqualification (DQ): Player is disqualified for violation of a rule of golf. (Unintentional action by player)

                   e.  Did Not Start (DNS): Player does not start play and name is listed on the scoreboard.

Parents are not to get involved with players and their score, or scores, at any time during the round.
Officials may interview parents and spectators to help resolve a scoring issue

Ties for trophy position will be determined by a play-off. If the course is not available the USGA recommended method for determining position will be used. i.e. The last nine holes played in the final round, if still tied, the last six holes, if still tied, the last three holes. If the players remain tied the first nine holes will be considered, using the same format. Should there continue to be a tie, the format will be employed using the first round of the tournament.

Artificial Measuring Devices

Local Rule: Artificial measuring devices used to measure distances are permitted in all tournaments providing the device does not measure any other conditions such as wind or gradient, even though those features may be turned off. Note: Yardage information may be shared with fellow competitors. Click here for a special offer for range finders purchased from Gold Coast Junior Golf Foundation.

Safety

Players are not to remove clubs from their golf bag until it is time for their group to tee off; or when on the driving range practicing; or when using the putter on the practice putting green. Players are to make sure no other person is within range of being struck by the club or ball when a swing is made. Practice swings are not to be made until it is your turn to hit and never swing where the club path is towards another person.

NOTE: Parents or Guardians should carry a golfer’s liability endorsement on their homeowner or renter’s insurance policy if available.

Spectators

SMOKING AT PLATINUM TOUR TOURNAMENTS IS PROHIBITED.
Spectators must adhere to the Dress Code that applies to the players.
Spectators will be permitted walk and follow the junior players when the course allows spectators.  The use of electric or gas golf carts will be permitted providing the course is willing to rent carts to spectators, and they will be rented by the course based on availability. Carts must be kept on cart paths where they are available and in the rough if cart paths are not available. Spectators must keep 30 yards from all the junior players. Where the spectator does not keep 30 yards from the player, the player will receive a warning for the first violation and the spectator will be informed that they must leave the course for any additional violations.  See USGA Rules of Golf concerning advice. Only TWO people are permitted in a cart, regardless of age or size.
Spectators must be aware of all playing groups so as not to delay play or being hit by a golf shot.

Coolers

Personal coolers, beverages, and snacks are prohibited. Coolers will be removed from the course and returned after the completion of play.

Emergency Weather Procedure

When potentially dangerous weather is in the area a horn will sound one long blast. All players are required to immediately mark the position of their ball [it is suggested two golf tees be used] and seek the nearest shelter from the threatening conditions. When it is determined that the dangerous conditions no longer exist, 30 minutes after the last lightning strike within a 10 mile radius, players are to proceed to the previously marked ball position and replace their ball. Play will resume by a horn sounding two short blast. 

A weather service is used to assist in detecting dangerous weather conditions. There are times when lightning is in the area but may not be visible to the eye. Once play has been suspended, Platinum Tour volunteers will transport the junior golfers to the clubhouse a soon as possible and then the spectators will be transported. Spectators with golf cars are to assist with evacuating players. AT NO TIME IS ANY PLAYER OR SPECTATOR ALLOWED TO STAND ON THE BACK OF A GOLF CART.

Respecting The Course

Players are required to respect the course by following the instructions on all signs, from course personnel, and from tournament committee members. Each player is to replace or fill in their divots, repair ball marks on the greens, and rake bunkers (sand traps).  All trash is to be placed in the proper receptacles.

Conduct

Each player is to conduct himself or herself with dignity and abide by all rules.

The following actions will be grounds for immediate removal from the Platinum Tour:

Conduct that is detrimental to the Platinum Tour.
Failure to follow the instructions of a Platinum Tour Official.
Abuse to the host course facilities and properties. Damage to course or equipment, littering
Hitting of golf balls in any area not designated for play
Deliberate hitting of golf balls into the preceding golf group
The use of Alcoholic Beverages, Illegal Drugs, or any type of Tobacco Products
Abusive Language or Profanity
Throwing of golf equipment
Gambling
Cheating
Card Playing

GCJGF Directors & Officers

These rules and regulations may be changed at any time, without notification, by the Board of Directors or Tournament Directors.