UTAH STATE WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The following rules shall govern this society in all cases to which they are
applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the By Laws.
ARTICLE I - STATE SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS
Section 1. Tournament entries will be considered by postmark date rather than the date received. (Spring 1973)
Section 2. No entry will be accepted postmarked more than four weeks earlier than a tournament (Fall 1977). The opening date for all State sanctioned tournaments will be four weeks prior to the date of the tournament. (Fall 2003)
Section 3. A. All golfers are encouraged to enter state-sanctioned tournaments through their State Representatives where they pay their dues. This is convenience that makes it easier on Tournament Committees and the Treasurer for State Tournaments; however, all entries, despite the source, will be treated equally and according to the postmark. No priority will be given to State Rep entries. (Fall 1994)
B. For all individual tournaments: when more legally mailed entries are received than there are openings for a tournament, the following procedure is to be followed: All entries received within four days after the entry date for the tournament are to be opened according to postmark. (Fall 1996)
C. For all 2 women and 4 women team tournaments (bestballs, scrambles, etc.): when more legally mailed entries are received than there are openings for the tournament, the following procedure is to be followed: All entries received within four days after the entry date for the tournament are to be opened according to postmark. The tournament positions are to be filled by postmark the opening day. Any remaining positions are to be filled from the postmark the second day, and so on, until all positions are filled. If the tournament fills and there are more entries than spots available: on the first days postmark or second days postmark, etc., the following procedure is to be followed:
2 women teams - by low handicap of team member (following 10 point spread
if applicable), determine number of flights for tournament, divide teams equally
within flights according to lowest handicaps. Determine how many teams must
be eliminated from tournament, divide by the number of flights. Finally, blind
draw number of teams to be eliminated out of each flight. (Fall 1996)
4 women teams - by low handicap of team member (follow 10 point spread if
applicable), use same procedure as 2 women teams above. (Fall 1996)
No person can be blind drawn out of more than one tournament a year. If a
person was been blind drawn out of a tournament one year, she is exempted
from being drawn out that tournament the following year.
Section 4. No more than an 8 to 10 point spread between the highest and lowest handicap in any flight (Fall 1980). Number of flights will be determined after breaks are done. Flights will be as equal as possible. If there are not at least 10 women in a flight, they must drop down to the next flight. (Fall 1995)
Section 5. Current UGA or GHIN handicaps will be used for flighting.
Section 6. The amount of money to be allowed for all state-sanctioned tournaments
for that year will be decided upon by the State Officers after receiving a
report from the State Treasurer in the spring as to the funds available. (Fall
1983)
Section 7. In all four-ball tournaments only, no more than four women per
group. No drawing for partners. It is the Tournament Chair's responsibility
in the case of an emergency to find a scorer for the remaining twosome. No
twosome shall be sent out to compete. As a last resort a sixsome will be allowed.
(Fall 1993)
Section 8. Every Tournament Chair will determine the eligibility of each participant in a state-sanctioned tournament. (Fall 1993)
Section 9. All tournaments must be at least 18 holes.
Section 10. All entrants will be limited to a 36 handicap maximum. Higher
handicaps will not be eliminated from participation but must drop to a 36
to play.
(Spring 1977)
Section 11. All flighted tournaments must have gross and net evenly divided with the gross paid the same as net in all flights. At least one-third of the flight is to be paid. If one flight has more people, pay the extra place in gross. (Fall 1996)(Spring 2003)
Section 12. If in an emergency a player cannot show for a tournament and informs the Tournament Chair prior to the tournament, it shall be the decision of the Chair and/or the Tournament Committee as to whether or not tournament fees shall be refunded minus fixed costs. (Fall 1993)
Section 13. It will be the option of the individual club hosting the tournament to decide whether they will have a luncheon or social hour. This must be printed on the tournament schedule. (Fall 1983)
Section 14. USWGA dues for each club and country club ladies association shall be determined by the USWGA Board. (Fall 2004) Dues are payable by February 1st, and are to cover printing and mailing expenses for Spring Meeting packets, all other mailouts and fliers. (Fall 1994)
Section 15. All tournament reservations must be in written form and entry fee paid in advance. No telephone reservations may be taken by the Pro or anyone else. (Fall 1993)
Section 16. All reservations for electric carts will be handled through the Pros in the manner in which they choose. (Spring 1977)
Section 17. Players must post their score to the posting sheet. The Tournament Chair will then post scores to the computer. Scores will be entered as tournament scores. (Fall 1998) The first time a player does not post her tournament score, she will receive no penalty. She will, however, be sent a letter notifying her she did not post and that the second time a non-posting occurs she will receive a penalty round equal to the lowest score of her last twenty. (Fall 1993)
Section 18. All tournaments are restricted to 144 entrants unless a double shotgun is advertised prior to signing up. On all 9-hole courses having tournaments the field is to be limited to 72 unless advertised as a double shotgun. (Fall 1984)
Section 19. In four ball tournaments and scrambles, unless specified by host club, two women may play together regardless of handicap. The team member with the lowest handicap will determine their flight. (Fall 1998) In addition, those clubs electing to restrict the number of playing partners to only one with a handicap of nine or under should use the opening date handicap to determine the legitimacy of the team. However, the team will play the tournament with the most recent handicaps available. This will avoid the problem of having teams ending up with two or more 0-9 handicappers due to a players having dropped to 9 or less at the last moment, thus having to completely revamp their team a couple of days before the tournament date. (Fall 1994)
Section 20. At all state-sanctioned tournaments, all players will play with whom they are paired. (Fall 1987)
Section 21. The names of the Tournament Chair/Co-Chair shall be clearly posted at all state-sanctioned tournaments. Player's questions, complaints and/or problems must be taken to those Chairs and not to the host Pro. (Fall 1991)
Section 22. REHANDICAP RESPONSIBILITY: Once a player has submitted her entry fee check, her responsibility has ended. It is then the responsibility of the Tournament Chairs to catch any handicap error. If she does not, the Board will be responsible for deciding what action shall be taken. (Fall 1993)
Section 23. Any two or three day tournament must re-pair each day of the tournament according to score within flights. (Fall 1995)
ARTICLE II - STATE AMATEUR TOURNAMENT
Section 1. The State Amateur Tournament will accept up to 36 handicap. When
more legally mailed entries are received than there are openings for the tournament,
the following procedure is to be followed: All entries received within 4 days
after the opening- entry date for the tournament are to be opened according
to postmark. The tournament positions are to be filled by lower handicap up,
by first day’s postmark. Repeat on second day’s postmark, and so on. (Fall
1996) Entry into the Utah State Women’s Amateur shall require ALL of the following:
a. USWGA membership (as defined in USWGA Bylaws), and
b. Residency (as defined in the USWGA Bylaws), and
c. Current handicap must include a minimum of three 18-hole rounds posted
within the current year.
All past champions who are members of the USWGA and submit an entry form are
guaranteed a spot regardless of handicap (Spring 2004).
Section 2. If any club cares to bid on the State Amateur, we will play by that club's rules and limitations, providing all USWGA Standing Rules and By Laws are followed. (Spring 1975)
Section 3. The State Amateur will be held no earlier than July 15. (Spring 1973)
Section 4. The entry fee for the State Amateur Tournament shall be determined by the host Pro and State Officers. (Spring 1975)
Section 5. The prizes for the State Amateur Tournament will be awarded at the end of the 54-hole championship event.
Section 6. In the event of a tie in the State Amateur Tournament for first gross, there will be a sudden death play-off in all flights including the Championship Flight. (Fall 1993)
Section 7. In the event weather forces closure of the course for one day during the State Amateur, it will become a 36-hole event. If closed for two days, the tournament will be rescheduled. (Spring 1972)
Section 8. The State Amateur Tournament must be set up, bids in and voted on at the annual fall meeting. (Spring 2000) If there is no bid for the State Amateur Tournament in the fall meeting, it is up to the President to decide on a course to be played. (Spring 1974)
Section 9. No player will be paired outside of her flight. If need be a twosome or threesome will go out. Re-pairing each day of tournament according to scores within flights. (Spring 2003)
Section 10. All flights in the State Amateur shall be gross only and shall
be limited to a 5- stroke spread, as long as there are 10 or more players
in that flight. All flights will play from the same tees not to exceed 5800
yards. (Fall 2003)
Section 11. A greater amount of money will be allowed for the State Amateur
than for the State Four-Ball Tournament. (Fall 1984)
Section 12. Trophies will be awarded for gross of field, first gross in all flights, to be provided by the State Association. (Fall 2004)
Section 13. If is preferable that the State Amateur Chair/Co-Chair be from the club hosting the Amateur and shall be appointed by the USWGA Board. (Spring 2004)
ARTICLE III - STATE-FOUR BALL TOURNAMENT
Section 1. For the State Four Ball Tournament, partners will use 95% of their full handicap (up to 36). Partners cannot have more than a ten-stroke spread between handicaps. If there is more than a ten-stroke spread, the higher partner must drop to the ten-stroke limit. (Spring 1990) The team member with the lowest handicap will determine their flight. (Fall 1996)
Section 2. A greater amount of money will be allowed for the State Amateur than for the State Four-Ball Tournament.
Section 3. Trophies will be awarded for gross of field, first gross and first net in all flights, to be provided by the State Association. (Fall 1984)
Section 4. The State Four-Ball Tournament shall be a 2-day event to be held at 2 courses determined at the annual fall meeting prior to the tournament. (Spring 2000) If there is no bid for the State Four-Ball Tournament in the fall meeting, it is up to the President to decide on courses to be played. (Spring 2000) Event to include awards given at finishing course following the last day of play. (Fall 1987)
Section 5. Ties for trophies in the State Four-Ball will be decided by a sudden death play-off. (Fall 1993)
Section 6. In the event that one or both days of the State Four Ball is cancelled due to inclement weather, it/they shall be rescheduled, as the board finds convenient. (Fall 1993)
Section 7. Participants in four ball tournaments must post their scores. (Spring 1994)
Section 8. Participants may pick up their ball on a given hole and record either their equitable or probable score. (Spring 1994)
Section 9. It is preferable that the State Four-Ball Chair/Co-Chair be from the club hosting the Four Ball and shall be appointed by the USWGA Board. (Spring 2004)
ARTICLE IV - SPRING OPEN (Spring 2003) TOURNAMENT
Section 1. For the Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament, partners will use 95% of their full handicap (up to 36). Partners cannot have more than a ten-stroke spread between handicaps. If there is more than a ten-stroke spread, the higher partner must drop to the ten-point limit. (Fall 1993) The team member with the lowest handicap will determine their flight. (Fall 1996)
Section 2. The Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament will be a 36-hole tournament. Format will be 1st day scramble and 2nd day Chapman. (Fall 1995)
Section 3. The Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament will be run by the USWGA
State Board or by someone delegated by the Board. It will be a USWGA sanctioned
tournament, with entries restricted to state members.
Section 4. Should bad weather force closure of the course on either day of the Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament, it will become an 18-hole tournament and awards will be made at the banquet. If the course is closed for both days, the tournament will be cancelled and no prizes will be given. (Fall 1993)
Section 5. Ties for trophies in the Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament will be decided either by a sudden death play-off or by scorecard play-off, to be determined by the Board. (Fall 1998)
Section 6. The Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament must be set up, bids in and voted on at the annual fall meeting. (Spring 2000) If there is no bid for the Spring Open (Spring 2003) Tournament in the fall meeting, it is up to the President to decide on courses to be played. (Spring 2000)
ARTICLE V - CODE OF CONDUCT AND DRESS
Section 1. Any women failing to pay USWGA membership dues or tournament entry fees or failing to show for a tournament shall be banned from future tournaments until said debt is cleared.
Section 2. Anyone violating the rules covering entry in a tournament shall be banned from the next tournament. (Fall 1971)
Section 3. Any woman showing unsportsmanlike conduct towards fellow players, Pro or Tournament Chairs shall be banned from further USWGA sponsored events until she meets Officers of the State for reviewing of said case. (Spring 1974)
Section 4. There shall be a dress code for all State tournaments and State team play. No halter tops, bathing suits or short shorts will be permitted. It will be the responsibility of the foursome in which the offender is playing to make the complaint to the Board for disqualification to be considered. A minimum of a four-inch seam in shorts will be required, with skirts to be of comparable length. (Fall 1980)
ARTICLE VI - GENERAL
Section 1. The State President's and Treasurer’s entire entry fee including cart and lunch will be paid for by the USWGA for all state-sanctioned tournaments, unless said fees are waived by the participating course. (Fall 1998, Spring 2001).
Section 2. The green fees and prize money of the USWGA Board members other than the President and Treasurer shall be paid for by the USWGA for the four State Tournaments: Spring Open, State Four Ball, State Amateur, and Senior State Amateur. Said officers will pay for lunch and carts. Officers who do not quality for the Senior State Amateur will have fees waived for another tournament to be decided by the Board. (Fall 1998)
Section 3. The entire entry fee of the Chair/Co-Chair of the State Four Ball, the State Amateur, and Senior State Amateur shall be paid for by the USWGA for their respective tournaments only. (Fall 1998)
Section 4. The duties of the State Representative will be as outlined in the instructions issued each year by the State Association.
Section 5. Each State Officer and State Representative shall have in her possession a copy of the By Laws and Standing Rules. This shall be kept current by the President and Secretary of the USWGA.
Section 6. All non-playing family and friends are to be excluded from post-tournament activities. (Fall 1970)
Section 7. All gift certificates will be redeemed for 100% of stated value on anything in the Pro Shop. (Fall 1976)
Section 8. All spring and fall meeting luncheons for all State Board Officers will be paid out of the State Association dues fund. (Fall 1976)
Section 9. A computer for the Treasurer and Secretary will be provided. A
tape recorder will be provided for the Secretary. (Fall 1999)
ARTICLE VII - TEAM MATCHES
Section 1. Team play shall be governed by team rules.
Section 2. Team rules will be determined by Team Captains, the State Team Captain, and the Assistant State Team Captain, with the State Team Captain voting only in case of a tie, in a meeting prior to the State meetings and prior to team play each season. (Fall 1978)
Section 3. The USWGA shall pay for the green fees and prize money of the State Team Captain and Assistant Team Captain at the year-end team social. (Fall 1990)
ARTICLE VIII - HANDICAP AND ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE
Section 1. There shall be a committee consisting of an elected Handicap Chair who will serve as a member of the Executive Board and the handicap chairwoman from each of the clubs to serve as her committee. They will handle all complaints and adjustments of handicaps.
Section 2. For a new state member, the USWGA will accept five 18-hole scores
and establish a handicap for that member but those five scores must be posted
and verified during the current year, three weeks prior to a tournament. State
Representatives will be responsible for their own members. (Fall 1978)
Section 3. For handicap purposes, all USWGA members will have a UGA handicap. Ladies day, team and tournament scores will be computed as tournament scores, when played under USGA Rules. (Spring 1992)
Section 4. The handicap adjustment committee will follow the guidelines set
forth by the UGA and USGA. (Spring 1992)
Section 5. The USWGA will accept verified, transferred handicaps of new members, which the USGA transfers directly to the UGA office. (Fall 1983)
ARTICLE IX - SENIOR STATE AMATEUR TOURNAMENT
Section 1. The State Senior Amateur Tournament will accept up to 36 handicaps;
but if the tournament is filled, the higher handicaps will be eliminated to
provide room for the lower handicaps, providing they meet the closing date.
The field will be limited to 144 women. Residency will be the same as the
State Amateur (see Bylaws article VII 2a). (Fall 1998)
Section 2. If any club cares to bid on the Senior State Amateur, we will play by that clubs rules and limitation, providing all USWGA Standing Rules and By Laws are followed. (Fall 1992) Players who are 65 years old or older on the first day of the tournament shall be eligible to participate in the “Super Senior” tournament. Two “Super Senior” awards shall be awarded (one to the low gross and one to the low net of the eligible super seniors based on the first day of tournament play).
Section 3. The Senior State Amateur will be held no earlier than May 15th (Fall 1992)
Section 4. The entry fee for the Senior State Amateur Tournament shall be determined by the host Pro and State Officers. (Fall 1992)
Section 5. The prizes for the Senior State Amateur Tournament shall be determined by the host Pro and State Officers. (Spring 1975)
Section 6. In the event of a tie for first gross or net in the Senior State Amateur Tournament, there will be a sudden death play-off in all flights.
Section 7. In the event weather forces closure of the course for one day during the Senior State Amateur Tournament, it will become an 18-hole event. If closed for two days, the tournament will be rescheduled. (Fall 1992)
Section 8. If there is no bid for the Senior State Amateur Tournament in the annual fall meeting, (Spring 2000) it is up to the President to decide on a course to be played. (Fall 1992)
Section 9. All flights in the Senior State Amateur Tournament shall be no
more than a 10 stroke spread, and shall pay net and gross prizes in every
flight. (Fall 1992)
Section 10. Trophies will be awarded for gross of the field, first gross and first net in all flights. They will be provided by the State Association. (Fall 1992)
Section 11. A player must be 50 years of age by opening day of the tournament to be eligible to participate in the Senior State Amateur Tournament. (Fall 1992)
Section 12. It is preferable that the Senior State Amateur Chair/Co-Chair be from the club hosting the Amateur and shall be appointed by the USWGA Board. (Spring 2004)
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
These standing rules may be amended or rescinded by a majority vote of members
present at a State Meeting. (Fall 1978)
Adopted: March 20, 1959
Revised: March 21, 1992
Revised: October 16, 1993
Revised: March 26, 1994
Revised: March 25, 1995
Revised: October 14, 1995
Revised: November 2, 1996
Revised: October 24, 1998
Revised: October 23, 1999
Revised: March 25, 2000
Revised: March 31, 2001
Revised: October 26, 2002
Revised: March 26, 2003
Revised: October 25, 2003
Revised: March 27, 2004
Revised: August 1, 2004