Pace of Play Policy for Weekend
Events
Pace of play continues to be the single
biggest problem confronting the game today, and in
an effort to combat slow play, the MSGA has
adopted 10-minute tee times for the all of its
weekend events at 18-hole golf courses. We remind
players to please be aware of their pace. Pace of
play guidelines, as follows, will be in effect,
and violators will be dealt with accordingly:
1st
offense – 1- Stroke penalty to everyone in
group
2nd offense –
2-Stroke penalty to everyone in group
3rd offense –
2-stroke penalty to everyone in group and tee time
restricted for future events to after
11
a.m.
4th
offense -- disqualification
Penalties
will be assessed for all
players in a group which is out of position. A
group will be considered to be out of position if
it: Finishes more than 16 minutes behind the group
it is following; or Takes more than 13.5
minutes to play a par three and 15 minutes on all
other holes; or Falls behind club’s
established pace rating.
MSGA scorers and/or staff will have the
authority to assign penalties as they apply and
will take into account information provided to
them by any volunteer pace of play monitors.
Any team receiving more than three slow
play warnings in the course of a year will forfeit
their starting time, permanent or pre-booked, if
it is prior to noon. Teams may
reapply for a morning starting time after one
year’s play, with no slow play warnings.
Golf
Carts
Whenever players in MSGA events require
golf cart transportation, it will be their
responsibility to contact the club directly for
availability. Golf carts will be provided only to
players in the Charlie’s Maine Open Pro Am; all
other tournaments require players to make their
own arrangements.
Payment
and Refund Policy
To help ensure the safety of our scorers,
the MSGA requires that all payments for weekend
tournaments, which are paid on the day of the
event be made by check or money
order. We highly discourage payment in
cash at our regular weekly events. As always, any
payments made through the mail must also be in the
form of check or money order.
Advanced entry fees will be refunded*
regardless of reason if the MSGA is notified
before the close of entries. After the close of
entries, fees will only be refunded if the
tournament remains full, or in the event of injury
or illness. No refunds will be given after the
start of the tournament. *A 20 percent service
charge will be deducted from all refunds.
Unusual circumstances will be considered
individually.
MSGA Dress Code and Footwear Policy
Players in all MSGA events must follow the
MSGA Dress Code, which does not permit dungarees,
cutoff shorts, gym shorts, bathing suits, tank
tops, sweat suits or collarless shirts. Players
are prohibited from wearing metal, ceramic or
other spikes constructed from any piercing
materials. There will be no exceptions. Penalty
for breach of dress code policy is
disqualification.
Vouchers
Any time a player wins in an MSGA event,
except the Charlie’s Maine Open, the winnings will
be credited to a voucher account in that player’s
name. Winnings can be accumulated in the voucher
account indefinitely as long as the player remains
active in the MSGA. Once a player is inactive for
a period of two years, unclaimed prize money will
be transferred to the Scholarship Fund.
Players may draw vouchers against
accumulated winnings at any time, either on site
at any MSGA tournament, or by calling the MSGA
office at 846-3800. Players may also request
vouchers via email at jane@mesga.org.
Once a voucher is written, the player will have 90
days in which to redeem it, after which time it
will become null and void.
Vouchers are redeemable at MSGA member club
pro shops at full face value. Players are reminded
that vouchers must
be redeemed for merchandise only.
They may not be
used for green fees, cart fees, or any other fees,
they may not be
sold to other players, and they may not be
redeemed at non-member or off-site club shops.
Important
Note: Any players
who abuse the voucher system may be subject to
loss of amateur status and/or suspension
from MSGA events.
Other Player
Responsibilities
It is the
responsibility of every player in each MSGA
tournament to know the Rules of Golf, and a
Rules of Golf book will be provided to
every card-holding member of the MSGA.
Special Note: Players are
reminded that everyone in the group is expected to
protect the integrity of the field, and group
captains must bring all rules violations to the
attention of the MSGA Scorer. Players must
strictly adhere to the Rules of Golf. Players
caught cheating will be disqualified and may face
further penalties, such as the revocation of their
GHIN Handicap card. Ignorance of a rule is
not an excuse for breaking it. If in doubt, the
player should invoke the second ball rule (Rule
3-3) and confer with the MSGA Scorer before
turning in the scorecard.
In
addition, players are expected to follow the Rules
of Etiquette listed in the front of the Rule Book.
Please pay special attention to this section of
the Rule Book, in particular to Care of the
Course. Players should always remember to rake
bunkers; replace divots and repair ball marks;
avoid damaging greens with equipment; observe golf
cart local rules; and limit practice swings to
avoid damage.
MSGA participants are also expected to
follow other posted club rules as they apply.
Players are reminded that alcoholic
beverages are not allowed on the golf
course during MSGA events.
Unbecoming behavior or breach of rules,
including etiquette, could lead to loss of playing
privileges in all MSGA
events.
