• • If the IGA becomes aware that a player tests positive after an event, we will notify all players and volunteers who were on site, as well as any host course(s), during any event in which that player played in the previous 14 days. We will inform those that were grouped with the player that they played with someone who has since tested positive. That player will not be allowed to participate for at least 14 days, unless he/she receives at least two negative tests prior to that time.  
  • If a player receives a positive result during play of an event, that player will be required to immediately leave the property and all players will be notified as soon as practical. This includes the time between rounds of a multi-day event. The player will be given a full refund and will not be allowed to participate for at least 14 days, unless he/she receives at least two negative tests prior to that time.  Any other player in the field who is uncomfortable playing in an event in which someone is required to leave due to a positive test, will be allowed to withdraw from the event and receive a full refund. 
  • We will not divulge that player’s name unless absolutely necessary, or unless we have permission from that player to do so.

1. • If a staff member at a facility tests positive within the 14 days prior to an event, the IGA will still host the event provided adequate precautions are taken, and that staff member, and any staff member with which he/she interacted closely, will not be on site during the event, or has subsequently tested negative. We will notify all players prior to the event and provide full refunds for anyone that does not want to play.
   • If a staff member at a facility tests positive during an IGA event, that staff member will be required to leave the property immediately and everyone on site will be notified as soon as practical. The staff member will not be allowed back on site during the duration of the IGA event.  
   • If a staff member at a facility tests positive within the 14 days after an event, the IGA will notify all players and volunteers who were on site for that event of the positive result.  
   • We will not divulge that person’s name unless absolutely necessary, or unless we have permission from them to do so.

1. • If a volunteer tests positive during the 14 days prior to working an event, they must have received two negative tests prior to being allowed to work at the event. 
   • If a volunteer tests positive within 14 days after an event, we will notify all players and volunteers who were on site during any event in which that volunteer was on site previously in the past 14 days. That volunteer will not be allowed to work for at least 14 days, unless he/she receives at least two negative tests prior to that time. 
   • If a volunteer receives a positive result during play of an event, that volunteer will be required to leave the property immediately and everyone on site will be notified as soon as practical. The volunteer will not be allowed to work again for at least 14 days, unless he/she receives at least two negative tests prior to that time.
   • We will not divulge that volunteer’s name unless absolutely necessary, or unless we have permission from them to do so.

1. • If an IGA staff person tests positive, all players and volunteers on site for any events in which that staff person was on site within the past 14 days will be notified of the positive test. That staff person will quarantine at home for at least 14 days or until he/she receives at least two negative tests prior to that time.  All other IGA staff with which that person interacted closely will be required to quarantine at home and be tested.  They will not be allowed to return to work until the results are received and are negative.
   • We will not divulge that staff person’s name unless absolutely necessary, or unless we have permission from them to do so.

• All staff & volunteers will social distance from players at all times whenever possible.
• All staff will have hand sanitizer and will be encouraged to use it before and after interacting with a player
• All interactions with players should be from a 6-foot distance or farther
• All staff & volunteers will be issued a mask and should put it on whenever interacting with players or other officials, particularly if it would be necessary to get within 6-feet of another person
• Some staff or volunteers may be given assignments that eliminate or reduce interaction with other people because they are at higher risk

Liability Waivers

• Players will be asked to sign a liability waiver prior to participating in each event.
• The waiver will be sent via email (along with pairings, etc) so there is time to read what they will be signing
• Players must sign the document, scan and email back to IGA staff or return to staff member at site prior to playing.
• Full refunds issued if a player cannot play due to symptoms and/or being tested positive to COVID-19

Tee Times Setup

It will be a general practice of the IGA throughout 2020 to set tee times in a fashion that promotes social distancing, which would include availability of golf carts, as much as possible. This could mean playing more in groups of two, or greater spacing between tee times, or the elimination of shotgun starts.

Registration

• Table will be set up in an ideal location to facilitate social distancing during check-in
• Rope, tape or cones will be set up in a way that would require social distancing if multiple people are checking in at the same time (8-foot spacing).
• Staff/Volunteer at the registration table would be positioned at least 6 feet back from the table.
• All Local rules sheets and terms of competition will be emailed to all players. No sheets to be handed out at registration.

Carts

• One person per cart unless they are from the same household
• We will work with our host clubs to establish the most efficient way for them to collect cart fees to insure social distancing
• We encourage players to walk if capable
• Staff will do their best to secure push carts for our events
• No shuttles will be available for players, except when dealing with weather delays

Starting Tee

• Starter will use social distancing
• Explanation will be given on electronic scoring or players will be distributed scorecards (scorecard to print at home maybe be utilized)
• Starter uses hand sanitizer frequently
• No other items will available at first tee (sunscreen, bug spray, etc.). Tees potentially could be available in small, sanitized bags at registration

Scoreboard

• We will not have scoreboards to reduce temptation to congregate
• All scores will be visible electronically on website, app, etc

Trophy Presentation

• No in-person trophy presentations will be held to reduce the desire to congregate.

Once Rounds is Over

• All players should leave the premises asap once scoring is completed
• Any receptions or meals would not take place. Boxed lunches may be provided host club in lieu of traditional buffet or sit-down meals

Prize Certificates

• This will be largely dependent on how our host sites are currently operating. We may work with our hosts to allow for online/phone ordering following the event.

Weather Delays

• All delays are going to be heavily dependent on the tournament, nature of delay, and site.
• When possible players will be sent to vehicles rather than clubhouse
• Liability waiver will include specific allowances to break social distancing if dealing with a dangerous weather delay.
• If we have to shelter large groups into a single space, we will have disposable masks to hand out and will also ask that players bring their own masks should this need arise.
• The timing of delays and restarts may be increased to allow more time for players to return to the course from safe places (i.e. they left in their car)

Practice Range

• Hitting bays will be set up with 10 feet of space between players
• Balls will be staged at the individual hitting bays (pyramids or in piles)
• No community tee bins available

Practice Green

• We will remove all flagsticks from holes on the practice green to eliminate touch points
• When available, we will have foam noodles or pvc in practice green holes to prevent ball from dropping all the way in
• We will work with our host club to space out holes as best as possible
• We will ask that only one person putts to a single practice hole at a time

Caddies

• Initially, no caddies will be allowed at IGA Championships. This could change as the year progresses.
• If/when caddies are allowed…
  • Only allowed in practice areas if social distancing is possible
  • No caddy bib used more than 1x per day. We will wash after each use.
• This is being done to limit the number of people we potentially need to shelter in a weather emergency.

Spectators

• Initially, no spectators will be allowed at IGA Championships. This could change as the year progresses.
• At Junior Amateurs, one person will be allowed per contestant
  • This is being done to limit the number of people we potentially need to shelter in a weather emergency.

Water

• Players need bring their own water until notified otherwise

Restroom

• Host club will be asked to take all necessary precautions, including routine cleaning and disinfecting.
• Whenever possible, we will place Clorox wipes or similar at the restrooms and encourage players to wipe down facility before & after use.

Trash

• This is based upon current practices at our host sites but be aware that potentially…
  • There could be no trash/garbage receptacles available on the golf course.
  • Players could be expected to keep their garbage and take it with them.

Flagstick

The IGA R&C Committee desires to have no local rules limiting the removal of the flagstick at IGA conducted championships. However, staff will encourage players to leave the flagstick in whenever possible and to only touch it if they feel it is in a position to be a disadvantage to the player. This potential local rule will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on current policies and comfort levels of our host sites.

If a Model Local Rule is needed:
Any flagstick must not be touched or removed at any point during the round. An initial breach will result in a warning to the player. A second breach will result in a one stroke penalty. A third breach will result in a two-stroke penalty. A fourth breach will result in a disqualification.

Bunkers

Even though we won’t have rakes in a traditional sense, the IGA Rules & Competitions Committee wishes to keep playing bunkers in a normal fashion at IGA conducted championships. We will ask the maintenance crews to work up bunkers in the mornings, then ask players to smooth them as best they can after they play from them. Rules officials will have a sanitized rake that can be used to clean up bunkers in their zones throughout the day. This potential local rule will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on current policies and comfort levels of our host sites.

If a Model Local Rule is needed:
Option 1 – All bunkers are deemed to be part of the general area. This provides players additional options under multiple relief rules (Rules 16 and 19) and also removes the restrictions normally in effect under Rule 12.
Option 2 – A ball which lies within a bunker may be lifted, cleaned and placed within one club-length from where it came to rest, no nearer the hole. When placed, it must remain in the bunker. A ball may be placed only once and a ball is considered to be placed at the moment the player’s fingers come off the ball and it is at rest.
Option 3 – A ball which lies within a bunker may be lifted and the sand then smoothed and the ball must be placed directly on the spot at which it came to rest. When placed, it must remain in the bunker. A ball may be placed only once and a ball is considered to be placed at the moment the player’s fingers come off the ball and it is at rest.

Social Distancing

Players must take every effort to maintain a 6-foot or larger distance from all other individuals at all times. Accidental or unknowing breaches of this rule will result in a warning. Subsequent infractions would be considered a breach of etiquette and the player could be disqualified.

Hole

The IGA R&C Committee recommends not changing the hole in any way (no liners, noodles, attachments, etc). We feel the act of “holing out” is so significant to tournament golf we did not want to change that. However, if a host club/course feels strongly against this, we are open to modification on an event by event basis.

Scoring/Scorecards

• Scoring at IGA Championships will be done via the mobile app (electronically)
  • One person per group will be the marker for the entire group
  • Other players are encouraged to keep their own scores and help track other player’s scores within the group
• All verifications will be handled verbally. All three people (player, marker, scoring official) must all verbally agree on scores.
• We will have a TV/screen set up at scoring to simplify verbal verification
• Depending on size of scoring areas, potentially only three total people (all at least 6 feet apart) will allowed in the scoring area at one time (player, marker and scoring official).