Caddies are not permitted.
Electronic Policy. Other than MSHSL-approved tournament personnel, the use of cell phones, pagers, and all other electronic communication devices by players during MSHSL regular season and post-season competition is prohibited, and any player who receives information using electronic communication devices will be assessed a two-stroke penalty for each occurrence (Rule 8-1, Advice). Continued violation of this policy will affect future competitions.
Spectators who use cell phones or any other communication device on the course to communicate with players or coaches or to relay information to any other person on the course will be immediately removed from the facility. The future attendance at other MSHSL golf events may also be affected.
During the regular season and at MSHSL-sponsored events, tournament personnel may determine that the possession of a cell phone or any other electronic communication device by a player during the course of a stipulated round will result in the disqualification of the player unless the Committee deems the use of the cell phone or other communication device to be an emergency.
During the regular season and post-season play, the use of range finders and other similar devices is strictly prohibited.
A player who uses vulgar language, throws a golf club, defaces the golf course in any way, or displays any other unsportsmanlike conduct will be assessed a two-stroke penalty for the first infraction. The second offense will result in disqualification. It is the obligation of the player to make the call on himself/herself. If she/he does not, it is the obligation of the other players in the group to call the penalty. If they do not call the penalty, all players in the group will be subject to disqualification under USGA rule 1-3. All questions concerning the use of these penalties will be handled by the Rules Committee at the conclusion of the tournament.
A player may not ask for or give advice while competing on the course. "On the course" is interpreted as from the time the player tees off on the first hole until after she/he holes out on the last hole each day. Once a player begins play, spectators must maintain a reasonable gallery distance from all players (approximately 25 yards is considered the minimum). Normal player/coach communication and contact, other than advice, may take place, but coaches may not walk with a golfer between holes unless coaching on the course has been approved for the event. Nonadherence may subject a player to the appropriate USGA rule penalty (i.e., advice) and non-players to be removed from the course by the Rules Committee.
During competition, a golfer may not carry a ball on his/her person, other than the ball in play. If another ball is to be used, the player must take the ball from his/her bag and announce to his/her group that a ball has been lost or that a second ball will be played. A golfer may not carry a ball in his/her pocket or have such ball on his/her person. The penalty for carrying a second ball will be two strokes per incident.
Golfers may not use a pull cart or motorized cart during the regular season or during tournament competition. The only exception will be in the event that a student meets the criteria identified in federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and if a physician has diagnosed the problem that necessitates the use of a cart and affirms that the student is subject to the ADA. That diagnosis must be presented, in writing, to the Executive Director of the League, and a written response from the Executive Director must be presented each time the exception is to be exercised.
Pace of Play. The following conditions and policies shall govern the MSHSL pace of play at all Subsection, Section and State Tournament play. The effective date of this regulation is June 1, 2007. The penalty for Breach of this Rule, in accordance with Note 2 of Rule 6-7, is as follows: "Stroke Play: First offense - One stroke; Second offense - Two strokes, Subsequent offense - Disqualification."
PLAYER'S RESPONSIBILITY C=white>Each player is responsible for playing without undue delay. (Rule 6-7). Each player is responsible for his/her group's maintaining proper position on the course in relation to the rest of the field, and this is the standard expected by the MSHSL. Each group should be approximately one (1) starting interval behind the preceding group throughout the entire round. The position of the following group has no bearing in determining whether or not a player's pace of play is satisfactory. It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of his/her position on the golf course.
A group will be considered to be out of position if it (a) has taken more time than has been allotted to reach that point on the course and (b) has a clear par 3 or par 4 in front of them, or the preceding group is on the putting green of a par 5 when the group in question arrives on the teeing ground. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position. A group is expected to keep up with the group in front of it.
GROUP OUT OF POSITION
A group that is out of position will automatically be under official warning. A verbal warning is not required for a group to be under official warning. If a group is out of position, it is subject to timing under the MSHSL Pace of Play Policy.TIMING
A player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke. Any player taking an excess of 40 seconds to play a given shot, except in extraordinary circumstances, shall incur a penalty for undue delay as prescribed above. Timing starts when the player has a reasonable time to reach his/her ball, it is clearly the player's turn to play, and nothing interferes with the player's ability to play the stroke. Time taken for determining yardage, club selection, wind conditions, etc. will count against the player's overall time. On the putting green, timing begins after a player has had a reasonable amount of time to repair ball marks and remove loose impediments on the line of putt. Timing may start before a player has replaced the ball on the putting green.DURING THE REGULAR SEASON
Four-Person Scorecards, participants will trade the official MSHSL scorecards at the beginning of each round so that each member of the foursome will be keeping another player’s scorecard. Each participant would also keep the score of each member of the group during the round. This would be done by having each player announce his/her score to the group upon completion of the hole. At the completion of the round, each group of players will meet with a designated adult to verify all four players’ scores. The player and his/her marker MUST sign the scorecard at the completion of each 18-hole round. ONLY the player is responsible for his/her score, and no penalty shall be assessed at any time to a marker or to anyone else in the foursome unless the marker or other members of the foursome intentionally recorded a wrong score. The League office has ordered an ample supply of four-player perforated scorecards similar to the ones used at the state tournament. Each hole is numbered, but no par or distance has been recorded. You can order these scorecards for $10 per 100. Official MSHSL scorecards MUST be used at the sub-section and section golf tournaments. Both the player and the marker MUST sign the card at the completion of the round.
COACHING ON THE COURSE
During invitational tournaments, dual or other forms of competition, a player may seek or accept advice from his/her coach only between the green of a completed hole and the tee of the following hole provided that the host school of the event has chosen to allow coaches to do so. Communication may take place only after all players have holed out on the green and prior to the resumption of play on the next tee. There is no restriction on what advice may be given as long as it falls within the guidelines stated above. Approval to do so does not require coaches to coach, but it does permit it. THIS WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT FOR THE STATE, SECTION OR SUBSECTION TOURNAMENTS. Elite Athlete Eligibility for an Individual Event Not Sponsored by the National Governing Body for that Sport Bylaw 207-3 states that, “Athletes who are invited to participate in Elite National camps or Elite National tournaments which are not sponsored by that sport’s National Governing Body may make application 30 days in advance of the event to the League for approval.” In order to participate, the following information must be submitted to the League office a minimum of 30 days in advance of the event by the Designated School Representative of the member school: 1. The complete Elite Athlete Form 2. A letter of invitation specifically inviting the athlete to participate in the identified event. (If, however, the event is a qualifier for the US Open or the MGA Open, the required handicap for entry must be observed.) 3. A complete description of the organization submitting the invitation including: a. The event’s connection to the USGA b. The event’s criteria for extending the invitation to the athlete c. The website where information about the organization can be found If the above information has been submitted in a timely manner, the athlete may be permitted to participate in the event during the high school season provided, however, that No athlete may compete in more than sixteen (16) events (either 9 hole or 18 hole matches) during the high school season. If the athlete’s school has scheduled a 36-hole tournament, the athlete may participate in an outside 36-hole event if he/she has not/will not participate in the 36-hole event scheduled by the athlete’s school. Each 18-hole event, whether played with the athlete’s high school team or in an MSHSL approved outside event, will count as one of the athlete’s maximum sixteen (16) team events during the high school season. (i.e., A 36-hole event will count as two (2) 18-hole events; a 54-hole event will count as three (3) 18-hole events.) The US Open and MGA Open qualifying events do not count as one (1) of the sixteen (16) golf matches during the season. A 9-hole golf match scheduled by the school will count as one (1) of the school’s sixteen (16) regular season events, and a combination of 9-hole events may not be used to gain additional golf matches. Athletes are limited to a maximum of two (2) outside events during the high school season that have met with MSHSL approval.
DURING SUB-SECTION, SECTION AND STATE TOURNAMENT COMPETITIONS: Participants will trade the official MSHSL scorecards at the beginning of each round so that each member of the foursome will be keeping another player's scorecard. At the completion of each hole, the player will announce his/her score for that hole to his/her marker. If there is a question regarding the number of strokes played on any hole, the marker (1) may use the other players in the foursome to recount the strokes for the player in question or (2) may announce to the group that he/she has a rules/stroke question that will need to be addressed to the rule interpreter before the scorecard is signed. The player may meet with a sub-section, section or state identified adult to verify each scorecard at the completion of the round. The player and his/her marker must sign the scorecard at the completion of each 18-hole round.
Unless otherwise provided, a minimum of 18 holes must be played.
Thirty-six (36) holes will be played. In the event of emergency circumstances, the Tournament Director may adjust the number of holes to be played.
In cases of interruptions or delays due to weather conditions, scores become official and will count in the final standings when all entries have completed the same 9 holes, 18 holes, 27 holes or 36 holes. FIRST-LEVEL TOURNAMENTS Sub-section; or section, if no sub-section tournaments are conducted. Entries: Each member school may enter from one (1) to six (6) individuals in the tournament. Individual Competition: All contestants are eligible to win a place in the individual portion of the tournament. Team Competition: A team shall consist of a minimum of four (4) players and a maximum of six (6) players in the tournament. Team Scoring: The score of a team shall be determined by combining the scores of the four (4) lowest finishers on the team during each day of the tournament. The team with the lowest aggregate four (4) scores is the winner. SUBSTITUTION IN LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS A. Certification and Substitutions for Team Sports After an official squad for a tournament has been certified to the governing committee, substitutions are not permitted except under the following conditions: 1. That a physician indicates that a student listed on the certified roster must not participate. a. this student may be returned to the tournament squad upon certification, in writing, by the physician to the governing committee. b. When such a player is returned to the tournament squad, the player replaces the substitute. 2. That the governing committee determines that a justifiable emergency indicates a need for the withdrawal of a certified player. a. This student may be returned to the tournament squad by action of the governing committee. b. When such a player is returned to the tournament squad, the player replaces the substitute. B. Certification and Substitution for Team/Individual Sports With Combined Championships After an official squad for a section tournament in cross country running, Nordic ski racing, and golf has been certified to the governing committee of that tournament, substitutions for that tournament and for the state tournament are not permitted except as specified under B. 1-2 above. Team and individual members who participate in the section meet and advance to the state meet as an individual or team member are eligible for individual awards at the state meet. C. Substitutions for Individual Sports Substitutions may occur prior to the start of the first round of competition at the first-level tournament -- subsection tournament; or section when no subsection tournament is conducted. TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE FOR ADVANCEMENT FROM SUB-SECTION TO SECTION OR FROM SECTION TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT Unless otherwise established, the following tie-breaking procedures will apply: A. Individual Competition: If at the end of regulation play, a tie exists, the individuals involved will play sudden death until the tie is broken. The tie-breaking procedure will not be used if scores are tied and no advancement is required. B. Team Competition: If at the end of regulation play a tie exists for first place, the following criteria shall be applied in the order listed to determine the winning team: 1. Add the five (5) lowest scores of the players of each of the tied teams, and the team with the lowest total will be determined the winner. 2. If the score is still tied, add the six (6) scores of each of the players of the tied teams, and the team with the lowest total will be determined the winner. 3. If the score is still tied, add the three (3) lowest scores of each of the players of the tied teams, and the team with the lowest total will be determined the winner. 4. If the score is still tied, add the two (2) lowest scores of each of the players of the tied teams, and the team with the lowest total will be determined the winner. 5. If the score is still tied, compare the lowest score of each of the players of each of the tied teams, and the team with the lowest single score will be determined the winner. 6. If the score still remains tied, a sudden death playoff shall be conducted. The playoff will include the six (6) team members of each of the tied teams. Scoring shall be the four lowest scores and, if necessary, criteria 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in order. ADVANCEMENT TO SECTION TOURNAMENTS Each Administrative Region Committee shall determine the number of sub-sections for each class for which they are responsible. The Region Committee shall also determine the number of teams and individuals who will advance from the sub-section to the section tournament. TOURNAMENT ADVANCEMENT Team and individual members who participate in the sub-section and section meets and advance to the state meet as an individual or team member are eligible for individual awards at the state meet. AWARDS SUB-SECTION: A. Medals will be awarded to each member of the 1st-place team (6), and to the 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-place individuals. B. Medals will be awarded to tournament qualifiers who do not finish in places 1-5 and who are not members of the winning team, but who will advance to the section tournament. These medals are for individual tournament qualifiers ONLY. If a member of a qualifying team has received a medal but does not finish in the top five (5) individual rankings, that team member does not receive a tournament-qualifier medal. It is possible that a golfer may receive two medals (i.e., one of the five players with the lowest score who also is a member of the winning team). C. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st- and 2nd-place teams. It is a violation of MSHSL Policy for a member school or a representative of a member school to establish, distribute or accept any awards not provided by the MSHSL for subsection, section or state tournaments.FINAL SECTION TOURNAMENT DATE The final date to schedule a Section Tournament is Tuesday, May 26, 2009. May 27, 2009 may ONLY be used as a rain date in the event that the regularly scheduled Section Tournament cannot be played due to inclement weather. ADVANCEMENT Sections may permit all schools sponsoring golf teams to advance directly to the Section Tournament and not sponsor separate sub-section tournaments. In this event, the policies for first-level tournaments shall apply. ENTRIES Individual Competition: All participants who advance from the first level of tournament play are eligible to compete for individual honors. Team Competition: Only the first-place team from each first level tournament is eligible to compete for team honors. A team shall consist of a minimum of four (4) players and a maximum of six (6) players. The score of the team shall be determined by combining the four (4) lowest scores of the six (6) team members during each day of the tournament. The team with the lowest aggregate score is the winner. All qualifiers for each level of tournament play are eligible to win individual honors. AWARDS SECTION: A. Medals will be awarded to each member of the 1st- and 2nd-place teams (6), and to the 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-place individuals. B. Medals will be awarded to tournament qualifiers (3) who do not finish in places 1-5 and who are not members of the winning team, but who will advance to the state tournament. These medals are for individual tournament qualifiers ONLY. If a member of a qualifying team has received a medal but does not finish in the top five (5) individual rankings, that team member does not receive a tournament-qualifier medal. It is possible that a golfer may receive two medals (i.e., one of the five players with the lowest score who also is a member of the winning team). C. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st- and 2nd-place teams. STATE TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING SCHOOL INFORMATION Specific information for qualifying schools is available on the MSHSL Administrative Web Site under Tournament Information. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SPECTATOR CONDUCT (8/9/05) In order to elevate standards of sportsmanship and encourage the growth of responsible citizenship among the students, member schools, fans and school personnel, the MSHSL held a Sportsmanship Summit and asked student participants to identify behavior expectations they felt should be in place at every school event. These minimum behavior expectations provide a foundation upon which member schools, conferences, administrative regions and the League’s Board of Directors can build specific guidelines for activities under their control. MSHSL Bylaw 409, RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATING TEAMS, STUDENTS AND SPECTATORS, speaks to this issue, directly, and Bylaw 409-2 specifically states that, “School officials shall be held responsible for the proper conduct of teams, team members, students and home spectators regardless of where the contest is being held.” In all MSHSL activities, each participating school shall designate a person or persons from that school to serve as crowd control supervisors or chaperones. MSHSL tournament staff may require school administrators to contact the tournament manager prior to the start of the tournament game so that they can be immediately contacted to respond to behavioral issues regarding their team members, students and/or spectators at the tournament site. Each supervisor or chaperone should be immediately identifiable to the students and to the tournament site ushers and other security personnel. This will help to coordinate crowd control between school supervisors and tournament site personnel. MSHSL MINIMAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS FOR REGULAR AND POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT COMPETITIONS: Respect the American flag and the National Anthem. Spectators must wear clothing that covers the entire torso. Those who do not comply or who wear clothing that is vulgar, obscene or that in some other way inappropriate, as determined by school/tournament personnel, will be removed from the arena/stadium if they do not cooperate with this behavior expectation. The use of appropriate language is expected at all times. Profanity, negative chants, booing, trash talk, name calling, personal attacks or other acts of disrespect are unacceptable and must be immediately addressed by school and/or tournament administrators. Respect the game/contest. Under no condition shall anyone other than the members of the official squad enter the playing surface. No one may interfere with the contest in any way. Hand held signs, which do not obstruct the view of others, will be permitted provided they are in good taste. Signs, message boards, “white” boards or other similar items contest/tournament officials deem to be in poor taste will be removed. Artificial noise makers (i.e. megaphones, cowbells, sirens, whistles, thunder sticks, and other similar items) are not allowed. Laser lights are strictly prohibited. THANK YOU for supporting your student athletes and fine arts participants and for providing a positive environment in which educational activities are conducted.
ENTRIES Individual Competition: All participants who advance from the first level of tournament play are eligible to compete for individual honors. Team Competition: Only the qualifying team(s) from each first-level tournament is (are) eligible to compete for team honors. A team shall consist of a minimum of four (4) players and a maximum of six (6) players. The score of the team shall be determined by combining the four (4) lowest scores of the six (6) team members during each day of the tournament. The team with the lowest aggregate score is the winner. All qualifiers for each level of tournament play are eligible to win individual honors. SITES AND SCHEDULE The state tournament sites, practice rounds and tournament information can be found on the boys'/girls golf home page on the League's website. REGISTRATION State Tournament qualifiers MUST be accompanied by the coach or a member of the faculty officially assigned by the school. The coach must register and pick up the registration envelope at the course prior to the player's first tee time. START OF PLAY All players in the State Golf Tournaments will be assigned a tee time by the League office. Player foursomes will be re-assigned for the second day. Starters will supervise tee boxes on the "front and back" tees. Uniform requirements will be strictly enforced. SCORECARDS Participants will trade scorecards at the beginning of each round so that each member of the foursome will be keeping another player’s scorecard. The player and his/her marker MUST sign the scorecard at the completion of each 18-hole round. TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE Individual and Team Competition: Ties in the state tournament will not be broken. Duplicate medals and/or trophies will be awarded as follows: Individual Competition: If there are ties for the first eight places in the individual scoring, duplicate medals will be awarded. Team Competition: If there is a tie for the first three places in the team scoring, duplicate medals and trophies will be awarded. TEAM SCORING The score of a team shall be determined by combining the four (4) lowest scores of the six (6) members for each day of the competition. The team with the lowest score is the winner. If only one day of golf can be played, the four (4) lowest scores of the six team members would be the team score. REPORTING SCORES Players should report their scores after 9 and 18 holes to the Official Scorers who will be located between the 9th and 10th and 18th and 1st holes, respectively. This will enable the scorers to post results on the leader board. AWARDS CEREMONIES Award ceremonies will follow the completion of the play at each tournament site. AWARDS STATE: A. Certificates of participation will be presented to each participant in the State Tournament. B. Certificates of recognition will be presented to the head coach of each team. C. Medals will be awarded to each member (6) of the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place teams and the top eight (8) individual finishers. D. Medals will be awarded to the head coach of the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place teams. E. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-place teams.