Policies

*Open to all TSPGA Members and Associates
**All Apprentice Eligibility is determined by the TSPGA Tournament Committee**

Code of Conduct

Any participant deemed guilty of conduct unbecoming a professional while participating in TSPGA tournaments or in activities related thereto (e.g. practice rounds, charity events, etc.) shall be subject to fine, suspension and/or permanent disbarment from tournament play as provided in this policy. A fine of up to $100 shall be levied for the 1st offense. A fine of up to $150 shall be levied for the second offense, and a prohibition from participating in TSPGA events for 1 year will be levied for the third offense. Any participant that is found guilty of more than 3 offenses for conduct unbecoming a professional may, at the sole discretion of the TSPGA, be permanently prohibited from participation in TSPGA tournaments and also may be subject to PGA of America Code of Ethics Charges as provided in the PGA of America Constitution and By-laws. All fines must be paid in full before a participant is eligible to compete in future events.

• Damage to course equipment or property
• Profanity directed to tournament staff, other competitors, sponsors, volunteers, or others
• Talking negatively at a tournament site about sponsor, golf course, host professional, etc.
• Not settling your cart rental or any other charges at a host club by the end of the day.
• Improper golf car etiquette (not obeying rules on course or around clubhouse).
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages during tournament rounds
• Usage of cellular telephones on the golf course during a tournament round.
• Wearing a hat in the clubhouse (particularly eating area ).
• Changing shoes and clothes in parking lot when locker room services are available.
• Any other conduct deemed by the TSPGA Tournament Committee as unbecoming a Golf Profession

TOURNAMENT ENTRY REFUND POLICY

A. PRO EVENT ELIGIBILITY

In the event a professional has entered a tournament by previously submitting his/her entry, and for some reason, (other than a personal emergency) cannot participate, NO REFUND will be issued if notification to the section office is made after the event pairings have been “posted.” Any professional who fails to notify the TSPGA in advance of not showing for an event will automatically forfeit his/her entry fee. The following formula will be used to make entry fee refunds: The full amount of the entry fee minus a $25.00 transaction fee will be refunded.

B. PRO-AM EVENT

Any professional that cancels 7 or more days prior to a Pro-Am that professional will incur a $50.00 cancellation fee. Any professional that cancels within 7 days of the event date – the cancellation fee will be 50% of the Pro-Am event entry fee. If the tournament spot is filled off the waitlist, the professional will be charged a $50.00 cancellation fee.

AMATEUR PRO-AM EVENT ELIGIBILITY

PRO-SCRATCH EVENTS

To be eligible to participate in a Pro-Scratch Amateur Event, an amateur MUST be invited by an eligible TSPGA Member or Apprentice in Good Standing.

PRO-AM EVENTS USING HANDICAPS

To be eligible to participate in a handicapped Pro-Am Event, an amateur MUST:

1. Be invited by an eligible TSPGA Member or Apprentice
2. Possess a current USGA Handicap Index, proof of which must be presented at the tournament site.

This regulation pertains to Pro-3 Amateur events and does not include the Las Vegas Pro-Am.

Once a team wins a TSPGA Pro-3 Amateur, the professional is only permitted to bring back as playing partners two (2) of the original winning team members for future Pro-3 Am events.Once an amateur has won twice with the same professional playing parter, he is NOT permitted to play with that professional, as an amateur player, for the remainder of the calendar tournament season.

Penalty for non-compliance will be disqualification and suspension from all TSPGA events for one (1) calendar year.

SPECIAL NOTE

If a professional intends to invite an amateur(s) who is a member at a facility other than his own, the inviting professional is required to ask permission of the Head Golf Professional at the amateur’s facility before he invites that amateur(s) to play in a Pro-Am Event.

Failure to ask permission will be considered a breach of the PGA Code of Ethics. The penalty will be suspension from all TSPGA Events for one (1) calendar year.