2020 Spartanburg County Amateur Golf Championships (SCAGC)
Covid-19 Protocols, Policies and Guidelines
Before you attend a SCAGC event at The Carolina Country Club (CCC) — either as a participant or spectator — you must be free of fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19. You must not have come in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for a minimum of two weeks. Also, please familiarize yourself with and follow best practices regarding social distancing and hand hygiene published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
First Tee of the Upstate has adopted new guidelines based on recommendations from The South Carolina Golf Association to protect the health and safety of players, spectators, First Tee of the Upstate staff, host facility staff and volunteers. KEEP IN MIND THESE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES CAN CHANGE AT ANYTIME as guidelines and recommendations from DHEC, CDC and our state and local government change. Thank you for reviewing and adopting these practices to protect all stakeholders at events.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
All players must maintain a minimum of SIX FEET distance from all other people, including other players, spectators, club staff, association staff, etc. at all times. This includes the parking lot, putting green, practice area, on the golf course, in the scoring area, restrooms, clubhouse and golf shop at all host facilities.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
In order to be eligible to participate in any SCAGC event YOU WILL BE REQUIRED to sign a waiver of liability.
SPECTATORS
Spectators are allowed, but please limit the amount of spectators at this time. Spectators are asked to stay in their vehicle until their players’ tee time and refrain from congregating before and after the round. Spectators are not allowed in practice areas. College coaches may attend the SCAGC events in accordance with NCAA rules.
CLUBHOUSE
The Clubhouse will be open for food service and beverages. Please sit at the tables that are open and do not add any chairs to the tables. There will be specials and we encourage you to support these facilities that open their doors to us.
CADDIES
No Caddies will be permitted at the Men’s and Senior Men’s events.
PRACTICE AREAS & PRE-ROUND WARMUP
Players should not arrive at the golf course more than ONE HOUR before their starting time unless you are there to eat. To eliminate congestion on the practice facilities, warm up time and spaces will be limited. Practice areas will be PLAYERS ONLY prior to each round and will be closed and unavailable to participants after tournament rounds - Except in the need of playoffs for players involved to warm up.
STARTING HOLE and TOURNAMENT PAPERWORK
The First Tee of the Upstate will no longer provide these items at the first tee: tees, pencils permanent markers, sunscreen, insect repellant, or ball markers. Players should come prepared with these items. SCAGC Tournament Paperwork (Hole Locations, rules sheets, hard card, etc.) will be sent to participants by email and will be posted on our tournament information page (which can be viewed from smartphones). Limited copies of these will be available at the starting area (players are encouraged to take a picture with smart phones for reference, if needed).
DURING THE ROUND
Local Rules will be provided for each SCAGC event and may vary event by event – PLEASE READ the local rules sheet provided for each event and pay close attention to bunker rules, flagstick rules, etc. as they are subject to change event by event.
Bunkers – If tournaments are played without bunker rakes: The player may lift the ball, smooth the area and place it within one club length, no closer to the hole. Players are also encouraged to smooth out all bunkers with their feet when exiting after play.
Holed – The definition of Holed is modified in this way: If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed even if the entire ball is not below the surface.
Flagstick - Under the Rules of Golf, players are permitted to leave the flagstick in the hole while putting. At this time, touching the Flagstick will be allowed at your discretion. We encourage you to use a towel when pulling the flagstick out.
SKINS GAME- There will be a skins game Friday and Saturday ($20.00 total). There will be a Tournament Division and Championship Division for the skins. Please go to Pro-shop and pay.
The First Tee will take 50% of the pot and 50% to skin winners.
POST-ROUND
Players are asked to refrain from the traditional handshake or hug prior to and after all rounds. A friendly nod, a tip of the cap, or wave is a recommended form of greeting or sportsmanship.
As soon as you attest your scorecard, you will need to immediately leave the scoring area unless you may be involved in a playoff.
SCORING
Players will use the GolfGenius Application (available for free on iOS and Android App Stores) to serve as their official scorecard. Please download these apps before you arrive to the golf course.
After the round, all players will verify scores verbally and visually (television, mobile device, etc) that were entered into GolfGenius in the scoring area with First Tee of the Upstate staff or volunteers. Scores are deemed returned and attested once players and markers verbally verify scores.
There will be no scoreboards, all scoring will be visible online at www.firstteeupstate.org/2020SpartanburgAm.
As soon as scores are attested, players and accompanying spectators will need to leave the host facility immediately, unless there is a chance of a playoff. In the case of a playoff, please socially distance yourself and we will be in contact as soon as necessary.
PLAYOFFS
In the event of a tie for first place, we will have a playoff for the overall championship. Players are responsible for making themselves available should a playoff take place.
AWARDS & GIFT CERTIFICATES
The First Tee of the Upstate will hand out gift certificate (s) to the flight winners and top finishers using protective measures (face mask, gloves, etc.). All left gift certificates will be left at the club for redemption at a later time. (Starts 7/19/2020 - Expires 12/30/2020)
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Information regarding F&B will be sent out in the player information letter prior to each event.
INCLEMENT WEATHER/SUSPENSION OF PLAY
In the event of inclement weather, PARTICIPANTS will be the top priority. Players and spectators are to report to their vehicles during suspensions and/or delays. Any player without a vehicle should report the host facilities staff for instructions on where they should remain during the delay. Suspensions, delays and starting instructions will be sent via email to all participants along with updated on social media channels. Please login to your GolfGenius account to make sure your cell phone number and email address is updated and correct.
The safety of all involved is of the upmost importance to the First Tee of the Upstate and our host facilities. Please follow the below cautions before attending any SCAGC event.
• If you are sick or at risk (CDC’s list of high risk individuals) please stay home.
• Please familiarize yourself and follow best practices as published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and state / local governments.
• Please bring your own water and/or snacks. Water and/or snacks MAY be provided at certain SCAGC events. Food and beverage will only be available to purchase at the host facility.
• Players should wash their hands frequently, where available. Hand Sanitizer should be used frequently in absence of a restroom. Players are responsible for providing their own hand sanitizer.
We look forward to seeing everyone at The 2020 SCAGC events!
First Tee of the Upstate Staff & SCAGC Committee