CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS POLICY

 

TOURNAMENT / EVENT GUIDELINE

Golf Ontario’s (GO) goal is to have all of its tournaments recognized as the best Amateur Golf Tournaments in Ontario. In order to continue to make GO Tournaments an enjoyable experience for everyone, GO requires that all of the participants in its events adhere to certain standards set out in this Guideline.

 

Definitions

1. The following terms have these meanings in this Guideline:
   1. “Amateur Player” means any Player who is not a professional golfer at the commencement of the relevant competition.
   2. “GO Tournament or Event” means any golf tournament or other event that is sponsored by, organized by, or held under the authority of, GO.
   3. “Golf Course” means the golf course at which a GO tournament or event is to be played, and includes any related practice or locker room areas.
   4. “Golf Facility” means a facility at which a GO Tournament or Event is being held, and includes any related Golf Course, food service facility or other amenity associated with such a facility.
   5. “Junior Player” means any Player who is under the age of 19 at the commencement of the relevant competition.
   6. “Tournament Official” means any Volunteer, Individual or Staff participating in any way in the staging of a GO Tournament or Event.

 

Scope and Application

2. These Guidelines apply to all Players including Junior Players and Amateur Players and Tournament Officials and sets out the behavior they are expected to abide by while participating in GO Tournaments and Events (including practice rounds).

 

On the Course

3. While on the Golf Course during a GO Tournament or Event, all Players:
   1. Will strictly adhere to the Rules of Golf;
   2. Will refrain from using abusive or profane language;
   3. Will refrain from displays of temper (such as throwing clubs);
   4. Will complete all competitive rounds of golf, unless otherwise approved by the GO Tournament Committee;
   5. Will adhere to the Dress Code during practice and competitive rounds;
   6. Will demonstrate respect for Volunteers, spectators, Tournament Officials, the staff and members of the Golf Facility at which a GO Tournament or Event is being held, as well as their fellow Players;
   7. Will not demonstrate any conduct not becoming of a GO Member, as outlined in the Code of Conduct.
4. Tournament Officials (Referee, Starter, Scorer or Timing Official) are expected to:
   1. Present a clean, well-groomed appearance;
   2. Avoid all physical contact with Players, including hugging Players, unless initiated by the Player
   3. Avoid any situation that might be construed as a conflict of interest, i.e. a close relationship/friendship with specific Players;
   4. Deal with Players, Coaches and spectators (including parents or caregivers of Players) by showing respect, even in cases where this is not reciprocate Heated exchanges, whatever the cause and under any amount of provocation are to be avoided at all costs. If disputes which seem likely to result in such exchanges cannot be avoided, every effort must be made to conduct such dialogue in private and the Tournament Director must be informed;
   5. Avoid public criticism of fellow Tournament Officials, Players, organizers, sponsors, or the host Golf Facility that may bring the game into disreput
   6. Be discreet. Comments relating to the competence, performance or behavior of fellow Tournament Officials should only be made to the Tournament Director, in private;
   7. Work in a spirit of cooperation with other Tournament Officials and not interfere in any way with their duties or responsibilities.

 

Off the Course

5. While off the Golf Course, Players:
   1. Will not be associated with vandalism;
   2. Will not demonstrate abusive behavior to any fellow Players, Tournament Officials, or members or staff of the Golf Course;
   3. Will avoid any other conduct not becoming of a GO Member, as outlined in the Code of Conduct.
6. While off the Golf Course, all Tournament Officials:
   1. Are expected to attend appropriate training sessions and clinics provided by GO.

 

Use of Tobacco, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Alcohol, Marijuana and Illicit Drugs

7. In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment at GO Tournaments/Events:
   1. Junior Players will NOT use illicit drugs, tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems, marijuana or alcohol at a Golf Facility, whether on or off the Golf Course;
   2. Players Other Than Junior Players:
      1. Will NOT use illicit drugs, marijuana or alcohol on the Golf Course; and
      2. Will NOT use illicit drugs, marijuana or alcohol at a Golf Facility during times when play is suspended but anticipated to resume before nightfall.
      3. Will refrain from using tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems or marijuana products at a Golf Facility except in designated areas and subject to Golf Facility policy.
   3. Tournament Officials:
      1. Will NOT use illicit drugs, marijuana or alcohol at Junior competitions;
      2. Will refrain from using tobacco products or electronic nicotine delivery systems on the Golf Course except in designated areas.
      3. Will refrain from entering a Golf Facility under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs.

 

Dress Code

8. GO requires that proper attire be worn at all times while attending a Golf Facility for a GO tournament or event:
   1. Junior/Amateur Players and Tournament Officials are required to abide by the dress code policy of the host Golf Facility, if any;
   2. Tournament Officials are required to wear the uniform specified by GO while officiating;
   3. Attire Not Permitted:
      1. Denim or jeans of any kind or colour, cut-offs, short shorts, tennis shorts, rugger/cargo pants or shorts (outside external pocket), tank tops, halter tops, mesh shirts, workout attire, spandex or fleece fabrics or graphic t-shirts.
      2.  Any other inappropriate attire determined by the Tournament Committee.

 

 

Policy Violations

9. In addition to penalties that may be imposed under the Rules of Golf, GO may impose one or more of the following Tournament/Event disciplinary actions based on the severity of the violation:
   1. Letter of warning to any Tournament Official or Player and/or the parents of a Junior Player;
   2. Disqualification from the Tournament/Event at which the violation occurred;
   3. Disqualification from future GO tournaments/events for which a Player is otherwise eligible;
   4. Rejection of a Player’s selection for GO teams;
   5. Suspension of GO membership, either for a specific period of time or indefinitely. Any Player whose membership is under suspension will not be considered for post-season rankings, exemptions for future events, or selection for teams representing GO.

 

Right of Appeal

10.   All Tournament/Event disciplinary actions except the issuance of a letter of warning are subject to appeal in accordance with GO’s Dispute Resolution and Appeal Policy.