The following Player Information material is applicable for all GAP administered Tournaments. To find revised tournament information, ie. field size, visit the Tournament Schedule and click on the respective event.
Please do not come to any tournament if you do not feel well. You are not permitted to participate in the tournament if you have a fever or suffer from any respiratory illness. GAP staff has been instructed to refuse service to those who do not appear healthy, and you will be required to leave at once.
Please read this notice carefully and make sure you are fully prepared before coming to [the tournament]. GAP staff will be closely monitoring these policies and all tournament participants and other persons will be expected to follow them to ensure the safety of everyone on the property/course.
COVID-19 DISCLAIMER: Any participation in the tournament, use of the golf course, a golf cart and facilities at [the tournament], attendance or spectating at [the tournament] may expose you to COVID-19. Your decision to participate in the tournament, use of the golf course, a golf cart and facilities at [the tournament], attend [the tournament] is made knowingly and voluntarily by you with full knowledge of this risk. Otherwise, your participation in the tournament, use of the golf courses, golf carts and facilities at [the tournament], attendance or spectating at [the tournament] shall constitute a waiver and release of GAP, its officers, directors, employees, contractors, volunteers, staff and agents from any and all liability with respect to exposure of the COVID-19. If you disagree, do not come to [the tournament].
GAP has taken the following steps to limit the exposure of our players, staff and facilities to the COVID-19:
The Staff and Executive Committee will wear a provided facemask when around groups of people and speaking with any player directly. Hand sanitizer to be available at the first tee, 10th tee and electronic scoring area. Players are expected to supply their own facemasks and are expected to wear them when around groups of people except when playing in the competition.
Please see specific event details for guidance on tournament size and starting details.
Ball Washers – Ball washers will be available unless a specific host facility is limiting in response to the pandemic. Players will be notified in tournament information if not available.
Bunkers – GAP will make every effort to play bunkers under the Rules of Golf. If that is not possible, at a specific host facility players will be informed in the tournament information and on the notice to competitors. In which case GAP will play lift, clean and place in all bunkers – 1 club length no closer to the hole. The ball must remain in the bunker. Players may not smooth the bunker before placing. GAP asks all players to smooth their damage in a bunker as much as possible after playing out of the bunker.
Caddies – Caddies are permitted where applicable. Must wear a mask.
Cart Policy – Walking only Championships return to walking only, all other events where carts are permitted players will be expected to ride together where the draw requires. If one of the 2 players riding together objects that player may walk while the other drives the cart, the bag must remain on the cart.
Drinking Water – Drinking water will be provided in a number of different ways. Clubs and GAP staff may be involved depending on the host facility and quantity available. If players are concerned they should bring their own drinking water.
Evacuation – Players may use provided transportation or shuttles for evacuation. Players, caddies and shuttle drivers must wear masks. Players and Caddies must wait out the delay in their cars. GAP Staff will text information on resumption and length of delay.
Flagsticks – Players and caddies may remove the flagstick. There will be no hole liners used unless required by the host facility. Please tournament reminder, information and notice to competitors.
Locker Rooms – Will not be available. The GAP staff will ensure there are bathrooms available and are cleaned often.
Lunch – When possible, staff will arrange a to-go type meal (boxed lunches) to be available for players and staff. Please review tournament information sheet for each individual event per the status.
Pace of Play – GAP will return to the checkpoint systems based on the event. Please see tournament information, reminder and notice to competitors.
Player Planning – It is imperative for our tournament participants to have a plan for participation. Items that will need consideration include drinking water, facemasks, hand sanitizer, food, weather, sunblock, bug spray, temperature, equipment (golf gloves, balls, tees, ball markers, pencils and markers, towels), etc. Many of the normally available items including starters boxes at starting tees will not be available.
Practice Rounds – Practice rounds will be available if host venues choose to permit.
Scoring – Players are REQUIRED use electronic scoring through the USGA Tournament Management App (scoring process will be announced in tournament information at close of entries). Your groups GGID will be available at the first tee. Please see supporting materials in the Player Information Packet. There will be no scorecards.
Spectators – Each Player is permitted to have up to 2 Spectators. Spectators must follow social distancing protocols around GAP volunteers, staff, players and club staff (this will include wearing a mask when appropriate).
Warm-Up Range/Putting Green – Players are limited to arriving 45 minutes prior to their tee time unless a particular facility/range location requires the use of more time. Please read specific player information prior to the event. Players are limited to 25 minutes for range warm-up. A staff member will be positioned on range to monitor the player’s 25-minute warmup.
Withdrawals – Players must use great discretion to WD. If you have any sense that you will have to WD, then please do so while the staff can find someone from the waitlist to fill the spot. Please don’t WD on the day of the event as there will NOT be players waiting at the site to fill your spot.
