Caribbean Golf Association
Rules, Standards and Protocol
For the Caribbean Golf Classic
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RULES

Annual Competition
The competition shall be played for annually in one of the member countries during April or May or other such date approved by the CGA Council. Member countries wishing to host the competition must apply to and be approved by the CGA Council. In order to host the competition, a member country needs to satisfy the CGA Council prior to the year of the competition that there is a suitable resort capable of accommodating the likely participants and having available two championship golf courses on which the competition can be played. A member country intending to host the Classic should submit a proposal containing details of the following:
• the date of the competition
• the accommodation available
• the golf venue and facilities available
• the cost of the event to participants, which should include:
• accommodation for the four nights of the competition
• golf (including cart rental or caddies) for one practice day
• golf (including cart rental or caddies) for the three days of the competition
• use of practice facilities and driving range
• club storage
• transportation between the airport and the accommodation on arrival and departure
• transportation between the accommodation and the golf course daily if necessary
• the cocktail party following the flag raising ceremony
• the awards ceremony.
• cost to participants who wish to arrive early or stay late.

A Cup, known as the George Noon Cup, has been presented to be awarded to the winning member country. Trophies are also awarded to the winning Mens and Ladies teams for member Countries

Eligibility:
The cups shall be played for by amateur golfers of all levels of ability selected by the National governing body of golf in the member countries. The amateur golfers chosen by the member countries to represent their country must meet the following criteria:

1. Persons born in that country.

2. Persons not born in that country but who have been residing there for one full year since the preceding championships.

3. Persons under the age of twenty-one and entitled to claim the residence of their parents.

4. Persons who are citizens of that country.

Any player who attempts to qualify for selection for one country will not be permitted to play for any other country in that year.

Format -
The Caribbean Golf Classic is a team event competed for by teams of unlimited number from each participating member country playing eighteen holes each day. Teams are divided into flights based upon handicap and sex. The range of handicap in each flight is 5 strokes. Within each flight all competitors compete equally and no handicap allowance is given. The first two flights of the Mens division will play from back tees, the first two flights of the Ladies division and third and fourth flights of the Mens division will play from middle tees and the remaining flights will play from forward tees. All flights compete in a modified Stableford competition. The modified Stableford points awarded are on a gross basis as follows:
2 over par - 1 point
1 over par - 2 points
Par - 3 points
1 under par - 4 points
2 under par - 5 points
3 under par - 6 points
4 under par - 7 points

The lowest individual score per round completed in each flight will count towards the team total. The team will be awarded points daily in each category, as follows:
1st in flight - Points equal to the number of teams competing in the flight plus one.
2nd in flight - Two points less than the winner.
3rd in flight - Three points less than the winner.
4th in flight - Four points less than the winner
and so on, until the last competing team in the flight which will be awarded 1 points. Teams which have no competitor in a flight receive no points for that flight. The team with the most points in aggregate will win the trophy.

Ties - Teams which tie in a flight will be awarded the average of the points which apply for the relevant positions. In the event of a tie for any trophy, the teams tied will be declared joint winners.

Rounds - The tournament shall be over 54 holes (3 rounds); however, should circumstances make it impossible to complete 54 holes the tournament may be determined by the results of 36 holes but on no account less.

Ties - In the event of a tie for any cup it shall be held equally. Additional miniatures will be acquired as necessary.

Trophies - The country winning any trophy shall have custody and responsibility for it until the next championship is played. That country shall have it suitably engraved.

Replicas - The players of each winning team will be presented with an engraved replica of the cup he/she played for.

Rules of Golf - The championships shall be governed by the rules of golf as laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews or the USGA (as appropriate) together with such local rules as may be agreed by the Tournament Committee.

Expenses - Each participant must bear his own expenses.

Rule Changes - Proposals for rules changes must be presented to the CGA Council in writing via the Secretary of the CGA who shall distribute copies to the member countries. These proposals must be received by the CGA Secretary ninety days prior to a CGA Council Meeting. The proposal(s) would then be acted on by the Council after discussion and possible amendment by majority vote.

STANDARDS AND PROTOCOL

The Caribbean Golf Classic (Classic) shall be held at a venue of one of the member countries of the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA). The host country shall be determined by the CGA Council and countries advised at least six months prior to the event.

It is recommended that the host country shall organize the following committees to properly manage and co-ordinate the Classic.

1. Tournament Committee
2. Opening Ceremony Committee
3. Awards Presentation Committee
4. Hotel and Transportation Committee.

The above Committees shall be responsible and report to the Tournament Director who in turn shall be responsible and report to the Tournament Coordinator.

Tournament Committee -
The Tournament Committee shall be organized as follows:
1. Tournament Chairman (TC) CGA President
2. Tournament Coordinator (TCO) Tournament Co-ordinator of the CGA
3. Tournament Director (TD) Appointed by the Host Country
4. Tournament Secretary (TS) Secretary of the CGA
5. Chief Rules Official (RO) Appointed by the CGA

The Tournament Committee may appoint a number of Rules Officials to assist the Chief Rules Official and together the TC, the TCO and all Rules Officials shall constitute the Rules Committee. A member of the Rules Committee may compete in the tournament but shall not take any part in a rules issue involving himself or any other person playing with him at the time.

The Tournament Committee shall be responsible for the organization and playing of the Classic.

Tournament Chairman
He shall chair all meetings of the Tournament Committee during tournament week or when specially called and report from time to time to the CGA Council all matters concerning the conduct of the Classic.

Tournament Coordinator - He shall act for the CGA Council and insure that the CGA standards, protocol and rules are understood and maintained by the host country. Duties of the TCO, among others, are as follows:

1. Keep the CGA council through the TC advised of the progress of the organization and arrangements for and the running of the Classic.

2. Visit the tournament venue at least three months prior to the date of the event and confirm the following with the TD:
1. Golf courses are in proper condition.
2. Availability of a driving range and practice balls.
3. Availability of drinking water and bathrooms throughout the golf courses.
4. Determine if golf course is within walking distance of hotel, if not, determine and/or advise type and schedule of transportation to and from golf course.
5. Determine availability of golf carts for the participants and the following:
a. Tournament Chairman - 1 cart
b. Tournament Coordinator - 1 cart
c. Chief Rules Official and other Rules Officials - 1 cart each
* All carts should be complimentary, if possible, otherwise, at lowest possible cost.

3. Review flag raising and award presentation procedures and facilities with TD and appropriate committee chairmen.

4. Maintain communication with TD and committees in order to monitor progress of tournament organization.

5. Travel to tournament site at least two days prior to team arrivals and assume on site responsibility of TCO including but not limited to the following:
a. Review any tournament checklist
b. Ensure qualified RO is in place
c. Organise tournament pairings and starting times
d. Purchase replicas and awards ensuring that they, the anthems and country flags are on hand and in good condition.
e. Upon arrival of TC report to him on the status of the event organization.
f. Ensure facilities are available and time scheduled for any Tournament Meeting.

6. Prepare written report including an expense report at the end of the tournament and submit same to the CGA Secretary for attention of the CGA Council.

Tournament Director -
The TD is responsible for the organization of all matters pertaining to the Classic in his/her country and should report to the host country's golf association President and to the CGA TCO from time to time on the progress of his/her organization activities.

Tournament Secretary -
The Tournament Secretary shall attend the Classic and act as recording secretary for any Tournament Meetings and any other CGA Sub-Committee meetings called or authorized by the Council or the President during the week of the Classic. He/She shall prepare written minutes of same and distribute to appropriate persons.

Chief Rules Official -

The RO shall prepare a local rules sheet after consultation with TCO for the tournament. Any Rules Official appointed shall, when acting as such, act on any breach of a Rule of Golf which he observes or is reported to him.

Rules Committee -
The Rules Committee shall approve a Local Rules Sheet and act on any appeal from a decision of a Rules Official on a Rule of Golf.

Opening Ceremony -
An Opening Ceremony shall be held at the Classic and shall be considered an Official CGA Ceremony and be conducted as follows:

1. The OC shall be held as near as possible to the golf course or place where the participants are being housed.

2. Member country teams and officials should assemble prior to the scheduled start of the ceremony.

3. Country flags shall be flown at the venue. All flags should be the same size (3' x 5').

4. The TCO shall be responsible for raising the CGA and member countries flags at least thirty minutes prior to the scheduled start of the OC.

5. The TC or his designee shall act as Master of Ceremonies.

6. Members of the official OC party shall be as follows:
a. TC (CGA President)
b. CGA officers (1st VP, 2nd VP, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Co-ordinator and Immediate Past President)
c. Host country Golf Association President.
d. Major sponsor representative(s)

7. Speeches should be limited to a welcome by the CGA or the Host Country President (2 minutes)

8. A cocktail party should be arranged to immediately follow the OC.

9. Seating arrangements should be made available for players and space reserved for Presidents and Spouses of member associations.

10. The OC should take place on the day before tournament play commences at approximately 6:30 pm.

Awards Presentation Committee:
A ceremony at which awards will be presented should take place following the conclusion of play of the final round.

Hotel and Transportation Committee - This committee should be responsible for all matters relating to the hotel and participant transportation including the following:
1. Wherever possible all players, officials and camp followers should be housed under the same roof.
2. Transportation must be provided to all countries (car rentals or bus).
3. Bus schedules should be posted well in advance of events.
4. Arrival and departure to and from the airport of participants including camp followers and officials should be coordinated so as there will be few (if any) problems.

Variation of Protocol:
Any variation in the Standards or Protocol is to be approved in advance by the CGA Council.