Updated June 4: NJSGA COVID-19 Event Policies

(Updated June 4, 2021) - The guidelines outlined below are in effect for all 2021 NJSGA events. The following is subject to change, without notice. Players should familiarize themselves and follow best practices as published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and the New Jersey State Department of Health.

In addition, those who participate in NJSGA events should consult this page frequently, and in advance of any event in which they play.

Failure to comply with points listed herein, or breach of a local rule, may result in the withdrawal of a player's entry, disqualification, or penalty under the Terms of the the Competition, the Rules of Golf, or the NJSGA's Code of Conduct.

Self-screening:

Players are expected to comply with the NJSGA’s COVID-19 policies. In addition, players are expected to self-screen prior to attending a NJSGA event and it is the responsibility of the player to comply. 

As of May 17, 2021, New Jersey's travel advisory is no longer in effect.

New Jersey residents returning home and travelers visiting New Jersey do not need to quarantine, but should follow travel guidance from the CDC, the NJ Department of Health, and all local health and safety protocols of their travel destination.

At this time, the CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. The CDC currently also recommends that unvaccinated individuals get tested 1-3 days before their trip, 3-5 days after travel, and stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. For more information, refer to the CDC's guidance for domestic travel.

Players are also expected to ask themselves the following questions, and withdraw if the answer to any of these is “yes”.

Within the last fourteen (14) days, have you:

• Been diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Been advised to quarantine by a doctor or other medical authority?
• Experienced symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as:
  • Fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit?
  • Experienced shortness of breath?
  • Experienced abnormal coughing symptoms?
  • Experienced loss of taste or smell, chills, shaking, sore throat or muscle aches?
  • Experienced any other unusual flu-like symptoms?

If you answered yes to any of the above, the NJSGA expects you to withdraw from the competition. In order to withdraw, please email bradb@njsga.org or call the NJSGA at 908-241-GOLF.

If a player fails to comply, the NJSGA reserves the right to disqualify a player or withdraw the entry of a player under the NJSGA’s Code of Conduct (available here).

Standard Player Health:

• If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. Any player displaying symptoms will be required to go home.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Do not touch any equipment that is not yours.
• Wash your hands frequently. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.

Communication with Players, Volunteers and Club Officials

In the event the NJSGA learns that any person in attendance at an NJSGA event is infected, being tested for, or shows verified symptoms of COVID-19, the NJSGA will notify all players, officials, and the club representatives of the facts as known to the NJSGA. Individual identification of the person potentially infected or exposed will not be divulged except when absolutely necessary. If a player in a competition is the person potentially infected or exposed, then the players who played with that person will also be individually notified. Further, the NJSGA will provide updates to all persons originally notified as to the outcome of any testing or other related information.

Face Coverings

• Under Executive Order No. 242, the State no longer requires face coverings for most indoor public spaces, however host clubs may continue to require face coverings for guests. If masks are required by the host club, players are expected to comply.
• Social distancing is not required, however players are encouraged to follow CDC safety guidelines and social distancing.  

The NJSGA expects and appreciates the cooperation of all players and caddies in maintaining a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment.

Additional Requirements:

• No gathering or loitering at any location on the property before or after a round.
• Players are to maintain at least a six-foot distance minimum from other people while on property whenever possible.
• Players will be expected to supply their own masks and expected to wear them when six-foot minimum distance cannot be met, when indoors or otherwise in accordance with state guidelines.
• Players should be prepared by providing their own pencils/tees.
• If any player is concerned that another player is not complying with CDC standards, or feels the player is ill, he/she should bring it to the attention of the NJSGA.

General Player Information:

• Arrival – The NJSGA will still have a designated registration area where players must “check-in” to confirm starting times and verify compliance with the above mentioned self-screening process. Players must keep six feet from all people while in the registration area and wear a mask if this distance cannot be maintained. Players MUST NOT arrive more than 45 minutes before their starting time and will not be permitted to use the practice facilities prior to that time.

• Paperwork – All event related paperwork, including hole locations and Local Rules, will be posted on NJSGA.org with event pairings. Players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these documents and (if desired) print copies for their use. The starter will review important Local Rules with players but will have limited copies.
• Scorecards – All scoring will be done electronically; players are strongly encouraged to download the USGA Tournament Management app to score for their group. The starter will give each group their GGID to allow them to enter hole-by-hole scores and check the leaderboard.
  • Players should make sure their mobile devices are fully charged before they arrive to play.
  • Players will be provided a scorecard on the first tee to track scores for verification purposes. One player must serve as the official Marker for the player handling the mobile scoring. Players must bring their own writing implement.
  • Upon completion of the round, ONE group at a time will be allowed to enter the “scoring area”. Players must maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and the scoring official, and verbally agree to their hole-by-hole scores.
  • After verbally verifying scores and leaving the scoring area, a player’s scorecard is deemed returned.
  • There will be no public leaderboards until further notice. Leaderboards can be found on NJSGA.org or the USGA Tournament Management app.
• Carts – Refer to specific event information for full details. Individual carts may not be available for an event. In this case, players may have to share a cart or walk.
  • See specific event info for Pull Cart details.
  • If a championship (or qualifier) is traditionally a walking event, and carts are not permitted due to weather, the event will continue as walking only.
• Weather Suspension – If play is suspended for a dangerous situation, players are required to evacuate the course immediately and wait in their vehicles. Players who have elected not to use a cart must immediately begin walking to their vehicles (or the nearest designated shelter). However, if an official in the area can shuttle a player in, that player is required to wear a face mask for the duration of the trip to the clubhouse or parking lot.
  • Updates regarding resumption will be sent to players via text message.
  • Practice facilities will not reopen for “warm-up” following suspensions.

Caddies:

• Caddies are permitted. The caddie must also personally check-in with the NJSGA to verify his/her conformance with the self-screening process. Caddies and players must follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

Spectators:

• Spectators are prohibited until further notice.
• One (1) spectator per junior golfer is permitted for players that cannot drive themselves to an event. This person must remain away from participants at all times. In this case, the spectator is required to check in with the NJSGA at registration PRIOR to going on the golf course.

Practice Rounds:

• In most cases, practice rounds for qualifiers will be unavailable. Practice round availability for Championships may be very limited. The NJSGA will work closely with all of our host clubs to determine practice round dates if possible. See specific event Notice to Players for availability and details.

Practice facilities:

• Players must not arrive more than 45 minutes before their starting time, and will not be permitted to use the practice facilities prior to that time.
• Practice areas are not available after a player has completed their round.
• The practice facilities will be closed during a suspension, and will not reopen for “warm up” regardless of how long play is suspended.

Locker room / Clubhouse Access:

• The host club will set restrictions on locker room and clubhouse facilities. Please see event specific player information sheet.
• The NJSGA will ensure restroom facilities are available.

Food & Beverage / Awards Ceremony:

• There will be no organized food service gatherings at qualifiers. Some Championships will offer/include a lunch.
• Some clubs may be able to offer “to-go” food options, and players will be on their own to purchase these items.
• Drinking water will be made available on the golf course. Players should be prepared by bringing additional water.

Withdrawals:

• The NJSGA will offer a refund for anyone who WDs if they are sick or uncomfortable participating for safety/health reasons.
• The NJSGA asks players to WD with as much advance notice as possible to allow us to fill the vacated spot from our waiting list. If at all possible, please do not wait until the day of the event to WD.
• The following refund deadlines will apply:
  • For Monday events – 12:00 noon the previous Friday.
  • For Tuesday events – 12:00 noon the previous Friday.
  • For Wednesday events – 12:00 noon the previous Monday.
  • For Thursday events – 12:00 noon the previous Tuesday.
  • Refund policies: Before above deadline date - refund minus a $25 surcharge ($50 for team events). After above deadline but before a player’s starting time – refund minus a $50 surcharge ($100 for team events). No-shows (with no notice) receive no refund.