2008 PIAA Region Golf Championships Memorandum

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3rd ANNUAL PIAA GIRLS' AND BOYS' REGION GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

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REGION SITES, DATE, AND STARTING TIMES

The 2008 PIAA East Region (Team and Individual) Golf Championships will be played on the Golden Oaks Golf Course, Fleetwood, PA. 18-hole competition will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. A rain date is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2008.

The 2008 PIAA West Region (Team and Individual) Golf Championships will be played on the Tom's Run Golf Course at Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort, Blairsville, PA. 18-hole competition will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. A rain date is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2008.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

The 2008 PIAA Girls' and Boys' Team and Individual Golf Championships ("2008 PIAA Golf Championships") shall be conducted pursuant to all applicable By-Laws, Policies and Procedures, and Rules and Regulations of PIAA. Additionally, it is important that the Principal, Athletic Director, and head girls' and boys' golf coaches and all individuals that will participate in the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships and all persons who will have responsibilities involving these activities be fully informed of the policies and procedures described herein. It is also necessary that everyone associated with these championships comply with all policies and procedures without exception. Failure to comply may result in removal from the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships.

PIAA member schools are not required to enter PIAA championship events. Entry and participation in the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships are voluntary. Entry into the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships signifies that the member school accepts the fact that the PIAA Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee, reserves the right to make changes in the date and location of the East Region and West Region sites, and management, operation, schedule, and site of the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships if, in the judgment of the Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee, it becomes necessary to do so.

COACHES

Neither the Public School Code nor the Regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) currently places restrictions on the hiring or qualification of persons employed as coaches in public schools. Upon satisfactory compliance with applicable laws relating to completion of required background checks, schools may hire as coaches any persons who meet their local criteria.

PIAA does not impose any requirements on the hiring of coaches in either public or Private Schools. However, a coach from each member school that has qualified a Team and/or individuals to the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships must accompany and supervise those persons representing that member school.

The member school may send a full-time professional employee of the school district in lieu of a coach for purposes of accompanying and supervising the member school's qualifiers to the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships. This full-time professional employee must be a properly designated representative of the school of the qualifiers, and that individual must be fully responsible for supervision of the qualifiers.

Coaches accompanying contestants will be required to serve as forecaddies, markers, and/or marshals during the Region and Championships rounds of competition. Refusal on the part of a coach to forecaddie, mark, and/or marshal in either of the respective Tournaments shall subject the contestant(s) from the coach's school to disqualification from the Tournament.

FORECADDIES, MARKERS AND MARSHALS

Coaches accompanying contestants will be required to serve as forecaddies, markers, and/or marshals during the round of competition. Two (2) coaches may be assigned to each foursome to:

  1. Accompany, on foot, an assigned group around the course;
  2. Forecaddie each hole played by the assigned group;
  3. Record on a worksheet all strokes for each competitor playing with the assigned group;
  4. Marshal parents, spectators, and the media who choose to walk or who are permitted to ride the course BEHIND the contestants;
  5. Submit a completed and signed score sheet at the conclusion of each round to the Tournament Scorer.

Coaches are advised to bring the following items to the PIAA Region Team and Individual Golf Championships:

  1. Pad Holder.
  2. Extra pencils with erasers.
  3. Appropriate outerwear to protect against the elements (rain gear is required!).
  4. Golf shoes with alternative spikes or walking shoes.

Refusal on the part of a coach to forecaddie, mark, and/or marshal at the respective Region Tournaments shall subject the contestant(s) from the coach's school to disqualification from the Region Tournament.

REGION TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND STARTING TIMES

United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf will govern all play with the exception of existing local golf course rules.

Contestants must report to the starter ten (10) minutes prior to their scheduled starting times. Contestants must be prepared to play in inclement weather. In case of inclement weather, the PIAA Region Golf Championships Tournament Director will decide to play, modify, postpone, or cancel the Tournament depending on the severity of the weather conditions and/or the condition of the golf course.

Contestants in each foursome will play eighteen (18) holes of stroke play, keep the score of an opponent, verify their score and an opponent's score by signing their scorecard and the opponent's scorecard, and submit signed scorecards to the Tournament Scorer at the conclusion of the round. Teams will be comprised of four (4) individuals, all of whom shall score. The combined lowest scores of the top two (2) girls' and top two (2) boys' Teams, per Region, will qualify to the 2008 PIAA Girls' and Boys' Team Golf Championships, respectively. The East Region will qualify the lowest scoring 13 girls and 26 boys to the respective 2008 PIAA Girls' and Boys' Individual Golf Championships; and the West Region will qualify the lowest scoring 11 girls and 22 boys to the respective 2008 PIAA Girls' and Boys' Individual Golf Championships.

Team entries (qualifiers) for the Region Tournament that did not qualify for the individual Region Tournament are not eligible to score at the individual Region Tournament. Those Team qualifiers shall only score for their Team.

If required, playoffs to determine the final entry(ies) (qualifier[s]) to the PIAA Golf Championships will be conducted immediately following the conclusion of the round. A playoff (if necessary) will begin with an assigned hole, on a sudden victory basis, and will continue until the qualifier(s) is determined. Ties for all other place finishers will remain as earned. A playoff for a Team qualifier will begin at an assigned hole, on a sudden victory basis, and continue until the qualifier is determined. If it is two-way tie, players one and two from each Team will comprise the first group; players three and four from both Teams will comprise the second group. If greater than a two-way tie, players will be grouped by team position (players 1 complete first group, players 2 complete group 2, etc.). In all cases, groups will play a predetermined hole(s) until the qualifier(s) have been determined.

ENTRY FEES

It is the responsibility of each PIAA-member school that has qualified an individual(s) or Team to the PIAA Region Golf Championships to provide payment for the round of competition at the PIAA-negotiated discounted rate of $20 per round. Qualifying schools will be invoiced from the PIAA Office for the appropriate number of rounds completed by golfers representing their school following competition.

REGISTRATION

Registration will be conducted from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Coaches accompanying contestants will be required to serve as forecaddies and/or markers and marshals at the time they register their contestants.

2008 PRACTICE ROUND PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULES
FOR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS

Practice or playing on the Region qualifying course on the day of the competition prior to the first tee time is prohibited; the penalty for doing so is disqualification (USGA Rule 7-1b). Teams and individual(s) desiring to arrange a practice round prior to the day of competition at the Region site may do so by calling the respective East Region and West Region golf course pro shops. The contact information for Golden Oaks Golf Club is (610) 944-6000 and the contact information for Tom's Run Golf Course is (724) 459-7191.

PIAA will not provide for a practice round at the Region site. It is the responsibility of the school to make the necessary arrangements if a practice round is desired for their qualifier(s).

CONTESTANT'S ATTIRE

All golf contestants are required to wear appropriate golf attire. No exceptions are permitted. Golf shoes with alternative spikes are REQUIRED on the East Region and West Region golf courses and the Heritage Hills Golf Course. Contestants are PROHIBITED from wearing penetrating metal spikes. T-shirts, altered apparel, jeans, and advertisements (other than one visible logo/trademark not exceeding 2 ¼ square inches and not exceeding 2 ¼ inches in any dimension on a cap, visor, school issued golf shirt, and golf slacks or golf shorts) will not be permitted. The contestant's school name/nickname and/or school logo are permitted on the front and/or back of the school issued golf shirt with collar and/or cap or visor. Sweaters and/or jackets will be permitted when necessitated by weather conditions. The use of tape on a cap or visor for the purpose of covering a logo/trademark, which does not meet the specifications provided herein, IS PROHIBITED!

CONDUCT OF PLAYERS

A two-stroke penalty shall be assessed for conduct unbecoming an interscholastic golfer. Such conduct shall include, but not be limited to, club throwing, defined as releasing club in anger or in a manner to cause harm to any person or to the golf course; use of abusive language; willful acts which damage property or equipment of the golf course; or other unbecoming conduct, as determined by the Tournament Director.

TEAMS

A golf Team shall consist of four (4) players. Five (5) may be entered; however, four (4) shall be permitted to play. For the 2008 PIAA Region Team Golf Championships, the Team composition shall be the same four players that competed in the District qualifying Tournaments.

USE OF CADDIE, PULL CART, OR MOTORIZED CART PROHIBITED

The use of a caddie, pull cart, or motorized cart during Practice or competition rounds WILL NOT be permitted. Contestants will be required to carry their clubs and will be required to walk the course during the Practice round and competition round(s).

RESTRICTION ON USE OF DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES

For the PIAA Golf Championships Tournament series, the use of a distance measuring device by a player, or a player's coach, is prohibited. Penalty for breach of Rule 14-3: Disqualification of player.

RESTRICTION ON USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

PIAA Board of Directors policy prohibits the use of tobacco products by participants and non-participating Team personnel, including coaches, during any Contest at any level (varsity, junior varsity, or otherwise) of competition.

BANNERS, SIGNS, AND LISTENING DEVICES

Both the presence and use of balloons, towels, sirens, whistles, and portable listening devices (without earphones) are prohibited throughout the PIAA Golf Championships Tournament series. Stationary banners and signs, which are sportsmanlike in their messages, will be permitted.

COACH AND SPECTATOR DECORUM

Coaches and spectators will be permitted to walk the course and may be permitted to ride a cart on the course BEHIND the contestants during competition.

Coaches and spectators who choose to walk or who are permitted to ride the course BEHIND the contestants, during competition, may do so under the following restrictions:

  1. DO NOT offer comments or make suggestions to the competitors. NO COACHING!
  2. DO NOT observe play closer than twenty-five (25) yards BEHIND the group of competitors being observed.
  3. DO NOT cross over or observe play from teeing areas, fairways, or putting greens. Play may be observed from cart paths or the "rough" only.
  4. DO NOT move or talk when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
  5. DO NOT attempt to decide questions of fact nor attempt to apply the Rules of Golf.
DRIVING RANGE

The driving range will be made available to contestants on the day of competition. Range balls will be made available at no cost to the qualifiers on the day of competition.

ALTERNATIVE SPIKES

PIAA REQUIRES the use of alternative golf spikes. All players, coaches and spectators are PROHIBITED from wearing penetrating metal spikes.

LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, AND MEALS

Lodging is not available at the Region site and will not be provided by PIAA. If needed, a representative of each participating school must make arrangements for lodging and meals, as required, for the school's qualifiers and coaches. A listing of hotels and motels in both Region areas is available on the PIAA Web site at www.piaa.org.

MEDALS AND TROPHIES

Awards will be presented at the East Region and West Region Golf Tournaments immediately after the completion of play, including sudden victory playoffs, and scores are tabulated. The championship Team, both girls and boys, will receive a Team trophy. The top three (3) individual finishers, including ties, for both girls and boys, will receive medals.

NO PROTEST RULE

Under PIAA there can be no protest of Contests as follows:

"The Board of Directors and District Committees will not consider any protest in Contests which are based on play situations or officials' decisions involving interpretation or judgment of plays."

"In no case will the results of a Contest be reversed nor will a Contest be ordered or permitted to be replayed."

"Questions regarding interpretation of rules or judgment of officials should be submitted, in writing, to the Executive Director."

DIRECTIONS TO REGION SITES

(as provided on the respective Region Web sites)

GOLDEN OAKS GOLF CLUB

Golden Oaks Golf Club, 10 Stonehedge Drive
Fleetwood, PA 19522
610-944-6000 -- www.goldenoaksgolfclub.com

From Allentown: 78W. to Route 100S. (Exit 49A - Trexlertown) to 222S. to 662S. through the town of Fleetwood. After Fleetwood, approximately 3 miles to Golden Oaks on the left;
From Reading: Warren St. Bypass to Pricetown Rd. (Route 12). 4.5 miles to second traffic light. Turn right onto 662S. and go 3/10 of a mile to Golden Oaks on the left;
From Boyertown: Route 73W. to 662N. Golden Oaks is 13 miles on the left;
From Philadelphia: 76W. to 422W. to 662N. Golden Oaks is 13 miles on the right.
From Lancaster: US 222 N.toward Reading, PA. Merge on to US-422E. US-422E. becomes PA-12N. Turn right onto Memorial Hwy / PA-662. Golden Oaks is 2/10 of a mile on the left;
From Harrisburg: 78E. to 61S. to 73E. to a left onto Pricetown Rd. Approximately 1.5 miles to traffic light. Turn right at the light onto Route 662S. Golden Oaks is 2/10 of a mile on the left.
From PA Turnpike: Exit 22 (Morgantown) to 176N. Follow signs for Reading (422W.). Take Route 12 exit. Stay on this road. It eventually turns into a two-lane road (Pricetown Rd.). At this point, proceed 4.5 miles to second traffic light. Turn right onto 662S. Golden Oaks is 2/10 of a mile on the left.

TOM'S RUN GOLF COURSE

Tom's Run Golf Course, Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort
1762 Old Wm. Penn Hwy.
Blairsville, PA 15717
724-459-7191 -- www.chestnutridgeresort.com

TRAVELING FROM THE PITTSBURGH PARKWAY TO THE TURNPIKE EAST
EXIT #6 (MONROEVILLE) 60 Minutes. Take Route 22 East. Follow Route 22 East (approximately 45 miles) to Route 119 N (Indiana Exit). At Stop Sign turn left, the Facility is on the Left.

TRAVELING FROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PITTSBURGH
Route 60 East to Route 376 East. Follow Route 376 East to Route 22 East. Follow Route 22 East (approximately 30 miles). To Route 119 N Indiana Exit. At Stop Sign turn left, the Facility is on the Left.

TRAVELING FROM LATROBE AIRPORT
Route 981 North to Route 22 (New Alexandria,). Follow Route 22 East (approximately 20 miles) to Route 119 N Indiana Exit. At Stop Sign turn left, the Facility is on the Left.

USING ROUTE 70E
Route 70 East to New Stanton Exit Route 119 North). Follow Route 119 North to Route 22 East (New Alexandria). Follow Route 22 East (approximately 10 miles). To Route 119 N Indiana Exit. At Stop Sign turn left, the Facility is on the Left. OR Route 119 North to Route 66 North (Toll Road). Follow Route 66 North to Route 22 East Follow Route 22 East (approximately 17 miles) to Route 119 North Indiana Exit
At Stop Sign turn, left, the Facility is on the Left.

FROM THE NORTHWEST
I-79 South to US-422 E via EXIT 99 toward BUTLER. Merge onto US-422 E / BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HWY toward INDIANA. Merge onto US-119 S / BUFFALO-PITTSBURGH HWY via EXIT A toward BLAIRSVILLE. US-119 S / BUFFALO-PITTSBURGH HWY becomes PA-2005. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto OLD WILLIAM PENN HWY.T urn LEFT onto FAIRVIEW LN. Facility is on the right.

FROM THE EAST
Take onto US-22 W / WILLIAM PENN HWY toward EBENSBURG. Turn LEFT onto OLD WILLIAM PENN HWY. Turn LEFT onto FAIRVIEW LN. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto FAIRWAY CT. Facility is on your right.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dr. Robert A. Lombardi, PIAA Associate Executive Director, and Mr. Mark E. Byers, PIAA Assistant Executive Director, will serve as the 2008 PIAA Golf Championships Co-Tournament Directors.

For further information please access the PIAA Web site www.piaa.org or the PIAA Office at (717) 697-0374.