Southern States Junior Classics

ROUND 1 HOLE LOCATIONS:

ROUND 2 HOLE LOCATIONS:

Play is governed by the current USGA Rules of Golf booklet, as well as the Decisions on the Rules of Golf. This information supplements the Local Rules and Conditions of Competition on the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship Hard Card/Pace of Play Policy.  Posted course local rules do not apply.

CONDITIONS OF PLAY

Teeing Area

Boys 14-15, Boys 16-18: 6,693 Yards - ORANGE course tee markers define the teeing area.

Boys 12-13 / Girls 14-15 / Girls 16-18: 5,678 yards - SILVER course tee markers define the teeing area.

Boys 10-11 / Girls 12-13: 5,011 yards - TEAL course tee markers define the teeing area.

Girls 10-11:  4,409 Yards - PURPLE SSJC tee markers define the teeing area.

Pace of Play

Pace of Play is set at 4 hours, 35 minutes.  When a group is out of position at any time, the group is subject to monitoring and timing per the Pace of Play Policy.  See the Pace of Play Guidelines/Procedures on the Hard Card for full description.

Format

36-hole individual stroke play.

Ties

In the event of a tie for first place, the players involved shall compete in a hole-by-hole play-off.  The starting time and hole of the play-off shall be announced at the scoring area immediately after the Committee has verified the results. In the event that a playoff is not feasible (e.g. weather, darkness, or course is not available) matching scorecards will determine who qualifies beginning with lowest final round score, then last nine holes, then last six holes, then last three, and finally the score on the 18th hole.

Rulings

If a Referee is not readily available, you may summons one by calling 863-225-2678 or play two golf balls under rule 20.1 c(3).

ADDENDUM TO LOCAL RULES

Out of Bounds

Out of bounds is defined by white stakes at ground level, perimeter fences, inside edge of paved public roads, grass cut lines from homeowners to golf course or any combination thereof.

Abnormal Course Conditions

Ground Under Repair: Areas defined by white lines which may include areas of unusual damage including area cart traffic or seasonal conditions, but only when so declared by an authorized tournament committee. If you are unsure, play two balls and report the facts to the committee in scoring.

Integral Objects:

The following are deemed an integral object in which relief without penalty is not available:

• Large Rocks that are in the general area.

Automotive Transportation:  Players must not ride on any form of transportation during a stipulated round unless authorized by the Committee. Unauthorized Transportation will result in a two stroke penatly. Only a Committee member may shuttle a player back to and from where an original ball was played.

Drop Zones:  There is a drop zone on the most forward tee box on HOLE #11

Defining Penalty Areas:

• All Penalty Areas with water are marked with a red line. All bridges are considered in the Penalty Area.

Greenside Fans: All greenside fans are deemed TIOs. Players will receive nearest point of relief if their stance, swing, lie of the ball and/or line of sight are affected.

Barn on Hole #5: The barn on hole #5 is deemed an immovable obstrutction. Players will receive nearest point of relief if their stance, swing, and/or lie of the ball are affected.

Local Rule G-9 - Club is Broken or Significantly Damaged. If a player’s club is “broken or significantly damaged” during the round by the player or caddie, except in cases of abuse, the player may replace the club with any club under Rule 4.1b(4).

Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship Series

The following qualifying spots per division below will be offered at this event. Players who finish in these qualifying spots will be invited directly into the 2021 NB3 JGNC Georgia Regional Qualifier which will take place June 30 - July 1, 2021 and these players will not have to go through NB3 JGNC Local Qualifying.

Boys 14-15 & Boys 16-18 (results are combined after event finishes) –  Top-3

Girls 14-15 & Girls 16-18 (results are combined after event finishes) –  Top-3

Boys 12-13 –  Champion

Girls 12-13 –  Top-2

Boys 10-11 –  Champion

Girls 10-11 –  Champion

To learn more about the NB3 JGNC, you can visit their website by clicking here.

FCG Callaway World Championship

SSJC is excited to continue its partnership with the FCG Callaway World Championship and present players with qualifiers to make it to their annual event in July!

March 13-14 SSJC Rocket City Invitational will offer following spots into the 2021 FCG Callaway World Championship

• Boys 16-18 – top-3
• Girls 16-18 – top-3
• Boys 14-15 – top-2
• Girls 14-15 – top-2
• Boys 12-13 – top-2
• Girls 12-13 – top-2
• Boys 10-11 – top-2
• Girls 10-11 – top-2

To learn more about the FCG Callaway World Championship, you can visit their website by clicking here.

To purchase your yardage book for this event CLICK HERE!

Go To Caddie is a proud sponsor of the Southern States Junior Classics for the 2021 season. You will have a chance to pre-order your yardage book well in advance of each tournament!

Boys 16-18

Girls 16-18

Boys 14-15

Girls 14-15

Boys 12-13

Girls 12-13

Boys 10-11

Girls 10-11

Boys 9 & Under

Girls 9 & Under

The SSJC Rocket City Invitational will be the only SSJC event of the 2021 Tournament Season that will offer the Boys / Girls 9 & Under Division. Please contact info@ssjrclassic.com with any questions!

This tournament is open to all boys and girls ages 7-19 as of the date of the final round. Players who have been invited can register during the first two weeks of open registration. Once that has ended (1/25/2021) the general public may register in the remaining spots.

To be eligible to participate in this event, a player must be an amateur golfer who is at least 7 and no older than 19 on January 1 of the year he/she graduates from high school. If you are 19 will be eligible for SSJC events the entire calendar year provided he/she has not started college. Players are allowed to “play up” one age division if desired. All players will be notified of their acceptance into the tournament by email after completing registration. 

SSJC ROCKET CITY Invitational is a an invitational event for boys and girls ages 7-19 as of March 14, 2021. Players earn invitation by virtue of their previous season's final SSJC Player of the Year rankings. At large invitations may be requested by e-mailing player resume to info@ssjrclassic.com before January 25th, 2021. 

Players who have been invited have until January 25th, 2021 to register for this event. If you do not register in this time period, you can still register afterwards but spots may be limitied.

After the initial 2 week invitation only registration period, the event will become OPEN REGISTRATION FOR ANY REMAINING SPOTS in the field. To be eligible to participate in SSJC events, a player must be an amateur golfer who is at least 7 and no older than 19 on January 1 of the year he/she graduates from high school. 19 year olds will be eligible for SSJC events the entire calendar year provided he/she has not started college. A player’s age on March 14, 2021 will determine the age division of play to which they are assigned. Players are allowed to “play up” one age division if desired. All players will be notified of their acceptance into the tournament by email after completing registration.  

NO TOUR MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED!

Entry Fees:

1/11/21 - 01/25/21- SSJC Invitee Registration Only!

Boys 9 & Under / Girls 9 & Under - $129

All Other Age Divisions - $199

01/26/21 - 03/08/21 - SSJC Standard Registration Open To Everyone!

Boys 9 & Under / Girls 9 & Under - $129

All Age Divisions, $199

Sibling Discount

Discount code will be issued for families who plan to register more than one player in our events. E-mail info@ssjrclassic.com with sibling discount requests.

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

E-mail all withdrawal requests to info@ssjrclassics.com.

To see the refund policy, click here for more information

Players can book their tee times by calling the proshop at (256) 551-1818. You may only book your tee time 7 days in advance and are based on golf course availability. 

Walking practice rounds will cost $31 and $45 to ride. Must have valid driver's license to drive a cart. 

RTJ Hampton Cove Golf Course is located at: 450 Old Hwy 431, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Hampton Cove

Address: 6205 Hwy 431 South, Huntsville, AL 35763

Group Name: Southern States Junior Golf Tour

Group Code: SST

SSJC Rate: $89 per night + tax

Booking Link: https://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/H/HSVHCHX-SST-20210312/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Call in Available: 256-532-2110

The SSJC will allow caddies for all divisions throughout the season. Caddies are optional for all events and players must declare a caddie prior to the start of their round. Caddies may not change during one single round, but may change between rounds. 

There are two events in 2021 which will not allow caddies for all divisions, that is the NB3 JGNC Central Florida Qualifier and the NB3 JGNC New Mexico Qualifier. Caddies for these two events will only be allowed for the Boys 13 & Under and the Girls 13 & Under.

PURPOSE OF CADDIES:

Caddies may carry a player’s clubs, give advice, and other help during the round but there are limits to what the Caddie can do. The player is responsible for the Caddie’s actions during the round and the player may incur a penalty if he/she breaches the Rules.
 

• Caddies will be allowed to transport the player’s clubs and equipment.
• Caddies will be allowed to search for a player’s golf ball.
• Caddies will be allowed to clean a player’s golf ball.
• Caddies will be able to give players advice.
• Caddies will be allowed to use motorized carts (depending on host course cart availability)
• Caddies will be allowed to transport a player only when shuttle holes have been designated on the Notice to Competitors, during evacuation/restart or back to a previous spot in order of play and then back to where the player was picked up.
• Penalty for breach of unauthorized transportation is: Two strokes for each hole at which the breach occurred; maximum penalty per round is four strokes.

Once the player’s tees off on his or her first hole the player may not gain a Caddie during the round. A Caddie must be designated prior to the first tee shot. 

• Players are not allowed to switch caddies during the play of a round.

Caddies ARE NOT ALLOWED TO:

• Deliberately stand on or close to the extended line of play behind a player while the player is taking his or her stance and until the stroke is made.
• Use personal cell phones during the round unless for an emergency

Players will not be able to ride in the motorized cart at any point during the round unless there is a designated shuttle hole which will be declared by the starter prior to teeing off. Caddies may use the motorized cart to transport themselves and the player’s equipment only. If the player is in breach of this rule they will be subject to a 2 stroke penalty for unauthorized transportation. 

This policy is in effect as of January 1, 2021. The SSJC has the authority to eliminate or modify this policy at any time.

Breach of Policies and/or rules by Caddies:

1st Offense= Official Warning from a SSJC official

2nd Offense= Caddie will be removed from the golf course

The current Rules of the United States Golf Association and the R&A govern all play in SSJC events.

RULE 20.1 c(3):

• The SSJC strongly urges its players to play 2 balls if they are not sure how to proceed with a ruling as a rules official is not always present. In addition to playing 2 balls, players are also asked to play a provisional ball when he or she thinks it could be lost (this is even more important now that the search time has been shortened to 3 minutes). 

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES:

• Measuring Devices will be permitted on the; however, they cannot measure anything other than true yardage (ie, slope or wind).
• A distance-measuring application may be used, provided the specific application is restricted to “distance only” and the device does not have any other “non-conforming” features. This is the case even if these other features are not being used. 
  
  

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES: 

Multi-functional devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, etc (i.e., devices that are primarily communication devices, but which may have other potential uses) may be used as follows:

• The device may be used for any non-golfing purpose (e.g., as a communication tool to phone, text or email), subject to any club/course regulations and the rules on accessing advice-related matters – see Decision 14-3/16.
• The SSJCC recommends that ALL players only reference their mobile devices when utilizing the Shotstat Live app. 
• As above, the rules on advice-related communications (including the use of the internet) still apply.

PACE OF PLAY:

Time Par is 4 hours and 30 minutes. Please keep pace with the group in front of you and play ready golf. Players have 40 seconds to play their shot. Only individual players may be held accountable for their pace of play (no group penalties).

• Out of position: When a group falls more than 15 minutes behind the group in front of them. Flagstick to Flagstick time
  • 1st missed checkpoint – warning* (warning remains for duration of round)
  • 2nd missed checkpoint – Subject to penalty of one stroke
  • 3rd missed checkpoint – Subject to additional penalty of two strokes
  • 4th missed checkpoint – Subject to disqualification WEATHER: 

A player has the right to suspend play if he feels threatened by dangerous lightning conditions without penalty. If SSJC Staff or host club should indicate suspension of play all players should mark their balls, cease playing immediately and seek shelter. 

• Discontinue Play Immediately: One prolonged siren or air horn blast. 
• Discontinue Play for non-dangerous situation: Three consecutive short siren or air horn blasts. 
• Resume Play: Two short siren or air horn blasts.

OUT OF BOUNDS:

• Out of bounds is defined by white stakes at ground level, white dots, freshly painted white lines, perimeter fences, inside edge of paved public roads or any combination thereof. A ball coming to rest on or beyond any paved public is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes.

PENALTY AREAS:

• When a penalty area is bounded by out of bounds, the penalty area edge extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR:

• Defined by white lines. Other areas of ground under repair, even when not marked, include:
• French drains (trenches filled with stones or the like).
• Large or hard ant hills on the course.
• Edging grooves around putting greens. 

SEAMS OF CUT TURF (Newly Sodded Areas):

• If a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing:
  • Ball in General Area: The player may drop a ball under Rule 16.1b.
  • Ball on Putting Green: The player may place a ball under Rule 16.1d Interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance.

OBSTRUCTIONS AND INTEGRAL OBJECTS:

• When located within the penalty area; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings are integral objects unless otherwise provided for in Notice to Players.
• White lined areas tying into obstructions are part of the obstruction.
• When closely attached to trees; wrappings, electrical wire, and cables are integral objects.

LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS:

• Wood chips and mulch are loose impediments.

PRACTICE:

• Players are no longer allowed to practice putt between holes, even if they aren’t holding up play. Players will receive one warning before potential penalties and disqualification.

The SSJC prides itself in hosting events that are safe, fun, competitive and family oriented. Players will have the opportunity to not only grow their game but as a player as well. Each event requires help from the host facility, community involvement, and partners to make the tournament enjoyable for everyone.

With that being said, the SSJC will not tolerate any disrespectful behavior, whether on or off the golf course at an event. Players in violation of the code of conduct with the SSJC may lose playing privileges as well as being liable to penalty strokes or disqualification.

All SSJC participants are reminded to respect the host facility and their staff/golf course. Players are expected to repair ball marks on the greens and divots where needed. Players are also expected to rake all bunkers and care for the course throughout their tournament experience.

Violations of the Code of Conduct include:

Unsportsmanlike conduct which includes: abusive language, cheating, club throwing, disrespect to volunteers/staff/officials or fellow competitors, and abuse of golf course property.

Not adhering to the dress code of the host golf course

Use or association of drugs or alcohol

Conduct not becoming of a SSJC player, such as acting in anger or creating other distractions.

Code of Conduct Violation Penalties:

The SSJC Tournament Committee may assess any or all of the following penalties based on the severity of the violation(s):

Issue a one stroke penalty for each act of unsportsmanlike conduct on the golf course

Immediate disqualification from the tournament at which the violation occurs

Depending on the severity of the violation, a tournament disqualification may also result in disqualification from the next tournament or tournaments for which a player has been accepted.

The SSJC reserves the right to suspend or revoke a player’s registration for a major breach of the SSJC Code of Conduct.

With the exception of caddies, all spectators need to stay out of the fairways and off of greens and tees during play. It is ok to gather near tee and greens to watch, but we ask that they stay on the cart paths or rough while walking the course.

Spectators may not interact with participants at any time on the golf course, except in the case of an emergency. Any conversation between a spectator and participant will be subject to penalty under Rule 10.2 (Advice).

Only exceptions allowing spectators to interact with players during a round include handing them sunscreen, food, beverage, or any health emergency.  This should always be done in front of another spectator or tournament official. 

Spectators are not allowed to give a player a ride under any circumstances during the player’s round. This includes driving players back for lost balls or from green to tee. The SSJC staff will select shuttle holes prior to the start of the tournament. The only time a spectator can shuttle is at an authorized shuttle hole. Any time a player takes a ride from a spectator that is unauthorized, he/she will incur a 2 stroke penalty. In the event of a course evacuation for inclement weather, spectators can shuttle players to safety. 

Spectators will be subject to removal from the golf course for the following breaches of etiquette:

• Repeat offenses of interacting with players after being warned by Tournament Committee
• Rude, vulgar or other inappropriate comments or gestures.
• Verbal or physical harassment of players, volunteers, officials or fellow spectators.
• Distracting a player or causing any disruption of play.
• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, unsafe or illegal in nature.
• Failing to follow the instructions of a SSJC Tournament Committee official, volunteer or host personnel.