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About Santa Cruz Junior Golf

Serving All of Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz Junior Golf is About Having Fun!

Learn more below about tournament rules, the player points system, advancement, awards, and the end of year Bay Cup.

Tournament Rules

Players
  • In order to compete in an SCJG event, the player must be a registered member.
  • Players must follow the USGA Rules of Golf, any SCJG Committee rules, and any local course rules.
  • Absolutely no gimmes are allowed.
  • The dress code is a collared shirt, pants or shorts, no jeans or denim.
  • All players must walk.
  • Pull carts are allowed.
  • GPS and range finders, in tournament mode, are allowed to obtain distances.
  • The pace of play is very important. Play ready golf and keep up with the group in front of you, in order to keep play moving quickly.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language, club throwing, disrespect to volunteers, officials or fellow competitors, or abuse of golf course property will not be tolerated.
  • Have fun!
Caddies
  • Caddies are required for players 10 years old and under and are recommended for all Green division players.
  • Caddies are only allowed in the Green and Copper divisions.
  • A player may only have one caddie.
  • Caddies have three choices for transporting the player’s bag: carry the player’s bag, push/pull the bag on a cart, or use a golf cart.
  • Caddies are only allowed to transport the bag, help with pace of play, help with alignment and yardage, and help keep score.
  • Absolutely no on-course lessons or coaching.
  • Golf carts allowed (if the course permits) for spectators, parents, and caddies only. Players are not allowed to ride in carts.
Scoring and Rules Questions
  • Always update scorecards on the tee box of the next hole, not the green of the hole just played.
  • All scorecards must be signed and attested before turning in to the Tournament Director at the end of the round in accordance to rule 3.3.b.
  • For Green players, there is an 8 stroke maximum score per hole. If you reach 8 strokes before holing out then you should pick up your ball and move to the next tee box. Your score is an 8 with a circle around the number (“circle eight”).
  • Accurate scorecards are very important. After each hole, you should verify and agree with the player marking your score on what your score was for that hole. If you can’t agree then it is up to you as the player to bring up any disputes with the Committee when you turn in your card before the card is signed and attested.
  • Incorrect, or unsigned cards can lead to disqualification.
  • Once a scorecard is submitted to the Committee it is official and can not be changed.
  • An SCJG volunteer will walk with each Green division group to help with rules, scoring, and pace of play.
  • All rules questions and disputes should be handled in coordination with an on-course rules volunteer or the Tournament Director. When neither is available then a second ball should be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf and then the dispute resolved with the Tournament Director before signing the card.
Parents and Spectators
  • Parents and spectators, when allowed on the course, should stay on cart paths and/or rough, keeping distance between them and the players. It is preferable that you try to stay ahead of the group you are watching. That way you can assist in quickly finding errant shots and don’t interfere with the players.
  • Parents, caddies, and spectators may not coach a player during the round. Players are expected to know enough about the rules of the golf to be able to complete their round without assistance. When a player has a rules question, it should be taken up with an on course rules volunteer or the Tournament Director.

Divisions, Player Point System, and The Bay Cup

There are five divisions for Boys and Girls:

  • Green is for beginners. Tournaments are 9 holes long and the tee boxes are placed in the fairway around 200 yards out from the green.
  • Copper is for players who have advanced from Green or have a handicap of 25 or higher. Tournaments are 9 holes long played from the red tees.
  • Bronze is for players who have advanced from Copper or have a handicap between 18 and 25. Tournaments are 18 holes long played from the red tees.
  • Silver is for players who have advanced from Bronze or have a handicap between 10 and 17. Tournaments are 18 holes long played from the white tees (red tees for girls).
  • Gold is for players who have advanced from Silver or have a handicap less than 10. Tournaments are 18 holes long played from the blue tees (red for girls).

Points are awarded at each tournament. 10 points to first place, 8 to second, 6 to third, 4 to fourth, and 2 to fifth. Players outside the top 5 are awarded 1 point.

Points leaders in each division will be recognized at the end of the season awards ceremony and are eligible for the Bay Cup.  The SCJGA board members will have the final say in the selection of the team.

The Bay Cup is a Ryder Cup match play style tournament held at the end of each season against Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association.  Santa Cruz is trailing Pebble Beach in the annual competition with 3 wins, 1 tie, and 5 losses.

Advancement

To advance to the next card level a player must shoot a qualifying score in three SCJG tournaments or win two SCJG tournaments with a qualifying score. Qualifying scores carry over season to season.

Qualifying Score

  • Green to Copper: 49 or lower.
  • Copper to Bronze: 49 or lower.
  • Bronze to Silver: 17 over par, or lower on 18 holes.
  • Silver to Gold: 7 over par, or lower, on 18 holes.

Awards

We award medals in each division for 1st place and 2nd place.