2018 CAPTAIN S GUIDE

Transcription

1 2018 CAPTAIN S GUIDE

2 2018 PGA JR. LEAGUE CAPTAIN S GUIDE Welcome to the team! This PGA Jr. League Captain s Guide is designed to serve as your roadmap to a successful season. In these pages, you ll find detailed information, recommendations and best practices around hosting your teams and leagues. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Parent and Captain Feedback... 1 Why PGA Jr. League?... 2 Program Overview... 3 Season Timeline... 3 PRE-SEASON Meet Your Support Team... 4 Captain Roles & Responsibilities... 4 Growth Models & Strategies... 5 Pricing Toolkit u Information... 7 Registration Guidance... 9 League Formation Player Engagement Team Formation IN-SEASON Pre-Game Preparations Onsite Game Operations Post-Game Procedures Ending Your Season POST-SEASON Post-Season Play APPENDIX Insurance Youth Safety Initiative PGA Member Service Requirements Payments Refunds & Disputes Local Sponsorships... 19

3 PARENT & CAPTAIN FEEDBACK PGA JR. LEAGUE IS COMMITTED TO ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH EXPERIENCES THAT TRANSCEND GOLF. What parents are saying: We love the community that this organization builds. Kids learn to support each other and celebrate both wins and losses. They develop not just golf skills but life skills, too. John M., North Carolina We loved being part of it, and my daughter learned a lot about sportsmanship, the rules of the game and how to be an encouraging teammate. The format was also very inclusive for players of all levels. We will definitely do it again next year. Lattie J., North Carolina It is a great forum to learn about golf, develop experience and social skills The interaction with PGA Professionals also gives young people an exposure to another career area during an impressionable stage with good role models. F.H., California What Captains are saying: PGA Jr. League gives junior golfers an opportunity to learn to compete in a nonintimidating setting. The combination of practices and competitions is great for all ages the older golfers make great mentors for the younger ones, and it gives them a great sense of game knowledge. Sally C., Gateway PGA Section We really enjoyed the atmosphere that the PGA Jr. League created at the club. It was truly great to see how the kids formed a relationship with each other through the team format. Another great perk of the league was how much added revenue that it brought to the club as well, not only through green fees, but also food and beverage sales. John L., Middle Atlantic PGA Section There is so much to like! The best qualities are: 1) camaraderie and teamwork for young people in a game that is often very individual, 2) fun atmosphere combining competition and cooperation, 3) because of the format, opportunity for some players to compete on courses that may be too long or challenging to play their own ball, and 4) a chance to get parents and the community engaged as volunteers, coaches, chaperones, team moms/dads, etc. Evan J., Pacific Northwest PGA Section 1

4 WHY PGA JR. LEAGUE? PGA Jr. League is a game-changing program that s shifting the perception of youth golf and the way our sport is played. With PGA Jr. League, PGA Professionals, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals engage their communities through experiences that transcend golf. As Captains, you are positively enriching the lives of families, building loyalty and increasing family activity at your facilities, all while generating significant personal and facility-based revenue. The family-centered environment created with PGA Jr. League inspires lifetime interest in the game. Background What started as an idea penned on a cocktail napkin while watching the Little League World Series, PGA Jr. League has continued growing rapidly since its launch in In 2017, 42,000 boys and girls played on 3,400 teams nationwide, a tremendous leap from the 9,000 kids on 740 teams just four years prior in Additionally, Lexi Thompson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Michelle Wie serve as PGA Jr. League Ambassadors, bringing national awareness to the program. Below are key participation insights from the 2017 season that showcase PGA Jr. League as a program for everyone, at every facility: Experience Level of Players: 80% of players were beginner or recreational golfers, demonstrating the developmental nature of the program. Ages: Almost half of players were ages 10 and under (43%), while the other half (57%) were 11-16, reflecting the popularity of the program across a wide spectrum of ages. Gender by Participation: 25% of players were girls, which is slightly higher than the national average. Facility Type: 51% of hosting facilities were public and 49% were private, demonstrating that the program can drive value to all facility types. Retention of Players from 2016: 73% of eligible players returned to the program. Member Satisfaction: With almost 1,200 responses from Captains, PGA Jr. League has a Net Promoter Score (measures customer experience and predicts business growth) of 71%, which is industry-leading and demonstrates the immense popularity among PGA and LPGA Members. Consumer Satisfaction: With 9,000 responses from parents, PGA Jr. League has a Net Promoter Score of 73%, making it one of the best-in-class in youth sports programs. For parents, the core values of PGA Jr. League are what resonate so well with them. Common words and phrases expressed through our 2017 survey of parents included: Sportsmanship: 504 mentions at 92% positivity rate Fun: 564 mentions at 91% positivity rate Courtesy: 250 mentions at 90% positivity rate Friendly Competition: 384 mentions at 84% positivity rate Professionalism: 82 mentions at 79% positivity rate Format The supportive, two-person scramble format is key it encourages mentorship, builds confidence and promotes sportsmanship. The expert instruction and coaching you provide through engaging experiences allows kids to spend time outdoors, develop healthy habits and be part of a teamoriented community. 2

5 PROGRAM OVERVIEW 13u 16u* Online parent registration through PGAJrLeague.com. Each player receives team kit items, including one blue and one orange jersey (for home and away); ball cap; performance tee-shirt; highquality bag tag; draw string bag; and more. Designed for boys and girls ages 13 and under (must not reach their 14 th birthday before July 31) from all backgrounds and skill levels. Teams must have a minimum of 8-10 players During the course of a game played between two teams, four matches will be played by at least two players from each team. Captains may substitute players within each of the game s four matches. A substitute player may only be subbed in at the start of a new flag (every three holes). National post-season and Championship eligibility. Same Same Designed for boys and girls ages (must not reach their 17 th birthday before July 31) from all backgrounds and skill levels. Teams of 4-6 players During the course of a game played between two teams, two matches will be played by at least two players from each team. Same No national post-season at this time (Sections may organize their own 16u post-season). *Captains MUST have a 13u division in order to offer a 16u program. Both the 13u and 16u divisions follow the rules and guidelines as outlined in the Conditions of Play, which can be found at PGAJrLeague.com. More information on the 16u program can be found on page 7. SEASON TIMELINE Season Timeline PGA Jr. League is designed to adapt to each Captain s unique facility needs. The official season is within a range of dates in which your team and league must complete its regular season of play. This typically consists of approximately six games, in addition to practices and lessons. CONSUMER REGISTRATION: February 1 REGULAR SEASON: April 1 July 31 POST-SEASON: August October CHAMPIONSHIP: November

6 MEET YOUR PGA JR. LEAGUE SUPPORT TEAM To better serve the growing number of PGA Professionals, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals captaining thousands of PGA Jr. League teams across the country, the PGA of America has hired 12 Regional League Managers, supported by two National League Managers, to provide expert coaching and resources needed to recruit, retain and engage kids, families and communities. The Regional League Managers work in close partnership with the Section offices, many of whom have key Section Staff who are also available to support and assist you. To find contact information for your Regional League Manager, visit PGA.org/PGAJrLeagueSupport. CAPTAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Captain Roles & Responsibilities In PGA Jr. League, PGA Members, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals play the essential role of team Captain. Whether you Captain one team, or oversee an entire league, your involvement is critical to the success of the program. As a Captain, you are the key to creating an inviting, welcoming atmosphere for your players and their families to enjoy golf. Similar to other recreational youth sports, parents may adopt a more involved role as an Coach. If you choose to designate the coaching duties to a non-pga Member, your primary role is that of team or league manager. Below are a few things to know about Captaining a team or league: 1. The Captain must be a PGA Member, PGA Apprentice or LPGA Professional in good standing, but he/she may assign any or all team duties to Coaches. Coaches may be other golf professionals, parents/guardians or volunteers. Please note that anyone other than the Captain who interacts with the players in a coach role must first register as an Coach through PGAJrLeague.com. 2. The Captain supervises the registration of team players, scheduling of practices and communication to players and parents regarding the team s game schedule. The Captain does not handle transportation of players to or from practices and games. Similar to other youth sports, parents/guardians are responsible for the transportation of their children to and from practices and games. 3. The Captain is responsible for administering or assigning the administration of the team s webpage on the PGA Jr. League website. Your team s website will provide you and your players with automated tools to schedule and score matches, communicate with players and parents/guardians, and much more. 4. A Captain or Coach from the home facility must be present during the game to act as the Rules Official. 5. A Captain or Coach must attend each away game and is responsible for players on the tee, substitutions, team and parent behavior, as well as the confirmation of the results. Volunteer Assistance PGA Jr. League creates a fun community environment for everyone associated with the program including parents/guardians and spectators. While spectators are asked to refrain from interacting with players during the game, they are strongly encouraged to attend matches, cheer and be supportive of the teams. Following are ways, beyond being a spectator, for a parent/guardian/volunteer to be a part of the team: 4

7 1. Register as an Coach: a. Practices Assist the Captain by running stations at practice, maintaining player engagement, and setting up and removing game items for practice stations. b. Games Act as a Match Facilitator by verifying scores after each hole, communicating with Captains about rulings, assisting in the search for golf balls and retrieving unchosen golf balls, as well as upholding general pace of play. 2. Team Event Coordinator: Organize snack assignments, oversee carpooling assistance, take pictures and post to social media. 3. Scoring Volunteer: Collect and verify scorecards and post scores onsite as well as online at PGAJrLeague.com. GROWTH MODELS & STRATEGIES Growth Models & Strategies Growth Model Best Practice Cameron Milton, PGA Cameron Milton is the PGA Head Professional at Polson Bay Golf Course in Polson, Montana, which is a small farming town with fewer than 600 kids ages within a seven-mile radius of the facility. Through a combination of spending time building strong relationships in the community and targeted marketing tactics, Cameron had 72 players in 2017! Financial Models Examples Gary Cressend, PGA: Augusta Country Club Josh Tremblay, PGA: Springfield Golf & Country Club Players = 91 Players = 26 Registration Fee = $240 ($165 to the Captain after the $75 PGA REACH fee) Registration Income = $15,015 Registration Fee = $175 ($100 to the Captain after the $75 PGA REACH fee) Registration Income = $2,600 Cart Revenue ($10 per cart) = $1,170 Average increase in monthly spend by family of $105 (26 x $105 x 12) = $32,760 F&B Revenue (average of $24 per spectator/player per match) = $22,745 Merchandise (average of $5 per player per match) = $2,730 Local Sponsorship = $5,000 Two social families converting to golf membership: 2 x $18,000 upgrade initiation = $36,000 2 x $3,600 dues increase = $7,200 One family joined as social member to play in PGA Jr. League: Initiation = $6,000 Annual Dues = $3,600 TOTAL REVENUE = $46,660 TOTAL REVENUE = $88,160 Public vs. Private Facility Examples Public and private facilities have different advantages and opportunities when it comes to growing and forming their programs. 5

8 Private Facilities: A database of members and contact information often exists, and potential players are much easier to identify. To join the team, players usually must be members of the club. However, some private facilities allow team members to invite a friend and let players affiliated with current members join the team. Some have had success with this practice as a marketing tool to generate membership leads. The close-knit community that a private facility can create will lead to word-of-mouth interest in the program that can rapidly spread. Successful programs can fill a team or league with greater ease after the groundwork has been laid. Public Facilities: Contact information for eligible players varies quite a bit among public facilities. Building and utilizing an attractive team page can be an important part of creating a successful PGA Jr. League team. In the past, public facilities tend to fill half of their team through recruiting and the other half by parents finding the program by searching for facilities on PGAJrLeague.com. Players and families will not always know each other when the season starts. It is a good idea to make your first practice open to all parents and players and host an information session to educate and communicate the expectations of your program along with an overview of PGA Jr. League. Consider hosting a pre-season parents-only meeting to outline expectations and give an overview of the program. In the past, Captains have had success reaching out to other sports organizations, after school programs, youth organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA and many more. Growth Plan There are several ways to grow your current PGA Jr. League program: 1. Host your own league: Benefits to hosting your own league include: a. Additional revenue and engagement with new and returning customers b. Complete control of game scheduling c. No travel required d. Form your own All-Star team e. Administer the league consistently and seamlessly f. Adapt the program to suit your facility s needs 2. Create additional teams: Consider starting a second/third/fourth/etc. team. If there is no room in your current league, your Regional League Manager can help you find an additional league. The same approach to filling out a small team can be used for finding the players to create an additional team. 3. Fill out a previously small team: Create an attractive Team Page visible to those who are looking for a team to join. Encourage current players to invite a friend to sign up for the team. Utilize the PGA REACH DICK S Sporting Goods Sports Matter Scholarship to reach a player pool that would have been previously unavailable. Activate parents/guardians and family members to promote the program to their network. 4. Create a 16u league or team: Approximately 20 % of players from last season will age out of the 13u program. While some of these players may be entering into tournament play, many others will want to continue enjoying team golf. Only four players are required for each 16u team, and we encourage you to consider running your own league with players. 6

9 PRICING TOOLKIT PGA Jr. League is one of the only youth sports leagues that features professionals as the coaches, as opposed to parents. Remember: parents want quality and are willing to pay for it. Keep this in mind as you price your program. The only set fee is the $75 PGA REACH fee. Step 1 Consider the value of your time when establishing a program fee. Games = 6 x 2.5 hours Practice = 6 x 1 hour Total Time = 21 hours Price per Hour =??? (you set it based on how you value your time let s say it is $12/hour/player) 21 hours x $12/hour = $252 program fee + $75 PGA REACH fee = $327 Total Program Fee (Keep in mind that this does not include your time spent traveling, prepping and administering the league) Step 2 Consider what you are including in your program. Examples could include: $200 Program Fee = games only $300 Program Fee = games + practices $400 Program Fee = games + practices + pre-season lesson series $500 Program Fee = games + practices + pre-season lesson series + two-month coaching program Step 3 Research what other programs are charging in your area, including golf and non-golf programs, to ensure you are not overpricing or underpricing yourself. Consider checking with other teams within your league to ensure consistent pricing; work with your Regional League Manager on this. Again, remember that you are comparing yourself to other leagues coached by parents, not professionals. When pricing your program, remember that parents want great activities for their kids and will gladly support them financially in these programs. 16U INFORMATION 16u Information Vision and Values 16u provides a continuation program for the thousands of PGA Jr. League players who turn 14 before August 1, while also offering a starting point for beginning and recreational players ages 16 and under. This is designed to be a recreational league for players who want to enjoy the game with their friends while competing on the golf course in a low-pressure format. Program Format PGA Jr. League 16u mirrors the 13u program by maintaining the team environment, scramble format and match play scoring. Team sizes are smaller to encourage more Captains to offer this program. A typical game in 16u will have two matches instead of four, so the starting lineup for a game will have 4-6 players instead of

10 It is strongly encouraged that leagues are built to mirror existing 13u leagues. This allows for consistent scheduling, with 16u games being conducted on the same date and at the same location as the 13u games. The 16u game can be played immediately before or after the 13u PGA Jr. League games. Distance maximums are as follows: par-5 should not exceed 500 yards, par-4 should not exceed 400 yards, and par-3 should not exceed 175 yards. There is no official post-season for 16u, although Captains are encouraged to arrange a post-season if desired. In some instances, PGA Sections have conducted 16u Section Championships. Value to PGA Professionals, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals 16u provides a vehicle for PGA Professionals, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals to engage a target group of players who often have limited opportunities to play since most offerings for this age group are fairly competitive. Thousands of players age out of PGA Jr. League each year and many would like to keep playing in this fun team environment. Captains can capitalize on additional revenue streams with a 16u program, which often leads to additional private lesson income, increased coaching opportunities, and increased activity for the facility. Next Steps 1. Select YES during your Captain Registration when asked if you will offer 16u. 2. Contact your Regional League Manager to communicate that you will offer 16u. 3. Communicate to the other Captains in your league that you will offer 16u and encourage them to offer it as well. Discuss 16u during all pre-season Captains meetings. 4. Promote to parents of current and past players who have aged out of the program, older siblings of 13u players, and friends who might be interested. 5. Stress that this is a low competitive environment that is safe for beginning or recreational players. 6. Promote to middle school and high school golf coaches, since many have players looking for a playing opportunity like this. 8

11 REGISTRATION GUIDANCE The registration process is outlined on PGA.org/PGAJrLeague. There, you will find an easy-to-follow infograph with step-by-step instructions for registration, as shown below: Edit Your Online Registration Once you have registered as a Captain through PGAJrLeague.com, you will have the ability to edit ANY information you input such as registration close date, price, max number of players, access code, what s included, overview of program, etc. \ 1. Open your web browser and visit PGAJrLeague.com/Login. 2. Input your username ( ) and password. 3. Once logged in, you will see your username in the top left-hand corner. Click on the drop-down arrow. 4. In the drop-down menu click on REGISTRATIONS. 5. In registrations, click on 2018 CAPTAIN REGISTRATION. 6. Within the 2018 Captain Registration, click on EDIT next to the section you wish to edit. 7. Once you make the appropriate edits, scroll down and click on SAVE REGISTRATION ENTRY. 9

12 LEAGUE FORMATION In-House Leagues If you have enough players, we strongly encourage you to form your own in-house league. You will reap benefits like forming your own All-Star Team, generating additional income to you and your facility, no travel for the players and their parents, etc. If you wish to have a team to travel and play against other facilities, you can also field a travel team. Your in-house league could be used as a developmental opportunity for your travel team. Pre-Season Captains Meetings with Regional League Managers Once all Captains have registered, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss details of the league for the season. The Regional League Manager will schedule a call or have an in-person meeting to get started and discuss league scheduling and management. Topics for discussion include, but are not limited, to: 1. Goals for the season 2. Possible sponsors for the league and the season 3. Select a league delegate to represent your fellow Captains for the season 4. Initial scheduling of matches for the league including dates and times 5. Site selection for each of the matches 6. Facility/local rules for each of the sites 7. Review PGA Jr. League Rules of Play, Conditions of Play, and agree on guidelines specific to your league any deviations from the Conditions of Play must be documented, agreed to by all Captains and communicated to all parents and players. 8. Player and spectator guidelines 9. Course set-up 10. Dispute and rules resolutions 11. Player and parent orientation 12. Review Post-Season All-Star Team selection process 13. Optional League Championship Game 14. Food and beverage, range ball, spectator cart and greens fees policy for each site 15. Pace of play 16. Post-Season fees 17. Dress code policy for each site 18. Once teams and leagues are all set, choose a Captain to enter all information in PGAJrLeague.com for the league Scheduling Determining and communicating the league schedule to parents early is critical in delivering an outstanding consumer experience. Preferably, this would happen prior to player registration opening on February 1, or at the latest prior to the season starting in the spring/summer. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this: 1. Edit the Program Overview section of Captain s Registration with the dates of key events during the season, practices, and matches. This way, parents know the schedule prior to registering for the program. 2. Schedule games through the website on your team pages 10

13 PLAYER ENGAGEMENT Vision PGA Jr. League is changing the way youth golf is learned and played. Local PGA Professionals, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals are giving boys and girls of all backgrounds and skill levels the opportunity to love a sport they can play for life, while bringing families and communities together for a fun and engaging team experience. Eligibility Boys and girls need no prior golf experience to participate in PGA Jr. League. This is easily one of the more common misconceptions surrounding PGA Jr. League. As you seek players, you should be looking for all kids not just your accomplished junior golfers! Consider the t-ball model. T-ball is designed entirely for kids to have fun, with the development of their hand-eye coordination skills as a secondary bonus result. Players aren t asked to participate for their skill. PGA Jr. League is open to boys and girls ages 13 and under, though an increasing number of facilities are offering 16u programs. The nurturing scramble format allows all teammates to work together and contribute to winning their game, regardless of skill level. Boys and girls of similar ability play and compete together in any match pairing. There are no separate divisions or tee boxes and yardages from which they play. Golf is a game for everyone. PGA Professionals, PGA Apprentices and LPGA Professionals are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all individuals who are interested in playing the game of golf. Players of all backgrounds are welcome, as well as youth with disabilities. Team size should range anywhere from 8-10 players (4-6 players for 16u teams). Keep in mind that during the regular season, families tend to travel, as the season occurs during summer break. PGA REACH Scholarships PGA Jr. League is the key youth initiative of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA REACH helps ensure that youth in need have access to PGA Jr. League by removing cost-associated barriers. Through PGA REACH s partnership with the DICK S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter grant, scholarships are available for players who meet the financial need requirements and apply for assistance. For more information, please contact Rich Richeson, PGA, at rricheson@pgahq.com or (972) Player Registration Player registration must be completed by the parent through PGAJrLeague.com. As the Captain, you will see players who have registered for your team through the Admin Portal of PGAJrLeague.com. Keep in mind that if your program is invite only, you must share your team access code with parents in order for them to register. Marketing and Promotion Promotional kits are sent to all registered Captains. Included in this kit are two posters, 50 rack cards, and a mockup showing how you can display your promotional kit items in your shop. 11

14 Proactively reaching out to your community is key in seeking players, and the PGA offers marketing materials and resources to help maximize your reach. These materials help ensure you are reaching your community in the following ways: Digitally Leverage your website, social media handles and communications with your customers to promote your program. Through Local Media Share the news with your local newspaper, television, radio and online media outlets. In Community Centers, Organizations and Schools Make inroads and build relationships with your local community organizations and school leaders in order to pass along print materials promoting your program. National Marketing Nationally, PGA of America s digital and broadcast partners including the PGA TOUR, NBC, Golf Channel, SportsEngine, DICK S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and more will help significantly bring more awareness to the program in TEAM FORMATION Team Formation Rostering Players Now that players have registered at your facility, you will roster them to a team. To complete the rostering process, follow the steps below: 1. Login to your SportsEngine account on PGAJrLeague.com 2. Click on the Rostering button from the left-hand menu 3. Make sure Assign Players is selected, then select the 2018 Player Registration from the drop-down menu 4. Click Filter in the people box and search for your team name, then select apply the filters 5. To the right, search for your facility in the Teams box. Click filter and find your facility/team and then select apply filters 6. Roster the players by selecting the individuals on the left that should be on the team. Click and drag them over to the team on the right and release your mouse. The Players will be automatically rostered to the team. Request Fulfillment Your players have registered and you have rostered them to the appropriate team(s). Now it s time to request jerseys! In order to do so, you need to communicate with your Regional League Manager. PLEASE NOTE: When requesting fulfillment, it s important that your team is finalized and registered players are confirmed. Once fulfillment is requested and team kits have shipped, the $75 PGA REACH fee is non-refundable. Pre-Season Team Meetings It is critically important to host a pre-season team meeting for parents and players. This can be scheduled once your players have registered, they have been rostered onto your team, and you have communicated with your Regional League Manager to order jerseys. Below are some items to cover in your pre-season team meeting: Program Overview and Format Spectator Conduct What to Expect Food and Beverage (allergies) 12

15 Practice and Match Schedule End of Season Party (if applicable) Dress Code (uniform distribution if Post-Season received prior to this meeting Cart Fees (if applicable) PRE-GAME PREPARATIONS Pre-Game Preparations Suggested Communications An organized event is dependent on the preparation of the Captains involved. Take the time to ensure that all Captains and Coaches are on the same page. Practice Schedule: A plan for practices with scheduled dates and times should be available as soon as possible for prospective players. It is best to have this schedule ready at the same time as the match schedule. Practice communication should include the following: date, day, start time, end time, what to wear, what to bring, and Captain and Coach contact information. Match Schedule: League schedules with dates and times of matches should be ready prior to your first practice. It is best to have this schedule ready prior to player registration. Match communication should include the following: date, day, start time, arrival time, dress code (players and spectators), spectator cart information (we recommend each league come to an agreement around fees and restrictions), food and beverage, team uniforms, and social media (hashtags and handles). Team Kits: Team kit items should be distributed as soon as possible after the first practice. Consider adding tees and ball markers to the kit at your cost. Players always seem to forget these items and they are vital during play. Online Store: New for 2018 is an online store where parents can purchase items to support your team. Review Conditions of Play All Captains in a league should gather to review the Conditions of Play and agree on the local rules of play prior to the start of the season. Pairing Players To make the experience enjoyable for all, it is best that Captains communicate the strategy used for pairing players and setting up matches. A competitive match is best for all involved but the kids enjoyment needs to be the first priority. We recommend match-up strategies the most enjoyable matches are those that are conducted when BOTH Captains use the same strategy to pair their players. Any of the strategies below can lead to a great experience. In all cases, Captains should rank and match their best pairings against the other team s best pairings, so that each match is competitive. Some strategies that have worked well in the past include: 1. Pair kids by matching ability levels. 2. Pair kids by age. 3. Pair kids by placing more experience with less experience

16 *Recommendation If a team has a large skill level and age disparity, it is best to match age level first, then skill level. The goal is for the kids to enjoy the experience. Mix your pairings up as you see fit to accomplish the goal. 4. When a match has three players on one side and substituting is necessary, we recommend each player is assigned two flags to compete in so all three players will play six holes each. Each player is required, at a minimum, to play one 3-hole flag. Below are some other important pre-match preparation items: Volunteer Scorer Pack: Place tees, ball markers, divot tools and pencils in a Ziploc bag. Players will forget these items and having extras can help the pace of play. Volunteer Scorer Sheets: Please include the following items: 1. Places to mark shots on each hole. 2. Jersey assignments (home and away). 3. Basic rules and relief situations that can be covered by a volunteer. For example: cart path relief, hazards, out of bounds, order of play, concession of hole. 4. Cell phone numbers for Captains and Coaches. On-Site Game Operations ON-SITE GAME OPERATIONS Code of Conduct PLAYER CONDUCT Players acknowledge that the purpose of PGA Jr. League is to have fun with friends. Players agree to demonstrate sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude. Players agree to be respectful of fellow players, spectators, coaches, and facility staff. Players agree to care for the golf facility and leave it in better condition than they found it. SPECTATOR CONDUCT Spectators acknowledge that the goal of PGA Jr. League is for players to have fun with friends. Spectators are encouraged to cheer, have fun and be supportive of all players. Spectators agree to stay on the cart path at all times. Spectators agree to refrain from having any contact with players during play of a match. Spectators agree to defer the review and enforcement of rules decisions to PGA Jr. League Officials. Failure to do so results in the first offense being a warning and the second offense being loss of the hole and expulsion. Conditions of Play The Conditions of Play is available on PGAJrLeague.com. Utilize Game Materials Various game material templates (scorecards, flag tracker, tee times, etc.) will be available through the Marketing Resource Center. You can access the Marketing Resource Center by visiting PGA.org/PGAJrLeague

17 Tee Times vs. Shotgun Start Depending on time of day, you may find advantages and disadvantages to using tee times or a shotgun start. With just four matches, tee times can work well at almost any time of the day. However, when more than four matches are involved, it is often easier and more time efficient to utilize a shotgun start. Also, when matches take place late in the day, a shotgun start can be an effective way to get all matches completed quickly. When finishing at the same time, parents are more likely to stay at the club in groups to have dinner. Local League Adjustments: Each league and facility has their unique requirements and restrictions. While there are certain PGA Jr. League rules that must be followed, leagues and facilities are encouraged to make local rules that promote an enjoyable experience for players and parents. For example: Agree with the opposing Captain that after 2 hours and 30 minutes, all remaining holes will be halved and players will return to the clubhouse. When courses have reasonable distances between holes, it is permissible to encourage parents to provide transportation to players from a green to the next tee. Create an Exciting Tournament Atmosphere: One of the principles of PGA Jr. League is to create a relaxed transition into tournament play for the recreational golfer, while at the same time offering a Tour-Caliber experience to the seasoned golfer. Below are some best practices for creating an exciting atmosphere: Announce player names on the tee. Rope off a teeing ground and scoring area. Put up a scoreboard and reception area. Place a players only cooler with water on the first tee. Promote Good Etiquette: Remind all players to shake hands with fellow competitors and thank the scorekeeper after the round. Remind players that it is proper to remove their hats when they do this. Pace of Play: With a program as inclusive as PGA Jr. League, it is likely that you will have players that may struggle to keep a reasonable pace of play. It is highly recommended that all Captains study the Pace of Play best practices in the Conditions of Play. These concepts should be covered in as much detail as possible during practices. Engaging Activities and Themes To help make the season more memorable for players, consider engaging them with fun activities and themes. Below are a few examples: Wildlife: Give a tutorial on local wildlife and foliage. Consider incorporating scavenger hunts. Agronomy tutorials: Ask the superintendent to attend a practice and give a quick lesson on setting a course, cutting holes, and the importance of doing your part as a player to take care of the course. Favorite Team Week: During a practice, host a favorite team week. Wear something representing your favorite sports team. Senior/Junior Week: Encourage senior golfers from your facility to come to a practice and pair them with a junior for a skills competition

18 POST-GAME PROCEDURES Post Scores on Mobile and Online As soon as possible, the home Captain or a member of his/her team should post scores on the PGAJrLeague.com and then inform all Captains that results have been posted. Captains should contact their parents by to announce the updated results. Game Summaries Prior to the season, provide a schedule of matches to local press. Also, contact local media by or phone to remind them of the matches that are scheduled. Use social media to announce results as well as the date and time of remaining matches. Upon completion of matches, complete a summary of results and send to all media contacts. Use all facility resources to announce results of the matches. (i.e. club newsletter, club flyers, club social media, etc.) Share Your Stories Send copies of stories to your Regional League Manager for sharing to PGA.org, PGAJrLeague.com, and PGA Jr. League social media channels (especially holes-in-one; pictures; and other cool stories, i.e. triplets on team, a player overcoming a heart condition, etc.). ENDING YOUR SEASON Team Party Ideas Ending Your Season It is recommended that you schedule a season-ending party for players and their families. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize your players, parents, your team, and volunteers. Communicate the event to your facility, team, parents and coaches. Coordinate with your facility and food and beverage department to schedule and plan the event. Order any prizes and gifts that will be given to the players, league managers, coaches and volunteers. Finalize a schedule of events for the party and share with your team. o If possible, include fun events for your team members. This may include putting contests, short game contests, facility season trivia games, and other creative opportunities for the kids to have fun at the event. POST-SEASON Post-Season While PGA Jr. League is designed to be more recreational than competitive, there is no denying that the thrill of competition fuels some of the fun. The competition also helps keep role model players involved in the program to provide peer mentoring to younger, developing players. The post-season is comprised of all-star teams made up of a combination of players from all teams in your league. Depending on the number of leagues in your geographic area, your all-star team may need to compete in post-season Section qualifiers, Section Championships and Regional competitions in order to advance to the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental. 16

19 POST-SEASON, CONT D Please note, all-star players will have to produce birth certificates prior to the Regional competitions. At the end of your regular season, a league champion team will be crowned. The winning Captain will be your league s all-star team Captain unless he/she declines the opportunity, in which case the 2nd place Captain will have next priority, then the 3rd place Captain, and so on. All-star teams are comprised of ten players from the league s regular season teams. Every team in the league will have some representation on the all-star team, however the actual numbers will vary based on league size. Forfeiting multiple matches or participating in a league with less than four teams could limit your team s inclusion on a league s all-star team. Final consideration will be made among all Captains in your league and the PGA of America. Each all-star team will be comprised of ten active players. The recommended breakdown is: For a seven-team league: the league champions get three spots, runner-up gets two spots, one spot each from the remaining five teams For a six-team league: the league champions team gets four spots, runner-up gets two spots, one spot each from the remaining four teams For a five-team league: the league champions team gets four spots, runner-up gets two spots, one spot each from the remaining three teams, one at large spot awarded by league Captains majority vote For a four-team league: the league champions team gets four spots, runner-up gets three spots, two spots for the third-place team, one spot for the fourth-place team At no time, without the expressed permission of the PGA of America, will an all-star team be permitted to have more than five players on its roster from any one team in the league. Beginning with Section qualifiers (1st stage of post-season), ten all-star players are required to participate. A team that arrives with less than ten players will incur a 2-stroke penalty for every player not present. Penalty strokes will be added to the overall aggregate team score. Beginning with Section Championships. A team that arrives with only nine players will forfeit one point to the opposing side for each overall game score, each session. A team that arrives with eight or less players will forfeit two points to the opposing side for each overall game score, each session. These deductions apply to each round of competition. The Competition Committee has the authority to waive penalty strokes and/or point forfeitures outlined above for player medical situations only. Upon request, players should be prepared to submit supporting documentation from a physician within 24-hours of the event. Under special circumstances, the PGA of America also reserves the right to allow for a permanent roster replacement pending investigation. All-star players must participate in at least three of their team s regular season games to be eligible. The PGA of America reserves the right to request regular season scorecards to confirm game participation. All regular season play must conclude with all-star teams selected and rosters submitted to the Regional League Manager by July

20 APPENDIX Insurance The PGA of America s liability policy extends insurance coverage to the Members and Apprentices of The Professional Golfers Association of America. This coverage is applicable on an individual basis only and will pay damages if legally obligated while the individual members and apprentices are playing, practicing, officiating and teaching the game of golf as well as incidental club repair. To review the details of this coverage, please visit PGAInsurance.com and view this flyer. However, business entities (LLCs, Corporations), operations, assets, liabilities and employees of such business entities are not covered through this program. It is highly recommended that each facility that implements PGA Jr. League purchase or maintain a separate policy to cover any business pursuits. Youth Safety Initiative As part of the PGA of America s commitment to youth safety and in accordance with the PGA of America s Youth Safety Program, all Captains, Coaches and Volunteers must successfully complete screening, as determined by the PGA of America, including, but not limited to, a background screen, prior to having any interaction with the players. The background screen fee of $16.50 will be paid for by the PGA of America on behalf of all Captains. Any non-pga/lpga Professionals who are going to be Coaches or Volunteers will be required to pay the $16.50 background screening fee during their registration. Upon successful completion of the entire registration process, each authorized Captain, Coach and Volunteer will be listed on the PGA Jr. League website for parents/guardians to review. PGA Member Service Requirements PGA Jr. League Captains and Coaches receive 3 MSR credits per team that they Captain/Coach. New for this year, and going forward, these credits will post following the season close date of July 31. Due to this change, the PGA will be monitoring for those Captains/Coaches who need the MSR posted to the current MSR cycle (ending June 15, 2018). If you need these credits posted for the current cycle, please contact your Regional League Manager, who will work with the Membership Department at PGA HQ to verify that you will have your credits posted to this current cycle ending June 15, Otherwise, MSRs for the 2018 season will apply towards the new cycle (beginning June 16, 2018). Again, please note going forward that PGA Jr. League MSRs will be posted in August of each year. Due to the MSR cycle ending in the middle of the 2018 season, please note that any Captain who is moved to Class F or Reserve (formerly Inactive) status will be allowed to complete their regular season. However, a Class F or Reserve Captain will be ineligible to serve as an All-Star Captain for the 2018 post-season. Payment Captains should determine the following during Captain Registration: Whether to collect their full program fee from parents through the website (eliminating the need to a make a second payment). Whether to collect just the $75 PGA REACH fee through the website and collect the remaining balance offline. By providing your parents the convenience of paying the entire fee online (more than the standard $75 PGA REACH fee), payment will be distributed to the Captain by check when your Team Kit ships. Upon the Team Kit being shipped, PGA REACH will retain the $75 league fee for all registrations. Parents are required to confirm at checkout their acceptance that once the team kit has shipped this $75 is non-refundable. 18

21 Refunds and Disputes 1. Parent notifies Captain they are requesting a refund 2. Captain requests the parent forwards their PGA Jr. League Online Store Receipt to them 3. Captain forwards the parent's to pgajrleaguerefund@pgahq.com 4. In the absence of a receipt, the Captain collects the following information from the Parent and forwards it to pgajrleaguerefund@pgahq.com: a. Payee First and Last Name (must match the name on the credit card that was used) Captain Name b. Order Total (Registration Fee + Processing Fee) 5. Refund is processed and parent receives an auto-notification NOTE 1: If the Team Kit has already shipped, the $75 registration fee paid to PGA REACH is nonrefundable NOTE 2: If the Parent requests a refund directly from PGA REACH the refund will be issued and the Captain will be notified NOTE 3: In the event that a chargeback dispute is initiated by a parent, the PGA will immediately send notification to the Captain via their to confirm if the chargeback is valid. If a refund is not due, the Captain will be required to submit documentation to refute the chargeback within seven days. If the chargeback is lost and the Captain has already received the registration fees, the Captain will be required to send payment to refund PGA REACH for the amount previously funded. The expectation is that whenever possible, the Captain should handle communication with the Parent in resolving the chargeback within the seven days. Local Sponsorships Similar to other youth sports, team Captains are encouraged to secure local sponsorship from their community in support of their team or league. A team Captain and local sponsor should consider the following rules before entering into a contractual agreement: 1. A PGA Jr. League Captain has a restricted right to procure local sponsorship for their team(s). Sponsorships can enhance the benefits offered to your players (additional clinics, snacks, post-season travel) or can simply add to the bottom-line profitability of your program. Please note, sponsorships are limited to one-year agreements. 2. A local sponsor can receive tee-marker recognition at your home games and can have their logo on the right sleeve of your team s jerseys. Only sponsors deemed appropriate for involvement in youth sports activities will be considered for approval by the PGA of America. 3. The only involvement-identity the sponsor can receive at their place of business is a team photo indicating appreciation for their sponsorship. 4. Prior to contracting local team sponsorship, a Captain must receive written approval of the sponsor from the PGA of America. 5. PGA Jr. League operates under the sponsorship guidelines of the PGA of America, and at no time will a sponsor, deemed in conflict with PGA national partners, patron sponsors or with primary Section sponsors, be approved. 6. Sponsorships from the following list of PGA of America protected business categories are precluded from PGA Jr. League involvement: a. Any golf equipment, ball, bag, accessories, apparel or footwear manufacturer. Dedicated PGA HQ staff will look to drive support both nationally and locally from these categories. b. Timepiece (this includes a restriction on wearable technology that has time display functionality) 19

22 c. Rental car d. Soft drink/sports drink/bottled water/iced tea 7. Businesses in the alcohol, tobacco or firearms industry are deemed inappropriate for youth sponsorship. In all cases, the PGA of America maintains ultimate rights of approval or denial of local sponsors. Should a team Captain wish to secure a local sponsorship for his or her team or league, please use the following process to secure the agreement: 1. Team Captain or representative solicits local team sponsorship (estimated value of approximately $200 to $500) from local area businesses, organizations and individuals. 2. Should a Captain need clarification on the eligibility of a local sponsorship, please submit the name of the sponsor to your Regional League Manager who will secure approval from the PGA of America. 3. Upon general agreement with local sponsor, team Captain or representative sends the sponsorship request to their respective Regional League Manager. 4. Captain submits name and profile of sponsor to their Regional League Manager for approval. No sponsorship will be authorized without this approval in writing. This process will be expedient and approvals will not be withheld without just cause. 5. Captain will receive notification with approval or denial from the PGA of America. 6. Upon notification of sponsorship approval, the Captain may move forward with contracting, fulfillment and activation of sponsorship commitments

23 Supported through PGA REACH, impacting lives through golf.