Player Policies & Code of Conduct

The RCGA and CN Canadian Women's Tour (hereafter “CN TOUR”) take great pride in the quality of its players, host facilities, and championships. In order to continue making RCGA and CN TOUR tournaments enjoyable for everyone, the RCGA requires all participants to adhere to a set of guidelines contained in this Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is to be followed throughout the players' stay at the tournament, including practice rounds, as well as off the golf course. Competitors who are 18 years of age and under must adhere to the RCGA Junior Code of Conduct in addition to this Code.

Violations of the Code of Conduct on the golf course

Unsporting conduct, including abusive language, club throwing, disrespect to volunteers, officials or fellow competitors, or abuse of golf course property.
Use of drugs, alcohol, headphones or cell phones.
Failure to adhere to the dress code during practice round or tournament play.

Violations of the Code of Conduct off the golf course

Any use or association with drugs.
Any vandalism at a host hotel, abusive behaviour to host family or their property.
Any other conduct deemed by the Committee to be unbecoming of an RCGA and CN TOUR participant.

Dress Code

A CN TOUR player is expected to present a professional appearance, appropriate to the game of golf in both clothing and grooming. This applies at all times when a player is on tournament property or attending a tournament function. The Tournament Committee will review questionable attire. Should a host facility have a stricter dress code, its policy will take precedence. Participants in violation of the Dress Code will not be allowed to tee off or, if the violation is discovered once play has begun, the participant will be asked to immediately discontinue play. Inappropriate apparel includes, but is not limited to blue jeans, cut-offs, running shorts, crop tops, tank tops or t-shirts. In addition:

Shirts without a collar must have sleeves.
Shorts must be a minimum of mid thigh in length and may not be rolled up
It is a condition of RCGA competitions that shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this rule is DISQUALIFICATON .

Violations of this policy will be at the sole discretion of CN Tour officials and are not subject to appeal.

Pace of Play

Every player is responsible for maintaining her pace of play for her own sake and that of the rest of the field. The pace of play will be monitored closely by the Rules Officials and violations will not be tolerated. To this end, players must adhere to the RCGA Pace of Play Policy. The RCGA Pace of Play Policy will be available at all championships.

During a practice round players are expected to maintain their position on the golf course in relation to the group in front of them. The onus is on the players to adhere to this policy. Players may take an additional practice putt, play an additional ball from the tee or to a green, and play two chip shots or two bunker shots per hole providing they are not delaying play or interfering with the play of other groups.

Registration

All competitors must register at the tournament registration table at the host club between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Day #1 of the championship. Players who fail to register at this time, without informing tournament officials prior to such time, are subject to DISQUALIFICATION as well as further disciplinary action and will not receive a refund of their entry fee. If, for any reason you are unable to register by the designated time you must contact the RCGA in advance to confirm your attendance at the championship and Alison Turcotte at 1-800-263-0009 ext. 250 or aturcotte@rcga.org.

Caddies

Caddie conduct is the responsibility of the player. All caddies are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with this policy. Consequently, a player may be penalized in accordance with this policy due to the conduct of their caddie. The Committee has the authority to suspend a caddie from a championship and/or from future events. Caddies may not use pull carts. Competitors may carry their own clubs or use a pull cart. When carrying or using a pull cart, a competitor cannot have the additional assistance of a caddie.

Caddies must wear flat, rubber-soled shoes (running, tennis, basketball shoes). Spiked or spikeless golf shoes of any kind must not be worn . Golf shorts are permitted, however, they must not extend beyond the top of the knee, and must not be shorter than three inches above the knee. Either ankle or knee socks are required when shorts are worn. Golf shirts must have collars. Rugger pants, jeans and tank tops are not permitted. Female caddies must follow the CN Tour competitor dress code.

The caddie dress code is in effect during all practice rounds, championship rounds, and at all times when on the host golf course property. Any breach of the dress code or caddie regulations must be rectified immediately or may result in the individual's suspension from the championship and/or future events.

Player Housing

As a CN Tour competitor you are an ambassador for the championship and the RCGA during your stay in the host city, particularly if the host committee has assisted you with player housing. As stated previously, a competitor can be in breach of the CN Tour Code of Conduct due to their behaviour off of the golf course so please adhere to the following player housing guidelines:

Be respectful of the host and their property.
Hosts are not responsible for accommodating anyone other than the competitor.
Hosts are not responsible for competitor transportation.
Hosts are not responsible for providing meals.

Credentials

Each competitor will be given a CN Canadian Women's Tour player badge to be worn during CN TOUR events. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that this identification is worn at all of the events. If this Tour ID is lost, misplaced or forgotten, a limited number of replacements will be available upon payment of a $100 fine.

Thank You Notes

Thank you notes are a strongly recommended and should be sent out within two weeks of the completion of an event. The names and addresses of the appropriate people to receive thank you notes are on the CN TOUR fact sheets. The CN Canadian Women's Tour is not possible without the contributions of our title sponsor and the host facilities.

Amateur Status

If a competitor registers for a championship as an amateur, the competitor waives all rights to prize money in that event.

Code of Conduct Penalties

A competitor's entry may be rejected or withdrawn at any time (including during the Championship) by the RCGA and CN TOUR for a violation of this Code of Conduct.
Any Code of Conduct violation may result in a written letter to the player, as well as withdrawal of application and/or suspension from future RCGA sanctioned competition(s).
Entry fees will not be refunded to players suspended from a competition.

Purse & Pro-Am Cheques

The prize money breakdown and official Pro-Am fees earned at a CN Canadian Women's Tour event will be forwarded to the Royal Canadian Golf Association accounting department for processing within 24 hours of the completion of each championship. Following the accounting approval process, the payment of Tour earnings will be distributed via mail within one week. The Purse and/or Pro-Am cheques will be sent to the mailing address listed on your entry form.

If any player is not a Canadian resident, a 15% withholding tax will be held from any prize money earned on the CN Canadian Women's Tour. This is in compliance with US-Canada Tax Law.