2007-2008 Golf Information

REGULAR SEASON:

1. Golf is a state championship event in each classification for boys and for girls held on a region basis. In addition to the team competition, there will be an individual low-medalist competition.
   1. Boys Teams: A team may consist of six players, with the best four scores counting as the team score. Girls Teams: A team may consist of four players, with the best two scores counting as the team score.
   2. Girls will use the tee boxes designated for ladies in both regular-season and post-season competition.

2. All GHSA golf matches shall be conducted in accordance with the “Rules of Golf” as published by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Exceptions specific to all GHSA competitions include:
   1. Players may use push/pull carts in regular season and post season matches. Motorized carts or caddies are not permitted.
   2. Players may NOT use electronic devices that compute playing distances during competition.

3. Notification of entry in golf competition is filed with the Region Secretary by April 14, 2008, and the form is found in the “GHSA Forms Notebook.” A school may list the allowed number of team members, plus up to two (2) alternates. Substitutions on the golf team may be made at the Region and State level using only those players listed on the entry form submitted to the REGION SECRETARY.

4. The number of golf matches allowed (excluding region and state tournaments) is twelve (12) playing dates. NOTE: A 9-hole match played prior to April 1 will count as 1/2 playing date.

5. Beginning and ending dates for practice and competition can be found at the front of this publication.
   1. There will be no interschool practice or scrimmages in golf.
   2. A golf match may not begin prior to the end of the school day with the exception of the region or state tournament.

6. A maximum of two golf coaches may confer with their golfers between each green and the next tee box so long as there is no delay in play.

7. In the event that a match ends in a tie during the regular-season or post-season competition, a “team sudden-death playoff” will be used.
   Boys:
   1. All six (6) players will play the first playoff hole.
   2. The first foursome will include the top two players from each team, the second foursome will include the 3rd and 4th scorers from each team, and the final foursome will include the other two players.
   3. The best four (4) scores of each team will count.
   4. If the teams are still tied, all players will proceed to the next playoff hole.
      NOTE: At the Boys AAAAA 36-hole State Tournament, the following deviation will be made: the top three (3) golfers for each team will tee off on first hole, followed by the next three (3) for each team. Before the beginning of the Tournament, the coach shall designate the top three (3) golfers.
   Girls:
   1. All four (4) players will play the first playoff hole.
   2. The first twosome will include the top player from each team, the second twosome will include the 2nd place scorer from each team, and the final foursome will include the other players.
   3. The best two scores of each team will count.
   4. If the teams are still tied, all players will proceed to the next playoff hole.

8. It is permissible for coaches to use “split squads” during the regular season. However, the use of split squads will count as two (2) of that school’s maximum allowed competitions.

REGION TOURNAMENT:

1. Each region tournament will be an 18-hole team event.
   1. Details of the tournament will be sent to schools by the local tournament director.
   2. Boys: A school may enter up to six players, and the best four scores count for region competition. Girls: A school may enter up to four players, and the best two scores count for region competition.
   3. Boys: The region champions and runner-up teams will advance to the state tournament. Girls: The region champions and runner-up teams will advance to the state tournament.
   4. Upon completion of the region tournament, the coach of each advancing team must submit the team’s order of play for the State Tournament. This entry, along with the team’s “Contestants List,” must be sent to the GHSA office by 9:00 a.m., on April 30, 2007. Lineup changes must be submitted to the GHSA office no later than noon the Thursday before the State Tournament (May 3, 2007).
   5. Regions are not required to use the State Tournament regulations for approximate playing yardage. However, the use of these distances better qualifies the golfers for the State Tournament.

2. Each region tournament will have individual medalist competitions in addition to the team competition.
   1. The low-scoring medalist in each region (boy and girl) advances to the state tournament even if not on a team qualifying from that region.
   2. Schools who do not have a regular girls golf team may enter one girl in the region tournament to compete for low-medalist honors for girls.
   3. Any girl on a girls golf team is automatically in competition for low-medalist honors for girls.

STATE TOURNAMENT:

1. The State Golf Tournaments in all classifications will be held on May 5, 2008.
   1. The AAAAA Boys State Tournament is a 36-hole, one-day event.
   2. All other State Tournaments are 18-hole events.
   3. The format of the state tournaments will be determined each year by the GHSA Executive Director at the same time the tournament sites are selected.
   4. Details of the state tournaments will be sent to the schools involved by the respective tournament directors.
   5. Lineup changes from the Region to the State Tournament must be submitted to the Tournament Director no later than 12 noon on the Friday before the State Tournament (May 2, 2008).
   6. The approximate playing yardage for each championship shall be 6,500 yards for boys and 5,500 yards for girls.

2. The Georgia State Golf Association will provide each school meet director and host club professional the information on how to mark and prepare a golf course for competition; however, the responsibility for performing those duties will rest with the tournament meet director or host professional. The GSGA will provide officials for the State Tournament to answer questions regarding the rules of Golf.

3. The sites for the 2008 State Golf Tournaments will be:
   1. Boys:

      AAAAA	Jekyll Island - Oleander
      	Host: Glynn County Schools
      AAAA	TBD
      	Host: TBD
      AAA	Hawks' Ridge Golf Club, Ballground
      	Host: Blessed Trinity School
      AA	TBD
      	Host: TBD
      A	TBD
      	Host: TBD

   2. Girls:

      AAAAA	Jekyll Island - Indian Mounds
      	Host: Glynn County Schools
      AAAA	TBD
      	Host: TBD
      AAA	Trophy Club of Atlanta, Alpharetta
      	Host: Blessed Trinity School
      AA	Gold Creek Resort, Dawsonville
      	Host: Dawson County High School
      A	TBD
      	Host: TBD