Junior Golf Association of Southwestern Michigan

A new beginning golf class for juniors has been added on July 7, 8 & 9. Ages 8 & under are from 3:00-4:15 and ages 9-15 are from 4:30-5:45. Cost is $40. Call Grand Prairie at 388-4447 to sign up!

Topic of the week: Sportsmanship
The USGA Rules of Golf and the JGA Code of Conduct both contain information about how players should conduct themselves on the golf course. Through the first week of Tournaments and League Play, many incidents were witnessed on the golf course that bring in to question the integrity of many players.

What counts as a stroke? A stroke is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball. A stroke is counted even when you swing at and miss the ball (yes, "whiffs" count). Penalty strokes also count toward a players score. Practice swings are not a stroke, nor is accidentally knocking the golf ball off the tee.

Why would anyone cheat? The first answer that comes to mind is "because they think they can get away with it!". Others feel that their score is a reflection of their own self-worth. Either way, cheating is unacceptable at any level and goes against the long history of Golf being an honorable game. There are no referees on the golf course to call penalties on players as in other sports. Golfers traditionally have good sportsmanship and follow the rules religiously. There are well-known players who have called penalties on themselves when no one else even knew what happened. Bobby Jones, Greg Norman, and Tom Kite have all lost championships for calling penalties on themselves. When praised for his honesty, Bobby Jones replied "You might as well praise a man for not robbing a bank."

If a player player witnesses a breach of the Rules but says nothing, he becomes as guilty as the player who broke the Rules (see Rule 1-3. Agreement to Waive Rules). Not knowing the Rules is never an excuse. The Rules commonly refer to "in equity", or what would be fair for everyone. Players should report any Rules infractions or scoring questions to the Committee before returning score cards.

For other golf Sportsmanship information, visit the following links:
The Junior Golfer's Creed
Courtesy on the Golf Course
Golf Sportsmanship

Rule of the Week: 6-6. Scoring in Stroke Play
a. Recording Scores
After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round, the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.
b. Signing and Returning Score Card
After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-6b: Disqualification
c. Alteration of Score Card
No alteration may be made on a score card after the competitor has returned it to the Committee.
d. Wrong Score for Hole
The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher that actually taken, the score as returned stands.
Note 1: The Committee is responsible for the addition of scores and application of the handicap recorded on the score card - see Rule 33-5.

12 & Under Instructional:
The third instructional session is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st at Grand Prairie. We will be following the same format as the first two weeks and working to improve our fundamentals. New topics in upcoming weeks will include how to keep score, following Rules and etiquette, and how to prepare for a round of golf. Click here to see your assigned group and instructional times. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to get checked in.

It's time to start thinking about playing at Red Arrow (beginning July 22nd). If your child does not have clubs, he or she will need them to play at Red Arrow. Tee times will be assigned at 10-minute intervals starting at 8:00. Ages 8 & under will play 3 holes starting on hole #1. Ages 9-12 will play 6 holes starting on hole #4. With the size of this age group, tee times could last until 12:00 noon. Parents are encouraged to walk with their children while playing at Red Arrow. If you have a request for pairings or starting times, please email jga@kalamazoogolf.org. We will start preparing tee times and post them online by July 15th.

12 & Under Tournament:
Congratulations to Tyler Rayman and Carrie Radomsky for winning the first event at Red Arrow! Your next event is scheduled at Maple Hills on Thursday, July 3rd. Tee times are posted online here. Remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tee time to get your scorecard and get checked in. Click here to view your age group's rules.

13-15:
Congratulations to Mitchell Wandell and Cassidy Goldner for winning the first event at States! Your next event is scheduled at Pine View on Wednesday, July 2nd. Tee times are posted online here. Remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tee time to get your scorecard and get checked in. Click here to view your age group's rules.

15-17:
Congratulations to Austin Avery and Laura Glass for winning the first event at Thornapple Creek! Your next event is scheduled at Olde Mill on Monday, June 30th. Tee times are posted online here. Girls also have an event at Pine View Wednesday, July 2nd. Tee Times are posted online here. Remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tee time to get your scorecard and get checked in. Click here to view your age group's rules.

Junior Golf Leagues:
** Click here to visit and bookmark the Junior Golf Leagues home page. You will find all updated information on this page. Scores, handicaps, points, and JL1 event winners are all posted online.

** Please download and read the League guidelines.

** Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tee time to get checked in and to receive your scorecard. Your tee time is the time you should be hitting your first shot, not the time you arrive at the golf course!

** Remember that make-up games are encouraged and be sure you get your scorecard turned in to the front counter after playing a make-up round.

** Players in JL2, JL3 and JL4 are expected to calculate their Stableford points from now on. Click here to download a .pdf about how to calculate points. We will help players calculate their points when they are finished with their round.

** Players will sign up for tee times for the next 2 weeks this week (July 7 & July 14). From now on, you will be signing up for tee times 2 weeks in advance. Remember, if you do not play during league time, you may call Grand Prairie at 388-4447 the day after your league to sign up for your next tee time. You may also email jga@kalamazoogolf.org with cancellations.

** Teams for JL2 will be formed after this week's play. JL3 and JL4 will be individual Stableford points.

JGA QUICK FACTS:
Established - 1987
Director - PGA Certified Professional Dean Marks, named
2007 "Junior Golf Leader" by Michigan Section PGA
Headquarters - Grand Prairie Golf Course
Address - 3620 Grand Prairie Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Phone # (269) 388-4447
email - jga@kalamazoogolf.org
2008 Total Participants to date - 568 (379 JGA, 189 Jr. Leagues)
2008 Total Events - 30
2008 JGA Entry Fee - $50.00
2008 Jr. League Entry Fee - $15.00
JGA Scholarships awarded since 1997 - 33, totaling over $43,000