ARTICLE 20
GOLF

Section 1.  RULES

All matches under the jurisdiction of the RIIL will be played according to the United States Golf Association rules as amended by the local club rules, except for any special rulings made by the Principals’ Committee on Athletics.  Lack of knowledge of the rules of play will not be acceptable for any violation of same.

FREE Rules Resource Links (Download the App):                

• USGA Official Rules - iOS App
• USGA Official Rules - Android App                             

1. No players, parents, or spectators will be allowed to coach or give advice to any players while they are competing during regular season matches or the state tournament.  Players, parents and spectators must maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from all players.

2. Only one (1) certified coach per school will be allowed to coach during a match.   At the State Championship tournament, a badge/credential will be distributed to the designated coach from each school.  Failure to abide by this rule may result in disqualification.

3. Coaches will be responsible for maintaining the constant play of their respective teams, which will not cause a slowdown in overall play.

4. Caddies, caddie carts, or other vehicles for riding by the contestants may not be used in RIIL golf matches.  Exceptions due to physicals handicaps will be allowed.  Requests for exceptions, accompanied by supporting documentation, must be submitted to the Director of Golf.

1.      Contestants are permitted to use pull/push carts in any match, including the state championships, provided they are allowed for use by the host golf course.

5. All participants must abide by the dress code as established by the golf course on which the match is being held. 

6. Betting by participants is strictly prohibited.  Participants who violate this rule will be disqualified.

7. Misconduct and unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated, and violators will be disqualified.  This specifically refers to improper language, improper behavior and unnecessary damage to the golf course, golf course equipment, property, etc. 

8. Boys will play from the middle or white tees.  Girls will play from forward or red tees.  The player must play from the designated tee marker submitted for the entire season.

8. Electronic devices: Players may use a device to measure distance only.  Use of a device to gauge or measure other conditions is not permitted.  Cell Phones will be used to enter and track Live Scoring through the RIIL Golf App at all matches. Ear buds/headphones or playing music are not permitted during play.  Penalty is disqualification.

8. Any golfer who fails to finish a round and voluntarily walks off will be assessed a penalty for each hole that they do not complete.  The individual will be assessed double par for each hole not completed and will be suspended from the next league match.

Section 2.   SCHEDULE/MATCHES

The RIIL will make up the schedules and order of matches.  Schools may make changes depending on the availability of courses.  Each team will consist of four (4) to six (6) golfers who will be ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No.4, No. 5, and No.6, respectively.

1. The four (4) lowest scores for each team will determine the team score.  The team with the lowest score (strokes) will be declared the winner of the match.

2. Coaches should set each match and lineup on the iWanamaker website to be administered through the RIIL Golf App at least 24 hours prior to the start of the match.

3. Responsibility for finding a course rests with the home team.  As soon as arrangements for the course have been completed, the home school should notify the visiting team. Matches should start by 3:30 PM.  It is imperative, especially prior to daylight saving time, that this time requirement be adhered to.  By mutual agreement of the opposing school’s Principals, matches may be scheduled earlier.

3. All protests must be made before leaving the ninth/eighteenth green(s) and presented to the RIIL office in the usual form within the regulation time.

Section 3.  POSTPONEMENTS

The Postponement rules contained in Article 4, unless otherwise stated, shall govern all postponed golf matches.

1. In the event of inclement weather or a shortage of daylight, the schools may, by mutual agreement, postpone and reschedule the match.
2. In case of postponements, the match will be played on the next available date that is satisfactory to both teams.

If coaches consider that for any reason during a match the course is rendered unplayable, or that there are circumstances that render the proper playing of the match impossible, they may order a temporary suspension of play.

1. Where players/coaches feel they may be in imminent danger due to lightning, they have the right to stop playing. However, the final decision to suspend play rests with the coaches.

2. When play has been suspended, the match will be resumed from where it was halted, even if resumption occurs on a subsequent day.

Section 4.  OFFICIALS

In the absence of the Director of Golf or an RIIL appointed supervisor, the coaches of the respective teams will act as the officials of all RIIL golf matches and will supervise said matches in accordance with these rules.

1. The responsibility of reporting scores rests with the home team coach. Scores must be reported to the RIIL approved website at the conclusion of each match.

Section 5.  STATE TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL BOYS & GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The State Championship Tournament will be conducted under the direction of the Director of Golf using a format determined by the RIIL and approved by the Principals’ Committee on Athletics.  The course for the State Team and Individual Boys and Girls Championships will be selected by the RIIL.

1. The Team State Champion, Boys Individual and Girls Individual Champions will be crowned over a two-day tournament format (36 holes). Day 1 of the Championships will consist of all qualified teams and individual boys and girls.

• Ten (10) teams will qualify for the State Championships. 
• • The top team in each division based on Team Scoring Average (iWR) during league matches will be the first 5 teams to qualify for the state championships. 

1. • • The next 5 teams with the lowest Team Scoring Average (iWR) during the regular season league matches, regardless of division will fill out the remaining team slots in the state championship.
2. • • The top 6 scores out of 8 league matches will be used to calculate each school’s Team Scoring Average (iWR).

• Each team will consist of six (6) players.  The four lowest scores for each team will determine the Day 1 team score.
  • • The top three (3) teams and ties, and any team within 20 strokes of the lead will qualify for Day 2 of the State Team Championship.
• • • In the event of a tie at the conclusion of 36 holes, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted by the Director of Golf or his/her designee to determine the State Team Champion.

• Any qualified golfer participating from the White Tee is eligible to win the Individual Boys State Championship and any qualified golfer participating from the Red Tee is eligible to win the Individual Girls State Championship.   
  • Any golfer designated as one of the 6 golfers competing for a qualified team (regardless of # of regular season matches played) automatically qualifies for the individual championship (Boys or Girls).
• Any individual golfer, who is not participating as one of the designated 6 golfers on a qualified team, may qualify based on their Individual (iWR) ranking.  The Individual (iWR) ranking will be determined by the golfer’s best 6 regular season designated league scores.
• • • Boys Individuals (White Tees) – after the team members are selected for the qualified teams in the State Championships, the next 20 golfers plus ties by Individual (iWR) ranking and the JV Boys Tournament Champion will qualify to play for the Individual Boys State Championship.
• • • • Upon completion of eighteen (18) holes of play, the low twenty (20) scores and ties and all individuals within 10 strokes of the lowest Individual Boys State Championship score will qualify for round 2.
      • The individual with the lowest total score for two rounds (36 holes) will be declared the State Individual Boys Champion.
• • • • In the event of a tie at the end of 36 holes, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted by the Director of Golf or his/her designee to determine the State Individual Boys Champion.
• • • Girls Individuals (Red Tees) – the Top 15 golfers plus ties by Individual (iWR) ranking and the JV Girls Tournament Champion will qualify to play for the Individual Girls State Championship.
      • Upon completion of eighteen (18) holes of play, the low six (6) scores and ties and all individuals within 10 strokes of the lowest Individual Girls State Championship score will qualify for round 2.
• • • • The individual with the lowest total score for two rounds (36 holes) will be declared the State Individual Girls Champion.
• • • • In the event of a tie at the end of 36 holes, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted by the Director of Golf or his/her designee to determine the State Individual Girls Champion.

Revised 4/12/23