The following Policies & Procedures shall govern the operation and administration of the Cleveland Golf Tour. The Tour Director of the Cleveland Golf Tour shall interpret and apply these policies and may waive or suspend their application in the interest of the game of golf, the host organizations, or the players.

Player Conduct

Players participating in Cleveland Golf Tour events shall observe the applicable rules of play while engaged in tournament competition.

Players shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner becoming a professional golfer, that will not reflect unfavorably on the Tour, its members, owners, representatives or sponsors.

Players shall use their best efforts to play to a standard expected of professionals, and show respect for the game of golf. Any player who violates the provisions of this code may be subject to suspension from play, permanent disbarment, or both.

Conduct which is judged potentially detrimental to the individual player, tour officials, host professional, or the Cleveland Golf Tour, shall be subject to review by Tour officials. Abuses include; excessive display of temper, club throwing, failing to comply with club or tournament policies, action which causes hardship or embarrassment to other players, host club, tour officials or any other action brought to the attention of the Tournament Director by word of mouth or in writing.

Any member who shall be deemed guilty of conduct unbecoming a professional golfer while participating in a Tour event, or activities related thereto (e.g., practice rounds, pro-ams, hospitality functions, etc.), shall be subject to suspension and/or permanent disbarment from tournament play.

Player Equipment

All equipment must conform to USGA Rules of Golf regulations and guidelines. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. Golf balls used must be on the USGA 2008 Conforming Ball List.

Dress Code

Players shall present a neat appearance at all times in both clothing and personal grooming. Clothing worn by players shall be consistent with currently accepted golf fashion. The wearing of shorts may be allowed under certain extreme weather conditions, at the discretion of the Tour Director. Blue jeans are not permissible at anytime during the event. Hats must not be worn backwards.

Caddies must abide by established Tour guidelines for player conduct. Caddies are allowed to wear shorts and must wear tennis or walking shoes, NOT golf shoes, sandals, flip flops. No metal spikes are allowed. Players and caddies violating the dress code will be asked to correct their attire.

Cell Phone Policy

Players may use a cell phone in designated practice areas. As a courtesy to fellow competitors, players are asked to step away from the putting green or hitting line on the range when using a cell phone. Cell phones must be kept on "vibrate" or "silent" mode in designated practice areas and on the golf course.

Cell phones are strictly prohibited during official competition rounds. Exception: Cell phones can be used to contact Tour Staff when in need of a ruling or other important matter.

Use of Range-Finders

The Tour does allow the use of USGA conforming distance measurement systems in tournament play. Devises that offer a slope indication measurement are NOT permissible for use.

Practice Rounds

Players are responsible for arranging their own practice rounds. Players are also responsible for the cost of practice rounds, unless otherwise notified by the Tour. Information will be posted on the Tour website. Only contestants, their caddies, instructors, media and golf manufacturers (when invited) are allowed to be on the practice range or putting green during the tournament. The Tour "Dress Code" policy must be followed on practice round days.

Dangerous or Adverse Weather

Players will be informed of expected weather conditions throughout the tournament. Every effort will be made to finish rounds as scheduled. When unplayable conditions occur; play will be suspended. Play will resume when conditions improve, even if that round cannot be completed that day. A suspended round may be completed the next day. Thus one round might be completed over a two-day period, depending on how many players had played from the starting tee(s).

Suspension of Play

Play may be suspended for dangerous situations such as; lighting, rain, fog, or wind. If the players in a group are between two holes, they must not resume play until the Rules Committee so orders. Players who are playing a hole must discontinue immediately and may not resume until the Committee orders. The penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification. All practice areas shall be closed during a suspension of play. One prolonged siren or horn will signal a suspension for a dangerous situation. Several short intermittent horn or siren notes signal all types of suspension.

Postponements and Cancellations

If, in the judgment of the Rules Committee, adverse weather conditions or any other occurrence or condition that renders commencement or continuation of tournament play inadvisable, play shall be postponed until such time as the Rules Committee determines that such weather conditions or occurrences have improved sufficiently for play to commence or resume, provided that no such postponement shall extend the tournament past the scheduled conclusion of the tournament.

If a tournament is shortened to less than 36 holes, it is considered an "official" event when 18 holes have been completed. If a tie for first place exists, a playoff will be held at a convenient time. Purses will be paid in full if one round is complete.

If less than one round has been played, the tournament will be cancelled. In this case all entry fees will be returned in full.

Starting Procedures

The player must start at the tee-time established by the Tour Director. If a player arrives at his starting tee, ready to play, within five (5) minutes of his starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is a two (2) stroke penalty.

The Penalty for lateness after five minutes is disqualification.

Spectator carts will NOT be allowed for any reason.

Practicing

There will be no practice on the course during the playing of a tournament round. This includes putting or chipping to the green of the hole previously played.

USGA Rules

Play in all Tour events shall be conducted in accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf. Players will be informed of any modifications, such as local rules, prior to the commencement of play.

Pace of Play

Players shall play without undue delay and in accordance with the pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee.

In the administration of the pace of play guidelines, Rules Officials shall not tolerate abuse, verbal or otherwise, by a player. Such abuse may constitute conduct unbecoming of a professional.

Definition of Out of Position

The first group to start will be considered out of position, if any point during the round, they exceed the time allotted to play, as detailed on the applicable Pace of Play Chart. Any subsequent groups will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round they (a) exceed the allotted time to play and (b) reach a par-3 hole that is open and free of play or reach a par-4 or par-5 hole and have not played a stroke from the teeing ground before the hole is open and free of play (open hole in from to you). The Rules Committee reserves the right to time a group when the Committee deems it necessary.

Timing

When the Rules Committee determines that a group is out of position it will be timed; all players in the group will be informed they are being timed. Other than on the putting green, the timing of a players stroke will begin when it is his turn to play and can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardages will count as time taken for the next stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean, replace his ball, and repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. Note: a player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke and an extra 20 seconds (for a total of 60 seconds) will be allowed for:

The first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole;
The first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole;
The first player to play a third stroke on a par -5 hole;
The first player to play around the putting green;
The first player to play on the putting green.
Any player in a group being timed, who exceeds the applicable time to play a stroke, will be informed as soon as possible.

Penalties
First offense (one bad time) - A warning.
Second offense (two bad times) - One (1) stroke penalty.
Third offense (three bad times) - Two (2) stroke penalty.
Fourth offense (four bad times) - Disqualification.
Note: Any timing exceeding the applicable time to play will be carried over throughout the round.

Discipline, Penalties and Appeals

Each player, by participating in an official event on the Tour, acknowledges the right and authorization of the Tour Committee to suspend or dismiss the player from tournament play for any violation of the Tour's Policies and Guidelines for Play.

Right to Appeal - Any decision or action taken by a Tour official or by a rules official on any rules infraction can be appealed by the tour member to the Rules Committee. The appeal must be writing and e-mailed to the Tour Director no later than 3 days after the incident. In the case or a rules decision it must made prior to signing and returning their scorecard.

Breach of Rules

Any player participating in a CGGS Tour event, who is found to breach the Rules of Golf of the USGA or Local Rules in effect for conduct of such tournament, shall be subject to the penalties provided in such Rules as well as any other penalties determined by the CGGS Tour Committee. The Committee's decision with respect to the breach shall be final.

Course Preparations/Tournament Setup

Preparation of the course shall be subject to the approval of the Tour Director.
Location of the teeing ground and hole locations on the putting greens shall be selected by the Tour Director.

Distribution of Purses

Tournament purses are posted on the scoreboard at the tournament site and on the tour website. Checks for prize money will be written and mailed the day after tournament.

Media

The Cleveland Golf Tour has the right to use photographs and bio-information of any player participating in an official Tour event as part of the media coverage of the tournament.
All media requests for additional information about the Tour or its players must be referred to the Cleveland Golf Tour's Executive Director.

Communication Guidelines

Communication will be handled through e-mails coming from the Tour Office, by regular Newsletters and via the Tour website.