To ensure that our Texas Junior Golf Alliance members have the best possible experience when competing in a Legends Junior Tour (LJT) event, it is helpful to be knowledgeable of the following information. Upon confirmation of entry into any LJT event, all players have agreed to abide by all LJT Policies and Procedures, Terms of the Competition and the Terms of Competition.

Code of Conduct

The Legends Junior Tour takes great pride in the quality of its players, host facilities, and sponsors. The tour requires all members to adhere to a set of guidelines known as the Code of Conduct. The purpose is to help all Legends Tour participants grow and mature by understanding and accepting the consequences of their actions, both on and off the golf course.

Violations of the Code of Conduct

Any of the following actions by an LJT member at an event, non-LJT event or toward another LJT member anywhere, constitutes a violation of the LJT Code of Conduct:

1. Unsportsmanlike conduct including abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers, officials and host staff, or abuse of the golf course.
2. Use of smoking or chewing tobacco products, drugs or alcohol.
3. Not adhering to the dress code while at the host facility. This includes during a practice round. (See below.)
4. Physical damage to property or equipment including that of the LJT or the host facility.
5. Physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, verbal abuse, slander or libel towards other players, parents, host golf course staff or members, Legends Tour staff or volunteers in any medium.

Required Dress at the Host Facility

1. Hats/visors must be worn with brim forward.
2. Collared shirts or mock turtlenecks (host golf course permitting) must be worn and tucked in at all times.
3. Women’s fashion shirts without a collar must have sleeves.
4. Women’s fashion shirts must not rise above the belt line at anytime during the golf swing.

Prohibited Dress at the Host Facility

1. Tank tops, T-shirts 
2. Denim shorts, short-shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, jeans
3. Body Piercings
4. Tattoos (must be covered)

Failing to adhere to the Legends Junior Tour Code of Conduct can result in a one-stroke penalty after a warning, or for further violations or extenuating circumstances, disqualification from the event and possible rejection of entry for future LJT events.

Tournament Eligibility Requirements

The Legends Junior Tour is open to male and female golfers ages 12-19. Those members who have graduated from high school may only play until September 1 of the season directly following high school graduation. Any member who has graduated high school and started college is not eligible to play in LJT events.

The Tour was founded to give the best players in the state of Texas a chance to compete against one another. We pride ourselves on conducting first-class events at some of the finest facilities in the state. Although the Legends Junior Tour does not have a Handicap limit, we do expect our players to play to the level of their competition. If a competitor shoots consecutive rounds over 95 in any given tournament, the player may receive a letter from the Championship Committee of the Legends Junior Tour and will not be allowed to compete in LJT events until further notice. The Tour will be responsible for determining when that player may return to competition on the Legends Junior Tour.

Players may sign up for any open Legends Junior Tour event, given they meet the eligibility requirements of the Tour and the individual tournament. For the Texas Junior Amateur, because it is one tournament with different divisions, players must choose one division to play in. A player cannot compete in multiple divisions for any tournament on the Legends Junior Tour. Individual tournament eligibility requirements can be found on the specific championship information page. Players must be a member of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance to compete on the Legends Junior Tour.

LJT Gender Policy

The Texas Golf Association and Legends Junior Tour adopted a new gender policy for its championships. The policy is referred to in the Conditions of Competition set forth in the Eligibility section of entry applications for all relevant LJT championships beginning with the 2021 championship season. The policy sets forth the procedures by which a transgendered player may participate in a LJT championship. The policy seeks to assure fair competition for all entrants in a LJT championship.

To read the full LJT Gender Policy, please click here.

Tournament Procedures

Tournament Acceptance Notice

Players will be notified, via email, when they have been accepted into the tournament. All players will be placed on the pending list once they sign up and the LJT staff will move players into the field based on Tournament Exemptions and the LJT Priority Entry System. It is the player’s responsibility to log on to the website to check the starting field, write down their tee time, schedule a practice round, and secure hotel reservations.

1. Players with exemptions must complete the registration process by the deadline to secure their spot in the field. 
2. A player will not be charged the tournament entry fee until they have been accepted into the tournament. At that point, the credit card on file will be charged the tournament entry fee.
3. Players that sign up are not guaranteed a spot in the tournament field. 

Pairings/Starting Times

Pairings will be sent out along with Player Information and Guidelines for the event. Check the tournament pages for specific details regarding the release of pairings and information. 

Alternates

Alternates will be permitted onsite before the first round and players wishing to use the alternate procedure must check in with an LJT staff member and will be added based on order of signup. Players that didn’t sign up will be put in order based on when they check in with the LJT staff after those on the waiting/pending list. 

Course Yardage

Tournament yardages will vary based on the following factors: strength of field, overall difficulty of the golf course and daily weather conditions. On average, the following yardages will be used:

1. Boys 15-18 (6,700+)
2. Boys 14 & Under (6,200 – 6,400)
3. Girls 15-18 (5,800-6,100)

Distance Measuring Devices

In accordance with the Rule 4.3a, for all LJT Championships, tournaments, and qualifiers, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance or direction. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play: measuring elevation changes or interpreting distance or directional information (such as using a device to get a recommended line of play or club selection based on the location for the player’s ball) the player is in breach of Rule 4.3a(1). Penalty for the first breach from single act or related acts: general penalty. Penalty for second breach unrelated to first breach: Disqualification.

Travel & Lodging

Information about the host hotel, discounted room rate, telephone numbers, and directions to the hotel will be posted on the website on the championship’s Tournament Information page.

Practice Round

Players will be responsible for calling the host facility to schedule practice rounds. The practice rounds are optional and green fees are not included in the tournament entry fee. However, the Legends Junior Tour will attempt to negotiate a reduced rate for practice rounds at the host facility.

Player Registration

Due to Covid-19 guidelines, there will be no player registration prior to the first round. All players will receive their tee gifts following the first round in the scoring tent.

First Round

The Legends Junior Tour recommends that players always double-check their tee time. The penalty for failure to show up on time is two-strokes or possible disqualification (Please refer to USGA Rule 5.3a for more information).

Second/Final Round

After the completion of the first round, all competitors will be re-paired (by score and within their division) for the second/final round. Second and/or final round parings will be available approximately 1 – 2 hours after the conclusion of the first round of play. Pairings can be found on the website and will be emailed out to all participants.

Ties

In the case of a tie for first place in any division, the LJT will hold a hole-by-hole playoff to determine the division champion. Ties for awards will be decided by matching scorecards. The following procedure will be used until the tie is broken:

1. Low final round score
2. Low score for the final nine (9) holes
3. Low score on holes #13-#18
4. Low score on holes #16-#18
5. Low score on #18
6. Process repeated on front side

Note: The process of matching scorecards is used only to determine which player will receive the 2nd place trophy and exemptions, but will not affect the number of Player of the Year points awarded.

Awards Ceremony

At the conclusion of the tournament, the Legends Junior Tour will pass out awards in a safe manner.

Withdrawal Policy

Prior to Cancellation Date

If it becomes necessary for a player to withdraw from a tournament that they have been accepted to play in, he or she may logon through GolfGenius and withdraw themselves or notify the tournament director. Once reviewed by the tournament committee and the withdrawal is accepted, a refund will be issued minus a $25 administrative fee. Players may also call the Legends Junior Tour office at (214) 468-8955 to cancel.

After Cancellation Date

If a player withdraws after the cancellation deadline date, which is 10 days prior to the start of the tournament, or if they No Show to an event, they are not entitled to an entry fee refund. The following are the only exceptions: A player is entitled to a refund minus a $25 administrative fee:

1. If a player qualifies for an AJGA event over the same dates.
2. If a player qualifies for any USGA national championship over the same dates.
3. If a player qualifies for any national competition that is affiliated with the Legends Junior Tour.
4. If an injury is sustained leading up to the event. Documentation from a doctor is required.
5. If a player has a death in the family.

Refunds will not be issued to those who withdraw because of “double scheduling” or qualifying for any other kind of tournament other than those listed above.

Exeption: Should a player have to withdraw due to having Covid-19 symptoms (please check the updated Covid-19 Championship Guidelines) prior to the first round, he/she will receive a full refund.

In an exceptional circumstance, a player may file a written appeal for a refund to the Legends Junior Tour Executive Committee through the Tournament Director. These appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

During the tournament

Upon commencement of play, any withdrawals for reasons other than family or medical emergencies will not be considered acceptable. For example, withdrawing because of poor play or “being out of the running” is not acceptable. Players that “No Card” after a round of play will receive a warning from the Legends Tour and may:

1. Be suspended from entering the next event or;
2. Be withdrawn from the next event.

Failing to start at your scheduled tee time is a disqualification under the USGA Rules of Golf, and will be denoted as such in the final results.

Conditions of Competition

Pace of Play

See separate memorandum to players and official LJT scorecard for pace of play policy and tournament specific time charts.

Out of Position

A group will be out of position when it (A) completes play on a hole (replaces the flagstick or removes the ball when the flagstick is left in) later than the time scheduled in the time chart provided and (B) reaches a par 3 hole and the preceding group has left the next tee or fails to clear the tee of the par 4 hole before the preceding group has left the putting green, or arrives at the tee of a par 5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (A) and (B) must occur for a group to be out of position.

Timing

When the Committee determines that a group (or individual) will be timed, all players (or a specified individual) in the group will be notified by a Referee. Players will have 40 seconds to play a stroke. The timing of a player’s stroke will begin when it is his/her turn to play and he/she can play without interference or distraction. Any time spent determining yardages will count as time taken for the next stroke. On the putting green, timing will begin after the player has been allowed reasonable time to mark, lift, clean, and replace his/her ball, repair his/her ball mark and other ball marks on his/her line of putt, and remove loose impediments on his/her line of putt.

Penalty for Exceeding 40 Seconds

1. FIRST OFFENSE – Informed of “Bad Time”
2. SECOND OFFENSE – One stroke penalty
3. THIRD OFFENSE – Two stroke penalty
4. FOURTH OFFENSE – Disqualification

Rulings/Other Incidents

Should a ruling or other legitimate delay cause a group to lose its position, the group is obligated to regain its position within a reasonable time.

Stopping and Resuming Play

When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he is disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 5.7. Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule J-1.The signal for suspending play due to a dangerous situation will be a prolonged note of the siren.

1. Discontinuance of Play Immediately: One prolonged air horn note
2. Discontinuance of Play: Three consecutive air horn notes, repeated
3. Resume Play: Two short air horn notes, repeated

All practice areas are closed during the suspension during a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open. 

Note: Players who practice on closed practice areas will be asked to cease doing so; failure to comply may result in a violation of the LJT Code of Conduct.

Digital Media Use

The Legends Junior Tour reserves the right to use any competing player’s name, image and likeness in the promotion of LJT events and the tour. Use of media includes but is not limited to website publications, social media posts and tournament signage. 

LJT Spectator Policy

1. In accordance with Rule 10.2a, spectators may not give players advice during their round. The definition of advice is “any verbal comment or action that is intended to influence a player in: choosing a club, making a stroke or deciding how to play during a hole or round.”
2. Spectators should stay one shot ahead of the group they are following. This allows spectators to follow errant shots and help identify where the ball comes to rest. Spectators are allowed to aide in the search of lost golf balls.
3. Spectators walking with a group should stay on the cart paths. In the absence of cart paths, we ask that spectators stay in the rough. Please stay off fairways, tees and greens.
4. Spectators should not give rulings. Please seek an LJT Referee if the need arises.
5. Spectators are allowed to carry medicine, drinks, food, umbrellas, etc.
6. Spectators are asked to respect the host facility’s cell phone policy. If phones are allowed on the course, please turn ringers to silent or the vibrate mode.
7. Spectators are asked to adhere to the LJT and host facility’s dress code policy. This means no jeans, jean shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, sweatpants or tank tops are allowed.
8. Transportation: Each player must carry his/her own bag and must not use or accept automotive transportation unless acting under the direction of an LJT referee.

Note: If any of the following guidelines are perceived as broken by an LJT Referee, the player may be subject to penalty.