NADGT Exclusive: Birdie Battle @ Becky Zallek DGC

The safety of everyone at PDGA-sanctioned events is of paramount importance. TDs are highly encourag ... show more ›

The safety of everyone at PDGA-sanctioned events is of paramount importance. TDs are highly encouraged to make use of all available resources such as lightning detectors and online weather maps (that display storms and lightning strikes moving into the area) in order to suspend play before conditions become dangerous to the players, staff, and spectators. (Refer to PDGA Mid-Event Weather Suspension & Cancellation Guidelines Policy) If, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, lightning, excessive rain or hazardous conditions exist that make it impractical or dangerous to continue play, the tournament shall be suspended. The signal to suspend play shall be made in the same fashion as the signal to start, but using three short blasts. These blasts should be repeated at least once within one minute and the Tournament Director should make any necessary efforts to ensure all groups can hear the signal. Players must immediately stop play and mark the lie of each member of the group. A natural object is sufficient to mark the approximate lie from which the player shall resume play. Players shall take shelter. When appropriate, players should return to the first tee area, clubhouse, Tournament Central or to an area designated by the Tournament Director. There will be a minimum thirty-minute suspension of play after the suspension signal. Players shall resume play from their approximate lies as established when the round was suspended. The approximate lie is determined by a majority of the group. The Tournament Director will evaluate the conditions and assign a time not less than thirty minutes from the suspension signal for the players to return for a resume time or delay renewal. Play shall be resumed using the same signals as at the start of the round: a two-minute warning consisting of two short blasts, then a single extended blast two minutes later to indicate the round has restarted. The Tournament Director may postpone the incomplete portion of the round for a later date within the scheduled tournament if, in the Tournament Director’s opinion, the conditions will not improve or if darkness will fall prior to the projected finish time. (Refer to PDGA Mid-Event Weather Suspension & Cancellation Guidelines Policy) Partial round scores shall be carried forward to the completion of the round whenever the round is resumed. A player who stops playing before a signal to stop has been given shall receive two penalty throws if, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, the player stopped playing prematurely. The Tournament Director will make every effort to ensure all rounds of the tournament are completed as scheduled. If a total of three full preliminary rounds or less are scheduled, all players must complete a minimum of one round for the event to be considered official. If a total of four full preliminary rounds or more are scheduled, all players must complete a minimum of two rounds for the event to be considered official. If those criteria are not met, the event should be rescheduled. If rescheduling is impossible and/or players are unable to participate, a full refund will be issued minus player’s package, PDGA, and other associated event fees. All suspended rounds shall be completed, unless conditions exist that make it impossible. If such conditions exist, the results shall be final as of the last completed round as long as the necessary round requirements are met. (Refer to PDGA Mid-Event Weather Suspension & Cancellation Guidelines Policy) The completion of a suspended round is a higher priority than a future round and thus future rounds shall be canceled in order to complete a suspended round.