IJGA Playing Member FAQs
Playing Member Program
Q: How old do you have to be to participate in the IJGA as a Playing Member?
A: You must be between the ages of 14 and 18.
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Q: What is included in my IJGA Membership, and what is the membership fee?
A: The IJGA offers three levels of Membership, YDP ($50), Basic ($65) and Premium ($100).
Please click here to see which level of membership, and its associated benefits, are right for you.
The YDP membership is designed for juniors ages 6-13. Basic and Premium are options for junior golfers ages 14-18.
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Q: Once I register for Membership, how do I register for Tournaments?
A: IJGA event entries are open to amateur golfers, ages 6 to 18 inclusive. The member’s age as of August 15, 2010 will determine the age flight they compete in for the entire 2010 season. Your flight or division will determine which events you are eligible for. You may also want to refertence your division’s Event Descriptions to see what format of event is right for you. When your IJGA Membership has been accepted, you will be emailed an IJGA Players Club username and password.
To register online, follow these easy steps below:
- Go to www.IJGA.org and log into your Players Club using your Players Club ID and Password
- Click on the Tournaments tab to show the list of all tournaments available.
- Click on the name of tournament you wish to register for.
- Under Online Registration, click on the Register button.
- Fill out all needed information.
- Enter your credit card information. Your credit card will be immediately charged upon acceptance into the event.
- You will have the option of printing applications. Please call the office for more details on printed applications, if needed. Please feel free to e-mail the IJGA with any further questions at the associated email address: info@ijga.org.
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Q: How do I know that my Tournament Entry has been received by the IJGA?
A: Upon completion of each entry into an IJGA event an e-mail will automatically be sent notifying you of your acceptance, rejection or wait listing for that particular event. If you have been accepted into the event, you will receive a tee-time via e-mail no later than one week prior to the event. If you have any questions at anytime please log on to the IJGA Players Club using your ID and password, there you will be able to see the status of pending applications. You may also call the IJGA office and someone from the Administration Staff will be glad to help you.
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Q: What happens if I am placed on the Waiting List?
A: When a tournament receives more entries than tournament spots available, a waiting list is created based on entry date in order by division. As spots then become available due to withdrawals, the player next on the waiting list receives a phone call to verify interest and is then placed in the tournament field. In addition, please see the question below.
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Q: What is the “On-Site” Waiting List Policy?
A: If you are still on the waiting list prior to the event, you may come to the event site prior to the first tee-time and be placed on a “stand by” list. Please be advised that the “stand by” list will be decided on a first come-first serve basis and ONLY people who are officially on the waiting list PRIOR to the event will be allowed to fill in. NO ON-SITE APPLICATIONS OR ENTRIES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AT IJGA EVENTS.
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Q: What is the IJGA’s Refund Policy?
A: Membership in the IJGA is non-refundable. Juniors withdrawing from an IJGA Sanctioned Event before the Closing Date will receive their entry fee minus $15 for YDP Playing Events, Regionals & Open events and/or minus $25 for Special Events, TPS events & Championships (including their qualifiers), depending upon the type of event.
The Closing Date for ALL EVENTS is one week (7 days) prior to the day of the event. If a junior withdraws from an event within one week of the event, no refund will be issued, however those players or parents may fill out a Tournament Refund Request form provided by the IJGA, to be reviewed by the Tournament Committee at the conclusion of each season. Refunds based on these requests will be decided on a case by case basis. Credit cards are automatically charged upon acceptance into an event.
REFUND POLICY (WEATHER-RELATED)
Should severe weather, frost, or other circumstances beyond the control of the IJGA or a host facility result in closure of the facility before or during a tournament; the following procedure will be used:
The IJGA will remit a refund to event participants in the case that an event cannot be completed due to severe weather. The amount of the refund remitted shall be based on the associated costs of the administration of the event in question.
The IJGA defines an 18-hole stipulated round as completed when the same (9) nine holes of golf have been completed by all participants in a particular age/gender division.* Individuals representing the host facility and/or the IJGA have the authority to cancel or delay events due to weather conditions prior to the completion of (9) nine holes by all participants.
The safety of our members in our number one priority!
Refund eligibility will be determined by the Director the associated division.
*ALL TPS events, Special Events and IJGA Major Championship, as well as 9-hole and combined 9-and-18-hole events will be deemed complete at the authority of the On-Site Committee.
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Q: It’s my first time participating in an IJGA event, what do I do?
A: First of all, make sure you are aware of your tee-time. Starting times are e-mailed to all members at least one week prior to the event and can be found through the IJGA’s website at
www.ijga.org. Second, make sure that as you plan your trip to the course allow PLENTY of time and plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled tee-time. You then must register with an IJGA staff member at the designated Registration Table. Third, make sure you arrive at your particular tee about 10 minutes BEFORE your official start time. This will avoid any penalties for being late to the tee and will allow you to get organized. Fourth, make sure you have plenty of golf balls (marked with an identifying mark), tees, gloves and no more than the allowable 14 clubs. Be sure that you wear sunblock and always carry a water bottle with you. DRINK WATER FREQUENTLY. Finally, enjoy the day competing with new friends.
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Q: What is the IJGA Dress Code?
A: Proper attire is required at ALL IJGA events, both for competitors AND spectators. The full Dress Code Policy can be found under “Policies” in each age division’s drop down menu on
www.ijga.org.
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Q: Will I be able to check my scores and tournament pairings on the Internet?
A: Yes. You will be able to check your scores, player of the year standings, tee times and results all from your computer by signing onto your IJGA Players Club page. You can access this by logging on to
www.ijga.org and logging into the IJGA Players Club with your ID and password.
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Q: How do I withdraw from a tournament?
A: The preferred method of withdrawing from an event is through your IJGA Players Club. A list of all withdrawal options can be found under “Policies” in each age division’s drop down menu on
www.ijga.org.
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Q: My child is 12 years old and has been playing golf since the age of 7. Can he move up to the Playing Member Division based upon his ability level?
A: No. The IJGA creates divisions based solely on age, not ability level. The age a player is on August 15, 2010 determines the age division he/she will compete in for the entire summer.
EXCEPTION: A member who is 13 years old AND will be entering his/her freshman year of high school in the fall of 2010, has the option to ‘‘play-up’’ into the Playing Member Division (ages 14-18). Once the decision is made to move up, it is binding for the entire summer and cannot be reversed.
In addition, the Illinois State Junior Amateur and Chick Evans Junior Amateur Championships for boys offers the opportunity for ‘future’ stars to qualify for the Championship field. Please see the online application for these events at
www.ijga.org.
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Q: I noticed that there are several Playing Member Parent/Junior events early in the season. Are my 12 year old child and I eligible to play in these events?
A: No. These Parent/Junior events are for the IJGA Playing Members (ages 14-18). However, there are three (3) Parent/Junior Events for the YDP Members. YDP Members are eligible to play in these events with their designated parent or guardian.
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Q: What is the IJGA ‘‘No-Show’’ and ‘‘No-Card’’ policy?
A: All registered players for an event who do not complete a stipulated round during the event will be classified in one of the following categories:
No Card
Player began stipulated round and failed to turn in scorecard to appropriate IJGA staff. The player will be disqualified from the event and automatically removed from their next IJGA event. A No Card player will appear on the IJGA onsite and online scoreboard as a “NC”.
No Show
Player failed to withdraw from event and failed to show up on-site. The player will be disqualified from the event and automatically removed from their next IJGA event. A No Show player will appear on the IJGA onsite and online scoreboard as a “NS”.
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