Caribbean Golf Association
Rules, Standards and Protocol
For the Caribbean CUP
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RULES

Objective
The objective and purpose of the competition is:
• to allow elite players to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level
• to foster camaraderie among member countries of the CGA
• to provide a showcase for Caribbean Golf

Teams
The competition is a biennial team event for the Cesar Rivera Trophy conducted by match play over three days at such venue and date (normally November) approved by the CGA Council. It is competed for by 2 teams as follows:

Eastern Caribbean Team
Two players nominated by each of the governing bodies of golf in the following countries: Barbados, OECS, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and United States Virgin Islands, together with two additional players nominated by the Team Captain who must be eligible to play for one of those countries.

Western Caribbean Team
Two players nominated by each of the governing bodies of golf in the following countries: Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Turks & Caicos Islands, together with two additional players (who must be eligible to play for one of those countries) nominated by the Team Captain.

If any country fails to nominate one or more players, the Team Captain may nominate an additional player or players (who must be eligible to play for one of those countries). There is a maximum number of three players from any one country.

The Team Captain shall be nominated by the Council of the Caribbean Golf Association.

Eligibility
The best amateur golfers in the countries are expected to be nominated providing they meet the following criteria:

1. Persons born in that country.
2. Persons not born in that country but who have been residing there for one full year prior to the championships. Persons under the age of twenty-one are entitled to claim the residence of their parents.
3. Persons who are citizens of that member country.
4. Persons who, by reason of their special connection with the member country, are approved by the Committee of the Caribbean Golf Association as suitable to represent the member country.

Expenses
The country nominating a player shall pay the reasonable expenses of the player (and any player nominated by the Team Captain) in attending the competition. The reasonable expenses of the Team Captains shall be borne by the CGA. Reasonable expenses would include air transportation to and from the event, hotel accommodation and meals.

Rotation
It is expected that the event, which will be held every two years, would alternate from East to West and further rotate within the Division. The Host Country’s responsibilities would be confined to providing a suitable golf course for the event and negotiating an acceptable package rate for those attending.

Format
On the First day, there shall be five 18 hole four ball matches in the morning and five 9 hole foursome matches in the afternoon.

On the Second day, there shall be five 18 hole foursome matches in the morning and five 9 hole four ball matches in the afternoon.

On the Third day, there shall be twelve 18 hole singles matches. All matches shall be played to a conclusion.

The order of play shall be determined by the Team Captains.

The winner(s) of each match shall earn one point for his team. A half point shall be awarded to both teams for a halved match. The winner will be the team with most points after the conclusion of play.

Rules of Golf
The competition shall be governed by the rules of golf as laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews or the United States Golf Association (dependent on applicable rules where the competition takes place) together with such local rules as may be agreed by the Rules Committee.

Practice
An official Practice Round shall take place the day before the competition starts.

Substitution
Player substitution can be made for any team up to the first starting time of the first match only.

Tees
The tees should be set at the most challenging position for the competitors.
Walking
Players must walk at all times, unless an exception is authorized by the Tournament Committee. If caddies are available, they will be assigned by the Tournament Committee.

Spectators
Spectators should remain on cart paths or in the rough and approximately 30 yards from the players. There shall be no communication between players and spectators that could be deemed advice of any nature for the duration of the player’s stipulated round. If any such communication takes place, it shall be prima facie evidence of a breach of Rule 8 by the player. All persons other than the person designated to give advice are considered to be spectators.

Matches
Should circumstances make it impossible to complete any match, the result of the competition will be determined by the results of matches played. If there are no completed matches, then the competition shall be considered a tie.

Ties
In the event of a tie, the cup shall be held equally.

Trophies
The Team Captain of the team winning the trophy shall have custody and responsibility for it until the next championship is played. He shall have it suitably engraved at the expense of the CGA.

Replicas
The players of the winning team will be presented with a memento replica of the trophy. In the event of a tie, additional replicas will be acquired as necessary.

Uniform
Players shall attend any official function in the uniform of their country. The CGA will provide playing uniforms for participants.

Official Functions
A celebratory dinner shall be held the evening before the competition starts to be attended by all players, Team Captains and CGA Officials. The expenses of this function will be borne by the CGA.

Rule Changes
Any proposal to change the rules of the competition must be presented to the CGA Council in writing via the Secretary of the CGA who shall distribute copies to the member countries. These proposals must be received by the CGA Secretary ninety days prior to a CGA Council Meeting. The proposal(s) would then be acted on by the Council after discussion and possible amendment by majority vote.

STANDARDS AND PROTOCOL

The Caribbean Cup (CC) shall be held at a venue in one of the member countries of the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA). The host country shall be determined by the CGA Council and countries advised three years prior to the event.

Country Responsibilities – A country sending a player to be part of a team shall be responsible for:
• The “MAP" accommodation of the player for five nights at the host hotel.
• Transportation for players to and from the event.

CGA Responsibilities - The CGA shall be responsible for:
• “MAP” accommodation for seven nights at the host hotel for the Team Captains and CGA Officials officiating at the event.
• Transportation for CGA Officials officiating and Team Captains to and from the event.
• Transportation for players, Team Captains and officiating CGA Officials from the airport to the host hotel on arrival and from the hotel to the airport on departure.
• Transportation between the host hotel and the golf course on practice and competition days.
• The golf course and suitable golf and practice facilities for the competition.
• Office facilities and equipment to enable the competition to be efficiently conducted.

Tournament Committee -
The Tournament Committee shall be responsible for the organization and playing of the CC. The Tournament Committee shall be organized as follows:
1. Tournament Chairman (TC) CGA President
2. Tournament Co-ordinator (TCO) Tournament Co-ordinator of the CGA
3. Tournament Director (TD) Appointed by Host Country
4. Tournament Secretary (TS) Secretary of the CGA

Tournament Chairman
He shall chair all meetings of the Tournament Committee during tournament week or when specially called and report from time to time to the CGA Council all matters concerning the conduct of the CAGC.

Tournament Co-ordinator - He shall act for the CGA Council and ensure that these Rules Standards and Protocol are understood and maintained by the host country. He shall not be a player or Team Captain. Duties of the TCO, among others, are as follows:

1. Keep the CGA council through the TC advised of the progress of the organization and arrangements for and the running of the CC.
2. Visit the tournament venue at least six months, prior to the date of the event and review status of the following with the Tournament Director.
a. Tournament Checklist (see Standard)
b. Visit golf course venue and confirm the following:
1. 18 hole golf course is in proper condition.
2. Availability of a driving range and practice balls.
3. Availability of drinking water and bathrooms throughout the golf course.
4. Determine if golf course is within walking distance of hotel, if not, determine and/or advise type and schedule of transportation to and from golf course.
5. Determine availability and cost of caddies for players.
6. Determine availability of golf carts for the following:
• Tournament Chairman - 1 cart
• Tournament Co-ordinator - 1 cart
• Tournament Secretary - 1 cart
• Rules Officials - 1 cart each
All carts should be complimentary, if possible; otherwise, at lowest possible cost.
7. Maintain communication with TD and his committee throughout the year in order to monitor progress of tournament organization.
8. Travel to tournament site at least one day prior to team arrivals and assume on site responsibility of TCO including but not limited to the following:
a. Review Tournament Checklist with TD
b. Ensure qualified Rules Officials are available
c. Organize pairings and starting times.

d. Purchase replicas and awards ensuring that they and country flags are on hand and in good condition.
e. Upon arrival of TC report to him on the status of the event organization.
f. Ensure facilities are available and time scheduled for CGA annual meeting and Tournament Meeting and notify CGA officers, country representatives, TD and Chief Rules Official of same.
10. Prepare written report including an expense report at the end of the tournament and submit same to the CGA Secretary for attention of the CGA Council.

Tournament Director -
The TD is responsible for the organization of all matters pertaining to CC in the host country and should report to the host country's golf association President and to the CGA TCO from time to time on the progress of the organization activities.

Tournament Secretary -
The Tournament Secretary shall attend CC and act as recording secretary for the Tournament Meetings during the Championship week. Written minutes of same shall be prepared and distributed to appropriate persons.

Rules Committee -
The Tournament Committee may appoint a number of Rules Officials and together the TC, the TCO and all Rules Officials shall constitute the Rules Committee. No member of the Rules Committee should be a player or Team Captain. The TC shall appoint a replacement to the Rules Committee should a vacancy occur. The Rules Committee shall approve a Local Rules Sheet and act on any appeal from a decision of a Rules Official on a Rule of Golf. Each Rules Official shall act on any breach of a rule of golf which he observes or is reported to him.

Country Flags
Country flags shall be flown at the golf course where the competition is held, placed in alphabetical order with host country flag last and CGA flag first.

Awards Presentation
An Awards Presentation shall be held to present the trophy to the winning team at or near the 18th green as soon as possible following the conclusion of the final match.

Uniforms -
Countries participating in the CC must be in uniform and meet the following standards:

Dress Uniform - Should consist of a jacket, tie, shirt, pants, socks, and shoes matched to the standards of each individual country.

Playing Uniform - Supplied by CGA. Should consist of a golf shirt, pants or shorts meeting the CGA standard.

CGA Standard - Uniforms must be from the same manufacturer and of the same style. Shorts are optional and if worn, should be knee length and available from the manufacturer in the same material, color and style as the pants.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to disqualify any player in a team from participating in the competition not conforming to the dress code as stated above.