Code of Conduct

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1. Standards of Conduct

 

All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, both on and off the golf course.

 

Players must:

 

• Treat fellow competitors, staff, sponsors, volunteers, spectators, and host facilities with professionalism and respect

• Maintain pace of play and competitive integrity

• Follow all rules established by the tournament committee and host facility

• Protect the reputation and integrity of the Heritage Golf Tour

• Act honestly regarding scores, handicaps, withdrawals, and eligibility

• Refrain from abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior

 

The Tour reserves the right to determine whether conduct is detrimental to the integrity, reputation, or operation of the Tour.

 

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2. Withdrawal & Commitment Policy

 

The Heritage Golf Tour operates on limited-field events, guaranteed purses, staffing commitments, host venue agreements, and sponsor obligations. Improper withdrawals negatively affect the field, purse structure, waitlisted players, tournament operations, and the Tour’s credibility.

 

Withdrawal Expectations

 

Players are expected to honor their commitment once registered.

 

Withdrawals must be communicated directly to Tour staff as early as possible.

 

Acceptable Withdrawal Reasons

 

Acceptable reasons may include:

 

• Verified medical illness or injury

• Family emergency

• Travel emergencies or severe weather complications

• Other circumstances approved by Tour management

 

Improper Withdrawals Include:

 

• “No call / no show”

• Withdrawing immediately before tee times without valid reason

• Repeated late withdrawals

• Withdrawing to avoid poor performance or unfavorable conditions

• Registering without intent to compete

• Failure to communicate with tournament staff

 

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3. Withdrawal Penalties

 

The Tour reserves the right to impose penalties for improper withdrawals or failure to meet participation obligations.

 

Penalties may include:

 

• Warning

• Suspension from future events

• Loss of membership privileges

• Forfeiture of entry fees

• Removal from priority entry lists

• Ineligibility for Tour Championship or majors

• Financial penalties where permitted

• Permanent removal from the Tour in severe or repeated cases

 

Repeated offenses will result in escalating disciplinary action.

 

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4. Conduct Unbecoming of a Competitor

 

The following behaviors may result in disciplinary action:

 

• Club throwing or intentional destruction of property

• Abusive language toward staff, volunteers, competitors, or host facilities

• Public intoxication or substance abuse affecting competition

• Threatening, violent, or aggressive behavior

• Cheating, score manipulation, or rules violations

• Gambling or collusion impacting competitive integrity

• Harassment or discriminatory conduct

• Social media attacks directed toward the Tour, staff, sponsors, facilities, or competitors

• Any conduct deemed harmful to the Tour’s reputation or business relationships

 

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5. Pace of Play & Competitive Integrity

 

Players are expected to maintain proper pace of play and uphold the integrity of competition.

 

The Tournament Committee may issue:

 

• Timing warnings

• Stroke penalties

• Disqualification

• Future event restrictions for repeated violations

 

All rules disputes and scoring issues must be handled professionally through tournament officials.

 

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6. Dress Code & Professional Appearance

 

Players are expected to present themselves professionally at all Heritage Golf Tour events.

 

Required standards include:

 

• Proper golf attire consistent with host facility standards

• No offensive graphics, language, or inappropriate clothing

• Shirts tucked in unless otherwise permitted by event policy

• Respectful appearance during tournament rounds, ceremonies, and sponsor functions

 

The Tour reserves the right to deny participation based on failure to meet professional appearance standards.

 

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7. Social Media & Public Representation

 

Players represent not only themselves, but also the Heritage Golf Tour, host venues, sponsors, and fellow competitors.

 

Constructive criticism is acceptable. However:

 

• False statements

• Defamation

• Personal attacks

• Harassment

• Damage to sponsor or Tour relationships

 

may result in disciplinary action.

 

The Tour encourages professionalism, transparency, and respectful communication across all public platforms.

 

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8. Sponsor, Venue & Staff Protection

 

Host facilities, sponsors, volunteers, media teams, and staff are critical to the success of the Tour.

 

Any mistreatment, harassment, abuse, or intentional disrespect toward:

 

• Golf course staff

• Tour officials

• Volunteers

• Sponsors

• Media personnel

• Rules officials

 

may result in immediate removal from an event and/or suspension.

 

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9. Disciplinary Authority

 

The Heritage Golf Tour reserves sole discretion regarding:

 

• Conduct investigations

• Penalty decisions

• Suspensions

• Membership status

• Event eligibility

 

Tour decisions are final.

 

The Tour may review:

 

• Witness statements

• Video or photo evidence

• Social media activity

• Scorecards

• Staff reports

• Player communications

 

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10. Amateur Prize & Purse Allocation Policy

 

1. Amateur Participation

 

The Heritage Golf Tour (“HGT”) welcomes eligible amateur golfers to compete in designated HGT events alongside professional competitors.

 

HGT competitions are conducted as scratch competitions. In accordance with the USGA Rules of Amateur Status, an amateur golfer may accept prize money up to the maximum amount permitted under the applicable Rules of Amateur Status.

 

Under the current USGA Rules of Amateur Status, an amateur golfer competing in a scratch competition may accept prize money up to $1,000 USD per competition without affecting their amateur status.

 

2. Amateur Prize-Money Limit

 

If an amateur golfer finishes in a position associated with a prize of $1,000 or less, the amateur may receive the full amount of that prize, subject to all applicable USGA, collegiate, high-school, or other eligibility requirements.

 

If an amateur golfer finishes in a position associated with a prize exceeding $1,000, HGT will limit the amount paid to that amateur to the maximum amount the player is permitted to accept while maintaining amateur status.

 

For example, if an amateur finishes third in an event where the published third-place payout is $3,000, the amateur may accept up to $1,000 under the current USGA amateur prize limit.

 

3. Allocation of Remaining Prize Money

 

Any portion of a scheduled payout that cannot or will not be accepted by an amateur golfer does not automatically belong to the amateur and is not automatically assigned to any particular finishing position or player.

 

The Heritage Golf Tour reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the appropriate allocation of any such remaining prize money, consistent with applicable Rules of Amateur Status and the best interests of the competition.

 

HGT may, at its discretion:

 

Reallocate all or a portion of the remaining prize money to professional competitors;

Adjust subsequent professional finishing-position payouts;

Move professional competitors into the applicable professional payout positions;

Distribute the remaining amount among multiple professional payout positions;

Retain all or a portion of the unaccepted prize money; or

Otherwise allocate the funds in a manner permitted under the applicable Rules of Amateur Status.

 

HGT is not required to use the same redistribution method for every event. Factors such as field size, number of amateurs, number of professionals paid, ties, the original purse structure, and the amount of unaccepted prize money may be considered when determining the final distribution.

 

4. Professional Payout Positions

 

Unless otherwise stated in the Terms of Competition for a particular event, an amateur golfer’s finish does not necessarily eliminate or replace a professional payout position.

 

HGT may elect to preserve the intended number of professional payouts by reallocating money that an amateur is unable to accept to professional competitors finishing below the amateur.

 

Final professional payouts will be determined and approved by HGT following completion of the competition.

 

5. Player Responsibility

 

It is the responsibility of each amateur competitor to understand and comply with all rules governing their amateur or competitive eligibility.

 

This includes, but is not limited to, the USGA Rules of Amateur Status and any applicable NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, high-school athletic association, university, college, or other governing-body requirements.

 

An amateur golfer may decline all or part of a prize if necessary to maintain eligibility.

 

6. Heritage Golf Tour Authority

 

By entering an HGT event, competitors acknowledge and agree that the Heritage Golf Tour has final authority over the administration and distribution of the tournament purse, subject to applicable rules and regulations.

 

Published purse amounts and payout structures may be adjusted when necessary to account for amateur finishes, ties, withdrawals, disqualifications, field changes, or other circumstances affecting the competition.

 

HGT will make such determinations with the goal of maintaining a fair and competitive payout structure while protecting the amateur status and eligibility of participating amateur golfers.

 

Heritage Golf Tour

Built by Players. For Players.

 

11. Membership & Participation Agreement

 

By entering any Heritage Golf Tour event, all players acknowledge and agree that:

 

• They have read and understood this Code of Conduct

• They will comply with all Tour policies and rulings

• The Tour reserves the right to deny entry or revoke participation privileges at any time

• Maintaining professionalism and integrity is a condition of participation

 

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12.Mission Statement

 

The Heritage Golf Tour was created to provide serious players with a competitive, professional environment built on fairness, transparency, integrity, and respect for the game.

 

Every player contributes to the reputation and future growth of the Tour. Accountability protects the field, the sponsors, the venues, and the opportunities being built for everyone involved.

 

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Heritage Golf Tour

 

Professional Competition. Integrity First.