Tournament Guidelines

CODE OF CONDUCT

• The Dakotas Tour will maintain a strict no-tolerance policy on any behavior unbecoming of a professional. Professionals are expected to treat all amateurs and fellow professionals with courtesy and respect at all times.
• This is a Pro-Am based tour that relies on the amateur’s participation and enjoyment as well as the professional’s skill and conduct.
• Conduct such as verbal abuse of any players, volunteers, or staff; vulgar language, club throwing, or damage to the golf course or golf course property is considered a violation. Violations also include the use of illegal drugs or abuse of prescription drugs, cheating, withdrawing without good cause, improper dress, not maintaining financial responsibility, and any other unprofessional behavior. Violations could result in penalty shots, fines, and/or disqualification from one or all events conducted by the Dakotas Tour.
• Any serious violations, as determined by the Executive Director, can result in automatic suspension and fines at any time. The length of any suspension shall be determined by the Dakotas Tour Executive Director. If a course(s) has been damaged due to a violation the cost of repairing the damage must be paid in addition to any fines. Any disputes will be decided by the Executive Director in which his decision will be final.
• The Dakotas Tour will honor the suspension of any professional by any golf-governing body or professional tour.
• Players are expected to adhere to the Rules of Golf at all times and protect the field from those who do not. 

DRESS CODE
Slacks are required, however, on a site-by-site basis, Bermuda length shorts may be allowed. In the case of extreme heat or humidity the Tournament Director has the option to allow shorts at his/her discretion.  No denim is permitted. All shirts must reflect appropriate attire, preferably collar shirts or mock turtleneck golf shirts, and must be tucked in at all times. Tee-shirts are not permitted. All hats must be worn forward. Caddies may wear Bermuda length shorts. Caddies must abide by all other player dress code regulations. Caddies may not wear sandals, flip flops, or golf shoes with spikes. Tennis shoes or teaching shoes are preferred. Players are responsible for their caddies. The Dakotas Tour is a “soft-spike” only tour; no metal spikes are permitted.  This policy applies to players and caddies whenever they are on the event property.  Present yourselves as professionals at all times. 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The use of cell phones is prohibited on the golf course except for emergencies or to contact the host golf shop. I-Pods or other like devices will only be permitted on the practice areas before and after tournament rounds. They are not allowed during competition. A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a competition round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
 
ENTRY FEE POLICY
Players may enter events directly by contacting each site or on-line with a credit card through The Dakotas Tour website(www dakotastour.com). Players can download entry blanks for some events from our website and send, fax, email, or phone them to each site. Entry fees are set by each site. Contact each event for particulars. All players wishing to play any event on the Dakotas Tour must pay the Tour Membership fee via the website. This fee must be paid before they are considered officially entered into any event. It is a Code of Conduct violation to not maintain financial responsibility including the payment of entry fees.
 
PROFESSIONAL REFUND POLICY
Any professional withdrawing from an event within the 5-day window prior to the official start of the event will be subject to a $50 minimum administration fee. Otherwise refunds will be made at the discretion of each event and be made after the event is concluded. A player will be subject to a possible Code of Conduct violation if he withdraws from an event without good cause within 48 hours of the event’s start. A player no-showing for an event is subject to a Code of Conduct violation and may not be refunded any of his entry fees.
 
EXEMPT PROFESSIONAL POLICY
The Top-40 players from the previous year’s Bonus Points List will be exempt players. This allows them special exemptions from qualifying at events with qualifiers. Each event’s exempt list will include the Top 40 players from the previous year’s Bonus Points List, the top ten place winners from the previous year, and all previous winners from that event. Other exemptions are extended at the discretion of each site. Non-exempt professionals can receive an exemption at an event with a qualifier by finishing in the top eight places at the prior major event and be pre-entered in the next event.
 
CARTS AND CADDIES
All players are permitted to use golf carts or pull/push carts. Two carts per foursome and two people per cart are allowed. Caddies may ride based on availability; players have priority on riding. All carts must be kept on the path around all tees and greens and will abide by the golf course’s cart policy; failure to do so will subject the professional to a possible fine. Walking is allowed as long as the event’s pace of play guidelines are being followed.
 
PROFESSIONAL PAYOUT GUIDELINES
Each event may distribute the professional purse using a fair and equitable payout distribution. The following guidelines will be adhered to by all events when determining the distribution:

• 100% of the Professional entry fee will be paid back using the scale found on the Dakotas Tour website.  Any additional sponsor’s money may be added to the purse and distributed as the tournament director and sponsors see fit.
• Last place money must equal 1% of the professional purse or the professional entry fee, whichever is greater. In the event of a tie for the last place check, the overall total paid to all who tied for that place must at least be equal to one of the above options.
• At least 1/3 of the professional starting field should be paid. (See item c in Tournament Guidelines below).
• The posted professional purse may be reduced due to late tournament withdrawals that are not filled, unless the purse is guaranteed.
• In events that have a cut, all players that make the cut will be paid.  Make sure that the last place check follows the guideline posted in item (b) above.