Tournament Headquarters and Registration
Registration will be on Sunday at the assigned course (11am-3pm) or up to 30 minutes prior to tee time on Monday at each course.
Practice Rounds
Practice rounds will be held at the course of competition. Individuals are responsible for scheduling their own tee times for practice rounds.
Starting Times
Starting times will be posted in advance on the tournament website and available at registration.
Hotels
Hotel reservations can be made directly with hotels in the Bloomington-Normal area. A list of hotels is available here.
Complimentary Lunch
Lunch will be provided to competitors on Monday and Tuesday at their respective course (snacks only for divisions 1B, 1G, 2B, 2G, 3B, and 3G).
Skills Challenge
Longest drive, short game, and putting contests will be held on the Sunday of the tournament at The Den at Fox Creek. Bring the entire family out to the event and enjoy food and entertainment.
Code of Conduct
Violations of the Code of Conduct include: verbal or physical abuse of any person, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse of the golf course (divots not replaced, bunkers not racked, ball marks not repaired), discarded trash not placed in proper receptacle, vandalism, use of smoking or chewing tobacco products, use of drugs or alcohol, not adhering to dress code, leaving course during a competition round without permission of a SFYC official, or any other conduct not becoming a SFYC participant. Violations of the Code are subject to a two-stroke penalty or disqualification, dependent on SFYC Tournament Committee decision. Players and parents should always conduct themselves in a professional manner while at event sites. Under no circumstances will displays of temper, either verbally or physically, be tolerated, and such acts will result in the permanent suspension of all parties involved from all tournament courses for the duration of the tournament. Other complaints or violations not specifically covered will be reviewed by the tournament committee and they will determine the final action to be taken.
Competition
All play shall be governed by current USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions, and where applicable, by Local Rules, Conditions, and Definition, subject to changes or amendments by the SFYC Rules Committee. SFYC tournament officials will be at each competition course and will be in charge of tournament activities at that course. Decisions of SFYC officials are final.
Dress Code
Proper attire is required on golf course, practice tees and practice greens. Any violation will result in the player not being allowed to participate until he/she has met the regulations. The dress code prohibits shoes having metal spikes, short shorts, tank tops, halter tops, bare midriffs, T-shirts, denim shorts and jeans, and headphones. All hats and caps must be worn properly; collared shirts must be worn and tucked in (girls may wear collarless shirts if it is part of a coordinated outfit). Offensive slogans, language and/or pictures on clothing will not be tolerated.
Pace of Play
Rule 6-7 of the USGA Rules of Golf states: “the player shall play without undue delay.” The penalty for breach of Rule 6-7 is two strokes in stoke play. The penalty for repeated offense is disqualification. The first group of the day will be considered out of position if it takes more than 15 minutes to complete any hole. Subsequent groups will be considered out of position if they fall behind the group ahead and take more than 15 minutes per hole. Players in a group who are out of position will be monitored until the group is back in position. Each player will be given 45 seconds to play a shot. Timing of the player will begin when it is his/her turn to play. If the player exceeds the time limit, he/she will be given a warning. Rule 6-7 will go into effect for a repeated offense.
Caddies, Carts, and GPS/Rangefinders
No player may ride in a powered golf cart during his/her competitive rounds, with the exception of tournament approved shuttles at certain sites. Players in Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4 may have one caddy but must walk. Caddies in Divisions 1 and 2 are allowed on the green. Caddies in Divisions 3 and 4 are not allowed on the greens. Any person other than the specified caddy for a player may not give advice. Players in Division 5, 6, 7, and 8 may not have a caddy and must walk and carry their own bag or use a pull cart. USGA approved range finders and GPS devices are permitted for use during State Farm Youth Classic. USGA approved devices only give distances and do not account for variances in weather conditions or terrain (adjusting for uphill or downhill shots).
Player’s Responsibilities
Be sure to carry enough liquid in your golf bag for at least nine holes. Water coolers and/or fountains will be on each course and will be monitored but may be empty at the time you are there. It is recommended that players carry a current USGA Rules of Golf Book and copy of the SFYC Tournament Information in your golf bag and be familiar with their contents and how to find answers. It is suggested that you know the definitions in the USGA Rules. Contestants and caddies may not have cell phones or pagers on the golf course during competition.
Scoring
Parent and/or caddy may count and record scores in Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each player in Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4 may have one caddy only. Players in Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 may limit his/her per hole score to twice that of par (e.g. par 4; maximum score is 8). It is their responsibility to check the score recorded with the competitor after each hole. Scorecards must be exchanged within each group. Divisions 5, 6, 7, and 8 must exchange scorecards within their group and are responsible for recording each competitor’s score after completing each hole. Competitor and scorer must sign every scorecard before it is turned in to Scorer’s Table. It is each competitor’s responsibility to check the card with his/ her score after each round is completed before signing it. Competitors must remain at the Scorer’s Table until each card is checked and the SFYC Scorer/Official dismisses the group. Golfers will be placed into flights after the first day of competition, and trophies will be awarded in each flight. Top flight will have 32 golfers and ties. All other flights will have about 16 competitors. Age groups must have a minimum of 32 competitors before flights will be used.
Spectators
Spectators are welcome and may follow players in all divisions, but may not communicate with them during their competition round. Clapping and encouragement are allowed as long as it does not interfere with tournament play. Contestants are reminded of the two-stroke penalty for violating Rule 8-1 concerning advice and receiving assistance. Contestants are responsible for actions of parents/spectators and are reminded that significant contact/conversation may be construed as advice by fellow competitors. Spectators are encouraged to come out and watch the competitors compete on their own. A parent/friend caddying for a player in Division 1, 2, 3, and 4 may give advice under the USGA Rules of Golf. Contestants in Divisions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are the only people allowed on the greens. Spectators are requested to not carry audible cell phones or pagers on any golf course during competition.
Starting Times
Rule 6-3a of the USGA Rules of Golf provides: “the player shall start at the time laid down by the Committee.” The penalty for breach of this Rule is disqualification. However, it is a condition of the competition that, if a player arrives at his/her starting point ready to play, within five minutes after their start time, in the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided by Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole.
Ties
Ties for first place in each flight shall be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following conclusion of play in that division. Other ties will be decided by the guidelines outlined in the USGA Rulebook. In the case of darkness or adverse weather conditions the guidelines outlined in the USGA Rulebook will be used to decide places. Duplicate trophies may be awarded at the discretion of the SFYC Tournament Committee.
Rainouts and Inclement Weather
The Youth Classic courses and committee will make every effort to play an event to the conclusion. We will continue play in wet weather unless lightning or severe weather is in the near forecast. In the event the participants need to evacuate the course, tournament officials and the host facility will sound an air horn. Once the air horn is blown, you must discontinue all play. Wherever your ball lies, please mark it and we will make every effort to continue play. If an event is shortened due to rain, there will be no refunds or credits issued.
In the event a stipulated round is canceled due to inclement weather, every effort will be made to post a score for that day. 9-hole increments will be used for shortened rounds. An entire age division must be through at least the same 9 holes for the score to post for that day; otherwise, no scores will be posted. No credits or refunds will be issued for shortened events.
Should there be rainouts on both days of the tournament, a refund of 50% of the entry fee will be returned to all participants.
Special Accommodations
We have added a special needs division to the SFYC. Please use the Special Needs entry form if you wish to participate in that division. Applicants needing special accommodations should notify the SFYC Tournament headquarters. Special Needs individuals have functional limitations relating to learning direction, self-care, physical, cognitive or closely related Development Disability that may or may not require a reasonable accommodation. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to reassign individuals based on degree of ability and/or reasonable accommodation.
Refund Policy
One-half entry fee will be refunded if entry is withdrawn prior to 11:59pm on the day registration closes. No Refunds after registration deadline date.
Checklist
Make a hotel reservation.
Schedule a practice round tee time at your designated course by June 19, 2024. (You receive one free practice round at the course you will compete at on the first day of the tournament. Contact the course directly to schedule your practice round. Click here for course phone numbers.)
On-Site registration will take place at each course during the practice rounds on Sunday, June 23 and up to 30 minutes prior to your tee time on Monday, June 24, 2024.
Compete in the Skills Challenge on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 4:00pm-6:30pm at The Den at Fox Creek.
You are automatically registered at no additional cost to compete in these contests. Download the Skills Challenge Procedures.Have fun!
Division \ Age \ Price \ Holes Played Daily \ Golf Course
Boys
1B \ Age 3-5 \ $60.00 \ 9 Holes per day \ The Links at Ireland Grove
2B \ Age 6-7 \ $70.00 \ 9 Holes [er day \ The Links at Ireland Grove
3B \ Age 8-9 \ $80.00 \ 9 Holes per day \ The Links at Ireland Grove
4B \ Age 10-11 \ $100.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Highland Park Golf Course
5B \ Age 12-13 \ $110.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Ironwood Golf Course
6B \ Age 14-15 \ $130.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Prairie Vista Golf Course
7B \ Age 16-17 \ $130.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ The Den at Fox Creek
8B \ Age 18-22 \ $130.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University
Girls
1G \ Age 3-5 \ $60.00 \ 9 Holes per day \ The Links at Ireland Grove
2G \ Age 6-7 \ $70.00 \ 9 Holes per day \ The Links at Ireland Grove
3G \ Age 8-9 \ $80.00 \ 9 Holes per day \ The Links at Ireland Grove
4G \ Age 10-11 \ $100.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Highland Park Golf Course
5G \ Age 12-13 \ $110.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Ironwood Golf Course
6G \ Age 14-15 \ $130.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Ironwood Golf Course
7G \ Age 16-17 \ $130.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Prairie Vista Golf Course
8G \ Age 18-22 \ $130.00 \ 18 Holes per day \ Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University