Saginaw District Golf Association Tournament

The Saginaw District Golf Association does NOT utilize the optional local rule that allows a player to drop in or near the fairway for a ball that is out of bounds or lost.  Any ball that is hit out of bounds must be played under STROKE AND DISTANCE. The player must add one penalty stroke and replay the shot from the location of the previous stroke.  Players are strongly encouraged to play a provisional ball when there is doubt whether the original ball may be out of bounds. This will help maintain pace of play and avoid the need to return to the previous spot.

SDGA personnel on the golf course ARE NOT the Rules Committee and should not be called over or asked to provide rulings during play.  To protect pace of play, if a player is uncertain how to proceed under the Rules, the player should play two balls under Rule 20.1c and continue the round. The situation should then be reviewed with the Rules Committee at the scoring table immediately following the round, before the scorecard is returned.

It is the responsibility of the players in each group to know and apply the Rules of Golf, protect the field, and preserve the integrity of the tournament.  Players are expected to address rules questions within their group when possible. If there is uncertainty on how to proceed, the player should play two balls under Rule 20.1c and obtain a ruling from the Rules Committee at the scoring table immediately following the round, before the scorecard is returned.

To protect the integrity and proper administration of the tournament, the SDGA Tournament Committee reserves the right to remove any player whose conduct, pace of play, rules compliance, scoring accuracy, or demonstrated inability to meet the competitive standards of the event is detrimental to the fairness, integrity, pace, or successful administration of the SDGA Tournament. 

The champion of the Open Division is recognized as the best golfer in Saginaw County and is given The Joe Hart Trophy. The trophy is named after the former sports editor of The Saginaw News who along with Fred Martin in 1955 spearheaded the creation of the tournament and helped build the tradition that we still enjoy today. 

Also, the winner of the Open Division is awarded our traditional green jacket. The green jacket is very generously provided by the Marty Stark Foundation. Marty Stark was a big supporter of golf in Saginaw County and he was a great friend of the District for many years.

The Senior Championship is awarded to the lowest scoring player in the Open Division who is over 50 years old. The Senior Champion is awarded The Fred Martin Jr. Trophy which is named after the origianal chair of the SDGA and was one of the driving forces to make this tournament a reality back in 1955. He is affectionally known as “Mr. District”. 

The low scoring player 21 and under is given The Mark Spiekerman Trophy which is named after our 1977 champion who was killed in an auto accident in 1981.  This title pays homage to the former "21-Club" Tournament founded in 1962 that gave a competitive golf environment to 21 players each week under 21 years old.   Starting in 1982, the 21-Club awarded a scholarship in Mark's name to the player selected Sportsman of the Year.

The champion of the Legends (over 50) Division is given The Ron Stelter Trophy which is named after our 10-time champion Ron Stelter, a true gentleman and ambassador to the game of golf.