USGA Joins Leading Golf Organizations To Develop Anti-Doping Policy

September 20, 2007
E-mail address: mediarelations@usga.org

St. Augustine, Fla. - The major governing organizations in professional golf, which includes the United States Golf Association for the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open, announced Thursday that they have agreed in principle to an anti-doping policy for professional golf on a global basis that will be accomplished in two phases.

The first phase of the policy, which has been completed, encompasses the development of The Model Prohibited Substance and Methods List, which can be found in the accompanying table.

The second phase of the Policy, which is anticipated to be completed prior to the end of 2007, will include general standards for all the fundamental elements of an anti-doping program for golf organizations that become signatories to the Policy, while providing flexibility for such signatories to develop specific policies and procedures necessary or appropriate for their organizations.  Such standards will encompass the Model Prohibited Substance and Methods List, as well as medical waiver procedures, testing protocols, results management, penalties, sanctions and reciprocity of outcomes.

Besides the USGA, the other leading professional golf organizations who have lent their support, leadership and cooperation for the development of the Policy as a result of their representation on the Board of Directors of the World Golf Foundation and who will, subject to approval by their governing boards, become signatories to the Policy include the PGA Tour, PGA of America, Augusta National Golf Club, LPGA Tour, European Tour and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club for the British Open Championship Tour.

Other leading golf organisations who have agreed to become signatories to the Policy include the Asian Tour, Australasian Tour, Canadian Tour, Japan Professional Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and Tour de Las Americas.

The Model Prohibited Substance and Methods List (modified as necessary for individual golf organizations) will be incorporated into the respective tournament regulations of a number of signatories to the policy, effective in 2008.  Player education and outreach on the Model Prohibited Substance and Methods List is ongoing and will be given increased emphasis by the signatories of the Policy moving forward.

An Anti-Doping office of the World Golf Foundation will be created in 2008, and will, among duties, coordinate and share information with golf organisations with respect to medical waiver procedures and therapeutic use exemptions under the Policy.  Disciplinary procedures and penalties for violations of the Policy will be controlled and administered by the signatories to the Policy, and disclosed to other signatory organisations for consistency and coordination purposes.  Testing protocols will also be within the purview of the individual signatory organizations and will be developed and approved by each organisation on an individual basis.  It is anticipated that signatories who will be testing under the Policy will commence and activate their testing programs in 2008.

Further information from the USGA's perspective can be obtained by contacting Executive Director David Fay at (908) 234-2300.

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the game's golfers and golf courses.

The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, maintains an official Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $56 million over 10 years to programs that seek to grow the game. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.