Combatting slow play:
Slow play and back-ups on the course have caused issues in previous tournaments. To better combat slow play, we are making the following changes for this year's tournament:
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• There will be an open "starter's time" (no player tee-offs) in the last 10 minutes of each hour (at 50-minute mark);  not only will this help to spread-out the field, but also will reduce the total number of contestants on Monday and Tuesday from 200 to 160.
• We are eliminating 17-year olds, adding 7-year olds, and restructuring age groups.
• The OP9 course just isn't designed for older, long hitters who can reach most every green with their tee shots (and, therefore, have to wait until greens are cleared to tee off, creating backups). Plus, historically, the OPJO accepted only entries for players 16 and younger.
• Tees will be moved-up (course shortened) for the 7–8 and 9–10 year old age groups.
• Older players will play first each morning. The 15–16 age group will begin at 8am each morning, followed by the 13–14 year olds, and so on. The 7–8 year olds will start last each day.
• On-course volunteers will more aggressively monitor and manage slow play situations.
• We highly encourage each contestant to read and follow the "Tips and Suggestions for Improving Pace of Play" as published by the USGA.

New for caddies:
‍The OPJO encourages all players to have a parent, guardian, family member, or friend caddie for them during tournament rounds. All players in the 7–8 and 9–10 age groups MUST have a caddie assist them. For all age groups, caddies under the age of 15 must be approved by the tournament committee at the Player Check-in station or by a Starter at the first tee.

At the first tee Starter's tent, each caddie will be asked to read a "Caddie Guidelines" document, then sign that sheet to acknowledge their understanding and adherence to the guidelines. 

At the first tee Starter's tent, each caddie will be given an official caddie bib which MUST be worn during the round to designate his/her affiliation with the contestant and eligibility to walk in fairways (spectators may not). The bib is a souvenir gift to the contestant who is responsible for making sure his/her caddie saves and wears the bib each tournament day.

HOWEVER, caddies are NOT allowed to accompany their player on the greens.  Players will be solely responsible for reading putts. Once reaching each green, caddies should relocate to an area marked by ground paint which will be located adjacent to that green in the direction of the next hole.


Guidelines for parents & spectators:
On-course volunteers will more aggressively monitor and manage these guidelines especially with regard to spectators not allowed on tees or in fairways or on greens. Review the Parents & Spectator Guidelines here.