AJGA Policy on Sex and Gender for Participants in AJGA Championships
Effective June 1, 2024
I. Introduction
As set forth in the AJGA’s Competitive Eligibility Requirements, eligibility to participate in AJGA Championship competition begins at the age of twelve (12). The onset of puberty typically beings in young people at the age of eight (8) in biological females, and the age of nine (9) in biological males. Due to the performance gap that rapidly emerges as young golfers move through puberty, it is a long established practice in the sport of golf at all levels to hold separate competitions for biological males and biological females. The AJGA has followed this practice since its inception. The AJGA believes this is the best way to (a) prepare our members for a future in competitive golf, in which competitions among males at all levels are nearly always played on significantly longer courses (by yardage) than competitions among females, (b) ensure equal opportunity for both biological males and biological females to participate and succeed in the sport of golf, (c) ensure competitive fairness, and to (d) promote the overall growth and development of young biological males and biological females who aspire to achieve their goals through competitive golf. If the AJGA were to abandon this practice, the AJGA is convinced there would be (among other consequences) a sharp decline in the number of biological females that would be able to succeed and to achieve their future aspirations in and through the sport of golf.
II. Definitions
For purposes of this Policy, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“AJGA Championships” means all AJGA golf competitions, whether eligibility is structured in terms of a competition within one Birth-Sex specific category for either biological males or biological females, or whether eligibility is structured in terms of two competitions within two discrete categories, one for biological males and one for biological females.
“Birth Sex” means a Participant’s biological sex at birth, being either male or female (as typically associated with XY chromosomes for males, and XX chromosomes for females).
“FTM Hormone Therapy” means a physician supervised gender-affirming female-to-male hormone treatment for diagnosed gender dysphoria that includes testosterone or other anabolic substances.
“Gender Identity” refers to a Participant’s gender identity or expression, which may or may not correspond with the Participant’s Birth Sex or their status as a Trans Female (MTF) Participant or a Trans Male (FTM) Participant, and which may or may not be the result of medical diagnoses, treatments, or therapies (e.g., FTM Hormone Therapy).
“Non-Binary Participant” means a Participant whose Gender Identity is neither male nor female.
“Participant” means a player participating or desiring to participate in an AJGA Championship, who otherwise meets the AJGA’s Competitive Eligibility Requirements.
“Trans Female (MTF) Participant” means a Participant whose Birth Sex is male but whose Gender Identity is female.
“Trans Male (FTM) Participant” means a Participant whose Birth Sex is female but whose Gender Identity is male.
“Trans Participant” means either a Trans Female (MTF) Participant or a Trans Male (FTM) Participant.
III. General
a. Eligibility to compete in an AJGA Championship will be evaluated only in connection with Participants who have submitted an AJGA entry application to play in that AJGA Championship. As set forth in the AJGA Championship entry application, each Participant must comply with this Policy and the other policies and procedures described herein.
b. To establish a Participant’s Birth Sex as required for eligibility to compete in an AJGA Championship, each Participant is required to provide an authentic original birth certificate (or a certified copy thereof) along with the relevant entry application. If no such authentic original birth certificate (or certified copy thereof) can be obtained, or if such authentic original birth certificate (or certified copy thereof) does not clearly indicate a Participant’s Birth Sex as either a biological male or biological female, then a Participant’s Birth Sex as defined herein must be attested by the Participant (and by the Participant’s parent or legal guardian) in a written affidavit provided to the AJGA at least 45 days prior to the first tee time of the relevant AJGA Championship. Failure to provide an authentic original birth certificate (or certified copy thereof) or the affidavit as described above may result in ineligibility for, or disqualification from, the relevant AJGA Championship.
c. A Trans Participant or Non-Binary Participant applying to compete in an AJGA Championship is required to submit the other documentation and information described in Section V of this Policy. Failure to comply with Section V of this Policy may result in ineligibility for, or disqualification from, the relevant AJGA Championship.
IV. Eligibility for AJGA Championships Relating to Birth-Sex and Gender Identity
For all AJGA Championships, the relevant Participant is eligible to compete only within the category of their Birth Sex, without regard to the Participant’s Gender Identity. This applies to all Participants, including without limitation (a) to Trans Male (FTM) and Non-Binary Participants whose Birth Sex is female (provided that, in the event the Participant has undergone, or is undergoing FTM Hormone Therapy, the AJGA reserves the right to take such therapy into account when making its eligibility determination), and (b) to Trans Female (MTF) Participants and Non-Binary Participants whose Birth Sex is male.
V. Additional Documentation Requirements for Trans Participants and Non-Binary Participants
a. First-Time Applicants - Any Trans Participant or Non-Binary Participant applying for the first time to compete in an AJGA Championship must submit an affidavit signed by the Participant and at least one parent or legal guardian. Such affidavit must be marked "Confidential" and be addressed to Chief Operating Officer, American Junior Golf Association, 1980 Sports Club Drive, Braselton, GA 30517, and must be received at the AJGA no later than five (5) days after the close of entries for the specific AJGA Championship. The affidavit, which will be reviewed by the AJGA's medical panel, must include the following: Identification of Birth Sex; Identification of Gender Identity; date of beginning FTM Hormone Therapy (if any); nature of FTM Hormone Therapy (if any); date of ending of FTM Hormone Therapy (if any); and an acknowledgement that the AJGA may request to contact the treating physicians along with a statement of compliance with any such request by AJGA. In the event that the AJGA requests further supporting information or documentation, including without limitation relevant medical records or HIPAA waiver forms, Participants must provide such supporting information or documentation in a timely manner.
b. Applicants That Have Participated in Previous AJGA Championships - If a Trans Participant or Non-Binary Participant’s application for entry in an AJGA Championship has been previously approved under this Policy, subsequent applications for the same Birth Sex category (male or female) will be accepted on the same basis. However, if a Participant’s Trans Participant status or Gender Identity has changed since the Participant’s acceptance in their previous AJGA Championship, then the AJGA reserves the right to require submission of a new affidavit and/or new documentation and information as described in this Section V.
c. If questions relating to a Participant's compliance with this Policy arise, either prior to, during, or after commencement of an AJGA Championship competition, the AJGA may contact the Participant for verification and request that the Participant provide a new or updated affidavit, and/or new or updated information and/or documentation consistent with this Section V. A Participant has seven (7) days after receipt of such a request within which to provide the requested affidavit, information and/or documentation to the above referenced address. If the competition has commenced, a Participant may be permitted to continue in the competition until a determination has been made on the Participant's eligibility in accordance with this Policy.
d. Failure to provide the affidavit as described above, failure to comply in a timely manner with any request by the AJGA for further supporting information or documentation, or the provision of materially false or misleading statements, information, or documentation to the AJGA may result in disqualification for any AJGA Championship.
e. If the AJGA determines that the Participant should be disqualified from any AJGA Championship under this Policy, any award, prize and/or ranking arising from participation in the competition shall be forfeited. The Participant shall not be banned from future AJGA Championships so long as the Participant satisfies the requirements of this Policy in connection with future AJGA Championships.
VI. Privacy
a. The AJGA will maintain the information and documentation it receives under Section V in confidence, with only AJGA counsel, AJGA leadership, and any medical professionals contracted by the AJGA having access to such information and documentation. If the Participant wants the AJGA to release to any golf association or other similar entity information confirming that the Participant has followed the procedures of this Policy and was deemed eligible to play in a particular AJGA Championship, the Participant must (1) execute the AJGA's Authorization For Release of Information (available for download) and (2) forward the executed Authorization for Release of Information to the AJGA, 1980 Sports Club Drive, Braselton, GA 30518 to the attention of Chief Operating Officer in an envelope marked "Confidential".
b. The AJGA expressly disclaims any ability to prevent or limit third party inquiries made directly to the Participant or to others. In the event that a third party (other than one specified by the Participant in accordance with the provisions noted above), including media representatives, makes an inquiry of the AJGA with respect to a particular Participant's eligibility to play in a particular AJGA Championship, the AJGA will respond simply that the Participant was deemed eligible to compete in the relevant AJGA Championship.
VII. Miscellaneous
a. The AJGA reserves the right to change all conditions of eligibility under this Policy, including without limitation the right to make alterations (whether temporary or permanent) as needed to comply with applicable laws.
b. In all cases, the AJGA has the sole and final authority to determine whether the eligibility standards and requirements for each AJGA Championship have been met.
c. Questions regarding the process and procedures set forth in this Policy should be addressed to the Chief Operating Officer at (770) 868-4200.
Revised 2/6/2025.