Gender Policy

Authorization For Release of Information

Authorization For Release of Medical Information

The Florida State Golf Association (“FSGA”) has developed this FSGA Gender Policy (the “Policy”) for the purposes of seeking to assure fair competition for all entrants in a FSGA competition and setting forth the procedures by which a transgendered player may participate in a FSGA Competition.  The Policy is referred to in the Conditions of Competition set forth in the Eligibility section of entry applications for all relevant FSGA Competitions. The Policy will be subject to the FSGA’s review and adjustment from time to time in light of any scientific or medical developments.

In any FSGA Competition in which it is required that a player is a specific gender (male or female), the player must identify himself or herself during the entry application process as a person of that particular gender.  Failure to provide proof of gender when gender has been reassigned, and to comply with the process and procedures set forth in this Policy, may result in disqualification from the Competition.  In the event that a player has had gender reassignment surgery at any point after puberty, that player must comply with the eligibility requirements and provide certain documentation to the FSGA in accordance with the procedures set forth below.  Gender reassignment prior to puberty is not subject to these requirements.

The following requirements set forth the eligibility for participation of transgender players in FSGA Competitions:

(i) The player has declared that her gender identity is female. Such declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four (4) years;

(ii) The player must have undergone gender reassignment surgery (i.e., a gonadectomy) prior to the entry deadline for that specific Competition; and

(iii) The player must have undergone hormonal therapy and maintained testosterone levels appropriate for the assigned sex in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sport competitions, as determined by the FSGA in consultation with its medical consultant(s).

A. As set forth in the Competition entry application, each applicant must comply with this Policy and related procedures.  Eligibility to play in a FSGA Competition will only be evaluated in connection with a player who has submitted an entry application to play in that FSGA Competition.  The specific FSGA Competition must be identified in writing with the accompanying documentation specified below.

B. The required documentation must be submitted in triplicate (3 copies) via overnight or first-class mail in an envelope marked “Confidential” and addressed to Executive Director, Florida State Golf Association, 12630 Telecom Drive, Tampa, FL  33637 and received at the FSGA no later than five (5) days after the close of entries for the specific Competition. The documentation, which will be reviewed by the FSGA’s medical consultant(s), must include the following:

(iv) laboratory results supporting acceptable testosterone levels for a minimum of one (1) year prior to competition, and any other medical documentation requested regarding applicable hormonal therapy requirements; and

(v) an executed Authorization for Release of Medical Information waiver form allowing members of FSGA medical consultant(s) to contact all treating physicians if deemed necessary (form waiver provided below).

In the event that hospital or medical records have been purged or lost, or are otherwise unobtainable, a current physical examination performed by a physician experienced in this type of surgery, a report from that physician, and the documentation referenced in (i) and (iii) above, will be considered and reviewed.  FSGA reserves the right to request updated laboratory results to confirm acceptable testosterone levels prior to or following the completion of a FSGA Competition.

If eligibility for entry in a FSGA Competition has been previously approved under this Policy, subsequent FSGA Competition entry applications may be accepted without the need to resubmit the documentation relating to the gender reassignment surgery required in Section IV, B.  However, FSGA reserves the right to request updated laboratory results or other medical documentation to confirm that a player continues to meet the acceptable testosterone levels for a sufficient period of time prior to or following the completion of a FSGA Competition.

If questions relating to a player’s compliance with this Policy arise, either prior to or after commencement of a competition, or after a competition has been completed, the FSGA may contact the player for verification, and request that the player provide appropriate documentation in accordance with this Policy.  A player has seven (7) days after receipt of such a request within which to provide the required documentation to the FSGA at the above referenced address.  If the competition has commenced, a player may be permitted to continue in the Competition until a determination has been made on the player’s eligibility in accordance with this Policy.  If it is determined that the player should be disqualified, any award, prize and/or ranking arising from participation in the Competition shall be forfeited. The player shall not be banned from future Competitions so long as the player satisfies the requirements of this Policy and related procedures in connection with future Competitions.

Questions regarding the process and procedures can be addressed to Executive Director at (813) 632-3742.

The FSGA will maintain such information and documentation in confidence, with only counsel, the FSGA medical consultant(s), the FSGA Executive Committee, and limited FSGA staff members having the need to know and access to such information and documentation.  If the player wants the FSGA to release to any golf association or club or other similar entity information confirming that the player has followed the procedures of this Policy and was deemed eligible to play in a particular FSGA Competition, the player must (1) execute the FSGA’s Authorization for Release of Information waiver form (available on the FSGA website) and (2) forward the executed Authorization for Release of Information waiver form to the FSGA, 12630 Telecom Drive, Tampa, FL  33637, to the attention of the Executive Director in an envelope marked “Confidential”.

            The FSGA expressly disclaims any ability to limit or prevent third party inquiries made directly to the player or to others.  In the event that a third party (other than those specified by the player in accordance with the provisions noted above), including media representatives, makes an inquiry with respect to a particular player’s eligibility to play in a particular Competition, the FSGA may respond that the player was deemed eligible or ineligible (as applicable) to compete in the Competition.