USGA to Implement Drug Testing at U.S. Men's and Women's Amateur
Beginning in 2013 the USGA is adopting the International Golf Federation’s Anti-Doping Policy for the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur for all participants in the championship proper. The Q&A below with Daniel Hubbard, Assistant Director of Communications with the USGA, answers questions regarding the details.
Q: Who is subject to drug testing at a USGA championship?
A: Anyone who participates in the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur Championship and U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship is subject to drug testing.
Q: How long have you been drug testing and for what championships?
The USGA implemented an Anti-Doping Policy beginning in 2009 for the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open in which it honored the findings, final penalties and sanctions rendered by other leading golf organizations for anti-doping violations. Specifically, we incorporate the PGA TOUR’s Anti-Doping Program for the U.S. Open Championship for all participants in the championship proper, and incorporate the LPGA’s Anti-Doping Program protocol for the U.S. Women’s Open Championship for all participants in the championship proper.
Beginning in 2013 we are adopting the International golf federation’s Anti-Doping Policy for the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur for all participants in the championship proper.
Q: How are USGA competitors notified in general of drug-testing programs?
A: The USGA includes information in player entry applications about the possibility of testing, and has established tools on our website (www.usga.org) for players to obtain information about testing. We also communicate in writing with all players who will be in the Championship proper about the possibility of testing and the requirements they need to follow.
Q: How will you notify U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur championship entrants of this new drug testing policy?
A: Same answer as above. The USGA will include information in player entry applications about the possibility of testing, and has established tools on our website (www.usga.org) for players to obtain information about testing. We also communicate in writing with all players who will be in the Championship proper about the possibility of testing and the requirements they need to follow.
Q: How can the public find out about the drug testing programs and protocols?
A: The USGA’s website has the Anti-Doping Policy, along with the Drug Testing Process and links to various sites such as Drug Free Sport and the International Golf Federation for specifics on the programs and protocols.
Q: Who should be contacted for additional or specific questions on the drug testing process, prohibited substances and methods, dietary supplements, therapeutic use exemptions, etc?
A: Those questions are addressed in our Drug Testing Process on the USGA’s website.