The Executive Committee of the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) has determined that limited usage of private aircraft, when the circumstances warrant, is in the best interests of the USGA.  The following guidelines have been approved by the Executive Committee in connection with the use of private aircraft by representatives of the USGA.

1)    Private aircraft may be used only by the President of the USGA, officers of the USGA, senior staff of the USGA (“Authorized Persons”) and their family members.  Use by Authorized Persons and their family members must be pre-approved by the President.

2)    Private aircraft may be used only in connection with travel reasonable and necessary for the furtherance of  the business or affairs of the USGA, and only when commercial aircraft travel would require an unreasonable itinerary or in situations where commercial aircraft travel would be otherwise logistically impracticable, given the Authorized Person’s commitments to the USGA, her/his career, or family.  

3)    For each use of the private aircraft the Authorized Person must submit written documentation to the Senior Director of Finance (i) describing the business purpose of the trip, (ii) demonstrating compliance with these guidelines and (iii) indicating pre-approval by the President.  This documentation shall be maintained in a segregated file.  

4)    On occasion, family members of Authorized Persons may be authorized to accompany an Authorized Person on the private aircraft.  Such use is acceptable provided that the presence of the family members does not (i) require a change in equipment, (ii) require a change in itinerary, or (iii) preclude an Authorized Person from travel.  

5)    For each use of the private aircraft by a family member, the Authorized Person must submit written documentation to the Senior Director of Finance (i) describing the family member’s business purpose of the trip, if any, (ii) demonstrating compliance with these guidelines and (iii) indicating pre-approval by the President.  For example, in certain circumstances it will be appropriate for the President’s spouse to function as a “goodwill ambassador” for the USGA while accompanying the President on a business trip.  The bona fide business purpose of such travel shall be fully documented.  Family member travel, if not for a bona fide business purpose, shall be reported to the IRS as compensation to the Authorized Person.  

6)    Certain legitimate business travel is not reimbursable under the USGA’s current Expense Reimbursement Policies.  Such business travel on the private aircraft shall be reported to the IRS as compensation to the Authorized Person.

7)    No less than once a year, all records pertaining to the utilization of private aircraft, approvals for aircraft usage, and expenses attendant thereto, shall be compiled in a brief summary by the Senior Director of Finance and submitted to the USGA’s Audit Committee, which will be responsible for assuring that there has been compliance with these guidelines.  

8)    Prior to use of the private aircraft, the Authorized Person and any family member traveling with the Authorized Person must sign a form of indemnity and release to protect the USGA from liability in the event of an accident.