From Finchem’s memo:
PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program
The Policy Board has approved the PGA TOUR’s Anti-Doping Program. The TOUR’s primary objective is to have a credible program that will aggressively deter the use of any prohibited substance. The key elements of the program include extensive player outreach and education; a comprehensive list of prohibited substances and methods; therapeutic use exemptions; a testing protocol and procedure; and guidelines governing sanctions and program administration. A summary of each of these significant elements follows.
Player Outreach and Education
The TOUR’s Anti-Doping Program will be implemented on all three Tours, on a phased-in basis. On the PGA TOUR, player education and outreach will begin in December 2007 and extend through June 2008, with testing beginning no sooner than July 2008. The education phase will commence on the Nationwide Tour in mid-2008, with testing to begin in late 2008. On the Champions Tour, education will begin in January 2009 and testing will be implemented in mid 2009.
PGA TOUR players will receive an Anti-Doping Program Manual in early December 2007. The manual will contain significant details about all aspects of the Program. Additionally, players will have 24-hour-a-day confidential access to medical and program advisors who can respond to any questions relating to specific substances, medications or testing procedures.
The player education process will include weekly player education sessions at tournament sites, beginning in January at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Medical experts will also be available on a weekly basis for one-on-one meetings with players. You may also include family members and support staff (managers, trainers, nutritionists, physicians, etc.) in any of the educational sessions offered. A mandatory player meeting will also be scheduled at the 2008 Buick Invitational, at which time the Program will be covered in comprehensive detail.
Prohibited Substances
As previously announced in September, the PGA TOUR and the other member organizations of the World Golf Foundation have collaborated to create a Model Prohibited Substances and Methods List.
The list includes:
• Anabolic Agents (e.g., steroids)
• Hormones and Related Substances (e.g., human growth hormone, testosterone, EPO)
• Agents with Anti-Estrogenic Activity (to artificially increase testosterone level)
• Diuretics and Other Masking Agents
• Stimulants (e.g., Ritalin)
• Narcotics
• Cannabinoids
• Beta Blockers
• Enhancement of Oxygen Transfer (blood doping)
• Chemical and Physical Manipulation (tampering with a sample)
The Anti-Doping Program Manual that will be delivered to players on Dec. 1 will contain a comprehensive list of prohibited substances that fall under the categories listed above, as well as a list of those substances that will not be prohibited under the Program.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
The TOUR’s Anti-Doping Program includes a process for players to apply to receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to use a banned substance if there is a legitimate medical need as determined by the PGA TOUR’s medical committee.
This TUE medical committee will be created and chaired by the TOUR’s anti-doping medical advisor, Tom Hospel, M.D. Dr. Hospel is Board Certified in Sports Medicine, has served as team physician for The Ohio State University and shares a practice with the Medical Advisor for the NFL Anti-Doping Program. The TUE medical committee will also include a number of other highly-regarded physicians from various medical disciplines.
Testing Protocol
As with the overall Anti-Doping Program, the PGA TOUR’s primary objective with its testing protocol is to have a credible process that will aggressively and effectively deter the use of any prohibited substance. Under the terms of the program, the TOUR has the authority to test players at any time or place. All testing will be without prior notice. Testing done at tournament sites may be conducted both on practice/pro-am days and before or after competitive rounds. There is not a stated minimum or maximum number of times a year that an individual player may be tested.
The TOUR is taking significant steps to ensure that the confidentiality, security and integrity of the entire process is preserved for the membership. To implement the testing process, the TOUR has engaged the National Center for Drug Free Sport (Drug Free Sport). Individuals employed by Drug Free Sport are specifically trained to ensure a confidential and secure testing experience for the player and the TOUR.
Drug Free Sport will assist in the player education program in addition to conducting the actual testing. Beyond its new relationship with the TOUR, Drug Free Sport also provides drug testing or education services for the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA and hundreds of colleges and universities.
Sanctions
Players who have been tested will be notified of the results by the PGA TOUR Program Administrator (see next section). If it is determined that a player committed a violation of the Anti-Doping Program, the player will be notified of the violation and the sanction. Players will have an opportunity to appeal a sanction at a hearing to be held by the Commissioner or his designee.
Under the program, the TOUR has the authority to impose a variety of sanctions, which may include: disqualification; ineligibility for up to one year for a first violation, up to five years for a second violation, and up to a lifetime ban for multiple violations; and fines up to $500,000.
In addition, for drugs of abuse (marijuana, certain narcotics, cocaine), the Commissioner will have the discretion to require treatment and rehabilitation in lieu of or in addition to other sanctions.
For any player who fails a test and is issued sanctions, the PGA TOUR will disclose that the player violated the TOUR’s Anti-Doping Program and will report the penalty.
Program Administration
The Program will be handled through the PGA TOUR’s Office of the General Counsel led by Rick Anderson, EVP and Chief Legal Officer. Allison Keller, Assistant General Counsel Anti-Doping, will be the Program Administrator.
The PGA TOUR has engaged outside policy and medical experts to assist in the development and implementation of the program, including player-education programs and the testing process. In developing the program, the TOUR has worked closely with Richard Young, one of the world’s foremost anti-doping experts, and the principal draftsman of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. Mr. Young has served on the WADA Board since 2004.
I realize this is a significant amount of information on several very important areas that impact you and your fellow members. We firmly believe that these actions will enhance the overall position of the PGA TOUR for years to come, and we will continue to communicate frequently with you on these key topics.
Again, I want to thank you for all that you do as a member of the PGA TOUR and for helping to make the 2007 season such a great success. I also want to extend the Board’s appreciation for the diligent work and feedback by the PAC on the members’ behalf. Player input is a highly valued component to the overall process of making these significant decisions.
And finally, if you have any questions about this information, please do not hesitate to contact me or our management team.
Thank goodness it includes HGH. I’m concerned about the language of the sanctions…
“a variety of sanctions which MAY include…” as it still gives wiggle room for the star system or give the tour the ability to do nothing at all. But the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. This was a critically needed step in the right direction. I’ll have the feedback from WADA and USADA officials soon.
In the meantime, here’s some info and open questions:
1. The Policy Board who passed this was Davis Love III, Vic Ganzy of Hearst Corp, Edward Whitacre, Jr. of AT&T Inc., Brad Faxon (also on the TOUR’s Player Advisory Committee), David Toms and Joe Durant. Fax is not a wet fish, but Love and Toms are just smiling trustworthy rubber stamps. I’ll reverve decision on Durant until I know more about the negotiations.
2. An anti-doping manual comes out to th eplayers in Dec. We’ll get this and details on the mandatory player meeting scheduled for the 2008 Buick.
3. There will also be a list handed out of “substances not prohibited under the program.” This should be examined closely to see where the leaks, if any, could break the dam and be the “exception that swallows the rule.” Another example of this concept is…
4. Therapeutic Use Exemptions – the keys to the kingdom belong to one Tom Hospel, M.D. This is where there should be intense scrutiny.
5. “Testing any time, any place, without prior notice, before or after competitive rounds or practice rounds….No minimum or maximum number” of tests to a particular player. Still, it’s meaningless unless there is testing at the Majors and Sawgrass and the Ryder Cup. Want us t take the FedEx Cup seriously? Test there too…and Wachovia and all the other wannabe majors.
6. The “variety” of sanctions and inherent discretion concern me. Nevertheless, if they are going to announce suspensions, there will be the necessary scrutiny.
Personally, here’s what I would be happy to see and will lobby for. Immediate testing of everyone who finishes top 15 in every major and sawgrass and for all ryder cup team members. That negates the star system. If you do well and are expecting a trophy or big check, roll up your sleeve. With the money you make, it should be no bother.
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