The DQ was an enforcement of one or more of the following rules of conduct:
Competition Manual 3.03.B (Player Misconduct)
7. Activities which are in violation of federal, state or local laws or ordinances, park regulations or disc golf course rules. Tournament Directors are granted the discretion to disqualify a player based on the severity of the offending conduct. An official tournament warning prior to disqualification may be issued by a Tournament Director where appropriate.
8. The possession of illegal substances in violation of federal, state or local laws. The use of marijuana is not permitted at PDGA events, regardless of federal, state or local laws, or the possession of a medical marijuana card.
9. Excessive use of alcohol or public intoxication at the tournament site.
10. Possession of alcohol from the start of play until the player's scorecard is submitted is not allowed. Such possession shall result in immediate disqualification at PDGA events sanctioned at B-Tier or higher. The Tournament Director may, at his sole discretion, elect to issue a warning to the offending player in lieu of disqualification solely at PDGA events sanctioned at C-tier and below. If a player has been previously issued a warning for alcohol possession at the same event, all subsequent violations shall result in immediate disqualification.
The official definition of a caddy, and pertinent rules regarding a player's responsibility for their caddy are:
Competition Manual 3.05
B. Players will have the option to bring a caddie or carrying device during their round of play. Although a player's caddie is subject to all items within the PDGA Rules of Play and the PDGA Competition Manual including the dress code. A caddie need not meet membership or certified official requirements.
C. Players choosing to use a caddie will be solely responsible for their caddie's conduct from the two minute warning until the player's card is turned in. Misconduct by a caddie may subject both the player and caddie to disqualification and/or suspension.
...
G. In PDGA Majors and National Tour events, the group consists of the players themselves, each player's individual caddy, any active Tournament staff such as leaderboard attendants, Tournament Officials, etc. and any credentialed media ONLY. No other people may be with the playing group. All others (including players who have already finished their round) are considered spectators and must remain in designated spectator areas away from the playing group.
(Note that there is no requirement that the caddy actually carries the player's bag (or pulls the player's cart).)
Val did not designate her mother as a caddy until late in the round (last 4 holes). She may have done that so her mother could join the player group (per 3.05.G), because she (Val) was tired, or any other reason. It really doesn't matter why, the player has the right to designate a person (305.B) as their caddy, and the caddy becomes a member of the playing group (as opposed to the gallery), and the caddy's conduct becomes the responsibility of the player (305.C).
Here are the questions I see in the interpretation of 303 resulting in Val's DQ, given Val's statement that the beer can was empty while her mom was her caddy..
1. Is possession of an empty beer can proof of possession of alcohol?
(note: if Mrs. Jenkins had picked up the beer can to remove litter from the course, would possession of litter be deemed possession of alcohol?
2. Assuming Mrs. Jenkins consumed the beer while in the gallery was Val retroactively responsible for her mother's conduct?
(note 1: 303.C "Players choosing to use a caddie will be solely responsible for their caddie's conduct from the two minute warning until the player's card is turned in.").
(note 2: If Mrs. Jenkins have handed the empty can to another gallery member or tossed it on the ground prior to being named Val's caddy, would Val still be DQ'd).
(note 3: consumption of alcohol is not permitted in DeLa -- according to locals.)
