The First Tee of Greater Dallas presents

FIRST TOUR

The premise of implementing the “First Tour” is to bridge the gap between the life skills experience and competitive junior golf in a fun, beginner friendly environment. The running theme of the First Tour will be tournament readiness, and should prove valuable for both the participant and parent as they learn the etiquette and rules of the game along with playing for a score and just what all goes into preparing to play tournament golf.

The “First Tour” will be just that, a tour. An excellent way to engage TFTGD participants from all corners of the Greater Dallas area as well as highlight our great affiliate golf courses as the tour will rotate venues monthly. This should allow our kids to get comfortable meeting and playing with new people as well as building a golf game that travels.

Events will be played in 2 or 4 person teams based on current level in The First Tee program and individual formats in some cases for advanced level participants. The season will run annually from March to October with one First Tour event per month for a total of 8, with 3 of those held as Major Championships. The First Tour MASTERS in April,The First Tour OPEN in July, and The First Tour CHAMPIONSHIP in October. Each Event will be limited to the first 50 players to RSVP with The First Tour Championship being invite only to the Top 20 players in year-long points standing.

Players will receive points based on participation in The First Tee program and finishes in each event that will compile for Player of the Year awards at the season ending First Tour Championship.

The suggested playing window for the First Tour is entry once a participant is PLAYer Certified and phased out at Eagle Certification.

CONTACT Program Manager- Reggie Newton for questions or to sign up!!!

The First Tee of Greater Dallas presents

The “FIRST TOUR”

Prerequisites for First Tour Membership

Active in Open Enrollment

Participant is PAR, BIRDIE, or EAGLE level

Players and Parents must be familiar with First Tee “Friendly” Rules

$75 Tour Membership/ $10 Entry Fee for Monthly and Summer Events

FULL ($20) and Partial Scholarships($40) are available for Membership Fee

NO SCHOLARSHIPS available for Monthly and Summer Series Events

$75 Membership Includes

  • First Tee golf polo, First Tee T-shirt, First Tee hat, First Tee towel

Tour Divisions and Tournament Formats

The following is a breakdown of the three divisions thatmake up the “First Tour” the MAVERICKS, RANGERS, and COWBOYS divisions. It includes suggested age groups, expected number of holes and tournament formats, and average playing distances.

MAVERICKS / RANGERS / COWBOYS
Age / 7-8 / 9-10 / 11-13
Gender / Unisex / Unisex / Male/Female subdivisions
# of Holes / 9 Holes / 9 Holes / 9 Holes
Format / 4-man/ 2-man
/ Individual Medalist / 2-man scramble/
Individual Medalist / 2-man scramble/
Individual Medalist
Distances / Par 3= 50-100 yards
Par 4= 130-180 yards
Par 5= 200-250 yards
9 Holes= 1,200-1,500 yards / Par 3= 75-130 yards
Par 4= 150-220 yards
Par 5= 220-300 yards
9 Holes= 1,800-2,400 yds / Par 3= 75-160 yards
Par 4= 170-250 yards
Par 5= 250-375 yards
9 Holes= 2,000-3,000 yds

The First Tour “Friendly” Rules

The First Tour will in fact be the first competitive playing experience for most of its participants. It is our hope here at The First Tee to provide an opportunity conducive to fun, learning, and comradery primarily with competition as an added bonus. To further promote this environment the First Tour will follow traditional rules of golf with the addition of a few “Friendly” rules to level the playing field and encourage speed of play.

  1. Texas “Snowman” Rule

-8 is the maximum score, regardless of par

  1. Accidental Contact Rule

-In the occasion that a golf ball falls off the tee or is accidentally hit during setup or a practice swing it may be replaced without penalty.

  1. Difficult Shot Rule

-If a player is in a position that is recognized as “difficult” by members of the playing group, once a player has made 2 strokes unsuccessfully he/she may move the ball to the nearest point of relief without penalty. (Ex. In a hazard, bunker, trees, rough)

  1. Putting Green Rules

-Players are only allowed to mark their ball on the putting green once! Also once a player/team begins putting they will continue until it is holed. No alternating shots.

  1. Three Strikes you’re Out!

-Once it is deemed to be a player’s turn he/she may take no more than 2 practice swings. If a player makes 3 practice swings they may receive one warning, if it happens again they can be assessed a one stroke penalty by a competitor or caddy.

  1. Players may share advice such as yardage, wind, and club selection. Players may also share equipment such as balls, tees, divot repair tools, and ball markers.

The First Tour Points Standings

As mentioned before, the First Tour will operate on a yearlong points system following in the footsteps of the PGA, LPGA, and major junior golf tours. This system will prove as a fair way to reward consistent attendance, effort, general investment in The First Tee of Greater Dallas, and of course results from each First Tour event. The following chart will designate the ways a player can earn points and the quantity awarded for each. This points system will determine the 20 players who are invited to the First Tour Championship and will ultimately decide the First Tour Player of the Year for each respective division.

Point Earning Event / Points Awarded
Practicing for 1 Hour outside First Tee / 10
Play 9 holes outside of First Tee / 25
Registering for Open Enrollment Session / 25
Attending a First Tee Class / 25
Attending a First Tee Social Event / 50
Participating in a First Tour Event / 25
1st Place Finish in First Tour Event / 100*
2nd Place Finish in First Tour Event / 50*
3rd Place Finish in First Tour Event / 25*
Participating in a First Tour Summer Series Event / 50
Top 5 Finish in a Summer Series Event / 100
Play in a Non-First Tour Tournament / 50
1st Place in a Non-First Tour Tournament / 150
Top 5 in a Non-First Tour Tournament / 75
Achieving PLAYer Certification / 100
Achieving PAR Certification / 250
Achieving BIRDIE Certification / 500

*Double points awarded for First Tour Major Championships

2017 First Tour Schedule

Projected

March 18th- Cedar CrestFirst Tour Event

April 22nd- MesquiteFirst Tour MASTERS

May 6th -Lake ParkFirst Tour Event

June 17th -Keeton ParkFirst Tour Event

July 15th -Watters CreekFirst Tour OPEN

August 19th -FirewheelFirst Tour Event

September 16th -Tenison Glen First Tour Event

October 21st -TBD*First Tour CHAMPIONSHIP

All First Tour Events Check in/Range opens at 2pm Tee Times will start at 3pm

PLEASE NOTE Event Locations are Subject to Change!

CONTACT Program Manager- Reggie Newton for questions or to sign up!!!

2017 First Tour

Summer Series

Projected*

June 5th- Cedar CrestSummer Series Event

June 12th- Stevens ParkSummer Series Event

June 19th-Tenison HighlandsSummer Series Event

June 26th -Luna VistaSummer Series Event

July 10th -Cedar CrestSummer Series Event

July 17th -Stevens ParkSummer Series Event

July 24th -Tenison HighlandsSummer Series Event

July31st -TBD*Summer Shootout

*All Summer Series Events Check in/Range opens at 2pm Tee Times at 3pm

PLEASE NOTE Event Locations are Subject to Change!

CONTACT Program Manager- Reggie Newton for questions or to sign up!!!