TournamentPlanningGuide

This guide has been designed toassist tournament organizersin their preparations for a golf tournament. The following topics are briefly discussed:

  1. Date selection
  2. Number of golfers
  3. Budget
  4. Food & Beverage selection
  5. Tournament format & scoring
  6. Start times & foursomes
  7. Contests
  8. Golf tournament prizes
  9. Door prizes & auctions
  10. Grab bags
  11. Golf clinics & driving range
  12. Other rentals
  13. Other activities & services
  14. Golfer’s itinerary & tickets
  15. Golfer’s map & rules
  16. Ticket sales

Call for further information:

Rainbow Ridge Golf Course

(705) 859-2990

26 B Clover Valley Road

Manitowaning, ON P0P 1N0

CONTACT: John Dube

Tournament Format & Scoring

This may very well be one of the most important decisions you make

in the organizationof the tournament. The format and scoring of

your event should reflect the abilities of allyour golfers, not just a small group.

Your objective should be to ensure that everyoneenjoys their day and has a fair chance to

win, regardless of their golf skills. Thefollowing are some popular formats and scoring systems.

Stroke Play Tournament

Should be used only when all of the golfersare very good because no handicaps are used

in the scoring, and the lowest score wins. Competition may be on an individual basis, or

you may play as two-, three-, or four- personteams. If this format is used with

inexperienced golfers, the round will take anexceedingly long period

of time to play. This will cause the better golfers to not enjoythemselves and the weaker golfers to sufferconstant reminders from golf course marshals to speed up their play. Thus, this format isnot recommended for large groups, which typically include a variety of golfer skills.

Handicap Tournament

Is also recommended only for experienced golfers. It is much the same as stroke play

except that the scoring utilizes each golfer’s GAO handicap in order to determine awinner.

Not recommended for large groups.

Alternate Shot Tournament

Is a great way to pair a good golfer with an inexperienced golfer. This method requires

that they act as a team, witheach taking every other shot,

i.e.: alternating. It keeps thegame moving at a quick pace, it is less intimidating for

novice golfers, promotesteamwork, and gives everyone a fair chance towin. This format

can be used in four-person teams as well. The Peoria or Callaway scoring system can be used to furtherbalance out the field. Recommended for mid-sized tournaments.

Best-Ball Scramble Tournament

Is the best format for large events. It requires each foursome to act as a team. Each

person hits from the tee and then advances tothe best-hit ball in the foursome. The other

three golfers pick up their golf balls and placethem near the best-hit ball. Each golfer

then hits their second shot from that same spot and advances to the best hit second shot,etc. This method allows everyone to golfa full round without concerning themselveswith how well they played. If the foursomes are organized in a fair fashion, thecompetition will be evenly balanced. No pressure, lots of fun, and all at a quick pace! The Peoria or Callaway scoring system can be

used in this format as well. Some mayconsider adding rules requiring the use of at

least one or more opening drives from eachmember of the team, to prevent one player from dominating a team. If you choose a format other thanBest-Ball, it is strongly recommended that thefollowing rules be used in order to keep the pace of play from slowing down:

Maximum double-par score on any hole; oncea player reaches double-par they must

pick up their ball and advance to the next hole. Maximum three-putt on any one hole. ThePeoria scoring systemis based on the random selectionof a par three, a par four, anda par five, from each 9-holes played. The scoreson these holes are used to calculate eachgolfer or team’s handicap, which is then used to calculate their overall net score. TheCallaway scoring systemis more complicated but is designed to achieve the sameprinciple, the calculation of a handicap. Ourgolf pro will apply either scoring system ifyou wish. Please note that it is important that you inform all golfers in advance of the format andscoring system to be used in the tournamentto ensure that there are no controversiesduring or after the event.

Date Selection

The tournament date should reflect the availability of your golfers and your budget forthe event. Your date should consider golfers’ worker commitments, work shifts, andvacation periods. Typically, tournaments held for employees, clients, suppliers, andbusiness associates are better attended when held on a business day. Another factor to beconsidered is cost. Green fees on weekends are significantly more expensive. In order to get the date you want, it is strongly recommended that you call months inadvance.

Number of Golfers

An estimate of the number of golfers shouldbe based on reasonable expectations. Over-

estimates caused by a tournament organizer’senthusiasm can lead to disappointment both

financially and emotionally. Alast minute reduction in golfersmay result in a variety of

problems:

  • Fewer golfers to share fixed costs ofthe event may leave you short of funds
  • A financial penalty may be incurred ifyou fall below the number you guaranteed tothe golf club for golf and/or meals
  • A financial penalty may also be incurred if you have booked a shotgun start and your

number falls below the minimum. If your expected number of guests changesat any time, you should report it immediatelyto the golf club in order to reduce any potential financial penalties. As well, under-estimates should be reported in order to ensure that enough tee-off times will be availablefor your extra golfers.

Budget

A well-planned budget will include these variable costs:

  1. Green fees, carts & meals
  2. Grab bags
  3. Driving range (if required)
  4. As well as fixed costs such as:

  • Tickets, printing, signs & banners
  • Prizes (golf, door & contests)
  • Clinics (if required)
  • Equipment rentals
  • Volunteers’ meals

Food & Beverage Selection

The best way to start and end an event is with a meal. An opening breakfast or lunchhelps ensure that everyone arrives early andhas an opportunity to meet with their teammembers. There is nothing more intimidating than hitting your ball in front of threestrangers. A quick meal and a beverage will go a long way in putting everyone at ease. After a fun day out on the course, the best way to maximize the benefits of your event isto follow it up with a meal. We offer a variety of settings for banquets and lighter foodfare. A large selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items are available in ourtournament packages. However, we can also tailor our menu to suit your budgetaryconstraints.

Other Rentals

Golf club rentals should ideallybe booked in advance. Please ensure that you determine

how many rental sets you will require for right-handers and left-handers. Special audio/visual equipment required foryour banquet should be ordered in advance.

Golfer’s Itinerary & Tickets

Preparing and circulating an itinerary for the day, prior to the event, will assist you in

keeping everyone organized through the variousactivities scheduled. A typical itinerary

would include:

  • Recommended time of arrival
  • Time of pre-game clinic (if scheduled)
  • Time of pre-game meal
  • Time to be ready for tee-off(s)
  • Time of tee-off(s)
  • Time of post-game contests (if any)
  • Time of post-game banquet & awards presentation

It is recommended that tickets should be printed for large tournaments. If meals and/or

beverages are to be included, tear-offstubs should form part of the ticket.

Golfer’s Rules

It is important that all golfers receive their rules package in advance in order to avoidpotentially embarrassing situations regarding dress code and illegal alcohol.

Ticket Sales

It is strongly recommended, ifyou are selling golf tickets for your event, that you collectthe funds in advance. The only true confirmation is full payment. Past experience showsthat a high percentage of golfers who havenot paid in advance do not show up. Thiscauses needless headaches, re-working of foursomes, and possible financial penalties fornumbers below the guaranteed amount. As well,you will require funds in advance to paydeposits to the golf club and for merchandise you may be purchasing.

Help & Advice

If you should require any further assistance orsimply need clarification on somethingyou may not understand, please feel free to giveus a call. Our experienced staff will bemore than happy to help you.

Rules for Scramble Play

Scramble Format #1

  1. Any order of play may be used.
  2. Men-White tees Ladies-Yellow tees
  3. After the team members select the best shot, all other balls may be placed within a club length of where the selected ball originally lay, not nearer the hole nor on theputting green.
  4. If the selected ball is in ahazard, all balls must be placedwithin the hazard (players

may rake bunker between shots)

  1. On the putting green, all balls must be placedon the spot where the selected ball lay.
  2. The score of the first ball holed, even if by mistake, will count and that ends thestroke play for that hole.
  3. If a team is short a person, the remaining three players, in rotation, shall each play a

second ball on six of the holes.

  1. If a ball selected lies in the rough, or in atree or the like, it must remain in that lie.

Scramble Format #2

  1. METHOD OF PLAY

Each group competes as a teamfor the LOWEST TEAM SCORE for the 18 holes. Groups are composed for high, medium and low handicap players with each group’shandicap about equal, based on the sum of their given handicaps. The golfer with the lowest handicapin each group is the Team Captain. He isresponsible for ball selection, scoring and turning in the team scorecard when hisGroup has finished.

  1. Play begins with all golfers using the same tees.

2. Each member of the group tees off.

3. With the approval of the other members of the group, the Team Captain decideswhich is the most desirable drive off the tee.

4. The other three players then pick up their balls and proceed to the location of the bestdrive where they each play their second shot.

5. The better of the four second shots is selected, where all four of the group’s thirdshots are played.

6. This procedure is continueduntil the ball is holed out.

7. At the end of each hole, the score for the group is recorded on thescorecard. There isonly one score per hole. (No handicaps are applied)

  1. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. On the fairways, place all balls within 6”to 12” of the ball selected for play.
  2. If chosen ball is inthe rough, it must be played firstand other 3 balls played within

one club length of where chosen ball lay. Each ball must be played from the rough.

  1. If the chosen ball is in a bunker (or water hazard) it must be played first and the other

3 balls placed within 12” oforiginal spot (in bunker). Sand may be raked after eachshot.

  1. On the putting green, each member of the group must putt before anyone hits hissecond putt. When a putt has been holed,the remaining players do not putt.
  2. The order in which the group hits can be varied according to the strategy the teamwishes to follow.
  3. If a team tie develops, the winning team will be decided by a scorecard playoffbeginning with Hole #1.
  1. MISSING PLAYER PROCEDURE:

To compensate for a missing player, on a rotating basis one player on each hole may playtwo shots for that hole as if he were thefourth player. A rotation order should be

established on the first tee.

Rainbow Ridge Golf Pro Shop and is your onestop shop for corporate and tournamentmerchandise. We have logo balls, tees, hats, shirts, ball mark repair tools, towels, bagtags, outerwear, golf shoes, golf glovesand more. You name

it we’ve got it!

Rainbow Ridge Golf Pro Shop

705-859-2990

26 B Clover Valley Road Manitowaning, Ontario

(Downstairs)

Corporations, associations and charitiesare discovering the power of golf. Golfcreates the perfect environment and a relaxedsocial atmosphere facilitating partnerships,camaraderie and team building. An afternoon onthe links presentsa rare opportunity for uninterrupted conversation with your customers and employees. Golf also offers theopportunity to raise money for your charity. Organizing and managing a golf event properly will ensure a memorable day foryour participants. If done properly the first time, you will ensure that your golfers willcome back year after year.

Start Times & Foursomes

One week prior to the event, you should prepare a tee-off schedule and construct yourfoursomes.

Contests:

The following are some popular contests:

  • Closest to the pin
  • Hole in one
  • Longest drive
  • Closest to the line
  • Closest to the target
  • Putting contests
  • Chipping contests

Tournament Prizes

Prizes are usually awarded for low gross, low net, contest winners and for goodsportsmanship. All quality golf courses will have some prize packages available for thetournament.

Door prizes & Auctions

Many golf tournaments award doorprizes as a way of includingmore of the participantsin the chance of winning something. Auctions after or during dinner can also help toraise funds.

Grab Bags

Typically given to golfers when they register. May include any of the following: tees,divotrepair, golf balls,towel, sunscreen, golf cap, golf shirt or coupons.

Help and Advice

All golf courses offer varying degrees of assistance to tournament organizers. Takeadvantage of their expertise.