Game Format for the Texas Challenge

We will be playing a Ryder Cup style format that is Match - Play. Match play as everyone probably knows is a game that is decided hole by hole instead of cumulatively over 18 holes.

We will handicap the event, and a subsequent post will discuss the method by which we will allocate handicaps and do the team assignments. My brother and I will be the Captains of the respective teams this year (next tournaments will change captaincy's, but this year you get us) and will work with the final line-up to determine the best pairings.

With regard to the format, the following rules, guidelines & terminology will be used.

1. Strict Rules of Golf apply, with Castle Hills course rules applicable and the following exceptions: a. One-club length improvement (no closer to the hole) on all shots. b. Maximum score on any hole is 2 times par (exclusive of handicap). In other words, if someone is at 8 strokes on a par four before holing out, then they pick up their ball and a score of 8 is recorded and handicap strokes do not apply for that hole. Any hole where a player picks up prior to holing - out and recording a score of 2 times par will forfeit the stroke provided by their handicap. So, if you get an 8 by picking up on a par 4, you record an 8.
2. A hole is won by the team, which holes its ball in the fewer strokes
3. Score is kept by the number of holes up (won) and the number of holes to play. Example, Austin 2-up with six holes to play.
4. When a team is up (winning) by more holes than there are holes remaining, then the match is closed out and a point is awarded.
5. One point is awarded for each match won.
6. If the match is tied or "halved" through 18 holes of play, each team receives one - half point.
7. A total of 20 points are awarded in the Texas Challenge. If a match is currently tied while in competition, then it is considered "all square".
8. A match is considered "dormie" when one side is up by the exact number of holes that remain.
9. A player/twosome is said to be 2-up through 10 holes after winning two more holes than their opponent(s) through 10 holes
10. A player/twosome is said to win the match 2-up after winning two more holes than their opponent(s) through 18 holes
11. A player/twosome is said to win 3 and 2 after winning three holes more than their opponent(s) with only two left to play, assuring victory.
12. Concessions of a stroke, hole or an entire match can be made at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or match. Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn.
13. If the tournament concludes all play in a tie, then a sudden-death playoff will be conducted by each teams top two players playing better ball. The top - two players will be selected by the best low-net score of the Singles Matches on Sunday

Game Formats:

Foursomes (four groups of two-man teams) - Friday & Saturday afternoon format

"Foursome" play is a match where two golfers compete on a team against two other golfers and each side plays one ball. The golfers play alternate shots (player a hits tee shot, player b hits second shot, etc.) until the hole is played out. Team members alternate playing the tee shots, with one golfer hitting the tee shot on odd-numbered holes and the other hitting the tee shot on even numbered holes. The team with the better score wins the hole. Should the two teams tie for best score, the hole is halved.

Four-balls (four groups of two-man teams) - Saturday morning format

"Four-ball" play is a match in which each member of the two-man teams play their own ball. Four balls are in play per hole with each of the four players recording a score on the hole. The team whose player posts the best score on that hole wins the hole. Should players from each time tie for the best score, the hole is halved.

Singles (8 groups of one-man teams) - Sunday format

"Singles" is a match in which one player competes against another player. A player wins the match when he is up by more holes than there are holes remaining to play.

Pairings

Each team captain submits the order of play for his team at least one hour to the other prior to the match beginning. The lists from each captain are matched resulting in the pairings. Pairings can not be changed unless a player is sick, injured or absent.