WCGT
HISTORY
As the legendary Bobby
Jones once said, "There is golf, and there is
TOURNAMENT GOLF !
Surprising
in its Simplicity
The
Weekly Challenge Golf Tour was
organized and founded in late 1989, by Dr. James Griseto, a
retired dentist. With enthusiasm and determination, he promoted
an idea that was not readily available to the average golfer
in most areas: the thrills and excitement of playing golf competitively
in accordance with USGA rules, within a strict professionally-managed,
tournament format.
Single day 18 hole
tournaments, on top quality golf courses, are open to both men
and women golfers in the 0 to 30 handicap range. Members may
play as an amateur for prizes and gift certificates, maintaining
their Amateur status - or - play as a non-amateur for prizes
and cash awards. Golf in this format, with fair competition,
is truly a unique experience.
In 1989, the WCGT
began with 147 enthusiastic members, and a schedule of 20 events
on Chicagoland public golf courses, that averaged a field of
51 players. Without any advertising, the WCGT steadily grew
in size and participation. Soon advertisers, sponsors and many
of the best golf courses in Chicagoland were on board with the
WCGT.
The WCGT is managed
by a group of enthusiastic golfers dedicated to a concept that
provides fair, competitive golf events for the average golfer.
While the membership is open to all skill levels, the majority
of players are in a range of six to sixteen in handicap index.
A strictly enforced handicap process is maintained for all members,
using only WCGT scores for maintaining and updating handicap
factors.
MEMBERSHIP
How
much does it cost to join the WCGT?
Individual Member players Tour card is $175. (Includes
your 2008 CDGA Membership)
Returning
Member players Tour card is $150.
(Includes your
2008 CDGA Membership)
Must have been member last year.
The WCGT tour card fee
pays for the current season, and allows you to choose from the
events offered to create your own unique Tour schedule. You
may play as many or as few events as you wish.
To be invited to
play in the Tournament of Champions, you must win or tie for first in
an event and complete a minimum of six events.
How
much does it cost to play each event?
Total fees per event are determined
by adding together the green fee, cart fee, prize pool ($45
in regular tournaments and $55 in major tournaments) and administrative
fee ($34). The Tournament entry fee is therefore an amount equal
to $79 (regular tournaments) or $89 (major tournaments) plus
the cost of golf. Total fees do not change if you choose to
walk in an event instead of using a cart. Most golf courses
will require a cart for all players in a large group.
What
is a verifiable handicap?
Along with your application
you can submit a copy of your most recent verifiable handicap
card as proof of your handicap. Any other league year-end score
sheets may be submitted, and we will advise you if they are
acceptable. We do contact your home course or other golf organization
or association that computed your handicap for verification
of your current handicap.
What do I do if I don't have
a handicap?
When you submit your application,
you must also submit 5 of your most recent scorecards, which
accurately represent the game you play. They must be signed
by a player in your foursome, or your home course pro, attesting
that this is your range of normal scoring in a round of golf.
You can not schedule a qualifying round until we receive your
scorecards.
Then the 1st
event you choose to play in is your qualifying round. Your entry
fee will be $45 less (the prize money), because you cannot win
any prize money in a qualifying round. A qualifying round does
not count as a round played in your stats. This round and the
five score cards are used to establish your handicap index which
will become applicable to your next round.
Submitting false scorecards
If it is determined by the players
council that a new member has submitted false scores, that players
handicap will be adjusted to an appropriate skill level or if
extreme their membership may be revoked.
For an explanation
of handicap adjustment per tournament ask for the WCGT
Handicap System flyer or read about our proprietary
Handicap System on this web site.
PLAYER
STATUS
Amateur
versus Non-Amateur
Whether you are Amateur or Non, if you
win $600 or more in the season as a WCGT player your winnings
must be declared to the IRS and you will receive a 1099 form.
Therefore, we must have a social security number on file for
you or we cannot give you your winnings.
Non-Amateur is
a player who accepts cash for their winnings. We use this term,
to prevent the mistaken conclusion that only very good players
can be professionals.
If you plan to
play as an Amateur in any other events or amateur tours, you
must remain an Amateur in the WCGT. No more than $750.00
in prizes may be taken in any one event, by an amateur. If you
do so, you automatically loose your amateur status. Amateurs
have an extensive list of retailers from which they may choose
to redeem their winnings.
REGISTRATION/PAYMENT/CANCELLATION
How
do I make reservations and payments for events?
Reservations may be made for any event prior
to 10 days before the event. Reservations may be made by
filling out the reservation form on the web site, by phone,
fax or at any event.
>>All reservations are confirmed in writing to each
member.
All members with
credit cards will be charged $10 (a nonrefundable deposit)
for each event reserved, at the time the reservation
is made. This holds their spot in the event. If
you authorized the credit card to automatically pay for event
fees, then the balance of an event will be charged
to your credit card 10 days prior
to the event date.
When you sign up
without a credit card on file,
you must include an escrow check for $140
along with the $10 nonrefundable deposit for each event
you wish to enter.
The balance
of the total fee (after deducting the $10 deposit) is due
10 days prior to each event
date. If the escrow amount on file is used for payment of the
event, the $140 amount must be replenished before the next event
payment is due. Unused credit balances will be applied
to your account for the following season or will be refunded
to you at the end of the golf season at your direction.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If your credit card is declined, or payment is not received
10 days before the event, you may
be removed from that event for non payment. Your reservation
may be given to a member on standby who has an authorized credit
card or escrow check on file.
What
do you mean by standby in an event?
We usually have enough available tee times for
all members who want to play. Occasionally, there will be more
demand than available spots. This will create a standby list
of players to be next into the event when a cancellation occurs.
Our past experience with our players is that there are always
last minute cancellations for a number of reasons. If you are
notified that you are on standby for an event, don’t panic!
We will let you know when an opening occurs. To
avoid overbooking, the $10 reservation fee will not be refunded
for changing a reservation or cancellations!
If a player is
on the standby list and does not get to play in the event, the
$10 deposit will be credited toward their next event.
How
do I cancel a reservation?
A reservation
may be canceled 10 days or more prior to the event date.
All cancellations are confirmed in
writing. Cancellations may be made by filling out
a form on the web site, by phone, fax or at any event. The $10
deposit will be forfeited, but any other prepaid or charged
amounts will be credited toward your next event. Cancellations
by a member between 9 days and 4 days prior to a tournament
date will result in a refund of 50% of the original prepaid
entry fee. Cancellations by a member 3 days or less prior to
a tournament date will result in a forfeiture of the entire,
prepaid entry fee regardless of whether you are replaced
in the tournament.
PRIZE
PAY-OUTS
What kind of prize money was won last year?
The average 1st place winnings in 2007 was $350.00
Top money winner in 2007– Claudia
Wciorka -
$2,135
Thirty-nine (39) players
earned over $1,000.00 in
2007 - Over 181 players won money or gift certificates.
Over $1,650,000
has been paid out in prizes and purse
money
over the last 12 years.
How
is prize money paid out?
For each event each player pays $45 ($55 in major
tournaments) into the prize pool (this is part of the total
fee). By multiplying the total players by $45 or $55 you can
quickly tell the size of pools. (Updated info available at each
event)
The playing field
of each event is broken into 3 classes as even in number of
players as possible. This permits spreading out the prize money
evenly to 30% of the players (40% in Major Tournaments). This
means paying down to approximately 10–12 or more places
in each class. Ties are split evenly after first place.
How
do you break ties?
A scorecard playoff settles ties for 1st
place only. Looking at the hardest hole on the course, whoever
shot the lowest wins, the second person is ranked tie for 1st,
but wins 2nd place money.
A tie in any other
place splits the prize money for those places. For example a
two-way tie for 4th would be called a tie for 4th
and split 4th + 5th place money. The next
in line after that would be called 6th and win 6th
place money.
How
do I get my prize?
For non-amateurs a check is attached to your
scorecard at your next event. Amateurs must fill out a claim
form letting us know how they wish their winnings paid out.
Many department stores and pro-shops are available from which
to choose. Amateurs usually receive their selected gift certificates
at the first tournament after they select the type of certificate
they would like. The certificates are then attached to your
next scorecard. Amateurs who have their gift certificates mailed
will pay a $10 certified mailing fee which will be deducted
from the total gift certificate amount.
COURSE
MANAGEMENT
What
is the average: size of the fields & start time?
Last year the fields ranged from 60 to 110,
with an average number of
82 players.
In 2008 events will be consecutive tee times starting in the
morning. No shotgun starts.
Tee times span over a 2 to 4 hour range.
What tees do
you play from?
To make distances fair, yet challenging, and
at a length that provides speed of play, the tees at our courses
will be divided more or less equally within a range of 6,300
to 6,700 yards for men, and approximately 80% to 85% of that
distance for women.
What
handicap class will I play with?
All the classes are mixed in a foursome during
play. Our goal is to help people meet other new players throughout
the year, and play consistently good courses, at a good pace
of play. We have always been the Tour for the average player,
and we treat everyone the same, no matter what your handicap.
What
about walking?
Event fees are set at one price only as many
courses require carts for large groups. On courses that do allow
walking, those that wish to walk may do so, but there is no
cart fee refund. We appreciate it if you let us know along with
your reservation, whether you will be walking, so we can pair
you with another walker if possible.
Can
I bring a caddie or gallery?
To find out about walking, caddies and gallery,
check out the Course Information sheet at the check-in desk
for every event. It tells you most everything you want to know
about all the courses on the Tour schedule. We appreciate
you're letting us know if you plan on bringing a caddie or gallery.
WCGT & most
courses do not allow gallery or caddies
under the age of 13.
Caddies of members
must adhere to the WCGT Dress Code. ( See Dress Code Information
in the handbook )
Caddies: Courses
that allow caddies fall into 3 classes: 1) you both walk
2) you or your caddy must walk, and the other ride 3)
caddies are available at some of the courses, if you reserve
ahead.
Galleries: Those
courses that do allow gallery fall into 2 classes: Your gallery
must walk behind your foursome and not disrupt play.
Or your gallery must ride with an additional fee for the other
½ cart.
Hold Harmless
Statement Caddies and galleries that accompany you on the
course must sign this form before the event begins. It states
that the WCGT and the golf courses are not responsible for your
safety on the course. No one is allowed out without signing
such a form.
TEE TIMES
AND OTHER INFO
Tee times for each event are on
the WCGT phone (line 3) and on the Web site 48 hours
before each event.
Results of each
event are on the phone (line 2) and on the Web Site 24
hours or less after the end of each event.
Due to the large
size of our tournament fields, the tee times ran through a 2-5
hour spread. Our computer randomly assigns tee times. We don't
accept special requests for pairings, however, if you call
enough in advance (4 days minimum), we will try and usually
can accommodate special needs, such as a late tee time due to
work / or early for a wedding, etc. We do watch for abuse in
this area, and will bring such behavior up to the player’s
council for review.
What
do you do if it rains?
We do play as long as the course remains playable,
so come prepared no matter what the weather conditions.
Who
keeps you moving?
We have On Course Technology "Pace
Monitors" for each foursome that tells at a glance where
you should be on the course letting you know if you are on pace
or behind. Everyone must keep moving and help their foursome
keep up with the group in front of them to maintain a
4-½ hour pace. The marshals, placed throughout the course will
inform groups if they are falling behind the group in front
of them. If a consistently slow player or group is found, they
will be warned, followed by the head marshal and penalized if
necessary. The WCGT does issue slow play penalties during events
for players or groups who can not maintain the pace with the
group in front of them. Marshals are not
there for rules of golf, members are expected to know
those! A player who will not keep up pace of play after
receiving a letter about slowness, will be set at the end of
tee times until their pace picks up.
