DPT Golf Season 3

Now that Season Two is over... we're starting up Season Three immediately. And we're changing to stroke play!

Season One was pretty decent, with good participation allowing us to accurately match-up teams of various skill. We were able to play a bunch of different courses (with a two-day tournament) for less than the cost of one season at TBCS.

Season Two sucked a fat dick. Apathy and forfeits made the whole thing pointless. There was no competitive spirit, and all but two teams acted like showing up was a chore instead of a fun time out with the guys. As I complained to co-founder Geoff regarding the incessant whining about tee times, greens fees, availability, locations, handicaps, etc... it dawned on me that we didn't really need anyone else to accomplish our goal.

We started the league because 1) we love the game 2) we wanted to play more in the hopes of getting better and 3) we wanted fair competition. It was assumed that our friends (who always said they should play more golf) would be just as passionate about forming and growing the league. But because we didn't charge anyone a shit-load of money upfront, there was no incentive to show up and play. Our mistake.

So we're changing the format to an individual stroke-play tour. Every man for himself. If you want to play in a tournament, sign up. If you'd rather go to Comic-Con, whatever. If you don't like the course, tee time, date or price... skip it. The people who play most often will have the best shot at winning money and prizes. Everyone else can show up when the mood strikes them and attempt to win a few bucks. Best of all... I don't have to spend any time sending e-mails or trying to accommodate schedules. It's all set in stone, and it's all on the blog.

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Schedule
The season will be 11 weeks long, playing most weekends. There will be a post on this blog each week discussing the upcoming tournament and registration deadline. All tee times will be cost-conscious, and therefore probably around noon. In order to play in a tournament, you must meet all the requirements of the event AND register at least one week in advance (as in... post a comment so a spot will be reserved for you).

Spots are first come, first served. If you are the 5th, 9th, 13th, or 17th player... you need to find at least one more person before the deadline. You're more than welcome to sign up for a tournament weeks in advance.

Since the dates are already set, put it on your calendar. We might swap a Saturday for a Sunday (and vice/versa) if there's something big going on.

Handicaps
Individual handicaps will be kept using the official USGA calculation. You must have a handicap in order to participate in a tournament for money and points. We'll keep all the data for you on this website. In fact, we're keeping enough data to become an official USGA club if we ever decide to apply. If you don't have a handicap, you can play as an amateur in order to obtain the minimum number of rounds needed to establish a handicap (five). If you ever play outside of the league, you can email me your scores (by hole) and the course information in order to obtain a handicap sooner.

Point System
Whoever finishes the season with the most DPT Points will be champion. It works just like (and is modeled after) the FedEx Cup system. You can play sporadically and win the title if you win tournaments. Or you can play a lot and slowly build up a high point total. Ties (even 1st place) are split, just like in the PGA.

Money Payouts
Every tournament will have a $5 entry fee ($10 for Majors). Payouts will depend on how many people are entered. Each group will also gamble $1 on a designated long drive hole, and $1 on each of the par 3s. Eagles get an extra dollar from every competitor. Any score 10+ over par (net) owes the group a pitcher of beer after the round.

While the money list is interesting, it doesn't affect the standings. We just want to keep track who is winning and losing money throughout our season. Amateurs are NOT eligible to win prize money, but they can participate in long drive and par 3 payouts. Ties (even 1st place) are split, just like in the PGA.

Tournament Formats
All tournaments will be stroke-play using DPT handicaps. However, there will be special tournaments hosted by members of this league. As of now we've involuntarily signed up people to host. The host has a limited ability to choose the date, course, tee time and tees for their event. If they have a good theme idea, I'm also open to discuss it. If the host doesn't want to be bothered, we'll still play the tournament and say they're the host. It's almost funnier that way.

Current "special" tournaments include:
Geoff Skins Game - Instead of normal payouts, the money will go to the winner of skins.
Robb's Early Bird Classic - Teeing off at the crack of dawn.
Chandler Heritage - An exclusive event. No amateurs allowed!
E-Flo's Hangover Invitational - This is probably my favorite one. Go read it.
Gorecki's Par 3 Shootout - Played at an executive course.
Reid's Jamaican Open - At a course with a ton of water. It reminds him of home.

There are also three Majors. Each one has a unique participation requirement and will be held at a nicer (and slightly more expensive) course. The entry fee is $10, so the payouts will be larger.

Playing Rules

Obviously we're going to play the game according to the USGA. If you hit a ball out of bounds, you need to hit another one with penalty from the same spot. If a ball is in a bush and you can't hit it, you need to take a drop with penalty for an unplayable lie. Each player is in charge of enforcing rules on themselves and on their playing partners. If you cheat, you get kicked out. If you constantly have trouble tallying up your correct score, you get kicked out. If you're a douche, you get kicked out. If you fail to pay your bets, you get kicked out.

This is a small-money gambling league. Go to the ATM before the round. No excuses or IOUs. If you rack up debt, we'll just quit including you.

The max you can take on a hole is double-par... which we're only enforcing to help speed up the game.

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That's all you need to know. Tournament dates, handicaps, scoring history and player profiles are already active on the blog. First week is June 9th... go ahead and let me know if you're playing.