Fore The Golfers Official Tournament Rules

Event Format

  • The Fore The Golfers Invitational is a two-person scramble played over 36 holes.

  • Teams will play with the partner they registered with for both rounds. All participants must be at least eighteen (18) years old before the first round begins.

  • The tournament will be scored as a gross 2-person scramble.

  • This is a competitive event with a $4,000 winner-take-all cash prize.

Scramble Format Rules

  • Each team is allowed a maximum of two shots per selected location, with one shot per player.

  • Both players tee off on each hole. After both tee shots, the team selects the best shot. Both players then play their next shot from that selected location. This process continues until the ball is holed.

  • The team score for each hole is the number of strokes taken using the selected shots.

  • Once a ball is selected, both players must play from as close as reasonably possible to the selected spot. In the fairway, rough, or other general areas, the ball may be placed within one club length of the selected shot, no closer to the hole. A ball may not be moved from one condition to another. For example, a ball in the rough cannot be moved into the fairway, a ball in a bunker cannot be moved out of the bunker, and a ball in a penalty area cannot be moved out without taking proper relief.

  • On the green, the ball must be placed as close as possible to the selected spot, no closer to the hole.

Tee Shots

  • Both players may tee off on every hole. All players must play from the assigned tournament tees.

  • Men - White Tee Markers. Women - Red Tee Markers.

  • If a player hits from the wrong tee box, the tournament committee reserves the right to assess a penalty or require the team to replay the shot from the correct teeing area.

Putting Rules

  • Once on the green, both players may putt from the selected spot.

  • If the first player’s putt is missed and the ball is tapped in or holed before the second player putts, the team is considered to have accepted that score.

Out of Bounds, Lost Balls, and Penalty Areas

  • If the selected shot is lost, out of bounds, or in a penalty area, the team must proceed under the proper rules of golf.

  • If you hit your ball out of bounds or lose it (you have three minutes to search for your ball before it becomes lost), your only option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke to play under stroke and distance - requires you to replay a shot from its original spot after a one-stroke penalty. If you think that your ball might be out of bounds or that you might not find it, you can play a provisional ball to save time. You must announce that you are playing a provisional ball before doing so. If you are then unable to find your original ball, or you find it out of bounds, your provisional ball is your ball in play under stroke and distance, and you don’t have to take the time to walk all the way back to the spot of your previous stroke. If the original tee shot is found in play, the team may proceed with that ball and must pick up the provisional ball.

  • If one player has a playable ball and the other player is out of bounds, lost, or in a penalty area, the team may choose the playable ball without penalty.

  • If the team selects a ball in a penalty area, bunker, rough, or other condition, both players must play from that same condition unless proper relief is taken.

  • All penalty strokes must be counted accurately.

Scoring

  • Each team is responsible for keeping an accurate score.

  • Scores must be recorded immediately after each hole.

  • Each team must confirm its score before submitting.

  • Any score submitted incorrectly may be reviewed by the tournament committee.

  • Any intentional score manipulation will result in disqualification without refund.

  • Each scorecard will include an “Attest” line at the bottom. Before submitting your scorecard, at least one player from the team you played with must review your score and sign the attest line. Scorecards submitted without an attesting signature may be subject to review by the tournament committee. Final scorecards must be submitted at the end of each round. Once a scorecard is submitted, it is considered official unless corrected or reviewed by the tournament committee.

Tournament Integrity

  • Because this is a competitive tournament with a cash prize, tournament integrity is extremely important.

  • All golfers are expected to compete honestly, follow the rules, and protect the field.

  • Tournament integrity measures may be used throughout the Event.

  • Any team found to be cheating, manipulating scores, violating tournament rules, or intentionally misrepresenting play will be disqualified without refund.

  • The tournament committee reserves the right to review scores, question teams, verify hole-by-hole results, and make final rulings.

  • Any suspicious scoring, rule violations, or disputes should be reported to the tournament organizer as soon as possible.

Pairings and Pace of Play

  • Teams will be paired throughout the field to help create a fair and competitive tournament environment.

  • Players should be ready to hit when it is their turn. Please keep pace with the group in front of you. If a group falls significantly behind pace, the tournament committee or course staff may ask the group to speed up play. Repeated slow play may result in a warning or 1 stroke penalty at the discretion of the tournament committee.

Disputes and Rulings

  • Any rules questions or disputes should be brought to Mathew John LLC as soon as possible.

  • If there is uncertainty during play, the team should play a second ball when appropriate and request a ruling after the hole or round.

  • All final rulings will be made by the tournament committee. The tournament committee’s decisions are final.

Ties

  • If two or more teams are tied after 36 holes, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted if permitted by the Resort and reasonably possible.

  • If an on-course playoff cannot be conducted, the winner will be determined by comparing the tied teams’ second-round scores in the following order: back nine, final six holes, final three holes, and eighteenth hole. If the tie remains, the same comparison will be applied to the first round. If the teams remain tied, the winner will be determined by a random drawing conducted in the presence of representatives from the tied teams.

Prize Payment, Amateur Status, and Taxes

  • The $4,000 team prize will be divided equally between the two members of the winning team, subject to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status. Each participant is solely responsible for understanding and preserving their amateur status.

  • Before payment, each winner must confirm whether they intend to preserve amateur status. A winner who wishes to preserve amateur status may decline any portion of the prize exceeding the applicable USGA limit. Any declined amount will not be paid to, directed by, or used for the benefit of the declining golfer and will be handled by the tournament committee in accordance with applicable USGA guidance.

  • Before receiving prize money, each winner must provide a completed Form W-9 and any information reasonably required for identification or tax reporting. Mathew John LLC will report the payment as required by law, which may include issuing Form 1099-MISC. Each winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Weather Policy

  • The event is scheduled as rain-or-shine unless the Resort suspends/cancels play due to dangerous conditions.

  • Players should come prepared to compete through normal tournament weather, including rain.

  • If dangerous weather occurs, including lightning, play may be delayed, paused, shortened, or cancelled at the discretion of the course and the tournament committee.

  • If Crystal Springs makes an event-changing weather decision, next steps will be communicated as quickly as possible.

  • The standard event refund policy applies to all cancellation requests, including weather-related requests. Refunds would only be issued if the event is cancelled by the course.

Shortened Competition

  • If all teams complete the first 18-hole round but the second round cannot be completed by every team, the first-round scores will determine the final results.

  • A partially completed second round will not count.

  • If every team does not complete at least one full 18-hole round, the tournament committee may suspend, reschedule, shorten, or cancel the competition. Any prize and refund decision will be made under the published Event rules, refund policy, and applicable written Event communications.

Player Conduct

  • All players must treat other golfers, organizers, volunteers, sponsors, guests, and Resort personnel with respect. Threatening, abusive, destructive, unsafe, materially disruptive, or unsportsmanlike conduct; cheating; intoxication; intentional property damage; or a material violation of the Event rules may result in removal or disqualification without refund.

Equipment and Golf Rules

  • All players must use conforming golf equipment.

  • Rangefinders and distance-measuring devices are permitted. Any feature that measures or adjusts for slope, elevation, wind, temperature, club selection, or effective playing distance must be disabled and may not be used during tournament play.

  • Golfers may receive normal yardage information, but no outside coaching or advice from non-players is permitted during tournament play unless approved by the tournament committee.

Sponsors, Guests, and Spectators

  • Sponsors, guests, and spectators may be present throughout the event.

  • Spectators may not assist players with shot selection, club selection, putting reads, scoring, or any competitive decision.

  • Any outside assistance may result in a penalty or disqualification at the discretion of the tournament committee.

Final Authority

  • The tournament committee reserves the right to interpret rules, resolve disputes, adjust procedures, and make final decisions in the best interest of the event.

  • By participating in the Fore The Golfers Invitational, all players agree to follow the tournament rules, respect the field, and compete with integrity.