Am Golf Tour

[Doc420]

Win on the local level playing a Srixion ball and you get a free dozen on GC Am tour. There is also 4 majors this year that are sponsored by True Links golf shoes, and you will get a pair of shoes at those events.

[OneBowTie]

I played the Golfweek Am Tour when I lived in the Carolina's. I enjoyed it, and found that it was extremely well run. It can vary on the way the tourneys are run, depending on your Tournament Tour Director, the Tour Director in the Carolina's (Bruce) is top shelf.

I enjoyed many many of the people I met and played with in the events. If you like competition, and want to see how your game stacks up against others in a competitive environment, which is flighted, using rules of golf, you might enjoy this.

I didn't find the fee's or cost to be much different then the rack rate of courses. However, the tour offers practice rounds at discounted rates, offers competitive flights, tour prize's in each flight, is handicap monitored, and all around offers organized golf on a grand scale.

I found that the Tour Director did a good job of keeping up with the course and conditions, always emailed every member before the tournament and offers his opinion on conditions, impending weather outlooks, had well organized skin games, had well displayed flight charts/signs allowing everyone to see the outcome of the event. He also kept up with all the golfers handicap movements, meaning if you improve, you may be bumped up a flight or more if needed.

If you want to see how your normal game stacks up against tournament golf, this would be a great way to gauge your game. No mulligans, no breakfast balls off any tee, no gimme putts, no do overs.

The Tour Director is the person that can make or break any such event. I can say that the Tour Director in Carolina's is a big reason that everyone I met or played with was a big reason of the success of his tour events. He rode the course and monitored it for slow play, rules questions, hold ups or questions of any kind. He also made sure that all his scores were turned in and up to date on the website where flights and scores, standings, and any other info is available.

I enjoyed knowing that when I showed up at the events, the tour director was always there at least 2 hours early to set up the check in desk and prepare for a smooth registration process. He also went to most of the courses during the week to check them out and make sure that carts and conditions were up to par or as he said, tour standards.

I would recommend Golfweek Am Tour, and I believe you are allowed to go and check out a tourney without being a member one time to see if its for you.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='gustoteg' timestamp='1423611396' post='10927659']
I played golf channel am tour and thought it was awesome, flights were always pretty evenly matched and sand baggers got moved quickly... It was fun playing tournament golf against people with the same skill level... Tournaments were well run and awards were nice, first place always made a profit from the entry fee... And 2nd and 3rd almost always got their money back... So yeah you pay more to play the course but that always goes for award money and trophies... The skins pot also got pretty big at most tournaments.. As did the closest to the pin... I thought it was well worth the $$ and I even had to drive at least 2 hours to all tourneys cause I live in the middle of nowhere..
[/quote]

Though I have not played in one of their events, here in SoCAL friends say every thing you said. But they also said not many low single digit golfers show up.

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='jgonz69' timestamp='1423682021' post='10932619']
I got the vibe it was more about here are the rules, if you don't follow them you will get DQ'ed instead of having fun and playing different courses and meeting fun and interesting people.

[/quote]

I don't understand your logic .................................. Are you implying that the rules not be enforced? They're rules, you can't impose them as you see fit nor bend them to suit a situation.

[jgonz69]

Not at all. I never said rules shouldn't be followed or bent. I said that for the huge expense people are paying to enter theses events, dq's should be the last course of action. This isn't the PGA tour, nobody's liveyhood is at stake. It is supposed to be about fun and camaraderie.
What I said was the vibe was more on being heavy handed on the rules instead of making the whole experience an enjoyable one.

[OneBowTie]

[quote name='jgonz69' timestamp='1423769902' post='10940013']
Not at all. I never said rules shouldn't be followed or bent. I said that for the huge expense people are paying to enter theses events, dq's should be the last course of action. This isn't the PGA tour, nobody's liveyhood is at stake. It is supposed to be about fun and camaraderie.
What I said was the vibe was more on being heavy handed on the rules instead of making the whole experience an enjoyable one.
[/quote]

I've played over 40 Golfweek Am Tour Events, and don't know of a single incident that involved a DQ. I can't even recall where anything was " HEAVILY" contested to the point of anyone not having fun.

I would recommned anyone to go play in one of the events and judge for yourself. Like I said before, I do believe that the first event you play in, you don't need to pay membership fee's, just the event fee.

And I don't recall these events being break the bank expensive at all.

[crazy8golfer]

[quote name='Holy Moses' timestamp='1423700006' post='10934743']
I might play some of the events in Atlanta. It looks like there is just one flight and the winner usually shoots 75 or so. If the winner was shooting 2-3 under, I might have passed. I don't want to get crushed. Is there just one flight in Atlanta?
[/quote]Unless things have changed, they have 5 to 6 flights in Atlanta.

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='jgonz69' timestamp='1423769902' post='10940013']
Not at all. I never said rules shouldn't be followed or bent. I said that for the huge expense people are paying to enter theses events, dq's should be the last course of action. This isn't the PGA tour, nobody's liveyhood is at stake. It is supposed to be about fun and camaraderie.
What I said was the vibe was more on being heavy handed on the rules instead of making the whole experience an enjoyable one.
[/quote]

Gotcha. I haven't any details about the incidents being referred to, but there are definitions in The Rules of Golf that require disqualification. The PGA Tour also has certain rules the require disqualification. If you enter a tournament, you agree to abide by their rules. If a certain infraction calls for disqualification then that's the way it should be done. If a person doesn't agree with the DQ penalties for certain violations then they should find another organization to be a part of. Nobody's forcing anyone to play. I don't understand the complaint if the rules are understood beforehand? I would also think that part of the reasoning is to have absolute control and make all efforts to eliminate cheating. Cheating rumors would destroy a tour far faster than any DQs that might be handed out.

[jgonz69]

[quote name='OneBowTie' timestamp='1423774683' post='10940679']
[quote name='jgonz69' timestamp='1423769902' post='10940013']
Not at all. I never said rules shouldn't be followed or bent. I said that for the huge expense people are paying to enter theses events, dq's should be the last course of action. This isn't the PGA tour, nobody's liveyhood is at stake. It is supposed to be about fun and camaraderie.
What I said was the vibe was more on being heavy handed on the rules instead of making the whole experience an enjoyable one.
[/quote]

I've played over 40 Golfweek Am Tour Events, and don't know of a single incident that involved a DQ. I can't even recall where anything was " HEAVILY" contested to the point of anyone not having fun.

I would recommned anyone to go play in one of the events and judge for yourself. Like I said before, I do believe that the first event you play in, you don't need to pay membership fee's, just the event fee.

And I don't recall these events being break the bank expensive at all.
[/quote]thats because I'm talking about the golf channel am tour

[OneBowTie]

[quote name='jgonz69' timestamp='1423795462' post='10943021']
[quote name='OneBowTie' timestamp='1423774683' post='10940679']
[quote name='jgonz69' timestamp='1423769902' post='10940013']
Not at all. I never said rules shouldn't be followed or bent. I said that for the huge expense people are paying to enter theses events, dq's should be the last course of action. This isn't the PGA tour, nobody's liveyhood is at stake. It is supposed to be about fun and camaraderie.
What I said was the vibe was more on being heavy handed on the rules instead of making the whole experience an enjoyable one.
[/quote]

I've played over 40 Golfweek Am Tour Events, and don't know of a single incident that involved a DQ. I can't even recall where anything was " HEAVILY" contested to the point of anyone not having fun.

I would recommned anyone to go play in one of the events and judge for yourself. Like I said before, I do believe that the first event you play in, you don't need to pay membership fee's, just the event fee.

And I don't recall these events being break the bank expensive at all.
[/quote]thats because I'm talking about the golf channel am tour
[/quote]


Might be time to try the Golfweek Am Tour ....

[preiter20]

[quote name='iKOH423' timestamp='1423609296' post='10927499']
I was thinking about potentially doing the same thing. I am in Illinois and am curious if anyone has insight to these type of experiences, cost, etc.
[/quote]

I played the GWAT last summer. A few rounds were slow but the competition was great. I even played an event in MI and one in WI. The Chicago tour director is outstanding and I have met and played against some great people. The first major event is at TPC Deere Run, looking forward to that. DM me if you want any specific info.

[DCDeac]

I guess the costs must really vary between tours for the Golf Channel Am stuff. In DC if you're playing in the morning on a weekend (which is when the majority of tourneys are scheduled) you're paying at least $80 for a nice daily-fee course. Some of the better ones are $95+. Numbers dropped in this thread so far are "double the greens fees" or "an extra $100" which is nowhere close to what the tours near here tack on.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='DCDeac' timestamp='1423849829' post='10946405']
I guess the costs must really vary between tours for the Golf Channel Am stuff. In DC if you're playing in the morning on a weekend (which is when the majority of tourneys are scheduled) you're paying at least $80 for a nice daily-fee course. Some of the better ones are $95+. Numbers dropped in this thread so far are "double the greens fees" or "an extra $100" which is nowhere close to what the tours near here tack on.
[/quote]

Looks like the fee for the next 4-5 GC AM Tour tourneys in DC are from $110 - $135. About the same as we pay here in the Dallas tour. Also looks like you guys really play lots of them from April - June. Nice to have several options.

[AzSuperHack76]

I take part in the Golfweek Am Tour in Phx. So far it's been a blast. A great way to play competitive golf, learn the rules and meet new friends.

We've got a wide variety of players in our region, including a former NCAA Div 1 stand out. Have not had to deal wth any obvious baggers yet, if anything it's the opposite, vanity cappers playing in the wrong flight out of pride.

Only negative has been a couple slow rounds, but no fault on our part, courses have booked other tourneys at the same time and really screwed the pooch. We really focus on pace and will enforce penalties if need be for slow play. Cost is slightly higher than what you'd play but again that covers gift cards, and trophies.

Like someone else said before feel free to try it out, just have to pay the event fee and not sign up for the tour if you want to feel it out.

[teckneeklyperfect]

I did it for three seasons when it first began here. I have 4 trophies. It was fun and different. The amateur "wanna be" know-it all attitudes got to be too much for me. Made it unfun . It is true about the fees being high, however In an ironic twist back then, we played Chambers Bay for less than the out of area green fee. You win some gear and some cash in the side games. The local director decides which flight you belong in , if you end up in the wrong flight you will never win. Your home course handicap is used when you first start, but you will find that handicap is worthless when you start playing to win something. I just just travel around nowadays and play wereever my wife and I decide to play

[SilverBullets]

[quote name='DCDeac' timestamp='1423849829' post='10946405']
I guess the costs must really vary between tours for the Golf Channel Am stuff. In DC if you're playing in the morning on a weekend (which is when the majority of tourneys are scheduled) you're paying at least $80 for a nice daily-fee course. Some of the better ones are $95+. Numbers dropped in this thread so far are "double the greens fees" or "an extra $100" which is nowhere close to what the tours near here tack on.
[/quote]

The Columbus tour is the same way. I think most tournaments are between the $95 and $110 range. Most of the events are held at private courses that you couldn't get on unless you were with a member and the few public tracks that are used are some of the best in the state (i.e. Longaberger). The events are a lot of fun, but, the pace of play has really steered me away. Playing in one of these events on the Columbus tour will inevitably take an entire day between drive time, warm up, the tournament and then the drive time back. I remember playing in one event that was 40 minutes from my house, with a 1 pm tee time and I was 30 minutes late for a 7:30 pm dinner reservation. That's when I pretty much stopped playing in it. I remember standing on the 18th green at 6:30 realizing 'holy crap this round just took 5 and a half hours, I have a 40 minute drive to my house, have to shower and then drive to dinner... errrr I'm gonna be really late'