The Tournament I Play Every Year for 15 Years Is Having a Bit of a Membership Drive. Are You Interested?

[ChetlovesMer]

I’ve been playing a golf tournament in Vegas for the last 15 years or so. The tournament itself has been going on for 27 years straight (minus the Covid year). Every year the tournament has been played in late April or early May. 

Our tournament holds up to 72 golfers. We usually get a mix of pretty much the same 100 or so guys that make up the field of 72. With the tournament having been going on for so long, some of the guys are getting pretty long in the tooth and starting to drop out. So, we are on a bit of a membership drive right now. I’m looking for guys who would be interested in playing in the tournament. 

The tournament this year is May 1st through May 4th. 

Here's our format: 

• We play off our handicap (GHIN is best), we do make some accommodations for folks who don’t have a GHIN. You can also play off your handicap as established by playing in the tournament itself. To do that you obviously have to have played in the tournament in the past. 
• We play off a quota system. Your handicap will be adjusted daily depending on your play. 
• We play (3) 18-hole rounds for a 54-hole tournament with the individual quota scoring system. 
• We also play a practice round and a horse race. Neither the practice round, nor the horserace are required, but the horserace is so much fun, you’d be crazy not to do it. 

The Tournament Location:

• Since 2015 the tournament has been held at Bear’s Best Golf Course, LV Nevada. Before 2015 it was held at Primm Valley Resorts.
• This will most likely be our last time at Bear’s Best, as Bear’s Best is going private.
• We are looking at Paiute among other places for 2026. If you join this year you can be part of the decision making process for where to go in 2026. 

The Tournament Costs:

• Fees: $565, of that $65 is administrative costs, which goes to running the tournament. $500 goes into a prize pool. All that money gets paid back out. Normally the top 20 or so get paid out, with the winner getting about 15% of the total purse. 
• The three rounds of golf cost $600. Which is $200 per round at Bear’s Best. That’s a negotiated price as during the time we play the tournament, a normal round at Bear’s Best would be $300/ea. 
• The Horserace costs $150. Money well spent. $100 of that goes into the prize pool (the top 5 teams get paid). The other $50 goes to Bears best to shut down the front 9 for us for a couple of hours on Thursday Night. We get the whole thing to ourselves, with a drink cart as well. 

If you are interested in participating let me know via a message here on TST. If you want to participate and also bring another golfer/friend let me know as well. I’d have to vouch for you and your friend’s ability to play, keep a proper score, keep pace, have a handicap that isn’t a sandbagged HC, not cheat (there’s some money on the line, so we fully expect proper tournament play.) 

If you want more information about the tournament, course, format etc and you think others would like the information too, feel free to respond to this post. There’s probably information I forgot to put in here. (Possibly a lot of information.) If you are interested in getting into the tournament, and playing, message me and we’ll work it out. We have a website on which you can sign up, as well as get additional information. 
 

[iacas]

Chet didn’t say it, so I will add that he has to vouch for you so those who know him a bit can and maybe should consider doing this.

[saevel25]

I would if I wasn't going to be in Pinehurst during that time. That sounds fun. Keep me posted in the future if the dates do not align with my yearly golf trip. This sounds like a fun time. Thanks for the offer!

[ChetlovesMer]

3 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

I would if I wasn't going to be in Pinehurst during that time. That sounds fun. Keep me posted in the future if the dates do not align with my yearly golf trip. This sounds like a fun time. Thanks for the offer!

Absolutely. 
I think you'd enjoy the tournament and I know I'd be okay vouching for you character. 

[ChetlovesMer]

I starting messaging some folks and personally inviting them to consider playing in this tournament when I realized I've met a lot of people on the TST. So, instead I thought I'd ping this back to the top. If you know me at all from any of the TST events and you have any interest in playing in a really well run tournament out in Vegas, let me know. I'd have to vouch for your ability to play by the tournament rules and such, and you'll have to vouch for anyone you'd like to bring as well.

How it works is if anyone gets caught cheating (I've only ever seen it happen twice in the 15 years I've been playing this tournament) both you and the person who vouched for you don't get invited back. 

This tournament is really well run and it's a great time. Message me if you are at all interested and I'll send you our brochure (electronically) and answer any questions you may have. 

[iacas]

@bkuehn1952, @DaveP043… I still think you should tag some people, @ChetlovesMer.

[ChetlovesMer]

2 hours ago, iacas said:

@bkuehn1952, @DaveP043… I still think you should tag some people, @ChetlovesMer.

Okay,

@billchao, @StuM, @dennyjones, @boogielicious, @Carl3, @DaveP043, @bkuehn1952, You are tagged, because I'm certain I've played with you all before. 

@saevel25 and @Chris Brooks Have already told me that they are interested but can't do it this year. 

@Slice of Life, @Bonvivant, @RFKFREAK and @Divot Master I'm sure I've played with you all as well. So, tag. 

 

I know I'm missing a bunch of you who've I've met. So, again, feel free to message me. 

 

[boogielicious]

@ChetlovesMer, I’ve got a conflict during that time. Thanks for thinking of me.

[DaveP043]

@ChetlovesMer, I appreciate the invitation, but my golfing dance card is full for the year.  Maybe next year.

[bkuehn1952]

I could use the old man's excuse ... I am on a fixed income. That would be a fib.

The event sounds like a great time. My wife and I will be in Brazil for 2 weeks in May and I can't fit this trip into the schedule.