Setting up a small league

[tbone02]

My hometown 9-hole course is in desperate need of an influx of energy and enthusiasm!  I want to start a new league, event, tournament or fun-night that will cause some excitement that's unique and different.  Being in northern Minnesota, our season is short and golf has trended into an after-thought and dropped on the list of priorities.

We already have a weekly Monday night match play league with 8 (4 man) teams, and a weekly Tuesday night (beer league) with 8 (6 man) teams.  If my league was to work it cannot compete with these existing nights.

Our current membership is lacking of scratch golfers, so a league night would do better catering to the mid to high handicapper.  It would also do better if it didn't require weekly attendance.  Maybe a fun-night elimination game?

My initial thought is to have 10 players (2 fivesomes) and highest score on each hole is eliminated.  Ties go to a putt-off.  On holes 1-5 there is a chance at immunity (#1 longest drive, #2 closest to the pin, #3 longest putt, #4 closest to the pin, #5 longest drive).  Players that are eliminated can continue to golf, but are not part of the game.  Each player puts in $10 at the start with opportunities on holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 to "sweeten the pot" with unanimous votes.  If there is not an even 10 players, the elimination holes would be delayed.

What other fun ideas do you have?  An aspect to consider is that the course is not highly pressured, meaning that just about anytime we golf, speed of play is not a major disruption.  Many of the golfers (including myself), are loyal to our individual existing league night, but that tends to be the only time any of us make it to the course, which is killing the course.  Last year it was purchased by the city for pennies on the dollar and will die to the plow as farm land if it doesn't have some fun added.

[boogielicious]

My hometown 9-hole course is in desperate need of an influx of energy and enthusiasm!  I want to start a new league, event, tournament or fun-night that will cause some excitement that's unique and different.  Being in northern Minnesota, our season is short and golf has trended into an after-thought and dropped on the list of priorities.

We already have a weekly Monday night match play league with 8 (4 man) teams, and a weekly Tuesday night (beer league) with 8 (6 man) teams.  If my league was to work it cannot compete with these existing nights.

Our current membership is lacking of scratch golfers, so a league night would do better catering to the mid to high handicapper.  It would also do better if it didn't require weekly attendance.  Maybe a fun-night elimination game?

My initial thought is to have 10 players (2 fivesomes) and highest score on each hole is eliminated.  Ties go to a putt-off.  On holes 1-5 there is a chance at immunity (#1 longest drive, #2 closest to the pin, #3 longest putt, #4 closest to the pin, #5 longest drive).  Players that are eliminated can continue to golf, but are not part of the game.  Each player puts in $10 at the start with opportunities on holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 to "sweeten the pot" with unanimous votes.  If there is not an even 10 players, the elimination holes would be delayed.

What other fun ideas do you have?  An aspect to consider is that the course is not highly pressured, meaning that just about anytime we golf, speed of play is not a major disruption.  Many of the golfers (including myself), are loyal to our individual existing league night, but that tends to be the only time any of us make it to the course, which is killing the course.  Last year it was purchased by the city for pennies on the dollar and will die to the plow as farm land if it doesn't have some fun added.

Sounds rather complicated.  Also, 5 is a lot of players and will slow down the round.  I would suggest foursomes at most.

That being said, we have a rule for par 3s, which are "beer holes".  A ball on the green opens the bar.  The player farthest from the hole will have to buy a round. But, if the players closest to the hole on the green does not par the hole, he buys the round.

[seagullplayer]

There is a little par three course I visit.

He has "play all day" for one rate before noon or free cart mornings and such things on weekdays to stir up interest.

Lots of places have married couple's tournament nights.

I saw a "strangers" night advertised once.  You show up, put your name in a hat and they pull out partners just before the start.  I would think this would be a hit for folks that don't know many people.

Last year a small local course ran a coupon in the paper;

18 holes, hotdog chips and a drink, dozen free balls $20.  Weekday or Friday before noon.

I would never have known this course existed otherwise.  I played it because of the coupon, I liked the course, staff was friendly, it was 12 used balls, but in good shape.

I plan to play it often this year.

For a public course to do well you have to:

1)  Get/keep the regulars more regular.

2)  Get new people interested.

Only #2 keeps it alive for the long haul.