GCAMTOUR questions

[Michael_Summerlin]

Hello everyone. I have been digging around on the Web looking at different amateur golf tournament events. Amateurgolf.comcom and the GCAmtour.comcom are the 2 that are standing out so far. My question I guess is, have any of you played on these before? What's it like? Is it worth it? What was your experience with it? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[djfajt71]

I play GCAM and it's ok, though I'm not sure I'm going to renew my membership.  If there are no other tours that you can join, and want the competition, then definitely sign up.  They offer a ton of tourneys, at least here in Florida, with our year round weather.  However, if you can find other local tours, they may be more affordable and offer the same opportunities to play the same courses.  Also, with some of the purses available, sandbagging is pretty prevalent.  There's a guy in the lowest flight that has been kicked out of the local tours, due to pretty obvious sandbagging.  But, he just keeps wracking up trophies and prizes in the bigger tourneys with GCAM. 

[Golfingdad]

10 hours ago, Michael_Summerlin said:

Hello everyone. I have been digging around on the Web looking at different amateur golf tournament events. Amateurgolf.comcom and the GCAmtour.comcom are the 2 that are standing out so far. My question I guess is, have any of you played on these before? What's it like? Is it worth it? What was your experience with it? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I've been playing a few GCAM tour events for the last few years now and I still enjoy them.  They are a little pricey, however, there are enough courses around here that are already pricey so you really aren't paying extra.  For example, this year, I've played in three tournaments.  One is at my home course, where I would pay $75 for a Sunday morning round, and the tournament cost $140 or so.  But the other two were Pelican Hill and La Costa - both of which cost MORE to play on a regular Sunday than they charged for the tournament.

And I've never seen any problems with sandbagging like @djfajt71 mentioned.  In fact, I'm curious as to how what he describes is even possible because the tour makes you play off of a handicap you establish through them.  Once you have 4 tournaments under your belt, your handicap is established, and it's comprised solely of GCAM tour events.  Also, they can and will move you up flights if you perform well enough regardless of what your handicap on paper says.  On our LA tour, I've never seen any problems with sandbagging.  It's very well run.

My handicap is now starting to get low enough that I can play in more amateur tournaments and if I can get it to drop a little more, then there are enough tournaments that I can play that I don't need the tour, but until then, it's a great place for some competition.

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, Golfingdad said:

I've been playing a few GCAM tour events for the last few years now and I still enjoy them.  They are a little pricey, however, there are enough courses around here that are already pricey so you really aren't paying extra.  For example, this year, I've played in three tournaments.  One is at my home course, where I would pay $75 for a Sunday morning round, and the tournament cost $140 or so.  But the other two were Pelican Hill and La Costa - both of which cost MORE to play on a regular Sunday than they charged for the tournament.

And I've never seen any problems with sandbagging like @djfajt71 mentioned.  In fact, I'm curious as to how what he describes is even possible because the tour makes you play off of a handicap you establish through them.  Once you have 4 tournaments under your belt, your handicap is established, and it's comprised solely of GCAM tour events.  Also, they can and will move you up flights if you perform well enough regardless of what your handicap on paper says.  On our LA tour, I've never seen any problems with sandbagging.  It's very well run.

My handicap is now starting to get low enough that I can play in more amateur tournaments and if I can get it to drop a little more, then there are enough tournaments that I can play that I don't need the tour, but until then, it's a great place for some competition.

I pretty much echo this.  Good fun and very competitive, though a tad expensive for what it is.  I'm also a bit puzzled by the sandbagging reference due to the manner in which hcps are adjusted.

I find our State Golf Association tournaments to be a better alternative.  Sadly, I don't find the time to play either as often as I'd like these days.  

 

 

[Fairway_CY]

I play the majority of my rounds with the Golfweek Amateur Tour (amateurgolftour.net) in the Charlotte area.  I joined the beginning of last season and, I can honestly say that it's been amazing.  

Now... the Charlotte region is the 'home' of that tour, so... it's packed.  I don't think there have been more than 2 or 3 tournaments that haven't completely sold out here.  

The membership is very fair... especially now that a lot of the regions are running specials for the remainder of the 2016 schedule.  The tournament fees are comparable to other tours... maybe slightly less expensive than Golf Channel Am Tour.  The competition and the people that play in the tournaments are a ton of fun and some of the best guys I've ever met.  The prizes are fair.  Best of all... some of the courses they play for regional tournaments are outstanding.  We just played the Southern Regional Tournament at Kiawah Island a few weekends ago.  One of the best experiences of my life.  

The year end National Championship at Hilton Head is a ton of fun.  Players from all over the country getting together and having a great time.  A few of us from the C Flight in Charlotte are renting a 6 bedroom house in October down there for the tournament and I know guys from other tours do the same thing.  

I'll say, if you're looking to get into competitive golf without being worried about your handicap or not knowing 100% of the rules... it's totally worth it.  I'm not 'good enough' at this point to play in state-run tournaments, but... I go out and have fun with the Golfweek Amateur Tour and I've been lucky enough to win myself some gift cards for placing high enough in a few of the tournaments.  

I believe you can contact your local director and go out as a guest without having to pay the membership fee and everything so you can try it out.  

Nothing to lose!

CY

[djfajt71]

19 hours ago, David in FL said:

I pretty much echo this.  Good fun and very competitive, though a tad expensive for what it is.  I'm also a bit puzzled by the sandbagging reference due to the manner in which hcps are adjusted.

I find our State Golf Association tournaments to be a better alternative.  Sadly, I don't find the time to play either as often as I'd like these days.  

 

 

@Golfingdad and @David in FL - I've never played with the guy referenced for sandbagging, I can only go by what has been said by the folks in my group at GCAM and Tampa Bay AM Tour.  I probably should have prefaced my comments by stating my knowledge was second hand, and not personally experienced. 

 

[Michael_Summerlin]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm leaning towards just a local Knoxville amateur tournament now. It doesn't cost as much to join and they have a lot of tournaments in my area I can join in. Thanks again.

[David in FL]

Be sure to let us know how you do on the Tournament Play thread!

[Jeremie Boop]

Interesting, didn't realize there were several options for amateur golf tournaments. Unfortunately regardless of which one I look at it requires me to drive at least a hour + to get to any course hosting one. Still, at least the amateurgolf.com one is only 49 a year so if I get a few in a year it's worth the cost.

[Michael_Summerlin]

I have actually found some here in Tn that don't require a membership to play but you do have to have your official golf handicap number to play. I figured I would join amateur golf.com or gcamtour.comcom they have quite a few benefits for joining. Including the ghin number service included with package. Then I can play in their events that are close enough to drive to while still playing in my local area tournaments. Tn has 2 regions I can play in. Knoxville or Tri-cities. Their posted schedule has several events within an hours drive from me. I will post and let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and opinions.