What is The Members Cup?

The Members Cup is a virtual-team golf tournament exclusively developed for members of private golf and country clubs served by MembersFirst.

How is The Members Cup different from other tournaments?

The concept is unique in that it combines the camaraderie and competition of a traditional member event with the convenience and interactivity of the internet.

It’s essentially a three-month tournament in which virtual-teams play out actual rounds on their respective home courses to compete for a chance at The Members Cup Championship Event at the end of the season. Rounds can also be played at another eligible course if invited by another player. Almost any round you play can be declared a Members Cup round and be counted as tournament play.

Who’s behind The Members Cup?

This is the tournament’s first year. It was developed and is managed by MembersFirst, an eight year old New England-based company that powers more than 700 club websites, including the 60 eligible to participate in The Members Cup this season.

Why should I participate in The Members Cup?

For any number of reasons… take your pick.

• You can declare and play the rounds at your convenience
• It’ll make the rounds you play more interesting
• You’ll have the chance to meet members from other clubs, your virtual teammates, and perhaps others
• There are a lot of opportunities to win fun and interesting prizes and awards throughout the tournament
• It’s easy to register, and the entry fee is only $100

Who is eligible to participate in The Members Cup?

To be eligible for tournament participation, a player must be a member of a private golf or country club currently served by MembersFirst, Inc. They must also be at least 18 years of age and have a verifiable USGA Certifiable Handicap.

How do I register for The Members Cup?

Click any register now.

The registration period ends June 29, 2008. The process involves a few verification steps such as validating your membership at an eligible club, confirming your USGA Certifiable Handicap, and processing the registration fee. Please be sure to complete each step to ensure you are properly registered.

What are the fees to play in The Members Cup?

The tournament organizers have set the entry fee at $100 per player, payable via MasterCard, Visa or Discover. This covers the complete cost of your participation in the three-month tournament season.

If your team qualifies for the final Championship Event in October, there may be certain travel, entertainment and lodging expenses incurred. However, there are no additional tournament fees associated with participating in the Championship Event.

How does the tournament work?

You will be assigned to a “virtual-team” consisting of four golfers of the same gender. Each team will consist of ABCD players and be randomly placed into flights.

Each member of the team will be required to declare and play one round by each of the four qualifying dates. The rounds can be played at either your home course, or at any eligible club if invited by another Members Cup player.

Like any tournament, the scores need to be attested and submitted after each declared round.

How will tournament rounds be submitted?

Players are free to play their rounds at their convenience as long as rounds are declared and completed within each of the four qualifier periods.

To declare a round, the player will receive a Members Cup scorecard from the golf staff representative at the course where the round is played. At the conclusion of the round, the scorecard must be signed by the tournament participant and their playing partner, as well as by the club’s golf staff representative.

What are the important dates to remember?

• The registration period ends June 29, 2008, All players must register online.
• The tournament play gets underway July 1, 2008 and runs through September 30, 2008
• The season consists of four qualifying periods ending: July 22, 2008, August 12, 2008, September 2, 2008, September 30, 2008.
• The Championship Event is scheduled to take place on October 20, 2008.

What is the format for the tournament?

The Members Cup will use a traditional point quota format for each of the four qualifiers. Each player’s quota will be determined by subtracting his or her course handicap from 36. There will be a maximum handicap of 30 for all participants with a minimum of six points required. Points will be awarded on gross scores.

The format for the Championship Event will be modified best ball, with all scoring conducted on a net basis.

How does the scoring work?

Under the tournament’s point quota scoring system, points are awarded as follows on gross scores only:

• 0 points - Double Bogey or Worse
• 1 point  - Bogey
• 2 points - Par
• 4 points - Birdie
• 8 points - Eagle or Better

The three best scores from each team will be combined to form an aggregate team score for each qualifier. Scores and rankings will be accessible via the online Leaderboard.

How do teams qualify for the Championship Event?

• By finishing first or second in their flight based on cumulative team scores from the four qualifiers, or
• By winning the wild card, (the fourth qualifier) in their flight.

During the wild card, the team with the highest aggregate point total in their flight will automatically qualify for the Championship Event, regardless of their final position in their flight. If a first or second place flight winner also wins the wild card then no additional team will qualify from that flight.

What prizes will I be competing for?

Players from the top teams in each of the four qualifiers and Championship Event will be eligible to win:

Qualifiers:
1st Place Team per flight: $50 pro shop credit per player
2nd Place Team per flight: $25 pro shop credit per player

Championship Event:
1st Place Team: The Members Cup and $500 pro shop credit per player
2nd Place Team: $250 pro shop credit per player
3rd Place Team: $100 pro shop credit per player

When and where will the Championship Event be played?

The Members Cup Championship Event will take place at a course characteristic of the finest New England golf traditions. The tournament organizers are currently in discussion with a number of outstanding private club properties that have expressed interest in hosting this exclusive event. The selection decision is expected shortly and will be posted on the website accordingly. Be sure to check back for an update.