Golf Event FAQ
What’s the difference between a Scramble vs. Best Ball tournament? A Scramble format is commonly used for tournaments to keep the game fun and keep your golfers moving and engaged – having fun! It allows players of all abilities to play together without the need for handicaps for individual scoring purposes. Each player has the opportunity to contribute to their team’s score.
What are tee times? For groups of fewer than 72 golfers, tee times are the assigned times for your foursomes to begin their golf rounds. Our tee times are every 9 minutes. We will block a series of tee times in our system, which you should communicate to your golfers ahead of time. Your organizer should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the first tee time and check in with us in the pro shop. Your golfers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their tee time. Please be respectful of the assigned tee times as other groups may be scheduled after yours.
What is a shotgun start? A shotgun start is where each foursome of golfers starts on a different tee, and everyone starts at the same time. Your golfers should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the shotgun start time to give them time to check in with you, get their clubs ready and walk to their starting tee.
When do we need final numbers? When do we pay? Final numbers of golfers, power carts and meals are required a minimum of 8 days prior to your event, and you are responsible for the numbers that you book. You may be asked to pay in full or a deposit in advance to secure your date. As the tournament organizer, you are responsible for collecting fees and paying for the group in the pro shop.
How long will our tournament take to play? It typically takes about 1 ½ hours to play 9 holes, and 3 hours to play 18 holes on our executive golf course. This can stretch to 2 hours (9 holes) or 4 hours (18 holes) if the course is busy, but 9 minutes per hole should be plenty of time for everyone to enjoy themselves without feeling rushed.
Can we bring our own alcohol to the course? The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has some very strict laws that say you may not bring your own alcohol to the course. All alcoholic beverages consumed on our premises must be sold and served by the licensee (that’s us). Think of the golf course like your local bar. You wouldn’t bring your own six-pack to your local pub, would you?
Do you have a dress code? We believe golf should be fun. While we encourage traditional golf attire (collared shirt and golf pants or shorts) and footwear (soft-spiked golf shoes), it's also OK if you want to play in jeans and a t-shirt. However, please dress respectably, and be aware of other golfers and families enjoying the facility. Soccer cleats, baseball shoes, and metal spikes are not permitted to protect the greens from damage.
What kind of fun on-course contests can we do? Proximity markers are stakes that go into the ground to mark where a golfer’s ball lands for contests. Examples include Closest to the Pin, Closest to the Stake, Longest Drive or Longest Putt. On-course contests are activities that can add entertainment to the game, such as putting with your opposite hand or putting blindfolded. A scramble or shamble format is a fun way to help less experienced golfers feel more comfortable, and maintain the pace of play. We can assist you with ideas for fun holes and proximity markers if you wish.
What prizes should we give out? The pro shop stocks a range of prize options such as a pack of tees or sleeve of balls for each golfer, larger prizes like golf shirts for the longest putt or lowest score, or even fun draw prizes such as umbrellas or golf towels. Gift certificates are also available which can be used for things like golf rounds, range buckets, pro shop merchandise or food in our restaurant.
What happens if it’s raining or cold? All of our tournaments are planned to go ahead, rain or shine (or cold!). Your event will be expected to go ahead unless the course is deemed unplayable by management, or in the event of lightning and/or thunder, in which case you will be given alternative days of play. If alternative dates are not available, any prepaid fees will be refunded. If you've arranged a meal for your event, the meal will proceed rain or shine.
Can we share golf clubs? Each golfer is required to have their own golf clubs in order to maintain the pace of play. A limited number of rental club sets are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you have new golfers playing in your event, you can encourage them to borrow from a friend or family member for the day, or check Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji as inexpensive used club sets are often available locally.
Do you have a checklist of things to think about?
- In a Scramble, after each player tees off, all players pick up their ball and move it to the ball with the best position (the team decides by consensus). Then all players hit the next shot from that spot. This continues until the ball is holed.
- In a Best Ball format, each player plays his or her own ball throughout the round, and on each hole the low score (or “best ball”) of the group serves as the team score.
What are tee times? For groups of fewer than 72 golfers, tee times are the assigned times for your foursomes to begin their golf rounds. Our tee times are every 9 minutes. We will block a series of tee times in our system, which you should communicate to your golfers ahead of time. Your organizer should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the first tee time and check in with us in the pro shop. Your golfers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their tee time. Please be respectful of the assigned tee times as other groups may be scheduled after yours.
What is a shotgun start? A shotgun start is where each foursome of golfers starts on a different tee, and everyone starts at the same time. Your golfers should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the shotgun start time to give them time to check in with you, get their clubs ready and walk to their starting tee.
When do we need final numbers? When do we pay? Final numbers of golfers, power carts and meals are required a minimum of 8 days prior to your event, and you are responsible for the numbers that you book. You may be asked to pay in full or a deposit in advance to secure your date. As the tournament organizer, you are responsible for collecting fees and paying for the group in the pro shop.
How long will our tournament take to play? It typically takes about 1 ½ hours to play 9 holes, and 3 hours to play 18 holes on our executive golf course. This can stretch to 2 hours (9 holes) or 4 hours (18 holes) if the course is busy, but 9 minutes per hole should be plenty of time for everyone to enjoy themselves without feeling rushed.
Can we bring our own alcohol to the course? The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has some very strict laws that say you may not bring your own alcohol to the course. All alcoholic beverages consumed on our premises must be sold and served by the licensee (that’s us). Think of the golf course like your local bar. You wouldn’t bring your own six-pack to your local pub, would you?
Do you have a dress code? We believe golf should be fun. While we encourage traditional golf attire (collared shirt and golf pants or shorts) and footwear (soft-spiked golf shoes), it's also OK if you want to play in jeans and a t-shirt. However, please dress respectably, and be aware of other golfers and families enjoying the facility. Soccer cleats, baseball shoes, and metal spikes are not permitted to protect the greens from damage.
What kind of fun on-course contests can we do? Proximity markers are stakes that go into the ground to mark where a golfer’s ball lands for contests. Examples include Closest to the Pin, Closest to the Stake, Longest Drive or Longest Putt. On-course contests are activities that can add entertainment to the game, such as putting with your opposite hand or putting blindfolded. A scramble or shamble format is a fun way to help less experienced golfers feel more comfortable, and maintain the pace of play. We can assist you with ideas for fun holes and proximity markers if you wish.
What prizes should we give out? The pro shop stocks a range of prize options such as a pack of tees or sleeve of balls for each golfer, larger prizes like golf shirts for the longest putt or lowest score, or even fun draw prizes such as umbrellas or golf towels. Gift certificates are also available which can be used for things like golf rounds, range buckets, pro shop merchandise or food in our restaurant.
What happens if it’s raining or cold? All of our tournaments are planned to go ahead, rain or shine (or cold!). Your event will be expected to go ahead unless the course is deemed unplayable by management, or in the event of lightning and/or thunder, in which case you will be given alternative days of play. If alternative dates are not available, any prepaid fees will be refunded. If you've arranged a meal for your event, the meal will proceed rain or shine.
Can we share golf clubs? Each golfer is required to have their own golf clubs in order to maintain the pace of play. A limited number of rental club sets are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you have new golfers playing in your event, you can encourage them to borrow from a friend or family member for the day, or check Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji as inexpensive used club sets are often available locally.
Do you have a checklist of things to think about?
- Date and starting time
- 9 or 18 holes
- Format: Scramble vs. Best Ball
- Buffet dinner, lunch or pre-game snacks
- Beer/drink tickets
- Foursome setup and registration
- Clubs, pull carts, power carts
- On-course contests
- Prize selection
- On-course setup
- Beverage cart
- Prize table, penny sale, silent auction tables
- Chipping/putting contests