Home > Official Rules
2008
Los Cabos People vs. the Pros Championship
Official Event Rules
1. Eligibility
Participation in the People vs. the Pros Championship (the “Event”)
is open to U.S., Mexican and Canadian residents, 18 years of age or older, who are
Amateur golfers, who have acquired an official golf handicap (endorsed by the U.S.G.A.
or the R.C.G.A.) for the year prior to September 1, 2008. Current professional golfers
(or those that have ever been a professional golfer), and employees of Innovative
Media Solutions, Winnercomm, the Los Cabos Tourism Board, , other sponsors and member
companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, direct sub-contractors, advertising agencies,
printers of each of these entities and members of their immediate families
are not eligible to participate and win. For purposes of these rules, “immediate
family” is defined as parents, spouses, siblings and children, regardless
of whether they reside in the same household. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited
by law.
2. Description of the Event
Up to 288 persons who qualify by any of the methods set forth in Rule 3 will participate
in a 54-hole stroke play golf tournament (the “Finals”) in Cabo San
Lucas, Mexico from December 5 through December 8, 2008 for the right to play in
the Grand Prize matches on December 9, 2008. Entrants will be grouped in two age
divisions (“Divisions”): those who are from 18 to 49 years of age and
those who are age 50 and over. In addition each division will be divided into 6
flights based on index. Players will play against those of similar handicaps. The
six winners of each flight will play a two hole shootout where three players will
be eliminated on the first hole and the winner from each division decided on the
second hole. All ties will be will be decided by skills challenges (putting, chipping,
etc.) chosen by the Tournament Committee.
The winner from the 18-49 Division will play Fred Couples and the winner of the
50 and over Division will play Nick Faldo for charity (The “Grand Prize Matches”).
The Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to expand the player field
to 288 (144 in each age division).
3. How to Qualify
There are several ways to qualify for the Finals: 20 spots (ten in each Division)
will be awarded in a random drawing sweepstakes (entry fee will be waived but resort
fees still apply), direct purchase of a guaranteed player package, and the remaining
slots in each division will be awarded through Sponsor exemptions, media and charitable
promotions, local qualifying events, or through other direct sales to players, which
may include auctions on eBay or other auction sites. Participants may attempt to
qualify through more than one method. If however, a participant qualifies in more
than one method, he/she must select only one and abandon the other(s).
(a) The Sweepstakes Entry
Entry into the sweepstakes and the terms and conditions of the drawing are set forth
in the sweepstakes rules found at www.pvpgolf.com/sweepstakesRules.aspx.
Qualifiers who are selected in the Sweepstakes are bound by these Official Rules
and the Official Rules of the Sweepstakes.
(b) Player Package Sales
Entry into the event can be guaranteed by purchasing a player package. Total cost
of the player package is $2,500 plus 17% taxes and resort fees. The package includes:
five nights lodging at either The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort or Westin
Resort & Spa Los Cabos, four rounds of golf, breakfast each day, five cocktail parties,
four dinners including and opening night reception and VIP gala dinner with Fred
Couples and Nick Faldo, use of golf practice facilities, use of all onsite recreation
facilities, and transportation to and from the golf courses and airport and all
sponsored events. In addition, there will be a $495 entry fee required. These guaranteed
slots in the Finals can be reserved by completing the online form or by calling
(310) 344-2242.
(c) Remaining Finalists
The remaining Finalist spots will be filled through Sponsor exemptions, local qualifiers
(if conducted) through direct sales including a possible auction at the ebay-site,
and through charitable and media promotions. The Sponsor, in its sole discretion,
will determine the number of Finalists spots that will be allocated. If for any
reason a Finalist abandons his spot in the Finals, including those who qualify in
the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may fill the abandoned spot
by any means it so chooses. The Sponsor need not select an alternate Finalist from
the same category of qualification (sweepstakes, Sponsor’s exemption, etc) as the
Finalist who abandoned his spot.
4. Responsibility of the Qualifiers
All qualifiers must register for the Finals by 5:00 pm EST within 5 days after notification
they have qualified. At the time of registration, qualifiers must pay in full for
their hotel accommodations and golf (see Rule 5). Spots held by qualifiers who fail
to timely register will be deemed abandoned and will be filled in a manner determined
by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.
5. Expenses of the Finalists
All Finalists and the amateur Grand Prize Match participants must pay all golf,
travel, lodging, meals and entertainment expenses, associated with their participation
in the Finals and Grand Prize Match and must stay at one of the host hotels, the
Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos or the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort for the
duration of their matches, for a minimum of five nights, unless specifically exempt
by the Sponsor. In addition a limited amount of rooms may be available at the One
and Only Palmilla, please ask a People vs. the Pros agent about this package which
will be more expensive then the package at The Westin or Hilton.
The 2008 People vs. the Pros five night Golf Package includes accommodations, breakfast
each day, opening night reception and dinner, gala dinner with the pros on December
8, 2008, cocktail receptions each evening, and four rounds of golf on the following
golf courses: Cabo Real, Puerto Los Cabos and San Jose Country Club, plus use of
practice facility, range balls, green fee, and cart rental for 18 holes each day.
The cost for each of the five night stay will be $500 per night, plus 17% resort
and taxes fees (Stays at The One and Only Palmilla are more expensive). Amenities
and recreation not included in the package are charged per the published hotel rate
card. Applicable Occupancy and State Sales Taxes apply.
In addition to the room package, a $495 entry fee will be required.
6. The Finals
After a practice round on December 5th, the Finalists will play in a 54-hole stroke
play tournament on December 6, 7 and 8, 2008 with their corresponding handicaps
(at 80% of their index during the 12 months prior to September 1, 2008, minus any
adjustments by the Tournament Director or Tournament Committee). After the Shoot
out involving the winners of each of the six flights, the winner in each of the
two age Divisions will advance to the Grand Prize Matches, December 9th, 2008. The
18 to 49 age Division winner will compete against Fred Couples and the 50 and over
winner will compete against Nick Faldo in the same format. The Grand Prize will
be contested under Match Play rules with the amateurs playing with the benefit of
their respective handicaps (at 80% of their in-coming index minus any adjustment
by the Tournament Director or Tournament Committee). Sponsor reserves the right to
review and adjust handicaps at any time in its sole discretion .
The winners of the Grand Prize Matches will be allowed to designate which charity
they would like to receive a portion of the $50,000 donation. Players should check
with the local USGA Chapters for rules governing expenses to play in this event.
If a participant is a collegiate golfer, he/she should consult his/her college regarding
NCAA regulations and guidelines prior to his participation in The Finals.
7. General Rules
As a condition of entry, participants acknowledge that they have read these official
Rules and agree to be bound. They further agree to accept as final and binding the
decision of the PVP Tournament Director or Tournament Committee and any judges appointed
in connection with the Event, regarding all aspects of the Event and the interpretation
of USGA and RCGA rules and handicaps system.
All participants in The Finals will be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability/Publicity
Release within 5 days of first attempted notification. In addition, participants
must show written proof of their official handicap and agree to be bound by the
decisions of the Tournament Director or Tournament Committee without any protest.
Participants who cannot be contacted or who fail to return the completed and executed
Affidavit and Release in a timely manner, will be disqualified and an alternate
may be selected. Except where prohibited by law, all issues and questions concerning
the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official
Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and the Sponsor in connection
with the Event, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the state of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict
of law rules. Any litigation within the Province of Quebec respecting the conduct
and awarding of a prize may be submitted to the Regie de alcools des courses et
des jeuz. Those selected to participate in The Finals must be prepared to play on
dates specified by Sponsor. Dates are subject to change at Sponsor’s discretion.
Sponsor also reserves the right to shorten the tournament due to weather.
Sponsor is not responsible for lost or late, entries or auction bids, (if that qualifying
method is adopted) or for electronic transmission errors resulting in an omission,
interruption, deletion, or delay of their transmission. Sponsor is also not responsible
for technical, telephonic or computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any
kind. By participating in the Event, entrants agree to release, and hold harmless
the Sponsor from and against any injuries, losses, damages, claims, actions, or
any liability of any kind resulting from or arising from their participation in
the Event or their or acceptance, use, or misuse of any prize that they may be awarded.
The Finalists and the Grand Prize Match participants grant permission for the Sponsor
and its agencies to use their names, voices and/or likenesses for advertising or
publicity purposes without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. Sponsor
further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the sweepstakes’
entry process or provides false or misleading Golf handicap information.
8. Handicap Policy
To compete, all players must have an established USGA or RCGA Handicap index at
a recognized golf facility, golf association or golf club. A temporary trend or
cyber handicap index is not valid. Sponsor reserves the right to accept or decline
any potential player at its sole discretion. Tournament Committee will verify handicaps
for all participants.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to adjust player handicaps at anytime
during the competition. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to alter any
of the conditions and schedules herein and to reject the entry of any applicant,
or disqualify any player at any time, for any reason. Any decision by the Committee,
in any matter, shall be final.
If a participant beats his/her adjusted handicap (index plus slope adjustment x
.80) by 5 or more strokes in any round, the following applies for the subsequent
round.
Appendix E - The Exceptional Tournament Score Probability Table from the USGA handicap
manual can be referenced.
Example 1: Player with 11.5 USGA Index, course rating 70.3, slope 122
Player shoots 77
70.3 - (subtract course rating)
6.7 X 113 (multiply by avg. USGA slope, then divide by 122 = 6.2 adjusted differential
Convert player’s incoming index 11.5 to a differential by dividing by .96
= 12.0 (since average of lowest differentials is multiplied by .96 to derive USGA
index).
12.0 + 6.2 = 18.2 divided by 2 = 9.1 average
This takes into account the index a player brings into the event plus what they
shoot. A similar evaluation can be made for Round 2, (incoming index, round 1 differential,
round 2 differential) to derive at adjusted tournament index. It is anticipated
that the Tournament Committee will use the above formula, but reserves the right
to use this or any other method it deems fair to protect the integrity of the tournament.
- The tournament will be conducted using the USGA Slope Handicap System. Entrants’
handicap indexes will be used to establish a daily handicap based on the USGA slope
rating of the course to be played.
- If a player has different handicaps at different clubs, the lowest USGA Handicap
Index must be used. Women will be allowed a handicap index up to 40.4 and men up
to 36.4 as per the USGA policy.
HANDICAP VERIFICATION POLICY: 54-Hole Finals
Players will be required to submit a copy of their current handicap card, a printout
of all scores used to calculate that handicap, the names and phone numbers of at
least three peers with whom the potential entrant has played golf with in the last
six months, and a completed handicap form to tournament headquarters for verification.
The card and printout must clearly indicate a player’s most current 18-hole handicap
index.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to use any appropriate means to verify
handicaps. Once your index is submitted, we will evaluate your handicap based on
the following criteria:
New Players (a player who has not competed in any previous People vs. the
Pros Tournament): All new players will be required to submit detailed backup of
their score history, including but not limited to: 1) Dates of scores used to calculate
handicap; 2) Effective date of handicap submitted; 3) Number of rounds played since
deadline; 4) the names and phone numbers of at least three peers with whom the potential
entrant has played golf with in the last six months; 5) Complete PGA Professional
verification, including PGA Member number, signature and home telephone number.
Past Players: All past players’ handicaps will be screened through our score
history program. This program will compare a player’s current handicap index against
their “performance index”. The lower of the two indexes will be used.
The “performance index” will be calculated using the player’s scores
from any or all of the past four tournaments in which they have played.
Once verification forms are returned, the handicap committee will thoroughly review
all information submitted. Any omission on the verification form can result in a
reduction of handicap or disqualification.
In cases involving a change in handicap prior to the tournament, and after September
1, 2008, the participant is required to notify tournament officials, as the lower
handicap must be used. A valid USGA handicap reflects all golf scores regardless
of the course or conditions, and must be formulated according to the guidelines
established by the USGA. Any unusual posting procedures, such as ceasing to post
scores for a period leading up to the event, may be grounds for disqualification.
2008 HANDICAP MONITORING POLICY: 54-Hole Finals
During the tournament, all players will be subject to handicap adjustments.
Anyone that shoots unusually low scores may have their handicap adjusted for the
remaining rounds. A reasonable and fair threshold for adjustments will be established.
If deemed necessary, any player with an inaccurate handicap will be disqualified.
If a player is adjusted and continues to shoot exceptional scores, their handicap
and its accuracy will be thoroughly researched. The following methods may be used
to discover false handicaps of players in question:
- Reviewing past tournament results/rankings
- Utilizing the Internet to research:
- Tournament scores/results not posted on handicap
- Other handicaps established, but not reported
- Updated handicaps not reported prior to tournament
- Implementing USGA Probability Table for exceptional score(s)
- Calling home golf courses/interviewing person(s) that attested to handicap in
question
Any participant found, at any time, to be using a fraudulent handicap will be expelled
from the tournament and all fees will be forfeited. The Tournament Committee reserves
the right to change a player’s handicap index or disqualify from participation,
if deemed necessary. All decisions of the Tournament Committee are final.
9. Winners List:
For the names of The Finals participants and the winners, send a self-addressed
stamped envelope to:
PVP Winners List
Innovative Media Solutions
1601 N. Sepulveda Blvd #637
Manhattan Beach, Ca. 90266.
10. Sponsor
This Promotion is sponsored by Innovative Media Solutions, LLC., 1601 N.
Sepulveda Blvd #637 Manhattan Beach, Ca. 90266.