Home > Official Rules
2009
People vs. the Pros Championship
Official Event Rules
1. Eligibility
Participation in the People vs. the Pros Championship (the “Event”)
is open to any Amateur golfer who has acquired an official golf handicap accepted
by People vs. the Pros or endorsed by the U.S.G.A. or the R.C.G.A. prior to September
30, 2009. Current professional golfers (or those that have ever been a professional
golfer), and employees of Innovative Media Solutions, Winnercomm, Pinehurst
Resort, 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”) at the Pinehurst
Resort from October 24-26, 2009 for the right to play in the Grand Prize matches
on October 27, 2009. 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 (amount of flights subject to change
by the Tournament Committee) based on index. Players will play against those of
similar handicaps. The winners of each flight will play a two hole shootout where
three players will be eliminated on the first hole (if there are six flights...
if other amount then 50% of players will be eliminated) 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 ahead of time 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
more than 288 (144 in each age division). To qualify as a 49 and under participant
your 50th birthday may not be before October 1, 2009 (it may be after October 1,
2009 and you may be 50 years old you by the time you will play in the Event); to
qualify as a 50 and over participant you must have had your 50th Birthday on or
before October 1, 2009.
3. How to Qualify
There are several ways to qualify for the Finals: 20 spots (one in each Division)
will be awarded in a random drawing sweepstakes, 42 or more slots in the event will
be given away in qualifying tournaments at Full Swing Golf Simulators (see www.fullswinggolf.com
for locations); at qualifying tournaments at www.wgt.com (see www.wgt.com
for details); local hole in one contests, various charities; direct purchase of
a guaranteed player package, and the remaining slots in each division will be awarded
through Sponsor exemptions, media promotions, other local qualifying events, or
through other direct sales to players, which may include auctions on eBay or other
auction sites. Tournament Committee reserves the right to add other qualifying events
at its sole discretion.
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 $3,995.00 inclusive of all North Carolina sales and local
occupancy taxes. The package includes: five nights lodging at the Pinehurst Resort,
Pinehurst, NC, four rounds of golf, breakfast each day, four cocktail parties, five
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 all sponsored events. In addition,
players will be charged a 10% Resort Fee and a $495 Tournament fee will be required.
These guaranteed slots in the Finals can be reserved by completing the online form
www.pvpgolf.com/HowToEnter.aspxor 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 P.M. 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 (except those the win a slot) 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 the
Pinehurst Resort for the duration of their matches, for a minimum of five nights,
unless specifically exempt by the Sponsor. The exceptions will be for Fifty (50)
special packages for local participants that will be available at a cost of $2,665.00
plus the tournament fee of $495.00. This package includes everything provided in
the Total Player Package with the exception of nightly accommodations at Pinehurst
Resort (local participants are responsible for their own lodging in Pinehurst).
These 50 local and special packages are available on a first come, first serve basis.
The 2009 People vs. the Pros five night Golf Package includes accommodations, breakfast
each day, opening night reception and dinner, gala dinner with the pros on October
26th, 2009, four cocktail receptions and four rounds of golf on the following golf
courses: Pinehurst No. 2,(guaranteed to play twice for the first 104 players that
register) and Pinehurst 1, and 4, plus use of practice facility, range balls, green
fee, and cart rental for 18 holes each day. The PVP Player Package cost is $3,995
inclusive of all North Carolina Sales tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax (A Resort Fee*
of 10% will be added to the package). Total Pinehurst Resort Package inclusive of
resort fee is: $4394.50. In addition, there is a required $495 tournament fee.
* Resort Fee includes: use of the Fitness Center, on-site transportation, High Speed
Internet Access in guest rooms, valet and self parking, beach club and outdoor pools
(based on seasonal availability), bicycles, afternoon tea in the Carolina, practice
putting greens and driving range. The Resort Service Fee also includes gratuities
for staff in the dining venues covered by the meal portion of your package, as well
as, the bell and door staff. For non-package meals and beverages in any of Resort
dining outlets, an 18% service charge is added to your account. Housekeeping and
transportation staff do not participate in the resort services fee. Gratuities for
any other service staff are at each individual’s discretion
6. The Finals
After a practice round on October 23rd, 2009, the Finalists will play in a 54-hole
stroke play tournament on October 24, 25, and 26, 2009 with their corresponding
handicaps (at 80% of their index on September 30, 2009, minus any adjustments by
the Tournament Director or Tournament Committee). After the Shoot out involving
the winners of each of the flights, the winner in each of the two age Divisions
will advance to the Grand Prize Matches, October 27, 2009. 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 a handicap acceptable to People
vs. the Pros or a USGA or RCGA Handicap index at a recognized golf facility, golf
association or golf club. Those participants who qualify online at www.worldgolftour.com and at local qualifiers on Full Swing
Golf simulators may participate with assigned handicaps if necessary, but all these
participants must make a full attempt to acquire an Official Handicap if time allows..
Sponsor reserves the right to accept or decline any potential player at its sole
discretion. Tournament Committee will verify and assign 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 can apply, at the discretion
of the Tournament for the subsequent round(s).
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.
2009 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.