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All of the returning Tour Players know what it feels like playing on Tour but if you and your peers haven't played and would like to know , here's your chance to test your golf game at a variety of courses during the 2016 Central Carolina golf season.
With multiple flights, even high handicappers can experience what it's like to stand over a 5-foot putt with hundreds of dollars on the line for the winner. As always, everyone from scratch golfers to serious weekend hackers are playing on tour or signing up to play.
With the exception of a few club tournaments and corporate outings, there was little opportunity for the average weekend golfer to test his game against players of equal skill levels in a professional tournament atmosphere. Now you can compete regularly and feel the heat to go for a risk/reward shot to win your flight.
The uniqueness of having real tournament golf and a real tournament atmosphere for players of all skill levels continues in 2016 with great venues.
The schedule listed currently is a partial schedule for the 2016 season. I will be adding a number of additional venues within the next week or so. Some will be private courses that restrict play to only their members and all will be top courses rated very high by golfing professionals.
Competition is held in five flights based on handicaps - championship (0-5), A (6-10), B (11-15), C (16-20) and D (20+) - and your Tour Director is always careful to quickly weed out sandbaggers.
Prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each flight, with prizes up to $300 in gift certificates depending on the number of tournament entries in each flight.
There is a season-long points competition based on top finishes each week, with the top point getters in each flight qualifying for the 54-hole championship in Hilton Head, S.C. in October. This tournament brings together the best players from all 45 tours.
We hope to see you play all the tournaments to compete to be the Flight Winner and to make it to the National Tournament in October.
As we have done every year, we will extend a $10 discount for early membership payment prior to January 15. The normal membership fee for 2016 is $100.00, with the discount it will be $90.00.
So , dust off those clubs, put some gloves on (based on previous years but very warm so far this year), hit a few practice shots and get ready to start the 2016 season in 30 days.
There are two Pre-Season Events: January 30 at The Legacy and February 13 at Longleaf, both in the Pinehurst area. Hope to see you there.
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Golfweek Amateur Golf Tour
The Central Carolina Tour
Once again, we've got a great line-up of premium courses scheduled and look forward to another year of fun competition with these top-draw venues.
We'll kick the season off with our annual visit to The Legacy Golf Links in Aberdeen on Saturday, January 30. This is a pre-season event to which I invite both the Golfweek and Senior Tours. Because of that mix, no points will be awarded, but the prize pool is generally one of the largest of the season.
Legacy Golf Course: 2016 Pre-Season #1 January 30, 2016
Historically this event sells out, so if you have interest in playing, I'm taking entries now for roster spots. Just email me or call me to let me know if you want to play.
If you can't make that event, or if you want to wait a few weeks for "warmer" temperatures, a second pre-season event will be held at The Golf Club at Longleaf on Saturday, February 13. This event also has a history of filling up, so one again, give me an early "heads-up" if you want to play at Longleaf.
Longleaf Country Club: 2016 Pre-Season #2 February 13, 2016
The regular season will start March 5 at Bermuda Run. Points, prizes, and your Tour "goodies" that you purchased with your membership will be distributed at that event.
Early season events always produce a good field and this year should be no exception.
REMINDER - EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT
As I have done for the last few years, I am extending an Early Sign-Up Discount to any member who would like to sign-up for the season prior to January 15. The normal membership dues are $100.00, if you pay by the date noted, I will offer a $10.00 discount, resulting in an $90.00 annual membership fee.
No problem if you prefer to wait until your first event, at which time the membership cost will be the normal annual fee of $100.00 - your call.
Part of the annual membership, in addition to the "goodies" received last season, will be entry into the USGA Handicap System.
We look forward to another very successful year with excellent courses (many of them private) and first rate competition.
As always,to register and to sign-up to play or if you have any questions, or need any assistance, please call me at 336-495-6556, or email me atbehgolf@aol.com.
Bruce Hallenbeck
GolfWeek Amateur Tour Director,
Raleigh/Pinehurst and Triad Tours
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