FAQ
What is the tournament format?
Saturday, June 21st – 18-Hole Qualifier
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The top 50% of teams advance to the Championship Round on Sunday.
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Teams that do not make the cut will enter the Amateur Bracket (Consolation).
Sunday, June 22nd – Championship & Amateur Brackets
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Championship Round: All qualifying teams compete for monetary payouts.
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Amateur Bracket:
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Teams are flighted (1-4) based on their Saturday score.
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Each team competes in two nine-hole match play matches.
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Flight winners receive a payout in shop credit.
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Every participant gets a competitive and rewarding tournament experience—whether in the Championship Round or Amateur Bracket.
How will winnings and payouts be determined?
All teams advancing to Sunday’s Championship Round will receive a monetary payout, regardless of final standing. Top finishers will earn the highest payouts, while teams further down the leaderboard will still receive a portion of the prize pool.
Teams in the Amateur Bracket will be grouped into four-team flights, competing in two nine-hole match play matches to determine the flight winner.
Championship Round Payouts (Based on a full field of 24 teams)
1st: $2,500
2nd: $1,500
3rd: $1,000
4th: $700
5th: $500
6th: $250
7th: $200
8th: $190
9th: $180
10th: $170
11th: $160
12th: $150
Amateur Bracket Payouts (Shop Credit)
1st Flight Winner: $150
2nd Flight Winner: $130
3rd Flight Winner: $100
4th Flight Winner: $75
Note: Payouts are based on a full field of 24 teams. If fewer than 24 teams register, payouts will be adjusted accordingly.
How much money will be donated to charity?
10% of all registration fees will be "paid forward" to a reputable nonprofit organization. The last two years we have raised roughly $3,000 in support of NAMI MN. NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. For over 40 years, NAMI Minnesota has worked to promote the development of community mental health programs and services, change public attitudes about mental illnesses, improve access to services and increase opportunities for recovery.
Signup and Registration
Who is eligible to play in the tournament?
Each player must have a handicap index calculated by the USGA and distributed through the Allied Golf Associations.
Your Handicap ID can be found on your GHIN mobile app, on your handicap card, or from your golf club. Your ID may also be referred to as a GHIN, WSGA, CDGA, IGA, Grint, MyScorecard, US Handicap, GolfNet, or CCIG.
Are there any other requirements to register?
All participants must be at least 18 years of age and must present a Government issued ID upon arriving at the course. Each player must also provide cell phone number, email address, home address, and date of birth to tournament organizers.
What do the registration fees cover?
Your registration fee includes a premium golf experience at one of America’s Top 100 courses, along with a range of exclusive perks:
• 36 holes of competitive golf on a nationally ranked course (as voted by Golf Digest)
• High-quality tournament apparel
• Lunch provided on both days
• 10% of your entry fee donated to a reputable nonprofit organization
• Unlimited range balls
• Golf cart for both rounds
• Lucrative payouts for teams making the Championship Round or winning their Amateur Bracket flight
What is the refund and cancellation policy?
You will receive a full refund if you cancel outside 30 days of the event. If you cancel within 30 days of the event but outside of 7 days of the event, you will receive a refund if Play It Forward Group can fill your spot. If you cancel within 7 days of the event you will not receive a refund.
Can I still play in the tournament if I have not established a handicap?
Yes, you can play as a scratch golfer.
Can I still play and not lose my Amateur status?
Yes. In accordance with USGA rules, any participant may choose to opt out of a monetary payout and retain their Amateur status. Participants who opt out may choose to donate their winnings to a designated nonprofit, or select a non-cash prize of equal value up to $1,000 per person.
If you are a tournament winner and take home the grand $2,500 team prize, you can opt out of prize money, donate all proceeds above $1,000 per person to charity, and retain a prize of equal value up to $1,000 per person.
If my partner cancels or no longer can attend, can I switch out for another one?
Yes, by emailing Playitforwardcup@playitforwardgroup.com.
Tournament Play
How many teams?
The tournament is capped at 24 teams. The top 12 make the cut to Sunday’s championship round. All of the other 12 teams are entered into Sunday’s Amateur Bracket and placed in flights 1-4 based on their score.
What is the tournament format?
Saturday, June 21st – 18-Hole Qualifier
• The top 50% of teams advance to the Championship Round on Sunday.
• Teams that do not make the cut will enter the Amateur Bracket (Consolation).
Sunday, June 22nd – Championship & Amateur Brackets
• Championship Round: All qualifying teams compete for monetary payouts.
• Amateur Bracket:
- Teams are flighted (1-4) based on their Saturday score.
- Each team competes in two nine-hole match play matches.
- Flight winners receive a payout in shop credit.
Every participant gets a competitive and rewarding tournament experience—whether in the Championship Round or Amateur Bracket.
How is scoring determined?
The tournament uses a handicap-based scoring system, ensuring fair and competitive play for all participants.
50% Handicap Adjustment:
• Each player competes at 50% of their official handicap.
• Example: A golfer with a 10 handicap will receive 5 strokes per round to maintain balanced competition.
Best Ball Format (Net Scoring):
Each team records the lowest net score between the two golfers on every hole. Example:
• Partner #1 scores a 4
• Partner #2 scores a 3
• The team records a 3 for that hole.
This format fosters stronger competition while ensuring every team has a fair shot at victory.
How will tournament handicaps be determined?
The Play It Forward Cup staff will select a random day in lead up to the tournament in which we will take each participants handicap on that given day.
What happens if I now have a USGA handicap index but no scores inputted?
Feel free to input the scores from your old handicap association.
What should golfers expect on Day 1 (Saturday)?
Tee Times:
• Tee times will be scheduled between 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM.
Lunch:
• Boxed lunches will be provided either after your round or during it.
Putting Contest:
• After the round, join us for a putting contest, where you’ll have the chance to compete for a grand prize.
What should golfers expect on Day 2 (Sunday)?
Tee Times:
• Tee times will be scheduled between 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM.
• The highest scores and Amateur Bracket tee off first, with Championship Round leaders teeing off last.
Lunch:
• Boxed lunches will be provided either after your round or during it.
Payouts for Winning Teams:
• Payouts will be provided directly following play on day two
What happens after golfers complete their round on Day 2?
Players are welcome to stay around and watch the other golfers finish. All payouts are planned to be distributed following play on Sunday.
What happens if it rains the day of the tournament?
The Play It Forward Cup committee will do everything they can to complete the tournament on Saturday and Sunday. In the chance the event has to be postponed due to rain, we will finish it the next possible day we can, likely that week.
Which tees will be played?
Men:
Championship Tees: (6,400 yards)
Ladies:
Resort: (5,800 yards)
What if someone is not honest about their score?
Integrity is a core value and expectation in the game of golf. We expect all golfers to uphold the integrity of the game by following the rules.
Each team will be paired in a foursome with another team. Both teams will validate the scores of the other team in their group.
Winnings and Payouts
How will the tournament winner be decided?
Sunday’s championship round will be 18 holes to determine the winner of the tournament.
Sunday’s Amateur Bracket will be two nine-hole matches to determine the flight winner.
What is the total purse for the tournament?
Championship Round (Sunday):
• The tournament champions will be determined after 18 holes of play on Sunday.
• The team with the lowest total score at the end of the round will be crowned the Play It Forward Cup winner.
Amateur Bracket (Sunday):
• Teams that miss the cut will compete in two nine-hole match play matches.
• Each team will be placed into Flights 1-4, based on their qualifying score.
• Flight winners will receive a payout in golf shop credit.
Total Tournament Purse
Total Purse: $7,500* (Based on a full field of 24 teams)
Winning Team: $2,500 ($1,250 per golfer)
• All Championship Round participants will receive a portion of the prize pool.
• Teams in the Amateur Bracket will compete for shop credit payouts in their respective flights.
If fewer than 24 teams register, payouts will be adjusted proportionately.
How will winnings and payouts be determined?
All teams advancing to Sunday’s Championship Round will receive a monetary payout, regardless of final standing. Top finishers will earn the highest payouts, while teams further down the leaderboard will still receive a portion of the prize pool.
Teams in the Amateur Bracket will be grouped into four-team flights, competing in two nine-hole match play matches to determine the flight winner.
Championship Round Payouts (Based on a full field of 24 teams)
1st Place: $2,500
2nd Place: $1,500
3rd Place: $1,000
4th Place: $700
5th Place: $500
6th Place: $250
7th Place: $200
8th Place: $190
9th Place: $180
10th Place: $170
11th Place: $160
12th Place: $150
Amateur Bracket Payouts (Shop Credit)
1st Flight Winner: $150
2nd Flight Winner: $130
3rd Flight Winner: $100
4th Flight Winner: $75
Note: Payouts are based on a full field of 24 teams. If fewer than 24 teams register, payouts will be adjusted accordingly.
How much money will be donated to charity?
10% of all registration fees will be "paid forward" to a reputable nonprofit organization. The last two years we have raised roughly $3,000 in support of NAMI MN. NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. For over 40 years, NAMI Minnesota has worked to promote the development of community mental health programs and services, change public attitudes about mental illnesses, improve access to services and increase opportunities for recovery.
Will winners receive a 1099 form?
Any participant awarded over $600 in prize money will receive an IRS form 1099-MISC. A copy of the form will be filed with the IRS.
How can participants receive their payouts?
Participants can receive their payouts by check or Venmo following the tournament. If you'd prefer not to wait around we will send your winnings after the tournament.
How much money do I receive if I win?
The winning team will receive $2,500 ($1,250 per person)*. The higher your team finishes the higher the payout. Payouts include the following:
1st: $2,500
2nd: $1,500
3rd: $1,000
4th: $700
5th: $500
6th: $250
7th: $200
8th: $190
9th: $180
10th: $170
11th: $160
12th: $150
Each consolation flight winner will receive a payout in golf shop credit. The consolation flight winning payouts are the following:
1st flight: $150
2nd flight: $130
3rd flight: $100
*Pending full field of 24 teams. If less than 24 teams, payouts will be reduced.
2025 Play It Forward Cup
June 21-22, 2025
Troy Burne Golf Club
Hudson, Wisconsin