The SGA Tour

The Social Golf Australia (SGA) Tour

The Social Golf Australia (SGA) Tours are State-based amateur golf tours played on some of the best courses available. A new initiative in 2010, it has developed through our partnership with the Tour Fore Golfers based in South East Queensland. The SGA Tours are a series of individual golf events that are separate from the Social Golf Club Championships. They have been established to offer golfers of all levels an affordable golfing alternative with flexibility and choice, where players can compete for great prizes on a regular basis.

In 2010, we will operate separate "Tours" based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth that play on a variety of courses all within 90 minutes of each city. “The Tour” season comprises between 10 and 20 events played on some of the best courses available. Due to our large group bookings, we are able to secure green fee discounts at some courses that will be passed on to you – the ‘Tour player’. Prize costs are included in the entry price for each event and anyone is welcome to join the fun of playing on the Tour.

Just like the professional golf tours, each SGA Tour has its own Order of Merit with a Tour Championship at the end of the season. At the end of the season, the Order of Merit winner is determined and the final event of the year is the exclusive Tour Championship played on one of the top courses in each city. Only the leading 20 players in the Order of Merit are eligible to compete for the Tour Championship at the final event of the year. We are currently in negotiations to secure premier golf courses to host the Tour Championship in each State. When the bookings are finalised, we will post the details here.

Anyone can play on the Tour and simply pay as you play in as many events as you like, but to be eligible to earn Order of Merit points and compete in the Tour Championship, you need to be a member of the Tour and hold an SGA Tour Card for the year. It is not expensive to join the Tour and being a member has a lot of great benefits.

The Tour offers the opportunity to play golf in a social and competitive setting. If you are already a member of a golf club, the Tour can provide you with variety of other exciting courses to play in competitions for great prizes. If you are learning the game, are not a member of a club, don’t have a handicap, or are just an enthusiastic golfer simply wanting to expand your social circle, the SGA Tour is a place where you can come and enjoy the game with like-minded people. All enthusiastic golfers are welcome!

2010 SGA Tour Schedules

Click here to see the 2010 Queensland Tour Schedule and info on the QLD SGA Tour.

Click here to see the 2010 New South Wales Tour Schedule and info on the NSW SGA Tour.

Click here to see the 2010 Victorian Tour Schedule and info on the Vic SGA Tour.

Click here to see the 2010 Western Australian Tour Schedule and info on the WA SGA Tour.

Competition Formats

Stroke - The stroke score of each hole is entered on the score card. The gross score is totalled and the player's handicap is deducted to calculate the nett score. The player who completes the round with the least nett strokes is the winner.

Stableford - The stroke index on the scorecard determines the calculated par on the hole and how many shots a player receives on the hole depending on their handicap.

Players who exceed their calculated par by two strokes receive no points and wipe the hole.
One stroke over the calculated par receives one point.
If you make a calculated par, you score two points.
A score of one stroke better than your calculated par is three points.
A score two strokes better than your calculated par is four points (and so on).
Scores are totalled and the player with the best (highest) stableford score is the winner.

Par - The stroke index on the scorecard determines the calculated par on the hole and how many shots a player receives on the hole depending on their handicap. A hole is either won, lost or halved depending on your your stroke score against the calculated par. Scoring a calculated par means you halve the hole and a zero or a small square is recorded on the card. If you score better than your calculated par, you win the hole and a plus (+) is recorded as the result. If you score worse than your calculated par, you lose the hole and a minus (-) is recorded as the result. The scores are totalled and the player with the highest plus (+) score is the winner.

Four Ball Best Ball Stableford (4BBB) - The SGA Tour Mini-Majors - 4BBB Stableford is played by two players competing as partners. Each golfer plays his own ball and plays a stableford round. On each hole, the better stableford score of the pair is recorded on the card as the team score (with the player's initials). When scores are equal, the ball holed first is recorded. On the SGA Tour, each team will keep three cards - the two individual rounds which will be entered on GOLF Link and the 4BBB round which will be used for the competition on the day to allocate prizes and Order of Merit points.

On the SGA Tour, the 4BBB rounds are our Mini-Majors as these events effectively carry double points in the Order of Merit. As points will be awarded to both players in the team for the placing their team achieves, there will be twice as many Order of Merit points available than at a normal Tour event.

FAQs

Do I need to be a member to play?
No. Anyone can play – you just pay your competition fees as you play. Tour Memberships are available for those who want to compete for the Order of Merit. Tour Memberships represent wonderful value but are not compulsory.

Is it expensive to play and what do I get for my fees?
The costs to play depend on the venue for the competition. During 2010, the competition fees will range from $35 to $95. Your competition fee includes your round of golf, great quality prizes and, in some cases, a motorised cart. Most of our members enjoy a couple of drinks together after their round.

How often can I play?
Our 2010 Victorian schedule includes 20 events, about one every three weeks. You can play as many, or as few as you like. Some of our members play only the less expensive courses, some prefer the more glamorous venues and some like to play in every event.

Is the SGA Tour suitable for both men and women?
Most certainly. Men, women, couples and singles are all welcome.

Do I need to be a good golfer?
Our players are golfers of all abilities from ‘A’ graders to beginners, but you need to be aware of basic rules and golf etiquette and be able to play at the same pace as the group ahead of you.

Do I need an official golf handicap?
Most members of the SGA Tour have an official handicap or are in the process of getting one. We encourage our members to get one (which we can arrange, manage and maintain) but it is not compulsory. If you don’t have a handicap, we can help. Through our partnership with Bushranger Golf (BRG), we can arrange an official Golf Australia handicap.

What sort of people play golf with the SGA Tour?
The membership of the Tour is open to all age groups, abilities and walks of life. Our members enjoy their golf, the friendly competition and the social interaction after their round.

Does the Tour exclude anyone from participating?
We expect all our members to maintain high standards of dress and behaviour and comply with the standards set by the golf clubs we visit.

How can I get more information about the SGA Tour?
You can visit the website (more info on the Tour will be available here soon) or you can email, phone or SMS. Contact details are provided at the bottom of this page.

How to Enter an Event

Email info (at) socialgolfcc.com.au and register your interest in playing. If it is your first event, please provide your GOLF Link number (if you have one) and your contact details. If you wish, you can nominate your preferred playing partners or, we can group you with other enthusiastic golfers. Confirm your attendance by making payment. This can be done by EFT, cheque, direct deposit or by credit card (attracts a 2% fee).