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THE RULES    All rules not covered in this paper will be governed by USGA rules

1) ELIGIBILITY

       1. Management of the "Biggest Dream Tournament" reserves the right to accept or reject any entry in the interest of 
            maintaining the integrity of the tournament.
    *  2. A golfer must have a handicap index to participate in this tournament. (this clearification, Line 2, was added 1/05/08)
    *  3. This following line item had been excluded as of Jan 5th 2009.    " Any golfer who has won a National PGA title will not be
           eligible to play in the "Biggest Dream Golf Tournament".
       4. The tournament may disqualify any golfer at any stage of the competition if it is determined that the golfer has
           misrepresented any facts connected to his or her eligibility or in any way affected the intent of the tournament to be fair to
           all golfers. It is at the sole discretion of the tournament that these decisions will be made.  Interviews may be conducted with
           golfers, league and association officers who are familiar with, have golfed with, or have competed against a golfer in question
           in any leagues or tournaments. Entry fees will not be returned to entrants that the tournament determines have attempted to
           circumvent the fairness goals of the tournament.

2)   HANDICAP 
The team Handicap will equal 50% of the lower index player's handicap + 20% of the higher index player's handicap. Team handicap cannot exceed the lower Index player's handicap. If one player does not have a GHIN index, the team handicap will be 20% of the other team member.
The tournament will use the USGA Handicap System.  For verification all players advancing to the finals rounds
will be required to submit a copy of their handicap history dating back to Jan 15, 2007.   Investigations and Interviews will be conducted concerning all money winners.  Each player's current handicap card will have to be turned in to the tournament desk at sign in time.
    2,b)  There is also a scratch division in this event.   The scratch division has been officially added as of 10/15/08.

3)  PLAYING RULES OF THE " 4 4 Doubles event"
Both players will hit a tee shot. Choose the preferred ball to play for the second shot.  The player who's ball is not chosen to be played, must drop a ball within one club length (no closer to the hole) and both players hit their next shot. *Continue this sequence until ball is holed out. Once a ball is on the green it is to be marked and played from the same spot. A ball on the fringe (not on the green) not be placed on the green, and a ball in a hazard must be played from the hazard if that is the ball chosen to play.  The club length can not be used to improve the shot, out of the rough, out from behind a tree, etc.

*No player's shot may be chosen (used) for three (3) successive shots. In other words, if your drive and your second shot are chosen, the next shot (the 3^rd shot) must be played from your teammate's lie. 
If a ball is on the green (in a gimme position) mark your ball, don't tap it in until the other member of the team has putted.   If you have holed out you will have to use that score even if your teammate make the longer shot. 

Team members shall alternate taking the first shot from each tee.

The lowest handicapped player of the team shall be the team captain. He shall be responsible for recording  the drives used and scoring for each hole.

4)   INTEGRITY OF HANDICAP  
The tournament is taking extreme measures to maintain the integrity of the handicap system in the tournament. 

       1. Golfers may be required to give a thumbprint on their score sheet at time of semifinal golfing. This is to aid in verifying
            identities throughout the tournament.
       2. The names of all finalists will be posted on the tournament web site. Their photos, averages, and home courses may also be
            posted to allow other golfers who know them to help uncover any discrepancies. 
       3. Any golfers who file entry forms with false information will face prosecution and legal action by the tournament for potential
           moneys lost and both current and future damages to the reputation and integrity of the tournament.  
       4. Maintaining the integrity of the handicap system is vital to the success of this tournament. We also realize that there
           are a few.
           scheming tricky people out there.  The tournament will use all means available to make examples of those who may try to
           cheat. Tournament lawyers are prepared to engage any cheater and his or her lawyers to the maximum extent.

5)  CASH AWARDS :   The cash prizes are paid to golfers in the finals money round of the event.   See rule 20.

6)   AMATEUR STATUS and the 4-4 Doubles Event format
Playing the qualifier and semifinal rounds of the tournament will not affect a golfers amateur status.
The golfers in the finals - prize round will be affected and will have to apply for reinstatement. These rulings have been issued by the USGA Amateur Board after reviewing the tournament format.

7)  SQUAD  LEADER    A squad leader will be paid $15.00 for each team that plays in one of his squads.  A squad leader is expected to help promote the squad, by explaining the event to golfers, putting out promotion materials, and other tasks deemed to help assemble the squad.  The squad leader is to assemble entry forms and collect entry fees or entry receipts and file such with the tournament in accordance with the squad leader check lists.  Any Squad Leader who signs up a total of 30 paying teams will receive free entry (a pass through) to the tournament finals.

8)  SQUADS  A qualifier squad can consist of five (5) or more teams.

9)  AGE DIVISIONS
         
          There are 3 age divisions for men and 2 for women. *
                 1,  Men   49 and under
                 2,  Men   50  to 59
                 3,  Men   60 and over
                 4,  Women   49 and under
                 5,  Women 50 and over
            There is also a scratch division in this event.
           *Any golfer can play in a division younger than their actual age.  Women may play in men's squads.

10)  MULTIPLE ENTRIES  Yes a golfer may enter the tournament more than once, in the same team or as a member of another team.  A golfer may play on two advancing teams in the semifinals but may only play on one team in the finals, the first team in which he or she advances to the finals.

11)  ADVANCING TO SEMIFINALS   ( only compete with 4 other teams) One team out of each 5 teams in a squad will advance to the semifinals.*  If  a squad has a number if teams that is a multiple of 5 (ex. 5, 10, 15, etc) all teams before the round begins will put their names in a hat.  The names will be brawn out in groups of 5.  Any team will only play against the other 4 teams in their "Group of 5".  

* When a squad has a number of teams not a multiple of 5.  
The teams not in a "Group of 5" at the end of "Group selection" which will be 1, 2, 3, or 4 teams.  Those teams "Live Teams" will be the start of a  "Extra Group of 5 ".  At that time, all other teams will put their names back in the hat,  and  1, 2, 3, or 4 teams will be will pulled out of the hat to complete the compliment of 5 for the "Extra Group of 5".  These "place holder" teams cannot win in the "Extra Group of 5", only in their original "Group of 5".  The "Live Teams" in the "Extra Group of 5" must beat the place holders to win.  The winning team must beat the 4 other teams in their "Group of 5".

12)  SIGN  IN    Golfers must sign in 45 minutes prior to golfing time.

13)  IDENTIFICATION:  Entrants may need photo ID and may be required to give a thumbprint at sign in, 45 minutes before scheduled starting time.   Golfers advancing to semifinals and finals may be photographed and thumb printed.  This is to aid in the integrity of the tournament in the semi and final rounds of he tournament.  Any golfers with discrepancies will forfeit entry fees and face prosecution.

14) SCHEDULING:  All entries shall be assigned for the flight in the order in which entries are filed.  The tournament may cancel a squad and transfer golfers to another course when deemed in the best interest of golfers and the tournament.  Additional shifts and times may be added upon entries and course availability.

15)  Local qualifying events;
  
              1. Most courses are eligible to hold local qualifiers. 
              2. A standard squad must have a minimum of 5 teams and can have any number greater than five (5). 
                  A qualifier squad will open at a set date and will be open to golfers until the posted closing time for sign ups. 
              3. One team out of each 5 teams in a squad will advance to the semifinals.*  
              4.  In the local qualifier squad one team (the winner) out of each "Group of 5" will advance to the regional semifinals. 
                  See rule # 11.
              5. The winning teams in qualifier rounds win the opportunity to play in the semifinal round of the tournament.  Winners
                   win no money or items of value in accordance with rules of USGA Amateur Satus.
              6. Golfers that have paid the entry fee to play in a squad that has not signed up the necessary number of Teams as the 
                  tournament closing approaches may transfer to or combine with other squads at other courses.  If as the tournament
                  closes a golfer does not have a squad to golf with his or her entry fee will be refunded

16)  Regional semifinals;   Regional semifinals will be held at courses chosen by the tournament for close proximity to the greatest number of semifinalist golfers. 

1. In the regional semifinals no team will compete against more than 4 other teams to advance to the 4-4 Doubles finals. The dates will be posted on the tournament web site,  finalists will be notified by mail and/or email.

2. The tournament office will assign golfers that have advanced to golf in a semifinals to specific squads.  The tournament office may reassign golfers to alternate semifinal squads.  If a flight has not been filled with 15 teams as the tournament closing approaches golfers may be transferred to or combined with other squads at other courses. The tournament office will oversee and manage dates and locations of semifinals for the convenience of all golfers.

3.The winning teams in the semifinal rounds win the opportunity to play in the finals round of the tournament.  The advancing teams win no money or items of value in accordance with rules of USGA Amateur Satus.

4. The last semifinal competitions may be completed at the site of the finals within 2 days of the finals rounds.

5. At the closing of the tournament, If combining or transferring does not work to assemble a squad of 5 teams or more entry fees will be refunded to golfers not able to play. 

6. If a semifinalist is unable to attend the finals his or her team partner will be put into a pool.  Before the final round begins golfers will be assembled into teams in a random manner.  It the pool is an odd number the tournament will select a single golfer to join the pool, creating an even number of teams.

7. If a golfer has advanced to the semifinals and there is no semifinal squad in their area a semifinal squad(s) will be scheduled and played at the location of the finals, to be played one or two days before the finals event. In the event there are not 15 teams qualified for that semifinal the additional spots (making up to the 15 teams required) will be filled by placeholders chosen randomly by the tournament.

17)  Finals  The finals will be played at Grande Pines Golf Club in Orlando Fl on June 5-6 or 13-14 2009.  The exact times will be posted as the production crew finalizes details in the near future.  The finals will use required rounds of the 4-4 formant to determine the winners.  The winning teams of the first round will advance to the final money round.  The money round will use the 4-4 format to determine which teams win the prize money.
                   
18)  STUDENTS PARTICIPATION: Junior golfers 18 and over may enter this tournament.

19)  MOVING DUE TO UNFORESEEN PROBLEMS:   Tournament management reserves the right to move golfers to another course in event of a major course problem.  

20)  GOLFERS NOT LOCATED IN THE US:    This tournament is open to golfers outside the US. There are no limits as to location of qualifiers. Semifinals may also be held outside the US.  As 15 semifinalists are required to play, golfers outside the US may have to travel to find a semifinal flight with 15 teams.  The tournament office will assist all semifinalists in locating semifinal matches.  Semifinal may be held at the same course as the finals on the day before the finals. The finals will be held in the US.  The tournament office will make an effort to accommodate speaking languages other than English, but non English speaking golfers are responsible for translators as required to compete in the semifinal and final stages of the tournament.  

21)  PRIZE MONEY    The  prize money is paid to teams in the finals round.   Winning teams from each "Group of 5" advance to the semifinals, and get a 44 Doubles Winner's hats.   The runner up team of each "Group of 5" gets 44 doubles "Not a Winner" hats.   There are other potential prizes from sponsors but that is in negotiation at this time.  Prize money in national finals is based on the number of golfers in the finals.  For examples, if there are 40  teams in the finals prize money would be $24,000.00, if there are 160 teams, the prize fund will be $96000.00.   Payout percentages of prize fund are for the top 15 teams, 1st -25%, 2nd-20%, 3rd-10%,  4th-9%,  5th-7%,  6th-6%,  7th-4.5%,  8th-4%,  9th-3.5%,  10th-3%,  11th- 2.5%,  12th-2%,  13th-1.5%,  14th-1%,  15th-1%.

22)  THE NEGATIVE PRIZES – time on the CHAIN GANG   At the conclusion of the money finals the two golfers of the team coming in 2nd will be spend a day on the Orange County Fl chain gang.  The golfers will remain in custody for up to one day and be required to perform whatever duties the county shall deem just.   Those duties may include hard labor, community
service, public humiliation, or the promotion of any programs the Sheriff's Department may choose.  The duties may or may not include those duties previously listed or other duties not listed.  The custody will commence at the end of competition and continue for a period of 24 hours with possible parole during the prize awards ceremonies. 

23)  NON DISCLOSURE and FILMING AGREEMENT   In the event the final stages of this tournament are developed into a reality program there may be a time interval between the end of the tournament and airing of the event. Finalists will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which would apply in the event of that scenario.  Finalists may be interviewed and filmed before, during and after the semifinal and finals of the tournament.  Golfers in this tournament will retain no rights pertaining to any interviews and images created during the production of the reality programming aspect of the tournament.

24)  ENTRY  FEE QUALIFIER ROUNDS    The  event entry fee is $40.00 for each golfer ($80.00 per team), 
          The $40.00  entry fee Does NOT include Greens fees, due the wide variation of greens fees across the US (world) it is
           not feasible to include greens fees in the tournament entry. As greens fees vary from 0 at private clubs to hundreds at
           some golf clubs that part of the entry must be calculated for each course. The event entry for the semifinal is also $40.00,
           finals are no cost to the golfers.

25)  BREAK DOWN OF EVENT ENTRY FEE
          The break down for each golfers $40.00 event entry fee is as follows.  Paid to squad leader for managing, promoting, filing
          records and signing up golfers - $7.50,  Local qualifier squad winner hats, etc.  - $2.50,   National prize fund -
          $10.00, National tournament expense - $9.50.  Local  squad tournament promotion  expense - $10.50.  The
          breakdown when a team advances to the semifinals round is the same as the qualifier,  that entry fee is $40.00
          per golfer.  Finals no cost.

26)  ENTRY FEE REFUNDS: No team shall be entitled to a refund after the form and fees have been received and a definite schedule date assigned any later than 5 days before golfing date.  If a team is unable to golf at their assigned squad time and place the team may golf with another squad at another time and/or course without paying another entry fee.
 
27) ACTS OF TERRORISM,  WAR, FLOOD, ACTS OF GOD, etc.    If events beyond the control of  the  tournament make the completion of the tournament not feasible at the intended time the last rounds of the event will rescheduled at later date.  That date would if possible be between 30 and 90 days after original date.

28)  Financial accountability and oversight of the tournament;  All prize moneys coming into the "Biggest Dream Tournament" are deposited into escrow accounts managed by JP Morgan Chase Bank.  Legal work for the "Biggest Dream Tournament" is being done be the law offices of Robert Robinson.  Incoming moneys are deposited into two accounts for "Biggest Dream Tournament" one being the prize escrow account, the other being the tournament expense account.  The law offices of Robert Robinson will oversee and disburse moneys from the prize account at the end of the tournament.  Moneys from the tournament expense account will be used for advertising, promotions, salaries, greens fees, rents, travel, commissions, and other applications the "Biggest Dream Tournament" deems appropriate and to advance and promote the tournament.  The actual tasks include conducting and managing  hundreds of qualifier flights,  semifinal matches, an international finals, communicating with thousands of golfers, press and venders, and others.  

29)  Clarification of Rules  Should it become necessary the tournament will issue expanded explanations to clarify rules of this tournament.

Phone  800-722-5763  

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