It’s getting to the exciting parts of the annual NCGA Match Play Challenge.
Just recently, the quarterfinals of the Challenge—both Individual and Four-Ball play–were held on the South Course at Silverado Resort in Napa. Those winners were set to advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled for Nov. 1 at Pasatiempo GC in Santa Cruz. The finals are set for Nov. 22 on the Lake Course at The Olympic Club, which hosted this summer’s U.S. Amateur Championship.
Last year’s Four-Ball Finals was a thriller, with the father/son duo of Al and William Saroyan defeating the team of Steve Zercoe and Gary Glendenning on the 19th hole at Lake Merced Golf Club.
Once registration closes each season, a single elimination bracket is created. Participants are grouped by their preferred bracket location and their handicap. The brackets are then sent out during the week before the first-round matches begin. Players are given a timeframe for each round to schedule and play their match against their opponent. The matches will be played as net match play.
The two players (or teams) agree on the date and course to play within the given timeframe for each round. Green fees are the responsibility of the players. Winners keep progressing through the bracket until they reach the Quarterfinals.
The Quarterfinals through the Final rounds are then scheduled in October and November—with expenses will be covered by the NCGA.
“The NCGA Match Play Challenge is an awesome event that allows golfers to play different courses, meet new people and compete in match play. Getting to play some great courses is an amazing bonus. I cannot recommend the Match Play Challenge enough!”
–Keith Okasaki
"Participating in the NCGA Match Play Challenge was an enjoyable experience. It offered the flexibility to arrange matches at your convenience and provided the chance to play with a diverse range of individuals."
–Hassan Firzok
Look for Info on the 2026 Match Play Challenge to Come Soon!
To Learn More About the Match Play Challenge, please visit ncga.org/match-play-challenge
